Chronic fissures...anyone have a failed LIS?

Please let me start by saying that I do NOT blame my fissures on my DS. I just know that fellow DS'ers don't mind talking about this stuff. So please don't let this post scare any of you newbies out of making the decision to get your DS. I know it isn't for everyone but I wouldn't trade mine for the world!

Now...I'm almost 4 years out from my DS. I lost all of my goal weight and then some. I strive to eat healthy (according to DS standards) and keep carbs to the bare minimum and fiber to the max. I still struggle with diarrhea often even after ruling out any and all problem foods. I'm not perfect but I do my best to keep my diet in check.

Two years ago I began my battle with fissures. I knew it wasn't due to constipation since that has never been a problem after having my DS. I know better than to strain when having a bowel movement and I have every cream/medication that could possibly heal a tear known to man. I had my first partial internal sphincterotomy about 18 months ago and experienced relief afterwards for about 9 months. After that the demon returned with a vengeance. Last October I went to see the same surgeon who has since performed a second partial sphincterotomy, a round of botox and just 2 months ago performed a complete lateral internal sphincterotomy (so now one of the muscles is completely severed). I'm still in excruciating pain on a daily basis and struggling to find relief. My surgeon is referring me to a new gastroenterologist to determine whether I have IBS or Crohns disease since he can't figure out how to fix me. He has stated numerous times that the tissue is so fragile from over usage that it crumbles when it is touched. I can't find any research or information on chronic fissures after so many failed surgeries so I'm asking here to see if anyone knows ANYthing.

In the end...I fear that the doctors will decide that the only solution is to reverse my DS. That just can't happen...

Thank you everyone!

I have had  fissues and oh my gosh,,,,,,what pain, it is like barbed wire,I bled for so long it made me anemic. (months)  be very careful because they can be caused by diarrhea.  if that is the case Increase your calcium, take less  magnesium.   I am an IBD patient, IBD is not IBS, they are very very different.   trust me if you had IBD you would know it and if you ever had a colonoscopy they would have found that.   you dont have to reverse the ds for that, but something is causing "irritation" or "pressure" in order to tear that area.  Once it is healed try not to tear it again...  

The pain is just intolerable. The docs had me on dilaudid to manage the pain after trying everything else but I soon decided they were doing more damage than anything so I stopped all medications besides topical.

I haven't had my colonoscopy yet but will be getting that scheduled when I see the GI on Friday. I know that the tear is caused from the continued "irritation" from having frequent diarrhea but after extensive food logs there isn't any evidence of what I am eating being the cause. I have done everything I can find to help but I'm still stuck and not healing. Hoping the colonoscopy Will give me answers.

Thanks airbender!!

Given that you have tried your best with diet and fiber, it's possible you could have persistent diarrhea due to bacterial overgrowth in your colon. See if any of your docs would precribe a course of flagyl for you. This has made the difference for many Ds'ers.

Larra

That's actually a fantastic idea Larra. I hadn't really thought about Flagyl for my issue because I was convinced that I had done all I could even though I was well aware of Flagyl helping other DS'ers. Duh! That is exactly why I posted my issue...always helps to have someone else look at what you see everyday. I will see what my GI says about that rx on Friday. Thank you SO much Larra!

Sorry you are having pain...There maybe foods that your are not aware of that are bothering you. My doc told me that often when you have a food intolerance you will keep developing more.  :o  Seems like every 6 months I am adding another food to my list of "no-no's." 

I'd try these for 2 weeks

http://www.renewlife.com/ultimate-flora-super-critical-200-b illion.html