Hi All, I've been advised to 'seriously consider' a Sphincterotomy following Botox, which doesn’t seem to have worked. Although I'm booked in for a second round of Botox, my consultant advised me to have the 'risky' op The risk he says could result in incontinence and this is what scares me. Has anybody had this procedure, what was the recovery time and did it work, without the incontinence? Thank you.
Hi Ian,
Yes I had this procedure in December 2013, and so far so good! Recovery in my case was fairly quick I.e. after about 2-3 weeks I felt much better then pre op. I discounted Botox as my surgeon didn't practice this method and the pain was too great to wait around! I have been lucky so far and not experienced any incontinence… was advised to have 2 baths per day after the op, which was a day case job.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Cahill, thanks for taking time to read and reply. I was admitted to our local hospital via A&E as the pain was immense. 40 mls morphine took the edge off it and i was scheduled in for op following morning. Whilst there they took biopsies and gave Botox. Been back to consultant this week and they advised me to have the Sphincterotomy. Its the incontinence bit what's putting me off. I've not been able to go to work since 17th Jan. Currently working from home as the pain is so intence after a B and sometimes lasts for hours. Was you off work for long? I've been reading some forums where people have been off for 4 weeks plus. I dont fully know how much of a risk it will be, some say 5% some say 20%. What was the % from your consultant?
Thanks
Hi,
I was signed off for 3 weeks- but bearing in mind it was in the lead unto to Christmas/ New Year. I can't remember the exact % quoted by the surgeon but the success rate was high 90's. I was told it was generally more successful in men vs. women.
Like you I researched and looked at forums, spoke to GP's and a friend who is a surgeon… in the end the pain was too great and something had to be done.
I am pleased I had it now and looking back perhaps should have gone sooner as mine was a chronic fissure.
Went back to see surgeon in Jan '14 - quick examination and signed off/ok etc. Advised to drink water, go to the toilet when required (don't hold a motion) in etc.
My quality of life is so much better now.. thanks to the surgeon and his team.
Good luck
Hi, I just had one last night (3.7.14).
I was diagnosed with a chronic anal fissure 2 weeks ago but ive had pain in that area for more then 2 months. I'm a 34 year old male. I used to take a lot of codeine for migraines and eating heavy bought constipation and that was most likely the caused of my fissure.
first visit to the doctor he gave me some cream and didn't even check, he concluded hemorrhoids, so I took his advise and went home to continue using the cream over a few weeks but nothing! Pain was getting worse and worse to the point where I was in so much pain after a BM that I would roll around on my bed like a child in pain and mind you I'm a pretty big bloke and I cant handle pain and have a strong mind BUT this was different. There was also a lot of blood in toilet.
So I went to another GP who I hadn't seen in a few years and he quickly checked me out and confirmed it as a fissure, gave me some ointment "rectogesic" I think it was called, tried it once, major migraine so didn't bother again. I went back and told him I needed pain killers I was in agony so he gave me "targin", numbed the pain good, its like morphine, it has oxycodone. While I was there he called a friend of his who happened to be Melbournes (im in australia) leading surgeons in the field, he booked me a consultation for a few days later, I went down and he told me I need surgey (sphincterotomy) he pretty much said straight out that he has done thousands of ops and seen thousands of patients and there is no way that it would heal alone by eating better or taking medication, he said it maybe will disappear "temporarily" but it will be back! So I said book me in! He did for the week after which was last night. Went to hospital and they explained everything beforehand, the surgeon was a gentleman, they started by laying me down and giving me a needle I dont know what was in it but I will tell you that it made me feel like I'm on a cloud, felt nice, soon after they put the mask on and within seconds I was gone, woke up an hour later and the nurse said all done! I was shocked, I was like really? Then I was anticipating the pain to come along because I felt absolutely good down there so I thought once the meds wear off im stuffed, 1 2 3 4 hours still no pain no nothing, went home still nothing, went to sleep and woke up today, still nothing! Im pain free! I can feel some bruising a little tiny bit, but I feel like a new human! THEN started getting anxious about my first BM and that's when the fear kicked in! Considering the last few months have been TORTURE going toilet I think fear was 100% justified, going toilet the pain! Then after BM the stinging pain for HOURS. so yeah guys don't want to bore you more, went to the bathroom, had a BM and nothing! No pain during or after! My life is back! But I hope it stays like this. I am amazed because life did STOP for me with the fissure, no work, no fun, no intimacy, no going out, just constant misery! So I know how all you guys feel really, go do it ASAP! DO NOT DELAY. Don't think you can fly around forums and try to find a cure cause you wont! No ointment, no sitz baths, no metamucil/psyllium husk, no movicol, no high fibre diets, will cure this nightmare, yes all of those will help a little with BM and keep taking them but don't expect it to cure you if you have an acute or chronic fissure. Its still early days for me but I am confident its over.
Anal fissures can ruin your life! I haven't worked in months, lost my job no income and ran out of money! Luckily health care system in Australia is free! I don't care if I have no money and have to find a new job and do it tough for months, just don't bring back that nightmare. All the best guys.
Great news Fredoooooo1. So happy to read some good news after surgery. I also had the operation in May of this year, and like you; I'm now pain free. Having the surgery is the only way to go as long as one finds the right doctor who knows what he is doing.
Best wishes to you.
I absolutely second your opinion, I 100% have same case and had it for 13 months ...just got it done yesterday 30/10/14.
Hi Kay and others,
I am getting my surgury on 1/9 and I am so scared, put it off for about a year and suffered the whole time. I couldn't take it anymore so I am finally doing it. Worried about the incontinenece issue. Sounds like you all had good experiences. I hope mine is good too. How are you doing now? What was the recovery like?
Hi. I had the spincterectomy op yesterday with removal of skin tag also. I have suffered for 9 years now and having previously had 3,lots of botox injections to help heal, I finally decided to have the op. My surgeon sent me to physiology to have a muscle function test first to make sure my muscles down there were strong enough not to cause incontinence. So far, I won't lie the pain from the op is very sore. I've had paracetamol and IBU and codeine for when its really bad. I also had morpheme in theatre. I'm still bleeding but not had bm yet. I'm on laxido and liquid paraffin for stool softeners. Surgeon told me minimum 2 litres water daily and lots of green veg. Because of my pain level now, I expect its gonna hurt when I go. I thoroughly researched my surgeon first making sure he had done 100s of these ops. The post pain is bad but I'm hoping in time it will be worth it. My fissure started after my csection 9,years previous. I long for the day to poo in peace. I have found some very useful advice given by my pharmacist was to hold the shower head over anus opening after a poo. Rather than using toilet roll. It keeps the area much cleaner and somehow help takes the pain away. I have been prescribed codeine 4 times a day but so far have only used it once a day
Good luck to u all. I can't wait to be pain free finally get my life back
Hi Claire406. I had the same done as you a year ago. The first BM after three days was not painful. I also used used liquid paraffin which worked well. My doctor also gave me codein which I did not use as they can cause sever constipation and you don't need that. I used over the counter pain medication instead. I also blead for about two days and was black and blue down there but it went away after a week or two. I'm so glad I had the surgery as living with fissures is no way to live as it takes over your life just about.
Wishing you well,
Karen.
Hi Karen. Thank you for taking the time to reply that was so nice of you. Please may I ask do you still take laxatives now? I think it was the codeine I had 9 years ago when I had section that caused the chronic fissure to escalate. It's been all this time. So far I've only had one codeine each day I.e. Yesterday and today. When I woke the pain was terrible. Tonight I'm taking ibuprofen and a dry biscuit to bed. Any help or advice forward I would be very grateful. Kind regards Claire
Claire406 to answer your question, I do not use laxatives at all because they make me go more often and I don't need that. I did use stool softners for a long time after the surgery. Like the advert says on TV the stool softeners that don't make you go just makes it easier. Like you, I was taking codein for several years which aggravated the fissures although the pain free days were wonderful but I paid the price they made everything worse. Since I had the surgery, I now have to watch the food I eat. Anything with a lot of acid in like fruit or fruit juice will cause a burning sensation. Experiment with foods and you will know what causes the burning sensation that if you get the burning. Even though I'm now pain free, I have excepted the fact that that part of my body will always be very sensitive. I have days when I have no discomfort, but then others days when I'm sore and then I remember what I had to eat the day before. It is all a learning experience. I also get a certain amount of tummy bloating since the surgery for which I take a Probiotic tablet which helps a lot. When this happened to me, I honestly thought I was the only one with this problem until I found this site. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on as time goes by.
All the best to you,
Karen.
Hi Karen. I went today. It took me over an hour. I was sweating and in and out of the bathroom. Once the first bit was out without absolutely no pushing., the rest just came. Completely exhausted me out but its so early days for me. No codeine today. Liquid paraffin is discusting to take! Skin and area is very sore. Rang gp. She said in time I will be able to reduce the amount of laxitives I have, as it heals. It did hurt to pass but it was the first one. Gp thinks I'm on the road to recovery. Xxx
Hi Claire, I'm a 43 yr old mother of two. I had both my children natural childbirth. My first had his arm stuck up with his shoulder, which caused vaginal tearing. My second, 7 years ago came qicker, 3 hours and I felt as though I would burst. Anyway, all these years thinking I had hemorrhoids - not the case. After meeting and being examined by our local surgeon, I opted for the surgery. Now on day 4, I am extremely sore and I can see some bruising . I was becoming constipated after day two, even after taking Miriam and benefited and drinking lots of water. I drank some senna tea the night of day two, so the next morning was violent. My first bm was scary, painful and never-ending. I would not recommend the senna tea, it causes too much stomach bubbling and gas. I was given ocycodone, but told to interchange with Tylenol and ibuprofen. I know everyday will get better, but it is a chore of recovery.. your post I could relate to the most, thank you 
Hi. I had a terrible time after my op, honestly in told my go I wanted to die the pain was ridiculous. I had an infection. It was horrific. I was put on metronidazole and told to take laxido and actualise and liquid paraffin. After a good few days, it started to get easier. My husband was checking the area daily too. I find using the shower head after bowel movement really helps. I also bought some fabulous cream off amazon called calmoseptine. It did take a good few days to come as it comes from America. It is fantastic. Really good. Now I'm post op2 months and I sometimes get a little skin irritation but I poop with no trouble. Usually first thing as I take the laxatives at night. Hang in there. My skin was in a right mess and terribly sore after the op. Now I poop no problem after 9 years I'm free!!!!!! Xxxx
If u take codeine up your laxatives too as u def don't want hard poop. Xx
Hi Natasha57765, I too had a fissure due to giving birth. I went inyo surgery originally to remove hemorrhoids but it ended up being a chronic fissure which was why I got the sphictorotomy instead. when did you have your surgery? Have you recovered fully yet? Has your pain gotten better? I just had mine two days ago and am terrified to even eat anything. I am sticking to salads and water but am wishing I can have some really food soon. Not to mention I am taking stool softeners and fiber gummy, haven't even touched the Vicodin they prescribed because of fear of getting constipated. What does everyone's meals consist of after the surgery?
Claire, so what would you say was the full recovery duration? I mean where you're able to forget about it and eat a moderate meal?
I would say it was 8 weeks and I pretty much eat what I like, which is normally a healthy diet anyway. My tear originally happened after birth x
In the early days after surgery I was eating loads of sprouts and greens to heal it xx