Hi all,
I'm new to the forum but have been suffering with an anal fissure for the past 4 weeks. It's what I assume is your typical anal fissure, complete with the insane "like passing broken glass" pain and bleeding during every bowel movement. At times, following a bowel movement, it feels like my sphincter is still pushing uncontrollably like I'm still having a bowel movement, and there's an associated highly uncomfortable throbbing pain that lasts through the entire day (I guess this is the famous muscle spasm that comes with fissures).
Anyhow this thing has completely taken over my life now. I'm terrified of having any bowel movement, and I've just gone 48 hours without eating a single thing out of that fear. I'm 5'8" and only weigh 120 lbs. after all the weight I've lost recently, so needless to say, I can't go on like this much longer.
My doctor doesn't know much about fissures. At first he just gave me hydrocortisone suppositories, which didn't have any impact at all. Last week I managed to talk him into prescribing me some 0.2% nitroglycerin ointment (I think mixed in aloe vera gel to create the compound). He'd never heard of other treatments like botox injections or topical nifedipine so I may try to see a colorectal surgeon for information on those alternatives. My doctor did say that he can refer me for LIS, but that was the only other option he knew of. I'm quickly getting to the point where I'd happily opt for LIS, but would like to give the conservative stuff a try first.
So for now I'm trying the 0.2% nitroglycerin. My question is: how exactly am I supposed to apply it? Is it enough to apply around the outside of the anal area? Or do I actually need to put the ointment inside the anus on the fissure itself?
I don't know exactly where my fissure is located, and putting it inside the anus right now would cause great discomfort. I was on a high fiber diet with lots of salads and fruit as well as Miralax once a day, and it ended up giving me bad diarrhea, which was actually worse than constipation when it came to the fissure. So I've had a temporary setback and am waiting for the crazy spasms and throbbing pain to calm down before I can entertain any thought of putting ointment inside. But if inside is where it needs to be, then so be it. Anyway, any advice you all can offer on how to properly use the nitroglycerin would be most appreciated. My doctor seems to have no clue :(
Thanks in advance and sorry for the huge post.