Anal fissure: What helps it heal?

Posted by lisval @lisval, Aug 2, 2022

Hey-wondering if anyone has developed an anal fissure during chemotherapy? What helped it heal? Any advice as it is very painful!

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Ouch, @lisval. Anal fissures can be quite painful. Fellow members like @trishplace @dilly69 and @stlsampsondev can share their experiences and tips.

As you may already know, once you've had an anal fissure you may be prone to getting them again. So prevention is important. You may be able to prevent an anal fissure by taking measures to prevent constipation or diarrhea. Eat high-fiber foods, drink fluids and exercise regularly to keep from having to strain during bowel movements.

An anal fissure that fails to heal within eight weeks is considered chronic and may need treatment. Have you had this long? Is constipation or diarrhea a side effect of chemo that you're experiencing?

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@colleenyoung

Ouch, @lisval. Anal fissures can be quite painful. Fellow members like @trishplace @dilly69 and @stlsampsondev can share their experiences and tips.

As you may already know, once you've had an anal fissure you may be prone to getting them again. So prevention is important. You may be able to prevent an anal fissure by taking measures to prevent constipation or diarrhea. Eat high-fiber foods, drink fluids and exercise regularly to keep from having to strain during bowel movements.

An anal fissure that fails to heal within eight weeks is considered chronic and may need treatment. Have you had this long? Is constipation or diarrhea a side effect of chemo that you're experiencing?

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I visited a couple of colon/rectal surgeons for treatment of both internal
Hemorrhoids and fissure. The advice of high fiber and increased water helps but it’s a slow process. The doctor also first prescribed a compounded nitroglycerin ointment for anal pain but because it also messed with your heart and BP it made me light headed so I got a different compounded prescription for Nifedipine. Much better and I could use it during the day with no side effects. Since you’ve had chemo you’ll obviously need to see what meds interfere. Best of luck!!! I know how uncomfortable this is. I’m still working on digestive issues. I’m better but I have yet to find a gastroenterologist who really listens.

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Anal fissures can be very painful and if they don't heal within six months you may need to talk to your doctor about it and best options. We tried lots of different things - Miralax, Collace, etc which didn't necessarily work for me - everyone's colon is different so you need to have a GI doctor or primary who can understand how your colon works and your needs. Adding Supplemental Fiber is the best thing that works for me - I would look up the best fiber supplements to take. I had to have surgery but am post anal fissure repair and it hasn't come back. My local surgeon did it but I consulted with the colon rectal surgeon at Mayo first and he agreed we could do it locally. Also consider doing pelvic floor therapy or at least talking to your primary to see if there is any value in that. I also felt like the sitz bath helped to relieve it some. Have you tried a sitz bath - the one I used was actually able to pump warm water so it kept it warm and you could do it on the toilet so you didn't have to get in the bath everytime. I will have to look it up and see if I can find more info on it.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Ouch, @lisval. Anal fissures can be quite painful. Fellow members like @trishplace @dilly69 and @stlsampsondev can share their experiences and tips.

As you may already know, once you've had an anal fissure you may be prone to getting them again. So prevention is important. You may be able to prevent an anal fissure by taking measures to prevent constipation or diarrhea. Eat high-fiber foods, drink fluids and exercise regularly to keep from having to strain during bowel movements.

An anal fissure that fails to heal within eight weeks is considered chronic and may need treatment. Have you had this long? Is constipation or diarrhea a side effect of chemo that you're experiencing?

Jump to this post

Yes, I got it from diarrhea from chemo this past spring. It is finally healed after using the ointment for a few months and getting botox injections. I am very worried about it coming back so being very careful with what I eat and do. However, I feel great and am so thankful to have it behind me, for now at least!

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I got an anal fissure after my radiation , the pain was agonizing. Stanford gave me lots of creams nothing really worked. I mentioned this to me gastroenterologist he recommended Nifedipine 0.2%
It was a lifesaver. I never knew why Stanford didn’t tell me about it. Ask your doctor about this. Good luck .

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One more thing it was expensive so I had it mixed at a compound pharmacy reduced the price by 90%.

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@stlsampsondev

Anal fissures can be very painful and if they don't heal within six months you may need to talk to your doctor about it and best options. We tried lots of different things - Miralax, Collace, etc which didn't necessarily work for me - everyone's colon is different so you need to have a GI doctor or primary who can understand how your colon works and your needs. Adding Supplemental Fiber is the best thing that works for me - I would look up the best fiber supplements to take. I had to have surgery but am post anal fissure repair and it hasn't come back. My local surgeon did it but I consulted with the colon rectal surgeon at Mayo first and he agreed we could do it locally. Also consider doing pelvic floor therapy or at least talking to your primary to see if there is any value in that. I also felt like the sitz bath helped to relieve it some. Have you tried a sitz bath - the one I used was actually able to pump warm water so it kept it warm and you could do it on the toilet so you didn't have to get in the bath everytime. I will have to look it up and see if I can find more info on it.

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....my anal pain and it's severe is from ibs diarrhea and every other day; now i have it after a course of antibiotic; when on antibiotics you are not allowed to take anti diarrhea meds; anway, after c.diff 2018also hae fecal incontinence. ....so today passed about ten times fecal matter and anal area is so painful and this has been going on for years. difficult to discuss with friends and neighbours! as soon as i clean up or have a half shower, get dried and they suggested hair dryer on low; use some zinc ointment, or vaseline etc., and get redressed about half hour later have to go again and nothing stops it or it leaks out.... honestly, compared to other life threatening issues and my other medical issues this should be easily handled but it is not; and constant change of clothing and cloths... but really its the pain... like pouring lemon juice on cuts. not a nice subject to discuss but no cure as soon as use ointment, it is wiped off shortly after..... any ideas welcome.....

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Hi
My daughter suffered with this for about a year. Finally found a doctor who performed a procedure and she is fine. And now she has 3 children. Please look into surgeons that specifically deal with this condition. And also ask how many they have performed. Our daughter’s doctor Lee said he would be able to cure the anal fistula and he did 100%. That was 7 years ago and my daughter is fine !!!
Sincerely Susan

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...thanks for information. Unfortunately where I live its a long long wait just to have an exam by surgeon...also my age 79 in a week, and other illnesses sort of hinders surgery... but glad things worked out for your daughter. it is same tonight since suppertime and amazing how such a small area can be so painful! J.

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I thought that you may want to take a look at this doctor. He is excellent !!!
Toyooki Sonoda,
MD
NYU Langone Provider
Specialty: Colorectal Surgery
Treats: Adults

Phone: 516-535-1900
Sincerely Susan

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