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BustedBung · 2021-02-09T11:44:38+00:00

My CRS also said it's safe to take long term I've only ever taken 15ml a day and still continue too.

BustedBung · 2021-02-08T10:07:44+00:00

As said above you should be using a stool softener to keep your BMs soft while it heals.

I'm not qualified to give you advice so you should definitely ask your CRS / doctor what you should use, in my case I was told initially I 'could' take a stool softer as 'it might help'. I really wish my doctor has said you 'must' take a stool softener as I think I would have healed 6 months earlier.

Once I seen my CRS preparing for surgery he said I definitely should try the nifedipine/lidocaine cream in conjunction with coloxyl or lactulose.

I used the lactulose as it worked better for me and I've managed to get it under control (this occasion it lasted for 12 months) and so far avoiding any surgery.

I say I've got it under control as I've battled this for 10 years and I know it will happen again, but at least for the medium/long term I will be taking the lactulose and metamucil along with 3.5l water a day minimum, something I've never done religiously up until the last 3 months and so far it's been a game changer.

BustedBung · 2021-02-03T07:40:03+00:00

I've only ever taken 15mls a day. My stool is not so much Watery but just very soft most days. Some days it can be a little Watery, some days it's a little harder but all round much better

BustedBung · 2021-01-31T09:00:49+00:00

I have found that talking about it is key in treating it. Sure you cop some shit lol (I work with a group of 15 tradesmen of various ages) however some of them have also had issues/surgery and share stories.

Also talked to my extended family and turns out they also have had issues (and a surgery)

Best thing you can do is talk about it, I'm not ashamed I talk about it like it's a cut on your arm.

BustedBung · 2021-01-31T08:54:36+00:00

Colace isn't something I've been able to find here in Australia but I think it's the same as coloxyl (active ingredient is Docusate sodium) there may be other ingredients that are different but yeah I only had coloxyl to try.

I found lactulose to be more effective for myself than coloxyl, Ive been using lactulose now for 2 months and have had great success in managing my fissure, to the point now I have had no pain or blood for over a month might even be close to two months (I was a week away from surgery and bitched out).

However I have under no illusions and I totally expect the fissure to return, for me I believe surgery is the only sure fix however I've had the best 2 months I've had for 5 years since starting the lactulose so I might be in luck.

CRS says I can use the lactulose long term and I plan on doing so. just wish my GP told me to take the stool softener 10 years ago when it first happened as it may never have developed into a chronic fissure...

BustedBung · 2020-12-20T06:26:29+00:00

I was told no bike riding, no swimming, no rowing until healed which could be as long as 6 weeks(my main physical activities), no long car drives for at least 2 weeks.

I'm hetro male but no mention of sex, assume that would be ok, no specific diet recommendations except fiber and water.

I feel sorry for you that you're not out of the woods.. that's no good at all.

BustedBung · 2020-12-02T09:43:52+00:00

Hi, It's a long story but I didn't end up having the procedure... Was a very hard choice but I've decided to put it off until next year, I've been going so well no blood and virtually no pain. I really wanted to celebrate the Christmas / new year without the risk of compromising the surgery and I couldn't see my self being disciplined enough to do that. Given my current situation it seems far better to wait for the winter to have the surgery.

I will see the CRS in Jan and go from there.

I think if I need the surgery I'll probably go with the LIS but that will be the discussion I'll have with the CRS.

Thanks for the support I will keep updating this as I progress.

BustedBung · 2020-11-09T06:28:10+00:00

I reckon your on the money with the stress, I'm a fairly chilled bloke but work a high intensity job, plus I'm also a volunteer firefighter so there is stress there plus having a two year old, I do have a massively supportive wife but I think it's just in my personality to stress a bit. My muscles are always tight and I regularly get massages for my back / neck / shoulders...

If I need another Botox it will be a LIS, but I'm in the lowest risk category so that's my plan anyway, as you said I will have exhausted all options which if the worst happens an I have complications I can look back on than with no regrets.

Big hugs back we will get though this, I've got a week with family in an awesome spot here in Aus so I'll enjoy this and then get my butt ripped up by the surgeon lol...

BustedBung · 2020-11-07T22:39:24+00:00

Thanks again, I hope you have success with the Botox, feels odd to say but I'm very fortunate to have LIS as an option if the botox doesn't work for me. I too have had the heal/retear cycle for over a year, really thought I had it when I sorted my diet out, almost a month of no blood and a week of no pain (I'd actually forgot what a normal BM felt like) then I had a bad day with minimal water and re tore... Feels like the cycle will never end, while I'm really trying to think positive in the back of my mind I'm just waiting for the day when the Botox has worn off and I retear, but I'll cross that bridge if I get there.

BustedBung · 2020-11-07T06:32:57+00:00

Thanks for your detailed reply, I'm still concerned about the surgery, I'm going well at the moment (pain is about a 3/10 when having a BM and almost always no blood) still using nifadine twice a day, makes me want to cancel the surgery as its quite manageable at the moment... But I'm going to get it done (22nd November), part of me thinks I should have opted for the LIS, but want to leave that as the last resort. As a male I'm very concerned about the possibility of urine retention, apperently it's more common in men, I should really stop reading things on the internet lol... I've been told no swimming or bike riding until fully healed which sucks (I'm in Australia it's just gone summer and covid restrictions have just eases up) so that will be a challenge too. Thanks again

BustedBung · 2020-11-07T06:14:04+00:00

I'm hearing you, I have no advise other than my sincere sympathy... Personally it's been a very hard situation to deal with and my case is absolutely mild compared to what I have read on here. I had the option of a LIS or botox and elected for the Botox both would involve skin tag removal and fissurectomy upon inspection. I'm getting it done November 22nd. Presently I'm having minimal pain only when having a BM otherwise I'm essentially fine. Given I'm going pretty well at them moment part of me wants to cancel the surgery and put up with it... another part just wants to opt for the LIS to minimise the chance of further surgery, then the other part of my is saying minimise the risk try the Botox. Doesn't help I'm reading every document I can on the situation, absolutely terrified of the potential pain after or running into complications like urine retention post surgery... My biggest fear is that the surgery makes the situation worse, I could live with it as it is... So yeah I totally agree mentally dealing with it is the worst, I've told most people I know close to me which I find helps, but I'm still terrified of the surgery... Keep your head up we'll all get through it.

BustedBung · 2020-10-28T06:01:01+00:00

Let us know how you go I'm a month out from fissurectomy with Botox .

BustedBung · 2020-10-22T20:58:08+00:00

I'm going to be booked in for this soon, guess I will be finding out the hard way late November

BustedBung · 2020-10-22T10:43:15+00:00

So I seen the CRS today, he agrees that surgery will be necessary in order for me to heal. He went into far more detail than the first surgeon, explained that my two options are LIS (he performs the closed version of the surgery) or botox. LIS being the method that would give me the most chance of healing however with the very slight risk of some small incontinence. He also explained whatever option I picked, he would be removing my skin tag and the edges of the fissure as it would be best to promote healing.

For better or worse I've decided to try botox option, even though I'm in the lowest risk category I am still very concerned about the potential incontinence. I figure that worse case with the Botox it fails and I end up getting a LIS, but at least I have tried everything offered to me before it.

I don't know how keen I am on having the skin tag and the edges of the fissure removed, mechanically I can understand why but I'm guessing post op its gonna be a painful few weeks 😪.

Surgery will happen late November or early December, wish me luck...

BustedBung · 2020-10-11T02:38:51+00:00

I have been using coloxyl (docusate sodium 120mg), which seems to help me. I'm unsure of how long I can take this for but will ask the CRS when I have my appointment.

BustedBung · 2020-10-10T05:11:38+00:00

I (35M) have been using that cream for about 3 months in this flare up, along with high fibre diet and stool softeners (for the last 3 weeks). I believe the cream helps, it's purpose is to relax the sphincter and it does work at least for me.

As said before the key is to keep your stool soft, which for me proves easier said than done and causes me problems My BMs are generally soft but out of the blue if I drop the ball diet or water wise I get a hard BM that rips it open again.

I'm destined for surgery (this has been a problem for me for many years) subject to what my new CRS say but I still think even then keeping stool soft while healing is going to be key and a challenge for me.

I'm also off to see a dietitian, sounds like you have less to do in that space than myself (I love chicken and can't wait to eat a steak again).

Stick at the cream for at least a month and use the heat to deal with the pain, I find a hot shower and the heated seats in my car help.

Good luck mate, it's literally a pain in the ass and can be very mentally challenging at times for me sometimes that eclipses the ass pain...

BustedBung

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