anal fissure

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kirsten1
kirsten1 Member Posts: 23
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
anyone with experience? I am waiting to see the surgeon and am in tremendous pain. Finished up chemo. in oct after rectal resection and reversal last may. any input would be great, as I am stressed!!!

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  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #2
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    I was cursed by anal fissures through all of my initial treatment. They are the absolute worst! The problem was confounded, I believe, by the harsh toxicity of the drugs being pushed through my IV port every other week. 5FU causes intense diarrhea, and the combination of 5FU-induced shits + an anal fissure = terror on the toilet. It was a nightmare, the anticipation of what I would experience when I entered the bathroom and reluctantly sit on the cold toilet seat. I even named my anal fissure "Fissures McBurnsalot" so friends and family might be spared the details of that hell (which, in practice, rarely happened ... they got all of the gory details). I always expected to leave a steaming assortment of hot coals, razor blades, and shards of broken glass when I got up from the toilet. So, yes, I remember the tremendous pain.

    My doctor prescribed a topical ointment called Analpram HC, which was little more than a hydrocortizone cream. Also, there was Proctofoam, which is meant to be shot into the anal opening with a small pump. It helps a bit, just be sure that your aim is good. The problem with these products is that they are meant to be used before or after the act ... the moment that one experiences the greatest pain. The only thing that really helped with the fissure was time. I took both stool softeners and fiber supplements at once, and I think that those worked together to speed the healing process. I wondered if using the hose from a sitz bath filled with cold water, and aiming it like a bidet would help, but I never tried this. It's worth a shot.

    I once wrote a my own definition for the fissure/5FU problem and sent it to the publishers of the Oxford dictionary. They never replied. I'll send it to you by IM if you're interested ... might be a bit much for the public forum.

    Good luck with the fissure. I know how horrible they can be.

    Rodney
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #3
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    Soaking in hot water can help. Topical creams as well such as protocort or the proctofoam. Anal fissures tend to develop as a consequence of frequent loose stools or very hard stools so having enough fiber but also drinking alot of fluids and taking a stool softener (if your stool is hard) can help. But hopefully the surgeon can help- sometimes they can inject the area. They also need to make sure it hasn't become infected, as that will make it even more painful.

    Hope they get you relief soon. ****
  • cheryltaco
    cheryltaco Member Posts: 39
    #4
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    Ouch!!!! I went through that hell on more than one occasion. I was prescribed numerous creams and ointments, but unfortunately none worked for me. The doctor prescribed Vicodin which took the edge off slightly but the only true cure for me was time. I took frequent sitz baths and tried to keep myself out of the bathroom by using Lomatil. Hang in there it does get better.
  • davidsonxx
    davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
    #5
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    I feel your pain. I developed a fissure shortly after my ileostomy reversal in April. I thought it would never heal. It would get better and about the time I thought it might be gone it would flare up again. I just dreaded going to the bathroom. Not only did it hurt then but I would be in pain for 30 minutes afterwards. Putting alcohol on a cut is nothing compared to a fissure. I tried a couple of different things that didn't help much. Finally the doctor gave me Nifedipine ointment. This one seemed to do the trick. I think the fissure has finally healed (after 6 months of hell) but I am keeping my fingers crossed. The doctor said the next step was botox injected in the internal sphincter muscle. I really didn't want to risk the possible incontinence from that.

    Sitz baths provided some temporary relief. The best thing I could do was just make sure to keep my stool soft. I took fiber regularly and drank lots of water. I would also use a stool softener or mineral oil if I needed something more.
  • Faith4Cure
    Faith4Cure Member Posts: 405 Member
    #6
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    I'm sorry---I feel pain just thinking about it. My husband has had similar pain, and I know it can be very stressful. Warm baths did help. I wish you all the best and hope the doctor can do something to help with your pain and healing. Take care,

    Faith
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #7
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    They thought I had had one, but a scope revealed that I did not. I just had irritation from so many trips to the loo. I was in agony. I took many tub baths and tried every cream available. What worked best was vaseline. I also had to take dilaudid for the pain.

    I hope it gets better for you.

    Maureen
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #8
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    They thought I had had one, but a scope revealed that I did not. I just had irritation from so many trips to the loo. I was in agony. I took many tub baths and tried every cream available. What worked best was vaseline. I also had to take dilaudid for the pain.

    I hope it gets better for you.

    Maureen

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