Fissure and hemorrhoidectomy

[Sandra600]

I have had ibs c for many years with occasional diarrhoea. I also have fibromyalgia, me/cfs, chronic migraine, GORD and anxiety.

I have had an anal fissure for over a decade and had a LIS operation six and a half years ago, however it didn’t work and neither did Botox 6 months later. The surgeon at the time said that if the LIS didn’t work he would repeat it.

I finally saw a different surgeon yesterday, however he said he won’t repeat it but will remove an external hemorrrhoidinstead and repeat the Botox.

Today my anxiety is terrible as I am terrified of having the hemorrhoid surgery because of the pain afterwards. Codeine and tramadol don’t work for me, I can’t take nsaids and the only painkiller that helps is nefopam which makes me feel sick, dizzy and generally unwell. I tried to discuss this with the consultant but he was dismissive. I’m not sure how it’s going to help with the fissure anyway which causes me far more pain .

Thanks for reading, any advice would be appreciated.

[Iesgobdafydd]

I don't know anything about these specific treatments, but I really feel for you with all those health conditions. I do get anxiety, and I know sometimes with my anxiety it really helps me if I can give myself permission to do something that feels safer, if I need to. If I were you, telling myself I can turn down the hemorrhoid surgery if I want would help my anxiety levels, and put me in a better frame of mind to gather information about it and make the best decision I can. It's your body, if you don't think the surgery will help then you don't have to have it. Of course, you might not work quite the way I do.

Could you maybe talk to your GP about the surgeon's advice and your feelings about it? I assume it was your GP who referred you there, so it seems like it ought to be reasonable to discuss it with them when you're not satisfied with the service you received.

[Sandra600 in reply to Iesgobdafydd]

Thanks for replying, sorry that you have anxiety too it’s a horrible thing to live with.

I do the same thing as you, I have already told myself that I don’t have to have the surgery and I have calmed down a bit. I have decided to wait for the copy of the letter from the consultant to my GP that I should get and then I will contact the GP about it. I have pretty much decided that I am not getting it, from reading experiences about it most people say it’s not worth going through so much pain unless there is no choice.

[Jackie1612]

Hi Sandra600, sorry to hear that you are going through this tricky situation. I have declined surgery to my rear end for a while . I have bad haemorrhoids and a slight mucosal prolapse.

The consultant I saw was also unconcerned about the pain element. I do not think they are involved in any of the after-care (unless it’s a surgical complication). If you decide to have the surgery, I think it would be the nurses who could advise you about how best to deal with the pain, and what to take.

[Sandra600 in reply to Jackie1612]

Thanks for replying, sorry to hear about your problems.

I think you are right about the pain relief, I was just looking for some reassurance that there would be something I could take that would help after such a painful operation but like your consultant he was unconcerned.

[pinky16 in reply to Jackie1612]

You certainly have a lot going on so I understand why you are concerned about the pain. I had surgery for internal and external haemorrhoids years ago and had bad pain after. I was given pethidine injections which worked a treat, until they were replaced with the usual painkilling tablets.Having ibs-c I had no bm, the laxative they finally gave me didn't help. Ended up with a catheter as I was so blocked up I stopped passing urine. Then an enema, (they refused to give me my usual laxative), this increased my pain).

My husband went to my GP for advice as I was in a bad way. He prescribed a foam and some gauze pads to place it over my anus. I think it was called Epifoam, basically lidocaine which was a godsend. He said my normal laxative (lactulose) would be fine so I took that in secret! It worked and I got discharged.

Having the op was worth it for me. The aftercare just didn't facor in ibs but this was years ago. My advice is, discuss your concerns and aftercare with the hospital at your pre-op assessment. In the UK this is a couple of weeks before the op. I have found these nurses very understanding of having a severe pain reaction. They discussed this fully and planned for this scenario which was very reassuring. Plus you can ask your GP for advice. Once you have a plan try and focus on a positive outcome! Best wishes whatever you decide xx

[Sandra600 in reply to pinky16]

Thanks for replying, it sounds like you had a bad time but I’m glad it was worth it for you.

I have been on prescription laxatives for years so at least I don’t have to worry about that, I’ll just carry on with them. I’ve got a lot to think about, good advice about the pre-op x