Despair
Posted , 9 users are following.
I am back to square one. Its been nine weeks now. My whole lower pelvis feels bruised. I have endless burning pain, relentlessly making me move every three minutes. Can't sit, can't stand, can't lie down on my back or sides for more than five minutes. I have been stuck in a spiral of terror thinking I have cancer or I think I am over using rectogesic as at least the throbbing that ensues after applying it relieves the burning pain. I am at a loss. And I can't see a way out. My life is being ruined by relentlessly evil pain.
0 likes, 27 replies
greg82314 caroline27124
Posted
Very sorry to read about your pain. My condition is on and off but I know that once I start feeling it, I make sure to watch my diet and stick to soft foods and then stay in the bath as much as possible. For 3 nights I will take laxitives which always subsides the pain. Good luck!
caroline27124 greg82314
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john16741 caroline27124
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Here is my recommendation:
When you have a bowel movement (BM), don't push. You have to stay completely relaxed and let it essentially fall out. It takes a little bit of time to learn how to do this, but you really have to **not push.** If you've been pushing when you have a bowel movement, you are re-opening a tear in the muscle that is trying to heal.
Lots of hot baths: Take them. They relax the rectal muscles.
Ibuprofen: I lived on it for about 5 weeks and it really took the edge off. I probably took 6-8 200mg tablets per 24 hour period. I'm not recommending that. I'm just telling you what I did.
Have a bowel movement in the tub: Yes! I know. It sounds gross. When it was recommended that I do it by a doctor, I was grossed out too. But, because I was in so much pain, I forced myself to get over the grossness of it. Pain will make you do that.
So, here is what I did when I needed to have a BM. I filled the tub up with warm to very warm water (that's how I like it). Then, I layed in the tub and relaxed. I did this when I could feel like I needed to have a BM soon. My butt was under the warm water. I stayed relaxed. When I could feel the feeling of a BM coming, I stayed completely relaxed. No pushing. I let the intestinal muscles do their automatic work of moving the poop out. I did not help it along by pushing. And yep...it came out right in the warm water I was sitting in the tub with. So there it was -- a big floater between my legs -- right there in the same water I was laying in. I then pushed down the drain handle and let the water completely drain out of the tub and take the poop along with it. It's not as gross as it seems. And I could care less, because the grossness of it was a lot less important to me the pain I felt when I sat on the toilet.
Warm water on the bum + pooping in warm water + not pushing = a much more relaxed lower rectal muscle and less pain overall. It is imperative your butt is under the water when you have the BM. Sometimes I would have the bowel movement laying in the tub, other times I would stand in a squatted position with my butt and hips beneath the warm water. I found that the squatting position helped the poop out. Laying in the tub on my back worked too, but the squat seems to put the rectum and lower bowel in the right position to let the poop out in a more relaxed way.
Again -- you must learn how **not to push** when you have a BM. This is HUGE, because pushing opens a fissure/tear that is trying to heal and close. Let your body do the work naturally. The rectum and lower colon have the ability to contract automatically without your conscious help. The automatic contractions are part of what is called the "autonomic nervous system." Just like it is automatic for you to breath when you fall asleep.
Keep your rectum very clean -- the cleaner you keep the area, the faster it will heal.
Lastly - There is a pretty simple surgical procedure that can fix this. It should be your last choice if it's either been months that you have been dealing with this, or if you have tried what I have recommended and the fissure/tear still hasn't healed.
Hope this helps.Â
caroline27124 john16741
Posted
Thank you, and believe me I know this pain can lead to trying anything. I have been going through this with good and hideous days for nearly ten weeks. I am drinking laxatives daily, using rectogesic, not straining. Then one solid movement three weeks ago has torn me apart. Today I was in such agony I had a panic attack. I have asked to be referred to a bowel specialist in the throws of pain, then when its passed I become reluctant as surgery seems so extreme. I fear eating, can't sleep, am in a total state of depression. Over one tiny tear. Its useless but it is inescapable, and torture. As before, I know this will pass, I know it, but it is taking a piece of me every time.
john16741 caroline27124
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I don't think laxatives are the best choice. Laxatives cause contraction of the rectal muscles. Try a stool softener instead. They have a different effect on the body. The are not supposed to cause the muscle contraction that a laxative does.
I feel for you. Hang in there. I thiink If I were at 10 weeks with no signs of improvement, I would look into the surgery. MIght want to seriously consider that.
caroline27124 john16741
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mark48367 caroline27124
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caroline27124 mark48367
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claire406 caroline27124
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mark48367 caroline27124
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claire406 mark48367
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vins caroline27124
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carol88922 caroline27124
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Always remember, once you have this condition your eating habits MUST change forever. There is no going back to the way you used to eat. I too had a set back 4 weeks ago and I am still recovering from it.
Hang in there! Water, fiber, stool softners, rest, and patience. Best to you...
mmarcus151910 caroline27124
Posted
SO sorry you have to go through so much pain.
I had an anal fissure too and know how painful it can be.Â
I had the sphicteronomy surgery which cuts the sphicter muscle which is the one that goes into spasm when you have a BM and causes most of the pain.
I would recommend getting the surgery, but if you want to wait some tips i have is to:
Diltazem Cream (which I do not think  helped that much)
Fiber (but do  not take too much as a poop that is too watery can actually cause more pain as a watery poop is  very acidic)
******Pooping in a different position- I want to emphasize this point greatly. Instead of pooping sitting down on the toilet, I tried squatting by putting my feet on the rim of the toilet and by squatting so my stomach was touching the front of the top of  my legs. This position helped  me tremendously and ever since my fissure I have always pooped in this position.
Calmoseptine Cream- This cream contains menthol that numbs the area. This cream also prevents sweat form accumulating in a particular area.Â
I really hope that this advice helps and please do  not give  up on  your battle to survive your fissure. YOU will survive it whether by waiting it our or by getting the  srgery.
GOOD LUCK
caroline27124 mmarcus151910
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mmarcus151910 caroline27124
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As far as the botox, I would be careful and research more online about it. I have heard some good, and bad stories about it so be aware. I had the surgery and do not regret it one bit. Sure there is a risk about incontinence, and it is very small, but it is better than being in more pain from a procedure that is supposed to help you.
WIth my surgery, the only thing that happened is that I feel it is a bit more difficult to hold in farts....Besides that, everything else is good.Â
But its great to hear you are feeling better!
Hope to hear good news back from you in the future!
Sincerely,
Myles
carol88922 mmarcus151910
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mmarcus151910 carol88922
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Hope this helps!
SINcerely,
Myles
claire406 mmarcus151910
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mmarcus151910 claire406
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Honestly, after being through it myself and knowing how much pain it can cause, like unimaginable pain that people who haven't gone through it would never understand, I really makes me happy to help other people and to see them benefit from my experience.
If I were to add another comment, I would add to pray after using the bathroom everyday. Although I was never a very religious person before, after my experience I decided that going to the bathroom pain free really is a blessing and should be appreciative.Â
Best of luck to you!
Myles
carol88922 mmarcus151910
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Once we suffer from this condition, our eating habits change forever. I wish you continued healing success and thank you for sharing your experiences.
I too have turned to the big guy for patience and comfort.