My advice for people with fissures. Things I wish I knew early on!
Posted , 2 users are following.
Speaking from experience - dealt with a painful fissure for several years. I wish someone had told me all these things early on, so that I didn't build up so much scar tissue along with a stubborn fissure, that surgery was the only choice for me. So here's my advice:
Do
- wash backside with water and dab until clean every time you poo. (Portable shower spray bidets are under $20 on Amazon or eBay)
- take a stool softener. Magnesium citrate and oxide worked best for me.
- use a stool or box to put your feet on when pooing, makes everything easier when pooing with knees higher
- take sitz baths - helps improve blood flow
- add to your diet: brown rice, pears, flax seeds, apples, kiwis, figs, prunes, berries. Coffee first thing in the morning really helped me too.
- light exercise, walking is best.
- be patient and take doctor's advice. The prescription creams can take upto 4-6 weeks to work
Don't
- eat white flour foods (or any other foods that constipate you)
- go overboard with fibre and water. Fibre can increase bulk and make constipation worse. Too much water causes loss of electrolytes. Loss of electrolytes causes constipation.
- take laxatives. Laxatives are only for temporary use. You don't want your body to rely on them as it can cause more health problems.
- wipe with dry tissue. Wiping can aggravate the fissure and open it more
- sit down for long periods of time
If your fissure hasn't healed from diet and care within 4-6 weeks, then if you haven't already, you should see a doctor before it gets worse. If the fissure is shallow and short, creams or botox will be enough to cure you. If your fissure is deep and/or long then ask for LIS.
LIS is the number one choice as it has a 95% success rate. Just make sure you have a good experienced CRS to do it. I had to have a second LIS months after my first because the first CRS I had didn't cut enough muscle.
Hope this helps!
0 likes, 3 replies
chris6000 Betty786
Edited
Betty,
Thank you for taking the time to provide excellent advice for those newly suffering with anal fissures. I had LIS about 4 months ago. The intense spasms are gone but i still have what i would call an uncomfortable soreness, especially if I sit too long. Was it that way for you before the 2nd LIS?
best
chris
Betty786 chris6000
Posted
I didn't really have bad spasms unless I had constipation which I avoided much as possible. My main issue was the intense sharp stabbing pain during a poo.
Since it's only been 4 months, it could just mean you just need more time to heal. The nerves and scar tissue healing time can be a slow process. We have so many nerves down there, that's why this illness is so painful. I was told by my CRS that both my incision and fissure were healed at the 6 week check up, however the pain from fissure didn't actually go away until several months later!
chris6000 Betty786
Edited
Yes, thanks i suspect you are right in that the large number of nerves in that area makes pain relief a lengthy process even after the fissure has healed. I don't have pain during a BM or spasms any more. its generally just an uncomfortable light throb when i sit for a while that i suspect will decrease with time. I am grateful and appreciate your time to respond. Especially because you are a unique case regarding the after affect of not enough cut during the operation.I'm glad the surgeon was able to diagnose the problem and fix it for you with a second procedure.