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fissures + incapacitating pain

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/2/2011 8:15 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone.  I am new to any support resource and have been suffering so much, that I am looking for any kind of help. 

I have been suffering for over 10 years with chronic diarrhea.  For the past few years, I have had alternating diarrhea and constipation.  I have had intermittent rectal bleeding for at least three years.  Docs had been reluctant to do tests as they had chalked it up to anal fissures.  I had a colonoscopy in 1999 and 2003 which showed proctitis only.  I had been using nitro and numbing gel for the flare ups of the "fissure".

The rectal bleeding has been increasingly getting worse.  After a recent dose of antibiotics, the rectal bleeding was so severe that I was scheduled for an urgent colonoscopy.  The doc who did the colonoscopy explained that instead of the typical fissure line, I have them all over and in every direction in the lower rectum all the way to the anus.  There is also significant inflammation in the lower rectum.  I was prescribed salofalk 1000mg suppositories and booked in for testing for my small intestine (this Monday is my apt).  I have been taking the suppositories for a few weeks with no improvement with bleeding or pain.  I am so scared to have a bowel movement as I break out in such a sweat from the intense pain.  Help!!  I need advice...I know she is looking for crohn's in the small bowel...I need some relief, any tips?

Also, I should add that I have recurring ovarian cysts.  I have been operated a year ago for a 7cm ovarian cyst as well as endometriosis (bladder, uterus, posterior cul de sac, etc.).  I currently have another cyst which is at least 5cm.  I am adding this info in case any of this can be related...

Sorry for being so long winded, I can actually go on and on...I am tired, tired of the constant abdominal cramping, anal pain + spasms....thanks ahead of time for any advice, or just for listening to me vent :)

Posted 7/2/2011 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
When I was first diagnosed, I had fissures and fistulas that the doctors thought were hemmis. I too was in intense pain every time I had to have a BM and actually stopped eating for a few months. I lost about 30lbs. I was in so much pain I could barely walk. The only way I could get through a BM was to take a sitz bath immediately afterward. The warm water was soothing. It still hurt like heck, but it was the only thing that helped at all. I also used the witch hazel wipes. They stung at first, but then they had a bit of a relief factor.

Good luck with your test. I hope you get some relief soon.
Posted 7/2/2011 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for responding :)...I can relate to not wanting to eat.  I have lost 15 pounds in the past month and a half, and I was already thin to begin with.  Walking, sitting, and lying down are all things I will never take for granted again when it's pain free...Do you have recurrences of the symptoms you mentionned, or has it been controlled with meds.  How long did it take before you could stand the pain.  A lot of questions, I guess you can say I am feeling hopeless, as if I will never live without being in excrutiating pain.  The rational part of me tells me I am wrong about that, but my emotional side is scared and desperate.  I have actually thought some thoughts I never would have imagined myself thinking....It feels good to say this to someone :)
Posted 7/2/2011 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I actually had laser surgery for hemmis before they figured out it was CD. When I went in for my follow up appt, the proctologist finally diagnosed me with CD, when my mom mentioned that she had it. It was a family history that set his mind in motion. Once I was on medication, I have not had fissures again. I think I have had a fistula, but the doctor wasn't able to find it, eventually it stopped hurting, so....

I was diagnosed almost 23 years ago. I think it really was my lowest point, and I have had 4 resections that have laid me pretty low. But the pain from those fistulas and fissures was intense!

I know some people have good luck with Remicade healing fistulas. Are you on any meds yet? I would think that the doctor would be able to give you something after your test on Monday, even if it is just some pain med, but maybe some soothing suppository? Not sure what the current regime is since it has been a while. I have never heard of anyone else having laser surgery for fistulas or fissures. It was immediate relief for me.

just an FYI, the boards are pretty slow on the weekend, and on a holiday weekend even slower, if you don't get many responses feel free to bump your post to keep it on the first page. Just post a reply with (bump) in it to put it back to the top of the page. That way more people will see it.
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