Hi scientist....

Maybe you overdid it a little and disturbed everything. Wow Wraps! Sounds yummy..... Just keep up the care and you will be fine! You're doing great! Xxxx

Scientist, how much mineral oil do you take? Is it safe long term?

msimon said: "Thanks for the reply Scientist. Just wondering, when you would use the ointments, would you feel them 'kick in?' I think I can feel a difference about 20 minutes after application."


Not really, no. I was never sure they were doing anything, except for the nitro giving me a brief head-rush. And also, that I had less pain and less spasming generally with the diltiazem and nitro.
It was more evident over time, not on a daily basis.

Sorry to hear you have irritated yourself. I really hope it's a minor blip.... Maybe take it easy for a day or two!!

OMB xx

Jbl said: "how much mineral oil do you take? Is it safe long term?

When things were bad with me, I'd take a tablespoon of Kondremul (it's not pure mineral oil) three times a day.

Now, if I've had a difficult day, eaten unwisely or got dehydrated, I'll take one tablespoon before bed (as well as a glass of water).

I've read that mineral oil is not safe long term. I think the amounts I take are fine. As far as I know, the problem is reduced absorption of nutrients, and I'm not worried about that with my diet and how little of the stuff I take.

Mineral oil as a laxative, is not for sale in the UK, because of effects on health. I believe some people take it to lose weight. But I think any laxative will affect nutrient absorption, because passage through the gut is faster.

Anyway, use sparingly, pay attention to its effects on you and I think you'll be fine.

I'm so glad you're feeling better and can pinpoint the cause of your discomfort!

I trusted Kondremul to keep me from being constipated in the beginning when I was trying to figure out my diet. I actually really like how it tastes, too. I read this on a site during my research: "It is very important to not take oil laxatives at bedtime. Tiny amounts coating the throat may enter the lungs during sleep. These oils are so bland that they do not induce cough, so they accumulate in the smallest passages of the lungs. This occurs gradually over a long period of time and should be easily avoided by those who know about the hazard." Source: http://frantzmd.info/Medical%20Basic%20 ... atives.htm

The author may be a quack. I've no idea. But the thought of the risk was enough to make sure I drank it at least a couple hours before I went to bed. Drugs.com recommends taking it at least 2 hours before bed, but it doesn't state why.

That's an interesting link, mmklinemm.

Here's one that suggests the danger is primarily toward the very young and the very old.
http://www.constipationandyou.com/miner ... nstipation

and here's a description of mineral oil inhalation by a small child with cerebral palsy.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804525/

It's certainly worth noting, and I can easily change my plan to take it an hour or two before bed. Thanks!

Update: so, in September I was still having set backs and getting generally frustrated at how the wound wasn't healing. And as some of you know, I now think I'm completely healed. I hesitated for a long time whether I believed I was fully healed, but I'm pretty confident now, and have been for a few weeks.

And because I wasn't sure I was healed, I didn't mention the medication I tried. But here it is. If it helps anyone else, I'll be really really happy. I asked my OB Gyn for a topical estrogen cream, and he prescribed Estrace. I used it all of November, December and January. I would apply nitro twice a day and the Estrace once a day. For a long while, my anus was still sore to the touch, even though I wasn't having spasms or pain with BMs (except in a set back). However, after a while I noticed the soreness was gone. It has not come back, even though I haven't used either Estrace or nitro for a couple of months.

The reasons I asked my OB Gyn for topical estrogen is because I googled "non healing wounds" and in reading around, found that estrogen supplements are very beneficial to wound healing in older men and post menopausal women. Even though I haven't had menopause yet, and am still on birth control, I thought estrogen might help my fissure. It seemed a long shot but worth trying. I knew my GP wouldn't give me topical estrogen because she disapproves of hormone replacement therapy, but I thought my OB most likely would. Also, I know that estrogen supplements are regarded as risky, and related to certain cancers. But estrogens used at one time to be added to skin moisturizing creams, and I remember a women once told me how wonderful they were (until they were banned).

Of course I still don't know whether the Estrace helped, or if it was the final push with nitro, or if I was just ready to heal, or if I got a handle on how to manage stress and bottom-clenching. But for those with stubborn wounds that just won't heal, and tear and retear, and people with thin weak skin, it could be worth asking your doctor for estrogen supplement.

How much did you use per application? And what concentration is it? I have a 1% compound and was told to use a pea size amount 3 times/week (vaginally, for another issue).

Estrace 0.01% (0.1 mg/gram) vaginal cream apply one pea size amout at bedtime for 3-4 weeks.


I applied maybe half a pea, once a day and it took more than a month to see any results.