Anal fissure: What helps it heal?

I developed squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) at the exit site of my colostomy 3 1/2 years ago. I have never experienced more pain than this, and I am 83. They finally did surgery nine days ago, despite the fact that it took me YEARS and dozens of hyperbaric treatments before I healed after the last surgery. I am doing daily sitz baths now and packing the wound with gauze soaked in liquid lidocaine for 5 minutes a day, followed by a gauze pack soaked in a saline solution. This seems to diminish the pain somewhat. I am also taking 2 tbsp. ProHeal (Amazon) daily to enhance the healing process.

It was a pill given to me off-label for headaches by an MD at a headache center. It did not help my headache but my pelvic pain went away. I told my pelvic physical therapist and she said she had heard of that before. Maybe because it is for seizures, it loosens up the spasms in the rectum? I don't know. Since PTs can't prescribe medicine, I don't know who you would ask. Maybe discuss with family doctor???? Let me know how you make out. Who are you seeing now? As any doctor you are seeing now. Good luck. I will pray for you.

This may be a stupid question, but is Topomax a cream applied to the lesion, or is it ingested? I don't understand the anti-seizure/lesion connection. What type of doctor (oncologist, radiologist, surgeon, primary care provider) could I discuss this with?

Ask for anti-seizure medicine - Topamax maybe. This is the only thing that worked for me after 2 fissure surgeries and sitting on a donut for 4-1/2 years.

It doesn't sound like radiation is the answer either. Not many (any?) options left. I am having a PET scan on the 17th and will know more then. In the meantime, I feel like my bottom is on fire with a few intermittent stabbing pains.

@jacqquie, how did your appointment with radiology go? What did you learn? Treatment for the squamous cell carcinoma?

And certainly avoid produce with seeds. Important to keep ur stools soft so use Acacia fiber powder per directions on bottle plus lots of filtered water.
Avoid foods that burn such as vinegars. (look on Google).

Yes, hot sitz bath many times a day. And sit on a donut all the time.

I certainly hope someone has advice on this that will at least lessen the pain. I am 3-years post colostomy and my anal fissure has just been diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, moderately differentiated. I meet with a radiation doctor Jan. 4th to see if that is worth trying. In the meantime, I am experiencing unbearable pain. This has gone on for over a month now and I'm desperate for suggestions. A sitz bath, perhaps?

The botox was injected right into the anus or in that area. Did you have to do the colonoscopy-style prep for the dilation? Funny, I'm sitzing right now as I write this!