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Nerve damage caused by fissures?

Posted , 5 users are following.

GC1801
GC1801

I’ve been seen by two colorectal surgeons both who say that although I’ve had several horrendous fissures in the past, I’m now healed and have no tightness of the sphincter whatsoever. They say I have a completely normal anus. I’ve dealt with constant ‘fissure’ pain for 8 years now. The problem is I am still experiencing pain that feels similar to that of a fissure albeit it less severe., despite being healed. The pain lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to a several hours.

My second opinion CRS thinks it’s nerve damage caused by repeated fissures and in her words ‘pain is a funny thing’. She is writing to my GP to advise they prescribe me amytriptiline to block the pain/change the way the brain perceives signals from the nerve.

Has anyone else had this issue and if so have nerve blockers been effective? I realise this is a long shot but hoping someone has had similar experiences.

Thanks

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 GC1801

    Posted

    Hi GC,  It’s not a long shot, I’ve had exactly the same problems. My fissure has healed, and I’ve had no bleeding for a year now. But still got the pain. No real pain going to the loo, but pain afterwards, and it can last along time.

    I have been diagnosed with pudendal nerve pain. This is the nerve that supplies all the genital area, and branches off into the anal area.

    I don’t know if you are male or female, but I had a prolapse repair because I had a rectocele, and it was thought that was causing the bleeding and pain, but I still had bleeding afterwards. I had a sigmoidoscopy which showed the fissure. Changed the way I managed it, and it has now healed, but I am taking gabapentin and Nortriptyline which works in a similar way to amytriptyline. It does help.

    • GC1801
      GC1801 Laura3333

      Posted

      Hi thanks so much for your reply, I’m female. I’m glad your medication is helping it, it’s such a horrible issue to have. 

       I’m taking two Laxido sachets a day along with a magnesium tablet. Just saw your reply to Kathy below, is it safe to take Laxido every day long term? I always worry about staying on it too long in case I become dependent on it so i come off it after a couple of weeks but the pain returns. Then when it gets too bad again I restart the sachets up for a few days.

    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 GC1801

      Posted

      Yes it’s fine to take every day as it’s not a stimulant laxative, it just draws fluid into your bowel and makes everything soft, just remember you need to drink plenty. My colorectal surgeon told me to take it.
    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 GC1801

      Posted

      Just another thing. Amitriptyline causes constipation, it’s one one those drugs that makes you tired and slows everything down, dry mouth, etc,

      If I were to choose, if the pain is bearable or not there when taking Laxido, I wouldn’t take the Ami. It really spaced me out, and I put weight on.

  • kathy_64894
    kathy_64894 GC1801

    Posted

    It's a nightmare isn't it? My fissures have also supposedly healed but now I still have difficulty passing stool due to tightness.  What has started to help me is taking a magnesium supplement. It is relaxing the muscles down there. I really want this to work because I definitely do not want surgery. 

    • Laura3333
      Laura3333 kathy_64894

      Posted

      Magnesium citrate 500 mg twice a day is what I take, along with a Laxido sachet. Never fails to work, Kathy
    • GC1801
      GC1801 Laura3333

      Posted

      I agree, Laxido worked wonders for me and healed my fissure. Now just left with the nerve pain although the Laxido still really helps and if I take two sachets a day I am pain free.
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