Help. I can't do this much longer

I just found this site and I guess if anyone can help then it's someone here.

I have been through all the procedures over the last 10 months after an anal fissure I got in May which I'm pretty just was caused my my GP when he checked my prostate.
I was a 40 year old man in good health and have lost 3 stone in weight since my first fissure.

To give you a potted history my fissure has re-opened around 12 times in the 10 months.
Firstly
Rectogestic GKN ointment then
Anoheal Cream
Dilitiazem pills, biscopan, diazepam,paracetamol,ibuprofen, Robaxin

As the NHS is so bad, I paid £1000 for Botox in October.
My fissure was healing a little and the surgeon didn't disturb it with the botox.
3 days later my fissure re-opened.

Went to a different Consultant (who is meant to be very good but has the bedside manner of a reptile) and had a partial LIS on Xmas Eve.
My first poop after the LIS ripped it open again.
Back into Emergency Admissions on Jan 3rd with a Haematoma under my stitches and was just sent away to let nature take it's course.

After, recovering somewhat it started to split open again 3 days ago and is getting progressively worse.
I can feel the muscle in spasm. How is this possible with a LIS ?

Today I have had Diazepam, Robaxin, Instillagel, Tramadol and Paracetamol and I am still in pain 12 hours after going to the toilet.

My diet is the same every day and consists or
Breakfast - Banana and Orange
Lunch - 20g Allbran + 30g porridge oats and an Orange
Dinner - Bean on toast with added bran + Yoghurt with added bran + some fruit
Nigh - a spoonful of lactulose

I haven't been back to work since my LIS and I'm losing my job anyway.
I have a couple of interviews that I will get but involve a lot of travelling.

I've pretty much had enough and would switch my life off if I had the courage.

What can I do ?
The medical profession are really not interested.

Rob,

I think you live in the UK, so I am not that familiar with their system although others here are. We all seem to have dealt with discouragement with an AF, but it is not the end of the world. Could you try using Movicol? It takes awhile to heal an AF, but others have healed, and so can you!

Hi Cheryl,

I'm using Movicol, Fybogel and Lactulose.
My BM's are usually very soft.
It doesn't seem to make any difference.

The most disappointing is that everytime I think I'm healing I relapse.
After 12 times you lose the will to live.

I don't understand how I can have a partial LIS and style feel pain from spasm.
I thought the LIS cuts the muscle so that it couldn't spasm?

Rob.

Rob,

I have not had LIS. But I think some people here have had spasms after LIS as it takes awhile for the fissure to heal. Have you ever had anal rectal manometry test? You could have trouble with other muscles in the rectum besides the sphincter that was cut. That was my prob--I had pelvic floor dysfunction whereby the muscles were not relaxed properly. I hope you feel better soon! Do you live in the UK?

Yes, I live in the UK.

I've had a problem with Proctalgia Fugax for probably the best part of 20 years but the Consultant says that it is not connected.

I have to say that my confidence in the medical profession is pretty low and in my experience don't really listen to a word you say.

I've never heard of a rectal manometry test.
I'll look in to it.

Thanks.

Hello, I'm a newbie to this site, and a long sufferer of the dreaded AF, let's say 4 years. I have tried OTC creams and ointments, also aloe vera gel, plus diltiazam in K-Y gel, proctisedyl ointment and suppositories, anti-fungal cream, take metamucil 3X a day, had tons of sitz baths, tried pooping with my back arched, feet on a small stool, had a LIS, was given Botox, have given up dairy, meat and sweets, been to 2 specialists - one a gastro and the other a proctologist, and I still have fissures. I'm so fed up, and don't know what else to do. Does anyone have anything new to try? Please help if you can. Thanks.
Al from Canada

Hi Al, It's awful. I forgot about the 3 baths I've had today as well. I use the small stool also. I've stopped meat now too. Did the Aloe Vera Gel have any use?
I'm getting so desperate that I'm looking around my house for something high that will take my weight.
I have no quality of life at all.

Al,

Have you tried Movicol/Miralax? And if you are a male, why do you have the female symbol under your name???? I like Jim Caray!

Hi Rob,
The aloe vera gel didn't help but to be fair, I only tried it for a few days, cuz I didn't like the sliminess. If I were to try again, I think I would use the actual plant, just cut up stem and apply directly. So sorry you're getting down about this, but it is demoralizing and embarassing. I went to a doctor who laughed at me, of course, I felt like an idiot. It's very hard, cuz it's serious pain to us, and a laughing matter to others, tee-hee!! Keep on with lots of water, fiber cereal, no hard or sharp foods like peanuts, popcorn, cheese, meat, hard spicy chips - it's like being on a diet of gruel. It sucks! Someone suggested deep breathing and consciously trying to relax those muscles at the toilet (it's so hard) and away from the toilet. Hopefully, you can train the muscles to relax when called upon to do so. Good luck with this, and take good care of yourself every minute of the day - you have to, cuz there's no fooling mother nature.
BTW, I am a woman but used Jim Carrey's photo because he is Canadian and because I'm new to this, I didn't know how to get a woman's photo. I'm a forum newbie too. Please forgive.
Al

Al wrote:Hello, I'm a newbie to this site, and a long sufferer of the dreaded AF, let's say 4 years. I have tried OTC creams and ointments, also aloe vera gel, plus diltiazam in K-Y gel, proctisedyl ointment and suppositories, anti-fungal cream, take metamucil 3X a day, had tons of sitz baths, tried pooping with my back arched, feet on a small stool, had a LIS, was given Botox, have given up dairy, meat and sweets, been to 2 specialists - one a gastro and the other a proctologist, and I still have fissures. I'm so fed up, and don't know what else to do. Does anyone have anything new to try? Please help if you can. Thanks.
Al from Canada

No prob, Al, I was just confused! (which happens often) I like Jim Carray--he's nuts and funny!! Also involved with one of my causes because of Jenny McCarthy, his girlfriend! You can always upload one of your own photos!

I wonder if you are overdoing the fibre thing, and is it good to have 2 oranges?
Do you drink enough? Are your BMs soft?

Corsi

Ya too much fiber can actually harden your stool.20-35 grams of fibers is what you should aim for.

cherylk wrote:Rob,

I have not had LIS. But I think some people here have had spasms after LIS as it takes awhile for the fissure to heal. Have you ever had anal rectal manometry test? You could have trouble with other muscles in the rectum besides the sphincter that was cut. That was my prob--I had pelvic floor dysfunction whereby the muscles were not relaxed properly. I hope you feel better soon! Do you live in the UK?

man, i think i have something like that. It's like my sphincter just doesn't work the way it should. I know that this is an unorthodox solution, but I go and have a smoke and then my sphincter is relaxed and I can go poop correctly.

It could be other muscles besides the sphincter that are tight. Could you have the test? Do you live in the UK?

I try and take diazepam before I go to the toilet. I might have to start smoking.
I saw the consultant yesterday and he wants me back in for examination and more surgery on the 11th Feb. He thinks they may have not cut the muscle enough.
I also explained that the best I felt was when I had a bug and had diarhea, so he has put me on 4 Movicol sachets a day.
I haven't seen any great effect yet.

Can you eat too much fibre ?
I have been adding insoluble bran and it increases the bulk and my stools are softer. If I miss out bran, I really notice it. I drink lots of water as well.