So What does a Fissure feel like?
The colorectal surgeon prescribed a mixture whi*****luded nitroglycerin. Direction are to put this stuff on the tip of the anus daily, and nothing else. They say it will hurt like hell for 6 weeks before you notice a difference. They say about 50% of people get relief eventually this way, and that if that does not work, the next step is colorectal surgery. With Bag Balm, I had a change in two weeks, and have not felt significant pain since. Trust me, this will make the difference if you use it religiously.
You poor thing. I'm glad you got great responses from every one with some ideas on what to try.
I know what you mean about not having medical insurance. I didn't either, and knew I had to heal it myself. While I was going through this, a woman posted that she had surgery on hers and it turned into a terrible mess. The surgery didn't stop it from coming back, and her anus was permanently damaged from the surgery. I just knew I wasn't going down that path.
It got really, really bad but focusing on it and using the wet wipes and eating cleanly - it took a week and then I noticed it got much better. And it improved a little every day. It took a month to get over it completely, but the throbbing and crying out during a BM stopped in a couple of weeks.
Take a look at using some probiotics. That will neutralize any acid poop also.
You won't be miserable for long.
It feels like PURE HELL!!!
More to the point, for me, during it felt like a sharp, white-hot, searing pain while having a movement. Brought me to tears. There would be a little relief immediately afterward followed by soreness, painful burning and spasming of that area. I had to resort to ice packs. I would put about 1-2 inches of water in small ziploc bags and hang them up in the freezer. I'd take one and wrap it in a bouple of moist wipes and wedge it in. Very uncomfortable, but better than the pain and eventually, the numbness would help some.
There are medical treatments that are worth trying. Speak to a colo-rectal surgeon. GP's typically don't have a clue. The colo-rectal guy can give you the treatment options. The first thing is to soften stuff up. I'd skip Colace-type stuff (it didn't help me at all) and go right for the Miralax (Clearlax at Walmart, etc.), increased water, fiber, etc. It's worth giving the medical treatment options a shot, though they don't work for some. They didn't work for me and after four months of suffering I had to have LIS when it was clear the fissure was not healing. Hope this helps some.
Diva Jojo: SW: 440lbs -- CW: 274lbs -- GW: 240lbs
Things that I did to try and heal and continued to do after surgery (still do to a degree two years later - this thing changed my LIFE)
1. Miralax, keep things soft. It's safe for daily use and powder so you can adjust the dosage to just what you need.
2. I only use wet wipes in that area. I use the Pampers sensitive with no perfume/dyes.
3. I don't recommend sitz bath as it puts a stretching pressure on the area. I soaked in the tub, water as hot as I could comfortably stand and lay on my side for at least 20-30 minutes letting the heat and water soothe the area. Also the heat promotes bloodflow to the area which is necessary if it is going to heal.
4. Spray nozzle concentrated in that area during my showers.
5. Again, increased fiber, water, clean eating (bland, stay away from spicy and sharpt {nuts, popcorn, etc.}).
I still stick to this regimen because I am still scared of a fissure, though it's been two years since my LIS and I haven't had a problem, these things have become a part of my routine. Sometimes I skip the long soak, but it is actually relaxing bonus.
Diva Jojo: SW: 440lbs -- CW: 274lbs -- GW: 240lbs
