I went to my gynecologist for my annual checkup today. Before the exam, I explained to her that I had fought a fissure for 5 painful months, only to be pain-free for the last couple of weeks. This was due to my CRS finally prescribing me some Diltiazem, which helped me in less than two weeks.

First of all, I asked the gynecologist to be very gentle during my exam, because I did not want my fissure retorn. She was very gentle and very nice, but I did feel a sting at one point, and I am so afraid something was retorn. I guess I'll find out at the next BM.

The main point of my post is in reference to the "skin tag" or "sentinel pile" that I have had for the last year or so. I know exactly when it came into being, after a very constipated movement, followed by a rush of diarrhea. That was my first anal fissure experience, which healed within a short period of time. The skin tag was here to stay, and was confirmed to be a skin tag by my CRS back many months ago.

Last week, within a few days of my fissure pain going away, my skin tag suddenly swelled up huge and very hard, which was very uncomfortable. So now I didn't have fissure pain anymore but the annoyance and discomfort of a huge skin tag. Over the last week it has softened slightly, just enough that it is no longer painful. But it is still big and difficult to clean around. My dear husband installed a handheld shower head just for this purpose.

To get to the point: When my gynecologist saw the tag, she was shocked and worried. She said that it should have blood vessels, and she didn't see any. She thought it may be a prolapsed hemorrhoid, but it should have obvious blood vessels, which it doesn't. She said it looks weird and like a growth of some kind - as opposed to a hemorrhoid (which I never assumed it to be). She had her staff call the CRS' office and try to get me an immediate appointment today. They couldn't get me in until a week from today, which is when my doctor will be back in the office. So I am scheduled to go then. The thing may shrink by then, and they'll have nothing to look at. :/

I know that gynecologists do not have expertise in anal fissures, skin tags and such. But her concern was real and very noticeable.

My last colonoscopy was almost 7 years ago and was clear. I dread the thoughts of another one, and I know that will probably be the suggestion by the CRS. If the prep doesn't cause my fissure to reopen, there's a good chance the procedure will.

My faith in God helps me to have peace at times like this. I also am human, and I would like to know others thoughts on this.

Thanks, all.

I have a very large thing I assumed was a skin tag. Just saw my new GP (who has some experience in CRS), he thought I had an old hemmie and a smaller skin tag. Hang in there. I found the CRS specialists to be gentler with exams and I hope the person you see will be skilled as well! I wouldn't assume you'll need a colonoscopy. Best of luck to you.

Thank you for your encouraging words, JPT. :)

I would check with a CRS on that before getting alarmed. OBGYNs just won't know much about fissures.

My thought, too, rw76. Besides, just a week and a half before it swelled up so big, the tag had completely shrunk down overnight the first night I used the Diltiazem. Then it gradually swelled up over the days to its large, solid size. It is already starting to shrink again. Wouldn't an anal tumor just be the size that it is?
Also, as I feared, I think she tore me again. I had a sting and a little blood with my BM this morning. Haven't had a sting in a couple of weeks and no blood in a few months. I am still using my Diltiazem, which I hope can heal this again before it gets worse. I am afraid of going to the CRS next week for that very reason. He's a nice guy, but he does like to examine thoroughly. I hate, hate, hate the thought of a digital exam starting this all over in force again.

My first CRS did 3 exams in one day I think e made everything way worse. I found a second CRS that didn't do anything but an exterior exam that did not hurt. Said there is no reason for an internal when fissures are so painful.

I am going to ask mine for the same if possible.

I thought I would come back and update this post in case someone reads it in the future and wonders what happened. I went back to the CRS as scheduled. When I walked in, the receptionist said, "Haven't we dealt with this already?" She was nice; she was annoyed at the OB GYN for sending me back. I told her that we had dealt with it, but the OB GYN wanted to be sure about it. When the doctor examined me, he looked for about 5 seconds and said, "That's just a hemorrhoidal skin tag. You just have to live with it. Or I can cut it off, but it's a real pain in the a**." He's a great guy. I really like him. He did not touch anything, so no further injury was done. So I guess I feel okay about his diagnosis. However, I still hate the skin tag. It is annoying and sometimes painful, embarrassing with my husband, and I jump in the shower after every BM to clean it. I'm really thinking about the surgery. May start another thread about that.

Word of warning........ I gained my fissure from hem banding and tag removal. It was the tag removal that left me with thinner fragile skin at the edge of my anus... Which duly tore. If I were you..... Leave well alone.

I suppose everybody is different. I had a very lrg skin tag removed in June best decision for me so much easier to clean up after BM. My tag swelled up too & was very painful at times.
Good luck :)