Dear Jack,
I was greatly relieved to find info on this. I am now in week 2 of recovering from surgery. I began to have pain in January. I thought it was hemorrhoids, so I treated myself for a week as the directions call for. I went through several different brands, none of which helped. I finally called the Dr. They got me in that same day. I was already to the point of not being able to sleep. The urgent care Dr. did a digital exam, and said I had a fissure. He gave me a bottle of Lidocaine gel. This did little help. It was then that I came to your self help page and I cannot express how grateful I am. It was here that i learned what this was all about.
My next visit to the doctor was with the fill-in Dr., as my usual gal was on vacation. He gave me a digital and said I had an inflamed external hemorrhoid. I insisted I had a fissure and even shared the info from your page about the Nitroglycerin treatment. He had no knowledge of what I was talking about. He gave me hydrocortisone suppositories. This last couple of weeks I had been taking Metamucil and cut out red meats, dairy products, spicy foods and drank plenty of water. I even went the holistic route and went to the health food store.
The day after I went to see the fill-in Dr., I went back to urgent care. This doctor used a scope and confirmed my fissure. She gave me antibiotics and pain pills. Finally, I thought. I had actually found someone who understood the PAIN! It was at a level 7, 8, or 9 out of 10 this entire time. This still did no good. She also said to keep up with the suppositories. It was only by the power of God and the info from this page that I went back to Dr. fill-in and demanded a referal to a surgeon. He immediately diagnosed me properly and scheduled me for surgery 10 days later. I stayed on the roxicet as it was the only thing keeping me from staying home from work. I had already missed a week from the pain.
It was then that I decided to tell all about my "problem". It isn't very uncommon. It seemed like everybody knows someone who had this. I never even heard of it until I was diagnosed with it. I made quite a few jokes about myself and my problem. I was hesitant to tell at first, but I am glad I did, and if it will help others, that's even better. It's very funny, but nothing to be ashamed about.
My mother has told everyone...her dentist, her financial advisor, all the relatives, neighbors, in-laws, even old friends of mine that work at my mom's post office. And that friend already knew because she still sees other friends of mine. My mom even told my brother's out of state friends that were visiting.
Surgery was very painful. I am getting better every day and go to see the surgeon for my 2 week check-up on Wed.
I want to thank you for all your help. It kept my sanity. I was educated and informed and knew I had to see a surgeon. I really don't know what would have happened if not for your help.
God Bless You!
Last modified: 21 March 97, back to home page.