Rectal fissure - healed!

[StogStog]

I'm not sure if this is the correct group to post in as I do not have IBS, however for 10+ years, I had a rectal fissure that just wouldn’t go away.

I live in the Caribbean, have a healthy lifestyle and diet.

Years ago, when first diagnosed with the fissure, I was prescribed Lidoprocto suppositories, and was given a hand-out list of what not to eat or drink. I was told that surgery might be an option, but having read some horror stories of some people being left rectally incontinent after surgery, I decided it wasn’t for me.

Now and again I would last 2 or so weeks without the fissure reopening and bleeding. So often I believed that my fissure had gone away, only to be disappointment when I had a larger-than-normal bowel movement.

For a short while I experimented with coconut oil, applying it with a finger to my anus before having a bowel movement, this helped with allow larger stools to pass without tearing my fissure but gave up with that since it wasn’t always practical.

Things changed this summer when I visited the UK, and read about nitroglycerin ointment known as Rectiv in the US, and Rectogesic in the UK, which nowadays seems to be the preferred treatment for anal fissures.

I signed up with an online doctors’ practice, and was prescribed Rectogesic.

All I can say is that it's been a lifesaver for me and appears to have cured my fissure once and for all. I have now gone 4 months without rupture.

You can look up on the Web for reviews of Rectiv or Rectogesic etc, there are loads of people like me who have shared their experiences and mainly success.

The ointment must be applied via a finger just inside the anus twice a day. I'd read all the comments on the Web, so knew about the dull headaches that can be a common side effect.

I think I had read somewhere that it was best to apply it after a warm bath.

Luckily I was on vacation at the time so could spare the time. Basically, I took a long warm bath when I got up every morning. I did the same every evening, took my cellphone with me to read the news etc.

At the time I was on painkillers for knee pain so I didn't really notice any strong dull headaches but I could certainly sense some feeling in my head.

I kept this up for about 18 or 20 days until I felt that large or hard bowel movements which previously would have reopened my fissure, were no longer doing so.

I really I cannot recommend this ointment enough.

Before you do anything about getting the cream, you should read up online all of the user forums etc.

And like me, you should make sure you have the time available to enjoy a long bath, and apply the cream religiously twice daily.

In the UK from the online doctors’ service they charged me about £47 pounds which is about US$60 for the tube of ointment.

I used less than one tube of it. So have some left in case the fissure reappears.

In old online comments it looks like in the US the ointment used to be prohibitively expensive. But it seems to have come down in price.

I recommend this treatment 100%.

[Droidus]

I found your health issue fascinating, probably not the best way to describe something this way, for fear of offending. No offence intended by the way. Just so sorry that you had to live so long with a condition that caused you the sadness and trouble that it did. While our health issues differ, we all live with them, they affect our lives, bodies and moods. Well done for finding something that has changed your life! 👍 who knew a holiday would be the time and place that would finally give you a solution without leaving you with lifelong issues after.

Thank you for posting on here, I have no doubt you’re post will help someone.

[StogStog in reply to Droidus]

Thanks, kind of you to write. All's well that ends well, as they say!