Anal fissure or Hemorrhoids??

Posted , 3 users are following.

So I'm in a spot of bother. But first a brief back story (excuse the pun!):

I live in South Korea and around 3 months ago i had really bad stomach pains, vomitting blood, feeling like death etc. Now, being in a foreign country were English isnt spoken too much i was very scared and went to AE staright away and pretty much got a whole menagerie of tests including a colon and endoscopy. The doctors had a good look around and found nothing wrong. The vomitting stopped almost as quickly as it began and my stomach pain vanished. 

However, a few weeks later i started passing stool that was very painful and then started seeing a lot of blood. It was everywhere; in my stool, when i wiped and even (and most alarmingly) dripping straight from my anus. This was a very distressing time for me, I couldnt even get intelligible feedback from the doctors (no ones fault i should add!). Anyway, after another round of 'scopys they found I had a Hiatal Hernia

- My first question is has anyone else here been diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia??

So this explained the stomach pain and through my own research/assumption/vague doctor explanation this most probably caused constipation, stress, straining and eventaully resulted in blood flowing freely from my back side. The doctors previously couldnt see hemorrhoids or anal fissures. But after one particulary bloody episode I returned to AE and they said, without tests being carried out, i had either internal hemorrhoids or an acute anal fissure.

So my questions are;

-How do you know the difference?

-Without another (expensive) colonoscopy will I be able to tell?

-Do Hemorrhoids exagerate into (or casue) anal fissures? 

-Are the treatments for each condition different?

-Is this a lifetime issue now I've got it?

I know what you're thinking; why dont i ask a doctor. Well its not that easy (or cheap) and i figured someone here probably had the same questions and got decent answers (in english) they might want to share?

Also, happy(ish) ending; I rarely see blood anymore, except after a particulary hard stool, and only then its when i wipe and no dripping. I put this down to a few things.I started eating a LOT more fiber, i was trying to maintain 35g of the stuff a day which equated to 1 banana, 2 large apples (200g) and 300g of sweet potato (skin on). 3 - 4 litres of water a day too. At the height of my pain i would have a spoonful of olive oil first thing in the morning, followed by a sitz bath and the MAIN thing is squatting while passing, i cannot recommend this last point enough!

Im actually experiencing a bit of pain at the moment but im putting this down to having a couple of weeks off my regime. Alcohol and fried/salty food should be avoided for prolonged periods it seems! Also for those of you that work out, avoid lower back exercises, or at least go light on the weights in that area.  

PS. This forum has really helped me, I have only just discovered it! Also, I want to avoid taking medication at all costs. I will try coconut oil in my sitz bath too, thanks for the heads up! 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    Dear Waygooken,

    I don't have an answer to your specific questions, but my inclination is they require a professional to respond. That said, what l can share with you about anal fissure is as follows:

    1. Coconut oil in your sitz bath and coconut oil inside the rectum is extremely helpful. Cant recommend this enough.

    2. Psyllium Husk, which is a fiber that l just stir in water (1 table spoon) really does wonders for perfectly "shaping" the poo (forgive the technicality) into a perfect S so that it moves out smoothly in the morning.

    3. Cut down the meat (slower to digest) and the rice (which dehydrates you) and add the fiber, water.

    I hope this is helpful. God bless!

  • Posted

    Go to specialists in Seoul. Dh hospital. They have english speaking doctors there. Best money spent really cheap. Its line 2& 4 sadang station Deahung hospital
  • Posted

    Thanks both! thats really useful feedback! smile

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