Diltiazem for SIX weeks? Seriously?

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Diltiazem for SIX weeks? Seriously?

Postby soothe88 » 11 Feb 2012, 20:05

Hi all,
So glad to have found this site. So, I have what my doc here in Canada says is a
fissure. I had it for 4 months prior to seeing him (a specialist) and he said
he wouldn't do a full exam, but he did inspect site a bit (i.e. does it hurt here? Here?)
and prescribed Diltiazem.
So he says to apply this for...SIX weeks, four times a day. So now I am on week
2 and have not noticed *any* difference. A few questions:
1.) Is it realistic to expect anything different now after 2 weeks and no change?
Have been very consistent, applying 4 times a day as directed. Worst days are
when I have to go of course. It TOTALLY destroys any productivity since I am
working at home online. I feel completely disabled with this. Working in bed
with my laptop is NO help. Instead of 100% pain I feel maybe 70% pain. Totally
unsuitable for online work.
2.) I have mine in the "12 o'clock" position. I can only describe it as like
having one of those small nails embedded just under the skin with a "bump" at the end.
Anyone else have it in this manner? It almost feels like the skin is trying to push something
through, but after 4 agonizing months with this, I dont think its healing.
And the itching on some occasions is quite severe, which brings up question 3.
3.) does severe "itching" after applying mean that it is healing?
soothe88
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Re: Diltiazem for SIX weeks? Seriously?

Postby workingonit » 11 Feb 2012, 20:46

Hi soothe,
My AF is at the 12 o'clock too (anterior) and ends in a sentinel (tag). I've been on nifedipine which is similar to diltiazem for 9 weeks. I'm not sure how long I had it before that...
I have noticed some improvement, although very gradual, and interspersed with temporary setbacks that really get me down.
The key as anyone here will tell you is to have soft BMs. You want the consistency of soft serve ice-cream or toothpaste so you don't have to push at all. Your automatic bowel muscles should do all the work. It helps to lean forward when you go, or like me use a stool to prop up your feet so you are in more of a squat position.
IMO of course.
To soften BMs I use a couple spoonfuls of metamucil through the day (had to work up to that gradually so as not to get too gassy though), a couple spoonfuls of olive oil, magnesium supplement and last of all a glass of prune juice in the evening. This is how I acheived balance. I also make sure I eat a lot of soluble fibre in vegatables and some fruit.
A lot of people here use stool softeners. Particularly movicol or miralax. Neither of which is available in canada, but there is a different brand you can get at walmart in canada called, restorlax. It doesn't work for everyone though so start with just a half dose if you try it.
A lot of people like sitz baths to sooth. My doc says to keep the area dry though, so I use an electric heating pad.
I don't know about the itching. I have often wondered that myself.
So glad you found this place. It has been so helpful to me. Try to browse around in the old posts and see what works for others.
Do you have spasms?
I also use lanolin (laninsoh) with the nifedipine.
Sure hope you are feeling better soon!
-Tanya
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Re: Diltiazem for SIX weeks? Seriously?

Postby workingonit » 11 Feb 2012, 20:56

Oh you itch after applying the cream...
sorry I read it too fast. A lot of people get that from Diltiazem. I read another post that said if you apply it more on the inside ring of the anus and not on the outside, it itches less.
If it drives you crazy, perhaps you could get him to prescribe nifedipine?
Did your doc see the bump?
Could it be an anal tag (sentinel)?
-Tanya
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Re: Diltiazem for SIX weeks? Seriously?

Postby soothe88 » 11 Feb 2012, 21:05

yeah the spasms are more intense on days I have a bm, however...a couple weeks ago, I am not sure if it was my diet or what, I didnt have a bm for 3 days, and miraculously thought it was starting to heal as I could work at my pc for 4 hours w/o it hurting. But then I had the BM and everything went to hades again. What gets me is that it hurts for *hours* on end (no pun intended).
No the doc did not see the bump at all. Its like the end of a ballpoint pen, at least what it feels like. He seemed so confident that it was a fissure so I just took his word. He didnt do a full exam, just touched lightly around the clock area until I yelped and he said "its a fissure".
Never heard of "sentinels" before, and yes that is what it could be from your description of it. It is only present at the 12 o'clock position.
Prior to this I thought only much older gents got this...obviously I was wrong.
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Re: Diltiazem for SIX weeks? Seriously?

Postby workingonit » 11 Feb 2012, 21:11

Nope, people of all ages here I'm afraid.
I was blaming it on my age until I saw that. I'm 43.
Sounds like you just really need to get your BMs soft and regular. IMO.
A sitz bath will help with spasms.
-Tanya
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