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Posted 8/30/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
     What exactly is a fissure and how would I know if it were one?  Couldn't my GI tell if I had one from a sigmoidoscope?  Should I go to a proctologist?
Posted 8/30/2009 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I thought I was just suffering from hemorroids but I think it is a fissure. I am in so much pain. I have been soaking in epsom salt baths and using Prep H and Tucks. Nothing is helping. I can't wait to see the doctor next week to find some relief. When I use the bathroom I want to cry. It is like passing glass.
Posted 8/30/2009 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
They look like little cuts in the skin on/around the anus and it feels like you're pooping razor blades....they make the areas sting, I used Lidocain medicated numbing gel when I had fissures...in a pinch you can try using a little extra virgin olive oil (not as crazy as it sounds, it soothing and healing).

:)
Posted 8/30/2009 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
There is a good ointment that's called Proctocedyl. It can be inserted into the anus a bit with a nozzle, but I've only used it externally. It also comes in suppository form.

Maybe that's something that you should ask your doc for Christine.

Your GI should be able to see if you have a fissure or not.

External hemmies can also give the pain/aching feeling down your legs since the nerves will be affected greatly in that area. I get that when I have external hemmies flaring.

The sitz bath will help too...but it's good to make sure what's going on and your doc should be taking a look-see.


quincy
Posted 8/30/2009 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
     Thank you Heather.  Yes, the pain is radiating down into my left leg...more like an ache than pain.  I went to the GI doctor last week.  All he does is go over my meds, make recommendations and examine my belly.  He hasn't looked into the rectum since he did a sigmoidoscope in May.  My bowel movements are normal, no blood, and formed, not narrow.  Guess that is a good sign.  I worry about rectal cancer, but guess he could have seen that when he didn biopsies during the sigmoidoscope.  Do you think the Cort enemas would irritate or help? idea
Posted 8/30/2009 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if it'll help or not....all you can do is try it.
You should call the doc, ask for him to take a look-see...unless you can do it yourself by squatting over a mirror and see if you have external hemmies and/or a fissure.

how many times a day are you having bms?

q
Posted 8/30/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I know I had something on the rim of my anus when I went for my colonoscopy and my GI did not mention it. I specifically asked if I had a hemmroid and she said NO. I don't understand how I can feel it with my finger but somehow it's not visible to the rest of the world. I think sometimes people just don't want to rock the boat so they try to brush you off.
Posted 8/30/2009 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
If the pain is a dull ache when you're having a bm it's probably not a fissure as they cause sharp knife like burning pain which then turns into a throbbing pain for hours afterward. You may have a pelvic floor muscle issue that is also affecting you adductor muscle. Go see a colorectal doc as the gi docs usually don't focus on this. Do hot baths three times a day keeping your legs and anal area spread, the hot water will help if it's a fissure or muscular. Fissures can be both internal or partially external so it may or may not be visable to you. I am suffering from a fissure right now plus levator ani... the pain is excruciating! God help me.
Posted 8/30/2009 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...the doc should at least clarify what it is that you feel....lack of information can make many of us think the worst. I like clarification and it certainly eases my anxiety.

I went to my gi enquiring about the changes happening around the anus from the fissure, a sentinal tag and external hemmie. Nothing like sporting a blue butt that's painful as hell radiating up my sacro area and down my leg.

He took a look and said..."that's it"?

I said, "yeah...what's going on?"

He commented, "It's an external hemmie with a small fissure and you have to consider how many years it's been in use!"

I laughed, "good point". humbled.

He said, "it's not the worst I've seen by any means, just use the proctocedyl and it'll deal with the hemmi and the fissure".

I must say that different toilet papers can make or break the quality of a wipe as well as washing products. Seems what worked once doesn't if there's any irritation/inflamation.

quincy
Posted 8/30/2009 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
haha, it sucks so bad that all these things go hand in hand. It's bad enough that we deal with D, cramping, blood, mucus, urgency and all the fun UC stuff but we also get hemmies and fissures. Sorry, it's kind of comical but not when I'm practically in tears while having a BM and trust me, I've been there!!! Feels like you're passing razor blades. I actually have a little tear that comes back everytime I have a firm movement, it is painful but not as bad as the hemmie I was dealing with when I was on vacation last year.
Posted 8/30/2009 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have recently been having nice long firm smooth stool (textbook picture perfect) for awhile now but it's been so long since it's been that way that I think my sphincter is simply not able to handle it anymore and/or it's out of shape so to speak and creates fissures which forces me to soften the stool making it mushy and easier to pass which is certainly not normal. I am seeing my new cr doc tomorrow and will discuss this phenomenon with him. When I wake up I feel great then during and after a bm my life goes straight to hell... : (
Posted 8/30/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
     GOSH...I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!  So informative and good we all can have a sense of humor while suffering with these sore dupas (Polish for rear end).  I even had to leave Mass this morning because I couldn't stand the pain.  Plus, I noticed that it was the long winded priest in the sacristy and escaped before he came out.

     My bowel movements weren't too painful but when I pass gas it feels like a razor blade..lol.

     I do have something which looks like a little finger hanging out my bottom. 

Posted 8/30/2009 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
The little finger thing you describe could be a sentinel pile or an external hemmie. I also get a sharp pain in the sphincter area when passing gas but it's much worse with stool passage. When the rectal muscles go into spasm it can cause the sphincter to to not open and close properly causing all kinds of pain...try taking a muscle relaxer like Valium and see if it helps with the pain as this can help determine if your sphincter or other rectal muscles are in spasm.

Hope you feel better soon : )
Posted 8/31/2009 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
     Decided not to take the Cort enema last night nor the Canasa this morning.  I was so beat I actually slept for thirteen hours!!!  From 7 pm last night to 8 am this morning...that, without a sleeping pill.  Made up for all the loss of sleep I have suffered the past months..lol.  Well, someone told me that when you sleep the body has a healing affect on itself and believe me....it must be true!  I felt SOOO much better today.  I had two normal bowel movements, no pain.  Still using tucks and going to go soak in a hot tub right now.
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