Hi everyone,
I'm not very excited to be here (for obvious reasons) but I'm pleasantly surprised to find such a positive, supportive community built around something so painful, common and rarely openly discussed.
I would like to share my story in the hopes that it either helps someone else or maybe even connects me with someone that can help me. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and care.
After battling ulcerative colitis for much of my adolescence (full remission now for over 5 years), and enduring countless bouts of food poisoning while living in Asia, I came to believe that my tolerance for digestive issues was quite high. That is, until I developed what I believe to be my first anal fissure 4 days ago.
I am currently working remotely from a tourist city in Mexico. I am an avid traveler, so I was careful about what I ate, the water I drank and how often I washed my hands. Still, after three weeks in the country, I suddenly contracted what is colloquially referred to as Montezuma's Revenge. And let me tell you, it sure felt like I was experiencing centuries of pent up cosmic rage: crazy fever, double vision, explosive diarrhea, fatigue - the works.
Luckily, I had made friends with a Mexico-certified doctor who not only prescribed but delivered antibiotics and acetaminophen
to my bedside and waited for my fever to break. I felt better within hours, but the diarrhea persisted for nearly the full one-week course of the antibiotics. On day 7, I finally felt fine.
On day 8, I did not.
Suddenly, going to the bathroom felt like passing glass, sitting on knives, pooping needles, etc. etc. you get the picture. Never had I experienced such pain before. I had to bite a towel just to get through the first couple of BM's. It was probably the most painful experience of my life. And it happened again and again and again.
I did some research online and discovered the joy that is an anal fissure. I called my aunt (a registered nurse) and communicated with my doctor friend and they both confirmed my suspicions. I likely had developed an anal fissure.
As soon as I felt capable, I went to the pharmacy and they gave me an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, preparation H and vitamin e/aloe wet wipes. I have since discovered that prep H is not a good idea and have discontinued using it, but the NSAIDs and wet wipes have been just enough to get me through the weekend. I do not have access to a bathtub but have been ingesting plenty of fiber and water. I'm not sure what else I can be doing at this point. It has gotten marginally better over the past 48 hours as I no longer need to bite a towel and there is no longer any blood in the bowl or on the wipes. I also have yet to develop a skin tag/external pile or any hemorrhoids. Thanks to Montezuma for sparing me those delights, I guess.
Looking forward, I have an appointment with a local proctologist tomorrow and an appointment with my proctologist back in the US in 2 weeks. I know there isn't a lot more they can do but a positive diagnosis, expert-prescribed treatment and encouragement that this will get better would be much appreciated.
I am really hoping for a swift recovery because this is pretty debilitating: I don't want to leave my apartment, I can't enjoy the foods I typically love (spicy! crunchy! cheesy!) and I am constantly uncomfortable. I'll be sure to post an update, if anyone is interested.
Final thoughts: I can't believe some of you have had to endure this excruciating pain for weeks, months, YEARS. It's amazing the conditions humans can become accustomed to and how quickly "normal" can change. Reading the stories on here have both inspired and terrified me. But at least I know that regardless of my own outcome, there are others out there that can relate and offer kind words and support.
Thank you for existing. Thank you for reading. And I wish all of you the quickest of recoveries.
-BROC