Going to the bathroom with Anal Fissures

KGB1985 · October 2014

My wife is experiencing a lot of pain when attempting to go to the bathroom. To the point where she can't even go it hurts so bad. We went to a gastro doctor yesterday and got some nitroglycerin cream (Rectiv) and some prescription stool softner (she's been taking stool softners throughout chemo). We are also doing the epsom salt baths. She hasn't really gone to the bathroom in 2.5 days, only being able to push small amounts of stool out. Anybody have any suggestions to get through this phase? I'm thinking she has some hard stool in the pipeline but she just can't push through it.

She's on her off week of her fourth cycle of AC and is feeling good other than this miserable part.

YoungTurkNYC · October 2014

prune juice helped me an enormous amount

Luvmydobies · October 2014

I'm not going thru treatment but I do have a fissure that comes and goes still. I soak in plain warm water when mine flares up. My doc has me on Diltiazem cream. Also make sure she drinks a lot of water and increases fiber intake. However you don't want stool to be too loose as diarrhea can irritate/cause fissures too. Also I know she doesn't want to go to the bathroom because of the pain but if she has the urge and doesn't go it will make constipation worse. I understand how painful they are. They plain suck! I'm so sorry about your wife having to deal with this. It's good she's doing well otherwise though!

Traveltext · November 2014

I had an anal fissure half way through my chemo and was hospitalised because I developed an infection. The pain was intense to start with. Be sure to attend well to hygiene in the anal area, preferably with a hose attachment for your shower. Once the constipation recedes you'll find the fissure easier to manage.

I've finished chemo, surgery and radiation now and my gastro specialist is very happy with how the fissure has healed.

Hope your wife is managing better now, and things will get better with time.

Lined · August 2018

I am on AC INFUSION and I have frequent bowel movements a day. This has caused the most painful rash or fissures that I almost cry from the pain. The doctor said to try A and D ointment and preparation H, but it really isn’t helping much. Does anyone have a suggestion

oxygen18 · August 2018

KGB,

Sorry your wife is having to deal with this. When I was in chemo, I found that 4 things needed to happen in order to prevent constipation:

1. eat enough fiber

2. drink enough water

3. not sit too much

4. avoid crackers, or eat them with lots of water

I had to do all 4 things. One person's experience. Also, as needed, I used junk free baby wipes.

Glad she is otherwise doing well, and good for you for being there for her. Best wishes.

-----

Lined, in your case, perhaps reduce fiber intake, also, no t.p., try junk free moist towelettes, and ask oncologist's nurse or infusion nurse for additional help if needed.

Lula73 · August 2018

Lined- they make a preparation H cream that has a numbing agent in it. It's great for just before going and after. May I suggest a bidet toilet seat instead of tp, wipes or washcloth? Finding one with airdry would eliminate need to touch or rub the area. Warm water option would help soothe. Seems pricey but so worth it once you get it.Here's a link that may help:

www.bidetsplus.com

macb04 · November 2018

Have her ask for Topical Lidocaine. She can apply that before she tries to have a BM. I am so sad to hear she isn't being effectively helped by her MD. They should know better.

wallycat · November 2018

Magnesium will help her bowels move. If she doesn't mind a little cramping, she can take Vitaman C (powder is fine and can dissolve in something she enjoys) to the point of diarrhea.

Wipe using vaseline on the toilet paper. This was suggested to me for a colonoscopy prep.

Fleet enemas are also available over the counter.

Best to her.

exbrnxgrl · November 2018

The op, KGB, hasn’t signed in to become since 2014, but the suggestions made here are good info for what many of us deal with.

Cria · November 2018

Ha, ha! good catch exbrnxgrl!

I agree though that having the information out there is good, so here's my 2 cents:

Fiber is good but if you don't drink enough fluids with it, it just makes bricks! Miralax is a great gentle laxative and softener, it isn't absorbed by the body so won't affect anything.

My oncology RN swears by Pears (fresh, canned, whatever) as they are one of the highest fiber fruits, and you get the fluid with the juice.

lidocaine gel, ointment or cream can help numb the pain temporarily to help pass hard stools.

diltiazem cream or ointment usually has less side effects than the nitroglycerine ointment/cream. It doesn't work overnight but it does work! It helps relax the sphincter muscles so that the damaged tissue can actually get better blood flow to it to help it heal itself.

If you don't have a bidet/bidet seat/hand held shower, there are squirt bottles that they send new mothers home with to help clean the area. They call them Peri bottles for Perineum.

Most of the medications to prevent nausea cause constipation, so try to stay ahead of the constipation by using fiber or miralax and stool softeners starting before infusion day. Use the senna drugs if things aren't moving soon after infusion. If you don't have nausea or vomiting, consider talking with your oncologist about reducing doses of the antinausea meds they give IV.

Denise-G · November 2018

I've had rectal fissures for years and during chemo they were AWFUL! Also, bleeding hemorrhoids occur quite often during chemo.

What worked for me:

1) Rectal wipes after BM

2) Balneol Hygiene Cream (sold at larger drug stores like Rite Aid) A nurse told me about this.

3) Drink lots of water

4) Drank Apple Cider - easy to find this time of year or Prune Juice

5) Sitz baths

Good luck to your wife and you as her caregiver!

Going to the bathroom with Anal Fissures

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