I am a 37 year old male. I am really feeling down the past few weeks due to a fissure. I am a dad of two young boys who have always seen me very active with them, but lately they know that daddy's "back" hurts. My wife has been and continues to be very supportive. I have read a lot online and wanted to share my situation in the hope I can get some good feedback and suggestions, etc.
- On Sept 18 I saw a long line of bright red blood in my BM, it was about 6 inches. It was a slightly painful BM.
- Over the next few days I occasionally noticed some blood on toilet paper.
- Then some pain started kicking in on and off throughout the day.
- I had discomfort sitting, even walking, etc. Pain level 8/10
- I had to make a business trip on Sept 26 and while traveling away from home, I went to a doctor who gave me a suppository and said it was not a fissure. (I would get a second opinion see below that said I did have one)
- When I returned home the pain still lingered.
- I had to do another business trip on Oct 3 - 5, while on this trip the pain decreased a little but did not go away.
- A few day after I returned home, the pain started increasing again. I went to CR Specialist on Oct 10th. He gave me an exam and said I have a fissure. He prescribed Diltiazem 2%, 3 times per day along with warm sit baths 3 times per day. Also said increase my fiber, etc.
- I am on my 3rd week now of Diltiazem and following the steps given. I apply Diltiazem around 6AM, 12PM, 6PM. I also applied Vaseline when I wake up before BM. Recently I read about bacterial fighting properties of Virgin Coconut Oil and started doing that to replace Vaseline 2 days ago.
- My diet has always been ok, no junk food. Due to fissure, I would say I have increased my fiber a lot. All of my BM have been soft.
I have not been to work much at all the past three weeks. My company is very understanding. I do have to go on a business trip out of country tomorrow until Nov 3rd, no getting out of that. It is a 4 hour plane ride. I usually have my BM before 7AM daily and it take about 6 - 10 hours for pain to go away.
Some questions:
1. Is Diltiazem a magic cream? I have been using for almost 3 weeks and don't feel a lot improvement. Is it you just keep doing it and suddenly one day you are healed.
2. I have a very difficult time sitting any suggestions for plane ride, etc?
It is really starting to bug me that I can't sit for meals with my family, can't play with kids, can't go to work consistently, etc. I am usually a very positive person and keeping faith that this too shall pass.
I hope to hear back from some of you with good knowledge on the subject.
Many thanks in advance.