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uh oh, I think the fissure is getting worse

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/14/2009 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
So I was told I have a fissure about a week ago, and I was given hydrocortisone cream and suppositories. I guess the pain is slightly less than it was before, although it still really hurts when I have a BM. I used to only have a bit of blood, but the past few times it colors the whole toilet, and I have seen blood clots as well.

Is there any way that Remicade can help my fissure? I'm scheduled for my next infusion next week, and I'm wondering if this is due to perianal Crohn's, and if it is, if I can expect the Remicade to help.

Also, do sitz baths help the actual healing, or do they just help the pain?

Somebody suggested here that I do a liquid diet, but then I've read several places to eat a lot of fiber and drink more water. I'm not sure which is best. Is there anything else I can do myself to help this heal? How long do these usually take to heal?
Posted 12/14/2009 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a sitz bath girl all the way. I find they relax and soften sores. Use the cream multiple times a day, a little at a time and it seems to keep medicated better.

I would do it twice a day and that's when it helped the most for me.

I know how miserable those can be be so hope you get it under control and feel better soon.
Posted 12/14/2009 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
The eating more fiber and drinking more water is to keep from having constipation and hard stool, which could irritate the fissure on passing through. Liquids only is another option, with the aim of reducing the number of bowel movements, again to reduce irritation. If it's perianal disease rather than chronic constipation that is causing the symptom, an antibiotic such as Flagyl could help and so could your next Remicade treatment. Time required for healing varies, depending on the size of the fissure, and the severity of the underlying disease. Hope it clears up soon.
Posted 12/15/2009 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
they are they only thing that has helped and the only thing that has cleared them up. It took 2 or 3 infusions before it worked. I.ve had crohns for 23yrs and I started Remicade infusions 4 yrs ago. As far as antibiotics get the doctor to check and see if it is infected. Sits baths help too.



I have fibro but my boyfriend has crohns and wanted to reply to you.
Posted 12/15/2009 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
The sitz baths help with healing by softening the area and keeping it very clean, in addition to relaxing you and your muscles. You may want to ask your doctor to let you try topical diltiazem, the only thing that's ever made my fissure feel better.
Posted 12/15/2009 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Fissures can be a real pain to heal (no pun intended...well sorta :-)

Preventing hard BM's is really the best way to heal them over time.  Do your best to relax while passing.  It's really tough to relax when you know the pain is coming.  Clinching and bearing down is only going to make it worse. 

I had 2 at once (12 o'clock and 6 o'clock).  I had them for probably 6-7 months.  It's a tough road.  Hang in there. 

Posted 12/15/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, guys. I'm hoping a combo of my next Remicade infusion, my diet, and the cream will all help to heal the fissure. It freaks me out to see so much blood in the toilet. The pain is pretty bad, but I think it's getting slightly better. It's funny the things you realize you took for granted before, like having a pain-free BM!

One thing I've noticed that helps lessen the bleeding (sorry if this is TMI), is putting a bunch of Vaseline on the area before a BM. For some reason I don't notice nearly as much blood when I do that. I hope that doesn't slow down the healing.

It's hard for me to wonder how this will ever heal while I continue to have BMs. Guess I just have to be patient.
Posted 12/16/2009 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to send my well wishes to you. Hope it's all gone in no time. It's funny you mention taking things for granted, because there's so many things we all end up with. For me up until last week, it was "not blowing air out of my private parts" when I urinate. Funny what we take for granted...
Posted 12/16/2009 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, DaytoDay. I hope you're feeling better too! I guess the blessing in disguise to this disease is that we learn to appreciate things that we used to take for granted.
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