I have looked this up and I also posted last week (didn't know how to let you see the post but refer to connection problem). I am still in pain. I know that people are probably tired of me asking but I feel like I get support here.

The fissure has been there for over 3 wks. and is mainly on the outside. I have tried all the topical creams and I feel like it is not getting any better... So my surgeon says there he has only one option, a sphincerotomy in which Jan talked about but I would have to go back to a temp. bag again. Is this all that there is to do? I will try anything before going back to the bag. I had TD only about 2 months ago and I feel like this is so unfair to give up this quickly. I understand that it is temporary but I just can't see that this is the only way.

Several of you spoke about creams and surgery, did you go back to the bag? I also know that this can take months to heal but how long is the longest that I will have to be in pain? (Silly question, I know) Is the temp. bag the only way to get everything healed the way it should be? Is this going to be a never ending battle? Is there anything to put in a sitz bath to help heal and not burn beyond belief?

I know there are lots of questions but again I am at my wits end. Also, I feel like my surgeon has done all he is going to do. Do I now go back to my GI doctor for treatment? My GP?

I am not ready to give in the towel even temporarily, so anything you got send it my way. I'll be waiting in between baths.

Thanks in advance,
jessica mahaffey

You can try Botox injections. I'd go to your GI before opting for surgery though. He might have some other ideas for you. Three weeks is not very long for a fissure and most of them will heal if you are patient. I know it is hard to be patient when you are having so much pain.

Jan

I forgot to mention that they did do Botox injections on the day of my scope. This has seemed to give me some hope they seemed to slow the spasms down a great deal. I am going to call my GI doc in the morning and see where that goes. There has got to be something more to do.

Also, I meant to ask this earlier and forgot. Women have babies everyday and tear and have all sorts of problems and they don't have to go to the temp. bag. they just repair. i know it is very painful it only lasts a few weeks and done. Jan can you help me with this one? Is this different from what I have expereinced? Why can't I just be sewed up and go without the temp bag?
Maybe I don't get it, but I would like to understand so that I don't make a complete fool out of myself when I do talk to the GI doc.

I am willing to be patient to avoid surgery so quickly, thanks for listening
jessica

I had surgery for a fissure on April 28/07 and it took almost three months to start to feel better. I had problems with spasms and the only thing that helped with that was opium and belodona suppostitories. They made an incredible difference.

They cannot just sew up a fissure because it is a contaminated wound and it would wind up causing abscesses and much more trouble down the road. The sphincterotomy (and the Botox) prevent the sphincter from spasming around the fissure, which causes reduced blood supply and prevents healing. It is a vicious cycle because the pain of the fissure actually stimulates spams too. You can ask about B&O suppositories (belladonna and opium) and they may help with the pain and spasms.

In most cases, an ileostomy is not necessary following sphincterotomy surgery. Perhaps your surgeon is trying to scare you? Otherwise, I'd definitely get a second opinion. I suppose there is something unique about yours that may require it, but I would ask about it before signing up for it.
http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content....otomy&content_id=274

I had a 4th degree laceration during vaginal childbirth (tear from the vagina into the rectal muscles) and was repaired without an ostomy. However, the tearing did not go all the way through to the inside of the anus.

Jan

I had the exact same problem as you do now. A horribly painful fissure that persisted for months and nothing seemed to get rid of it. My surgeon was very very reluctant to cutting the sphincters to try to heal the fissure. He did not want to do that to a j-poucher because of future leakage issues.

The only thing that relieved the fissure was Remicade. He said that it could be Perianal Crohn's and that must be the case because the Remicade healed it up within a week. I told my husband that I would go back to an ileostomy if the pain didn't stop, it was that bad! He told the surgeon how miserable I was and that is when he suggested Remicade. Why does it take someone else to say the same thing before it is taken seriously?

Anyway, talk to your doctor about Remicade or Humira before another surgery. It worked wonders for me!

Good Luck.
Donna

How are you doing with the Fissure I am now in the same boat and don't what to do. I am using diltiazem and vicodian. I want to prevent them not bandage them. I don't want surgery...
Any information is great..

I just want to mention this in case you are still wanting to try a great product. It is called Nupercanal and I can't tell you how many times it has soothed and brought relief from burning and stinging pain. It has a numbing agent and is a great barrier. It sells avery whare like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. Hope it helps.
RIck

hey, i have a fissure. it sucks!

i tried nitroglycerine paste but it made me too dizzy and didn't work really ( i used it 3 times a day for 2 months).

it seems to be getting better now. i use sitz baths everyday, dermawheat cream, and i am also on remicade.

that dermawheat cream seems to have made a big difference and i go through tones of it. sitz bath with really warm water help pain a lot...i use it after almost every bowel movement for a couple minutes. i also try to take 15 minute hot baths once a day to ease some muscle spasms i have from the fissure pain.

good luck!

Rick Thank You for the suggestion Yes I been using Nupercanal cream. I have to laugh about all the creams I have...

Helen

Hi Niki, We are living in the same boat!!! It is so hard to do Sitz bath when I work. During the weekend it is fine but hard during the week. I use Dermawheat cream it is so expenses do you buy it on their website? I hate being on vicodin but the pain is so!!! I love to find a cure not a bandage... What does the Remicade do for you? Reduce the pain? Any suggestions is bery much appreciated. Sending smiles to all Helen

Hi Helen,

i buy my dermawheat cream from grassfactor.com, as jan recommended. it's the antioxidant skin recovery cream..."Dr. Wheatgrass" brand.

the remicade inhibits something called "TFN"- an excess of which is supposed to cause inflammation. it is supposed to help with crohn's to stop flare ups, and people use it for other autoimmune disorders (arthritis,etc).

i am not sure if it helps with fissures at all exept to reduce inflammation from crohn's that might be aggravating things... having inflammation around the anus i think it rips more easily. also, ive heard that some fissures are crohn's related, like little ulcers... it has helped bring down inflammation in my pouch and rectum so i don't have as much diarreah and that helps ...constant trips to the bathroom were irritating the fissure.

the reason i started taking it was to prevent fistulas from forming cuz i had one form, unfortunately. it is helping that to close up a little.

my doctor says to just keep faith and be patient, the fissure is slowly improving so it will probably heal in time...i know it is hard waiting it out and painful but it can take months to heal. a last resort for me would be to get a botox injection if nothing else works.

Hi Niki Thank you for the information. My Surgeon has not suggested anything but cream, a suppositore and Vicodin. I was curious on what yoru Dr said. The pain after a BM is awful!! I am sure you can relate... I am looking for a cure not bandage my Surgeon keeps giving me...

I hope no more surgery for me I just want to suvive a week at work..
THank you again.. Helen