Anal fissure in pregnancy

[Seabreeze234]

Hi all, I’ve got a chronic anal fissure and it’s so painful. The doctor has prescribed me rectogesic ointment but I’m so anxious to take it as I’m 5 weeks pregnancy, and very precious IVF pregnancy. Has anyone else been in this situation or have any wise words. I’m doing sitz baths, talking fybogel and doing ice packs too, but it’s still so painful after 4 weeks and have had to take this week off work due to the pain.

I know I have to balance up risk/benefit.

I would be really grateful of any wise words.

[Pasaeoco01]

Hi there, I’m so sorry to hear you’re experiencing this. I’ve had several fissured in the past and the pain is miserable!Are you suffering pain for hours afterwards? I would typically experience spasms for around 8hrs after a movement.

When you chronic, how long have you had it for? For me, I found it just wouldn’t heal by itself and I needed rectogesic which really does work if you continue to use it correctly and diligently. I did use it whilst pregnant with no issues in my pregnancy,

I stopped using fybogel as I found it was ‘bulking’ my movements. Instead I used lactulose which I’m pretty sure is fine as it’s just a sugar solution that keeps stools soft which is crucial to healing.

I also used linseeds (you can buy in most supermarkets) and sprinkled on breakfast cereal to soften stools. Also, you absolutely must drink plenty of fluids, just keep drinking water or squash.

Ensure you don’t avoid bowel movements and avoid straining or pushing. Use a small child’s step during bowel moments to keep your feet raised snd sit in the best position.

I also applied coconut oil which you can buy in supermarkets snd has healing properties.

On top of everything else I did find that relaxing with mindfulness techniques helps to reduce muscle tension down there which is hard when you’re in pain. Also distraction is a good pain reliever so I kept as busy as possible.

You say you’re using ice but ideally you want to encourage blood flow to the area to aid healing so I found sitting on a hot water bottle to be better for the pain and healing (not too hot).

I do remember my GP saying no-one has a fissure forever and he was right. With diligent use of all the above mine did heal snd as long as I was careful snd avoided constipation/hard stools the fissures stayed away. I still use linseeds today as they keep stools soft and are great for your digestive system,

I hope that’s helpful and wishing you a speedy recovery from these nasty painful fissures!!!x

[Seabreeze234]

Thanks for your reply.

It’s so miserable! Yeh I normally have to go twice in the morning and then the pain doesn’t go for about 7-8 hours, deep burning pain.

I’ve had it for 4-5 weeks now, the doctor initially prescribed a steroid cream which I used for a week, and then when it hadn’t eased (had become worse) he checked it and said it was a fissure with a haemorrhoid which now makes sense.

Was it your first trimester you used it in? And did they say to apply just external or internal also?

Ok I’ll give lactulose a go, I think movicol softens also so maybe I should switch to that.

I’ve always had chia/linseeds on porridge with dates and all sorts. I do think I get enough fibre and diet is really healthy. Have really upped my water too since!!

Yeh I actually thought the ice made the pain worse yesterday so I won’t do that again!! Seems counterproductive now when I knew the hot was to increase blood flow 🤦🏼‍♀️

How long in total did it take for you to be out of pain?

Thanks so much for your reply

X

[Pasaeoco01 in reply to Seabreeze234]

Really do feel for you, it’s so horrible.If you have a pile and a fissure that’s doubly painful!

As you have both the heat/ice situation is tricky as heat is better for fissure, I’ve better for pile! I would go with whatever makes you more comfortable - I found heat better personally.

I’ve had several fissures over the years but when I was pregnant it was a nasty one and I think it took a few weeks but I did have some better days.

I used the rectogesic internally morning and evening for the fissure and then used a steroid cream externally for the pile several times throughout the day.

It sounds like you’re doing all the right things otherwise.

From memory you can also get something called Preparation H wipes which contain witch hazel snd can be really soothing. You can buy them in boots or most chemists or even Amazon.

Really hoping things improve for you soon. Try to relax and breathe when you have a movement. My physio also told me, don’t hunch your shoulders or clench your jaw - this automatically tenses all your muscles and makes the spasms and tightness worse.

[Seabreeze234]

It’s so hard to stay relaxed but I am learning the intense knife pain will pass in a few minutes!

The wipes sound good, I’ll get some of those. I’ve seen on a couple of other posts people have found sudocream soothing too.

One last question was your doctor happy for you to be on the rectogesic for 8 weeks in pregnancy or did you take it for a shorter amount of time ? I think I’m going to hold out for 1 more week and see if anything gets any better before I start it I’m just so anxious to take anything in the first trimester especially.

[Pasaeoco01 in reply to Seabreeze234]

I’m not sure if I used it for the whole 8 weeks. I think I may have stopped using it once I felt it was better however, if it’s not sufficiently healed you run the risk of it opening again.Sudocrem does soothe however, it won’t do anything to reduce the muscle spasms which is what is causing the tightness and fissure.

Fingers crossed for you!!!

[Akachan]

I feel you!

I had anal fissure for ages (18 months) got botox last year and it fixed it. Now 18 weeks pregnant and its come back (both of them) so painful.

I have a diltazem hydrochloride 2 percent but no one will tell me if it is safe , i had to use it 4 times just to get some relief but now Itoo, feel bad, as unsure if we can use during pregnancy.

Encouraging the first post used one, so I hope itll be okay!

Nothing really helps but a warm bath or squat pot afterwards! The blood is always a shock too when pregnant.

Do you know which rectogesic you used?