Hi guys :)
After nearly nine months of fissure shaped hell I finally have an appointment with a specialist doc next week. I feel pretty relieved as I'm having no luck with what my GPs have given me (rectogesic, xyloproct cream) and feel frustrated and embarrassed at having to continually go back and see them and ask for more help.
At the same time though I'm a bit worried that going to see the CRS will have have the same results and they'll just give me something topical to try rather than take it seriously. I'm terrified of it but I would like surgery as I am going on 26, otherwise fit and healthy and feel I have done everything I possibly can with diet, stool softeners and creams yet still have that on again off again ripping, stinging, itching nightmare. I went to see my GP last week and she said that my muscle tension (in my sphincter I guess?) was far too tight so I'm thinking if rectogesic hasn't worked that may be best. I also don't want to still be here in ten years time as frankly no one deserves this for even a week!
My big dilemma is that living in the UK and not being able to afford private healthcare, I have to contend with the NHS. I am worried that given the cost of performing surgery (and the fact botox isn't offered here, just LIS), I won't be offered it and will have to just deal with this for the unforeseeable... And seriously, I can't, I'm trying to finish my dissertation for my Masters at the moment and work at the same time and this is taking over everything and making me miserable. It sounds dramatic but I know many of you will understand-every aspect of my life has suffered in some way- I've missed classes, not been able to go into work, my love life and social life has suffered...
Does anyone have any tips on how to be a bit assertive with the specialists and really push for surgery? Particularly folks from the UK who've been through the NHS? I know it sounds a bit silly given it's my body and I'm an adult but I've found it hard to be assertive with doctors in the past. I'm in my twenties and at times it's easy to be intimidated by a much older doctor telling me they know what's best lol. They can just talk over a me a bit and dismiss what I'm saying and I sometimes walk out wishing I'd been a bit more bolshy. If not surgery, what do the specialists generally offer? I have absolutely no idea what to expect.
I also wondered (and I posted this in a similar thread a few months back) but has anyone one had a skin tag removed on the NHS with LIS or any other procedure? I know it can be done privately in the UK but once again given the NHS is free they may be less inclined to bother with it. It kills me that they're so hard to be removed in the UK. Mine irritates me like hell, it's like I can feel it all the time and also it really affects my confidence with my body. I know skin tag removal is painful and horrible but I want it off!
Phew long post! Any replies would be much appreciated, as I feel crazy with worry.

Aww, sorry you're suffering - this is a total nightmare and you deserve your life back, especially as you're so young.
I went privately, not that I could afford to, but I have had a bad experience with NHS hospitals.
One option, if you want the best treatment, is to go for a one off consultation with a private CRS - your GP can refer you and the appt will be very quick; within a week or two, then he can refer you back to a NHS hospital - he may even do it himself, then you would have the best of both worlds. It would cost approx Ј150.
If you want to just go NHS, then yes, you will have to get tough. Go to your doctor armed with all the information you need, and if you want the LIS surgery (it sounds like you do need it) then tell the GP that's what you want.
Could you take someone in with you who could speak on your behalf?
You have to get tough and MAKE them listen!
Best of luck!

Thank you for your reply Val :)
When you say it would cost Ј150, do you mean for a consultation or for the actual LIS? I have no idea how much it cost privately but presumed it was within the 1000s.
I would dearly like to go privately as like you am not a massive fan of the NHS, having not had a great experience with them in the past. I have no idea where to begin in terms of going private. You see all those ads about Bupa on the TV but that's it. I can be referred privately if I go to my GP and ask?
thank you again :)

Hi Layla. Just to confirm that I paid Ј1400 for my LIS to be done privately. That included the removal of a skin tag.

Hi Mikey
Thank you for your reply :)
Where did you get it done? I'd love any info you may have as, as I was saying to Val, I've no idea where to start with private healthcare. Can I ask if you'd recommend it from the place you had surgery?
Many thanks and all the best
Layla

Hi Layla
I am also in the UK and was offered Botox as the first option, LIS was never mentioned
I hope you get on OK at the hospital, let us know how you get on
Andy

Hi Andy
Thank you for replying. That's interesting, I wasn't aware botox was offered here on the nhs but I guess it must just differ from place to place. Would you recommend that over LIS do you think?
I really want this darn skin tag taken off too, i don't know if that's offered with botox...
Hope you have a lovely day, all the best :D

Layla
I am still getting pain even after my Botox, the procedure did'nt take that long, went down at 09:15, was back in the room at 10:15
I was not offered LIS, but wish i had, the fissure has been with me now for 7 months, even the consulatant said it was a nasty fissure and said see how the Botox goes, so he did'nt sound too optimistic that it was going to work.
If i had LIS, i know i would have discomfort for a few days, but after that would be on the road to recovery, the way i am feeling right now 10 days after the Botox is fed up and very disappointed that i am still in pain, i was hoping for a quick fix and reduced pain!!!
Andy

They could take off the skintag with botox, but I can't really see the point of putting yourself through the pain of a surgery that is possibly the same pain as LIS, but without the good results of LIS. It's better to bite the bullet and go straight for LIS. I dont know why they bother with botox, it usually has to be redone, and most people go on to have the LIS anyway once it fails.
If LIS is what you want, you have to be very single-minded with the doctors and not accept anything else! It's your butt, after all, not theirs!

I had my skin tag (together with the whole fissure) cut off with the Botox. I also demanded that they cut it off, since I'm doing an operation anyway :). What I can tell you is that it does leave behind a big ugly wound which I'm waiting for to heal. To be honest I thought they would have to cut way less...but I guess they know best.
The deal with Botox and why it's offered is, far as I understand, that it's a possible solution without long-term effects, as opposed to LIS. I asked for LIS myself but was convinced out of it by the doc, who told me that it costs me practically nothing to try botox, and then if it doesn't work we can do the LIS. Good advice too I think, as the surgery itself was a breeze so if LIS is a-coming, I have no problem going in to do it.