Recent Colonoscopy

Updated on May 22, 2008
J.W. asks from Wakarusa, KS
25 answers

I recently had a colonoscopy and they found a fissure (tear in the rectum). Has anyone else had this experience. They believed it was from my long labor. It is very painful and I have been reading on home remedies. If it does not improve I will have to have surgery.....Can anyone help me with their experience on this?

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

This was just on Orah yesterday with Dr. Oz. He recommended a heating pad, warm baths, lots of fiber and water. (That was all I could remember)

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C.W.

answers from Peoria on

Yes I had the horribal fisure you can try home remedy but it probably won't cure it completely especially if you have problems with your bowels and constipation you have to keep your bowel movement soft after a long time I finally gave up had the surgery and felt much better and healthier becuase the pain and everthing that went with it was gone once and for all. don't let it go to long as it is a tear and you have too much stuff going on it that could cause problems because you can't clean it each time you go to the bathroom.

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

I have had sitz baths recommended to me. I have hemorrhoid problems with my deliveries and I asked and one mom said she had a fissure and she put neosporin on it and did 3 30 min sitz baths a day. She said it took two weeks and it was done. God luck, that's a horrible pain.

M.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Jennifer,
I have a fissure ,too.For years now.Right now it's not to bad.But I had times when I was in so much pain all the time.
Some people have surgery,they do cut the muscle there so it has a chance to heal, I didn't want that surgery.
You can have BOTOX injected there I told them, that is not where I need the BOTOX,Ha,ha.
It's important to have a soft regular stool, I eat flaxseeds every day since ten years, I never have a hard stool.
I know a great rectal surgeon if you need one,let me know.
Good luck Marion

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R.A.

answers from Chicago on

Jennifer,

I lived with an extremely painful, bleeding fissure for over a year after having my second son. I tried several remedies that I got from doctors, surgeons,etc. My biggest fear was infection, so I got a second opinion. Because I had so many ER visits related to this and the complication of some serious rhoids, I decided to have surgery last year. I was out of commission for about 2 weeks (my recovery was longer 'cause of the rhoids). But I'd do it again. I am now pain free and couldn't be happier. I wish u luck with your decision. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Jennifer,

I've dealt with this and with hemmoroids after birth. I have found the best approach for me is fiber, fiber, fiber and more fiber. I eat a couple of prunes and drink a glass of Metamucil every night and haven't had a problem in a long time. The more natural the fiber, the better. This is what has worked for me...hope it helps.

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C.W.

answers from Chicago on

I have not experienced this but it was discussed on Oprah. Check her website as Dr. Oz discussed this painful problem and mentioned the use of botox as treatment.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

i'm a huge fan of homeopathic medicines. we see a professional homeopath in naperville. i don't know if homeopathy can help heal this w/o surgery or not, but it's worth asking. you can email dr. polich, my homeopath, at ____@____.com, and ask if it's possible that hoemopathy can help heal the fissure. if so, you'd need to see her. her website and the info about homeopathy, which is a wonderful natural method of medicine (and over 200 years old), is there. if you want to know more, you can email me offlist about it!

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Jennifer, Yes I have had this. I am a bit older than you I expect but I know how painful it is. Sitz baths 3 to 4 times a day and put vaseline by your rectum. It takes a long time. Also take metimusil (sorry about the spelling of it)But if you take it every night with a glass of water it will keep you soft and regular. It will keep the fissure from getting irritated and then it can heal. Good luck. Try not to have the surgery that has its own set of problems.

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Dr. Oz addressed that problem on Oprah yesterday (it was toward the end of the show). Try checking out Oprah.com, maybe there is more info on the website. I don't remember all that he said, but I know he said that warm baths help, and it is important to keep the area dry. He also stated that drying the area with a hair dryer on the COOL setting can be helpful. Avoid caffeine and hot (spicy) foods. Try sitting on a heating pad. He did say that it is very common and very painful. Sorry that I can't remember more. Good luck, I hope things get better.

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L.S.

answers from Chicago on

I had a fissure after my first child from the long labor and it was an aweful experience. I am so sorry you are going through this. I eventually had to have it surgically removed and the recovery was quick. So don't be afraid of having it removed!!! My best advice is to take a sitz bath. I learned about these baths in the hospital after my surgery to remove the fissure. Fill your tub a few inches deep with really warm water, as warm as you can stand, then sit in the water for as long as you can. The heat of the water is very soothing. I did those several times a day and also get a donut to sit on from the pharmacy. The hospital gave me a squirt bottle and Betadine to squirt on the area where the fissure had been removed. God bless you!!! I hope you get better soon.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

They talked about this on Oprah yeasterday. I don't recall all the advice they gave, but I am sure you could look at her website for more info and links also.

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B.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Jennifer,
I also went through the same thing several years ago. Using Colase stool softeners helped a bit. The doctor also gave me some prescription suppositories that worked for a little while. I ended up having the surgery and I am so glad that I did. The recovery time wasn't bad, maybe a few days and I haven't had any problems in over three years. That includes a pregnancy as well, so I guess they were really able to fix the problem. I hope this helps.
Becki

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A.K.

answers from Chicago on

Dr. Oz was just oprah yesterday talking about this Check on web page, may find info.

G.S.

answers from Chicago on

Jennifer,
This was just on Oprah yesturday! A woman was on who had this. Dr Oz recommended drinking a lot of water and also eating a lot of fiber. I'd say that fiber from fruits and veggies is probably your best bet. He also said something about hot baths and also hot pads (sitting on them)... He said keep the area dry as well. Review those ideas with your Physician specialist. Good luck with this and I hope it improves.
-G.

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T.F.

answers from Pocatello on

Jennifer, I do not have personal experience with fissures, but I have read some things recently on it. The body is absolutley amazing in the healing process. I would highly recommend a natural supplement program that includes supplements that are specific to healing of tissures- vit c, vit E and carotenoids. Let me know if you need help finding a good company or would like more specifics.

T.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

hang in there girl...i have had 2 anal fissures...you sure it is not a fistula? anal fissures...did your doctor give you cream to help heal it? i went to a fantastic doctor in naperville...i did alot of research because i worked at the time for general surgeons and knew we had patients that had this...the one doctor i worked for told me not to have the surgery because some woman become incontinent...i didn't want that. also this doctor in naperville has his own cream made up at the pharmacy...as if you did any research the creams that most doctors give has so many side effects...my son now has one...best of luck and if you have any questions pls e-mail...thank you!!! also you should be making sure you get plenty of fiber...

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Jennifer,
Boy, do I feel your pain. I have suffered from fissures before I even started having children. Actaully, being pregnant and having a child have actually helped matters...go figure. My doctors never suggested surgery but like all the other responses water and fiber are huge. One thing that really works for me is eating a bowl of Kashi cereal in the morning. It tastes great and it really helps. The box has the cereal and blueberries on the front. Now that I am married and have a 21 month old I no longer drink as much as I did pre-child but alcohol really exacerbated the problem. It really dehydrated me to the point where I would dread going to the bathroom the next day. My OB also prescribed a steroid suppository kit that helped tremendously when my symptoms were at its worse. Hope this info helps!

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

My husband had fissures a few times. Soften up your diet a couple of days. Constipation stretches and tears that delicate skin. It'll heal. You should NEVER push to go potty. Our dr. said to sit for a few minutes, it will come on it's own.

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

I had that. YOU DO NOT NEED SURGERY. I went to many doctors, one suggested surgery, another gave me this ointment which worked but then it came back. Another Dr. said all I needed was a shot of Botox. It worked, I had to do it twice. I know how painful it can be, it is immediately better after the botox. The shot only hurts for a couple seconds, no where near as bad as the fissure hurts. The other thing that all the Doctors suggested was to take Metamucil daily, which I didn't do until after I had the Botox. The ointment may have worked had I done the Metamucil. Take the Metamucil or some type of Fiber every day. You may not think you need it but it will make you as regular as clockwork. I don't know where you live but if you're in the Chicago area I can refer you to a Dr., but I'm sure the Dr. that did your colonoscopy can refer you or take care of it himself.

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S.R.

answers from Chicago on

I had this problem after my first child. Have the surgery, it will hurt for two to three days afterward but nothing like the pain I'm sure you have now. I was glad I did the surgery.

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B.S.

answers from Springfield on

A couple of our friends had the same problem. Both had surgery and feel much better today!

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S.W.

answers from Chicago on

they just had this on Oprha yesterday with dr OZ. He says to sit on a heating pad- keep the area dry- even using a blow dryer after showers if you have to- of course set on cool. lots of fiber and liguids- perhaps it will be on the website?? It sounded extremely painful- good luck!

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R.F.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Jennifer:

I went through the same thing prior to having my baby girl this past August and at times I still bleed from there (depending if I'm constipated). I didn't have to undergo surgery, but I do have to monitor what I eat and watch for anything that will make me constipated. I also take lots of fiber, one that I use is called NOPALINA which has help tremdously. With time the tear has healed. Hope this helps!!

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

I know someone who had this problem and had surgery. I have heard no more complaints from them. I also wanted to recommend vitamin E capsules used like a suppository. They seem to work wonders for Hemmorhoids.

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