Very funny Steve!
Bumbutt, I burnt my butt from setting on the heating pad for 8 months. My crs took a look and said she'd never seen anything like it. Just thought I'd let you know to do the 20 minutes on low every hour...I was told it could cause permanent damage. I did set on mine 24/7 and it was on high.

hope u r feeling much better today bumbutt!
don't go blowing up on us, now!

I'll do my best not to blow up!
Actually, I use a wheat-bag that you put in the microwave, which means that the heat slowly decreases as you sit. Maybe an advantage over the heating pad.
Plus you can mold it to fit just right...
Although my husband never wants to use the wheat bag again himself...

I agree, don't make me laugh! ;P
I used a wheat bag too, also a hot dog heated in the microwave then put it in a baggie and then mold it to fit. I'll never eat hot dogs again.
I had to alternate heat and ice when I was in extreme pain.
Hopefully you'll get in to the surgeon soon!

A hot dog?! Deperation knows no bounds!
Anyway, did that help, alternating heat and ice?
I'm not doing so much better - I thought the Rectogesic would help, but it doesn't make much of a dent... Did it always help you guys? Did you use it right after the bathroom visit?

Oh yes I was desperate! That's when I called the CRS after hours in excruciating-pulling-my-hair-out-asking-for-a-gun pain. The ice probably was the most effective, but I was also taking up to 3000mg a day of ibuprofen/acetaminophen.

I hear you! I just pulled out my bag of frozen spinach that I had put away a few days ago, and am now alternating heat and cold. Maybe I'll up the amount of Ibuprofen too, because the amount I'm taking now doesn't really help either (at most 1200 mg per day).
I had a bad night last night, and then this AM the bathroom visit went ok, but now the pain has lasted all day. ... Just now it doesn't seem to matter if the stools are soft or not.... Maybe having a bad BM at night and then one in the morning was just too much.
Here's to a better day tomorrow!

I have to add my disclaimer, that I'm not advocating 3000mg a day of pain relievers, but hey I had to do what I had to do. Our U.S. brand Aleve was actually more effective for pain for me, but then I found out that was constipating and I wasn't taking stool softeners at the time.
Yes, I'm sure putting your bum through 2 BM's in a short proximity of time doesn't help; the sphincter goes into a continuous spasm it seems. I used valium then, when I had some (narcotic muscle relaxer) but there again 5mg was really not all that helpful. I have 2 left that I'm saving for a special occasion. ;P
I hope you get in to see the CRS soon.

hi bumbutt,
how are you applying the rectogelsic?
i too would rather you carefully look at the bottle of ibuprofen and see what the suggested daily maximum and time period use is. i would hate for you to bring on another health problem for overusage and possible damage to some other organ.
i've had 3 bms in over the last 24 hours and all of them were hefty but soft coming out. what i did these last 2 days, to test out something, is that i have an aloe vera plant in my home and i finally am putting it to use in another way. so once i have cleaned the area down there - which i try to do without adding irritation or disturbing the fissure that is right next to the skin tag - is apply the aloe vera directly from the leaf.
ie, cut the stem open but just leave everything in tact and apply the inside gooey part right over the tag and fissure area.
then i just sit myself down and try to relax.
compared to a few weeks ago and earlier this week (probably cause of the anocope exams), i had that surprise pain pop up over the course of the entire day - and these last couple of days have been good.
can't say it's the aloe vera or can't say if it is just being light on the feet!
haven't applied any hot/cold compresses down there or taken pain meds.
maybe you just need to be a little more light on your feet for a little bit.
also i have kept my squatting routine for over the last two weeks now and it has made an improvement with the BM experiences as i don't have to strain as much (yes i have had to one some day but it was less compared to sitting on toilet).
take it easy.

Thanks - I promise I won't overdose on the Ibuprofen - I'll stick to the recommended amount, which is something around 1200-1600 mg in 24 hours, I think.
Things have calmed down now, after 10 hours of pain. Sometimes it feels like I can't find any position that doesn't hurt in some way. Lying on my back hurts, on the side hurts, and on my belly I get more spasms. It felt like the best way to stop spasms was to just sit on the hot or cold press. But maybe that puts to much pressure on my butt. What positions did you find for resting?
I've tried to stay off my feet, and have actually stayed home, away from work, for the past 10 days.
With the rectogesic, my doctor recommended either a finger cot or plastic wrap over a finger, and to put the finger in only 1/2 inch. I opted for the plastic wrap.
The squatting sounds interesting - maybe something to try if my leg muscles are up to it.
Thanks for answering my questions.
Cagirl, didn't you just get LIS? How is it going for you?