Hi all,
First off I want to say thank you to the founders of this forum for putting together such a wonderful place for those of us in pain to come to. This is my first post to the forum, though I have been hanging out for a week or so reading all the posts and trying to remain positive.
I have suffered with fissures and hemorrhoids for 29 years. I get them under control for a while and then they return. Over the years I've been diagnosed with numerous problems and conditions from fissures to hemorrhoids to Levator Ani Syndrome to stenosis and the list goes on. I've tried all the usual and some not so usual treatments. I've been to many GI and CRS docs, tried biofeedback (manometry), herbal remedies, creams, ointments and so on.
My latest episode is literally kicking my butt (no pun intended). I'm exhausted from the pain, I do not leave my house for fear of the urge to go (I will NOT go anywhere except my own bathroom), I'm many weeks into "the diet" along with Miralax and Benefiber, I spend my days going from the bed...to the toilet....to the tub, with an occaisional bent over in pain shuffle to the kitchen for some fiber filled food and yet MORE water. But I'm still in unbearable pain (screaming, yelling and crying) with every bm and many hours after.
This past Wednesday I finally got brave and went to yet another GI doc. He was unable to examine me because the pain was too severe. He gave me a script for muscle relaxants and an ointment made with niphedepine, nitro, lidocaine and hydrocortisone (a new combo for me) and referred me to a CRS to have the exam done under anesthesia. I was able to get in to see the CRS on Friday. He too tried to examine me (without anesthesia), but again there was too much pain. So, he scheduled surgery. He told me that he'll just take care of whatever he finds while I'm under. He did say from what he could see, there are 3 fissures (12:00, 6:00 and 3:00) and a large external hemm. at 9:00! No wonder I'm in pain around the clock!! I know that at least those will be fixed. However, I don't know what's going on inside as neither one of them could see. But, I'm sure something is there, the pain is too great for there not to be.
He didn't say how he was going to fix the fissures, just that he was going to fix them. He made it all sound like it was no big deal. The surgery is scheduled for November 10th and I'm scared out of my mind. It will be general anesthesia, which is enough fear for me, but then I don't know what he will find/fix and I'm absolutely horrified at the thought of the first BM after surgery. I didn't know what to ask him. When he said the word surgery, it was like I immediately lost all my brain cells and the ability to speak!
I want to call him back and ask more about the surgery, I'm just not sure what to ask. I know that a lot of you have had successful surgeries and any words of wisdom you might have for me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!