Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Please come in! Start your own personal thread, tell us a bit about yourself...and your fissure, of course. Welcome!

Return to New to the forum? Introduce yourself here




Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby Zeesh » 04 Sep 2013, 15:39

Hello all, I've been lurking on this forum since my episodes began about a month ago and now I finally decided to make an account to share my story and possible clear my confusion.
3rd week of July - stomach infection which resolves in a week. diarrhea for a day and then constipation for about 2 days (no hard stools, but inability to go to toilet)... And then everything was fine.
5th of August - slight itchiness when I have BM. In the beginning, itchiness was barely noticeable, but it increased with each bowel movements to the point where it was really really bad.
9th of August - Itchiness is at its peak. I notice 1-2 spots of blood on the toilet paper. Blood was only noticed in 2-3 bowel movements, none after. Started psyllium husk, loads of water and a stool softener ( Docusate - Calcium Dobesilate)... Also started applying Diltiazem gel after self diagnosis. No immediate relief seen.
13th August - Finally went to the doctor and described my condition. He told me that it was NOT fissures since I had virtually no pain whatsoever. He told me( he did not do any inspection of the site Image ) I had an infection (possibly fungal) and prescribed me anti- fungal, antibacterial cream and a no-worm medication(just in case).
25th August - Itching had subsided by nearly 75-80%... Although now I felt burning sensation when I pass stool but very little itchiness.
28th August to Today - Itchiness has come back! although thankfully it is not as bad as it was during its peak.. Strangely burning sensation has nearly gone away. No blood, no pain. Continuing medication. Doctor still thinks fungal infection.
Now I am confused. At first I thought it was fissures, but doctor says fissures involves lots of pain which I have none of. I just experience itching during and for 2-3 ( at max 5-10 mins) after BM.. No pain during or after or any time during the day.. Slight burning sometimes during BM... Blood was noticed only 2-3 times at the peak on Toilet paper. Is the doctor right in thinking that this is not fissure?
Could this "infection" have anything to do with my stomach infection? I must also add that for last 4-5 days I have jock itch which has subsided significantly now. Should I continue like this? or should i insist that the doctor schedule me for some tests?
Zeesh
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 8
Topics: 2
Joined: 03 Sep 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby janiep » 05 Sep 2013, 10:51

Hello! You should read the end of my newbie post! Hearing your story has me even more convinced now that theres a link between fungus (jock itch) and SOME fissures. I had a fissure and a fungal infection on my upper thighs at the same time after a hiking vacation. There are certain people that have put the jock itch medication on their bum with success. I haven't tried it but I would do a spot test first, some people had reactions. :)
janiep
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 6
Topics: 1
Joined: 03 Sep 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 3 times
Gender: None specified

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby Ever the Optimist » 05 Sep 2013, 14:06

Hi Zeesh,
It's hard to say! and the best option might be referral to a Colon & Rectal surgeon for you as they truly are the specialists in this area, rather then just a standard GP.....
I agree that the pain is pretty intense and it lingers for hours with a fissure at it's worst, but to have the itching you have, is definitely indicating some form of irritation. Is it something in your diet that could be exacerbating the irritation?? (Spicy foods/ citrus fruits/ pickles??) I know these cause a lot of irritation for me at the times you describe...?
I'd definitely go back and get it checked out properly if it worsens or just doesn't go away......
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups
Ever the Optimist
Moderator
 
Posts: 1625
Topics: 24
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 62 times
Been thanked: 102 times
Gender: None specified
Mood: Living life again

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby Zeesh » 06 Sep 2013, 03:40

Hey Janiep, I did read your thread yesterday. However my jock itch started about 3 weeks AFTER the itching started. So I am a bit confused. Perhaps if the itching turns out to be due to fungal infection as the GM thinks, then perhaps that caused the jock itch and not vice versa?
Anyways, he prescribed Lobate cream for me which is anti-fungal has miconazole. Although the cream also has corticosteroid (clobetasole) which I am afraid might thin out my skin down there and lead to further problems if it indeed is fissure as I think. Today he also prescribed an anti-hemorrhoid cream to apply on top of the anti-fungal cream. I am not sure where my doctor is going with this, but I am losing my patience with him fast.
Ever the optimist - I am looking for a CRS in my area, as soon as i find one, i'm gonna call and schedule myself an appointment. As far as I know, nothing like this has ever happened to me before with any kind of food. On average, my family and I, we tend to eat more spicy food. But that has never caused problems before, can't think why it would now. Same goes for my diet, its the same as before, so don't know why this would happen now.
Thankfully, I guess I am one of the lucky ones who do not have pain as some people here describe. It's only itching and sometimes burning sensation during and for few minutes after BM.
I did go for blood and urine test today... results gonna come out tomorrow. Let's see what it shows. If nothing comes out, I will ask my GM to schedule a culture swab from my Anal area to find out if it is indeed fungal infection as he thinks... And also gonna ask him to refer me to a CRS.
Zeesh
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 8
Topics: 2
Joined: 03 Sep 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby Ever the Optimist » 06 Sep 2013, 06:42

Hi Zeesh,
Yes I agree I'd get all areas covered so you can try to get a better picture of what might be happening down there.
It's an interesting point you make because it could be that although you might have aggravated the area in some way, it might not be an actual tear as such at this stage and if this is the case, in finding this site, this could actually put you ahead of something potentially happening in the future. You can be proactive rather than reactive! - and once you're truly reactive, you're dealing with a lot more than itching unfortunately.....
I hope you are able to find and chat with a CRS soon!
The only other thing that springs to mind is aggravated internal hems?? Generally they lie low and don't cause any issues but I know mine, if angry, can cause soreness and itching too, particularly whilst passing a BM and after for a short while. The "attack" can last a few days, subside for a while and the return again, if triggered by straining/ inactivity or heavier stools.........Just a thought!
I forgot to add that they can also cause the bleeding you describe......
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups
Ever the Optimist
Moderator
 
Posts: 1625
Topics: 24
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 62 times
Been thanked: 102 times
Gender: None specified
Mood: Living life again

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby janiep » 06 Sep 2013, 07:54

Zeesh, ugh, I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. That any of us do. I agree with Optimist too, internal hems?? I've had those before and they do itch and bleed with no pain. I was always able to get relief/heal mine with this crazy cream I found on Amazon called Mayinglong Musk cream. It has an applicator for internal "deposit". Its very cooling and helped me greatly. It has a very strong musk scent but I didn't care. It did NOT work for my fissure though.
I would also lay off the spicy stuff for a few days. Good luck and keep us posted!
janiep
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 6
Topics: 1
Joined: 03 Sep 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 3 times
Gender: None specified

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby Zeesh » 06 Sep 2013, 14:23

Thnks guys for your input. I am getting more and more convinced that this might be more than just a fungal infection. I just had quite possibly the second worst bowel movement since this thing began (first, which was 4 weeks back, felt like passing broken glass. the itching was unbearable). Not a lot of pain or itching, but my god the burning was horrid. The whole area feels raw and sore. This after a few hours of applying the hemorroid cream for the first time. My crazy mind thinks there is a connection, but surely there can't be.
Another thing. When I feel around that area, I notice that what would normally be a smooth opening at normal time, the "lips" at the opening feels raised, sorta bumpy like lumps(sorry for the gory details). This brought external hems to my mind, but external hems are supposed to be very painful and mine doesn't hurt at all. Is this normal, are they supposed to be like this?
Zeesh
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 8
Topics: 2
Joined: 03 Sep 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 1 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Fissure or not fissure - The Dilemma

Postby Ever the Optimist » 06 Sep 2013, 15:05

Hi Zeesh,
External hems can be sore & itchy too and really painful if they become thrombosed - they are more uncomfortable than internal ones generally and they are quite easy to spot because they are like little bluish-purple coloured mounds. It doesn't sound like you have these though.
It would be definitely wise to go back for a second opinion because it sounds like you have some inflammation or possibly infection going on down there - there's some major irritation for sure. I'm wondering if you might have developed a condition called pruritus ani after developing your fungal infection. This is renowned for causing intense itchiness, with burning & soreness.
If this is what you have, Balneol seems to be highly recommended for helping to deal with this issue and keeping the area cool & dry as possible, as sweat will irritate it. Placing a cotton wool ball in that area will help absorb excess moisture - Also cutting out on spicy foods is really important. I'm not a professional, so you obviously need to check with a CRS, but this condition does seem to fit your symptoms....You could always google it a little more to see what you think & it wouldn't harm to try out some of the above measures maybe in the meantime??
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups
Ever the Optimist
Moderator
 
Posts: 1625
Topics: 24
Joined: 12 Apr 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 62 times
Been thanked: 102 times
Gender: None specified
Mood: Living life again


  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to New to the forum? Introduce yourself here



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 24 guests