hi i have my 1st appointment next week and i am so worried about it. can anyone tell me what normally happens and any tips.
thanks

I was asked about the pain firstly, then I was briefly examined by a gloved finger, I could only just tolerate the finger so no other instruments were used, sometimes they use a proctoscope or anuscope to examine the rectum, but usually if they suspect you have a Fissure by describing the pain they will only use a finger to examine, my CRS gave me diet tips as well which were totally useless as I'd already been on my own diet for months.
If your fissure is that bad (only you know) and you've tried all the ointments then try to push for the best possible outcome which would be surgery as in my experience most CRS aren't keen on performing because of the associated risks unless of course you tell them it's what you want.
Good luck.

Hi
Steve has given you a very good summary of what to expect. One thing I will say tho is that if they do use the anuscope it is very quick. I've had it 3 times and each time was less than 10 seconds. It is painful (if you have a fissure) but it is over quickly.

I have been to three specialists now. Two of them did a finger exam and then used an anuscope. And it was very quick. One of them used the finger and a proctosigmoidoscope. The last instrument is thinner and allows for a look at the lower rectum as well, and is slightly less painful than the anuscope. Takes about 20-30 seconds.
The specialists tell you before using the finger and the instrument. Usually when they are about to use the instrument, they tell you that it will hurt but that it will be quick.
Oh and keep in mind, when they use the anuscope, they could do it in halves - i.e. insert and look at one half, take it out, reinsert it and look at the other half. Or they could do it in quadrants, in which case they will repeat it four times. If you are in a lot of pain, they may do it twice, is my guess.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Twice meaning - in halves and not quadrants.

what are they looking for when they do that, is it to rule out cancer and that kind of thing. i got it from childbirth so is it necessary to do use a anuscope? I am feeling good atm so i dont want him to reopen it. and what is a anuscope i am 2 scared to google it or i wont go to the docs so in a nice way tell me hahaha

Hi
I think they just use the scope to give a correct diagnosis. The scope allows them to see hemmies as well plus other things I assume.
Whilst it is painful at the time, I have suffered no after effects e.g. my fissure has not got worse following an exam. It is no more painful than a BM with a fissure and certainly not the most painful thing I experienced when I had a fissure.
As a couple of people have mentioned the CRS may not use a scope and could opt for a finger exam instead.
I understand your apprehension I had similar feelings myself. But if they are going to give you the right treatment they need to give you the right diagnosis so they need to exam you in some way I guess.
I've just remembered that my original diagnosis was done by pulling apart my buttocks and having a very good look! So you never know they may not do an internal exam at this stage.

For me....my PCP and CRS both new that I was in alot of pain....so they both just pulled apart my buttocks and had a look.

For me, they couldn't see my Fissure by pulling the cheeks apart, infact mine wasn't visualized until I had surgery which was over 2 years since my original diagnosis, bizarrely, I didn't even have a colonoscopy like I thought I would.
I wouldn't worry about the anuscope or any other instrument they may use, rather, just think about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment, get this thing cured!

Yes the sigmoidoscope allows them to look slightly further up - the lower part of the rectum as well. They look for hemmies (i was told I have a few small ones) and polyps. I think the they can see the hemmies in the canal with the anuscope just as well. Because both my 2nd and 3rd CRS' told me about hemmies -- one did anuscopy and the other did proctosigmoidoscopy. So you should be ok as far as the diagnosis goes, regardless of which instrument they use.