Greetings fellow AF friends! :)
I am presently healing from a fissurectomy with botox injection 2 and a half weeks ago. My fissure began last november (2011) after a bout a constipation, i believe from some medication i was taking at the time. I attempted to self-manage for 2 weeks before seeing my doctor who referred me to a CRS who gave me an arsenal of conservative treatment strategies (diet modifications, sitz baths, topical hydrocortizone ointment, colace, anusol suppositories, fiber pills). I returned a month later and sadly learned it had not healed. I had read into the benefits of acupuncture in healing hemorrhoids/fissures and wanted to try that - which helped, but still experienced rollercoaster pain so decided to go forward with the prescribed procedure: fissurectomy with botox injection 1/24/2012.
I can honestly say that the healing is much slower than what I was prepared for or expected. This is partly because as an active, athletic, 35-years young female -I have never had a procedure of any kind, nor an injury that has been so disruptive to my life. Also, I feel as though the surgeon/nurse misled me in regards to recovery time. When I asked how much time I need to arrange off of work (a busy, active physical therapist) I was told "1-3 days, sometimes 5". In reality, I had to take 2 full weeks off from work. Eagerly returned to work (restricted to half-days, no squatting, no heavy lifting x 3 weeks) this week and it was still pretty uncomfortable. It takes me half a day just to manage my toileting, get ready which includes 4-6 hot sitz baths just to get my butt out the door. My successes?
Yesterday was the first day I was able to get thru the day without taking a vicodin pill after the BM, altho i still bleed with BM's - no more blood with urination, I am able to sleep thru the night, I was able to complete 3 half days of work (with modifying my activity), I was able to participate in a social event last weekend (birthday dinner out),
I am eating healthier than ever in my life (altho I was a healthy eater before)
I am letting other people help me and as a result am learning I have an excellent support system in my family, friends and work colleagues
learning more patience than I've ever cared to learn, becoming more compassionate towards myself (and of course others).
Additional strategies that I find helpful in addition to everything else I have seen on this forum (and these methods may also be listed somewhere, i just may not have come across the threads):
1. Weekly acupuncture treatments - to promote relaxation, increase blood flow, promote healing, also just started a chinese herb that is supposed to heal hemmies/bleeding stool
2. Daily guided meditations (via cd) 1-2 x day to help with relaxation, visualization, healing and general mental sanity.
Peggy Huddleston has a book/cd I found helpful in healing/preparing for and after my procedure: Prepare for Surgery: Heal Faster. I believe you can find it on amazon if interested.
The roller coaster continues, but with my continued efforts and the ongoing support of others (I have greatly appreciated Happyass's sense of humor in his/her post) I have to believe that the healing-goodness will prevail! :)