Last year I suffered a lot of pain from hemorrhoids that suddenly became worse. By the end of the year, it was worse yet and I was bleeding quite a bit. The bleeding was rarely when I had a BM, so I had to always wear a sanitary pad or risk having a mess. It finally became too much of an impact on my life and I had surgery on 12/5/2012.
My family doctor had referred me to a general surgeon. I really wish I'd gone to a colon/rectal surgeon instead. He removed (via surgery, not using staples or bands) 2 large internal hemorrhoids and one external hemorrhoids. I had trouble having a BM from the beginning. There was a lot of straining just to have a thin t**d come out, so I increased my magnesium and laxatives to keep it soft. But it kept getting worse. I went back for checkups twice (although there was no physical examination at these, just talking) and complained about it, but the doctor just said to give it time. When I realized I couldn't get a suppository inside, I made another appointment and insisted that something was really wrong. I was writhing in pain when he tried to examine me with his little finger. That's when I got the diagnosis of anal stenosis.
I tried using manual dilators (pediatric ones from 8mm to 14mm) but after a couple weeks decided to get another opinion from a colon/rectal surgeon. I figured he would have a better idea of how to treat this. I've undergone 3 dilations under anesthesia (one was while I was also getting a colonoscopy). He mentioned anoplasty (advancement flap surgery) as a possibility. More surgery with the possibility of more complications terrified me!
Today I had another checkup and he thinks the scar tissue has softened up quite a bit. He told me that with the progress I've made I don't have to worry about more surgery. He expects the scar tissue to continue to soften, which will allow larger BMs, and I should get back to normal. What a big relief!
But then I had to open my mouth and ask a question. I have these 3 small skin flaps. I've read about others get skin tags with their problems and thought that was what I had. There's no pain or itching and I didn't want to do anything about them now, but I was curious about what they were. They are all external hemorrhoids. So I got rid of three hemorrhoids (2 internal and one external) and am back to having three of them again. He immediately recommended we not do any surgery on them, at least until my anal stenosis has improved a lot more. I told him I wouldn't even consider having another hemorrhoidectomy right now -- if ever. It will take a while for this nightmare to fade away.
But I'm still very happy overall with what I learned today. Yay!!
Sorry not being here for while. But I am so glad for you! YAY!!!
It is such a big relief you don't need the surgery! and scars become more soft!
What diameter you have now?
And I want to say again that even with the complications I'm glad I had the surgery. I do wish I had it done by a colon/rectal surgeon instead of a general surgeon, but it has improved my life.
I see the doctor again in a couple of weeks to go over the colonoscopy results, but then I get 6 months off before getting a sigmoidoscopy and another check on my stenosis.
A lot of people want more posts about hemorrhoid surgeries that were problem-free. I think it's also good to have stories that show it was worth it even when it doesn't go perfectly.
dear i m to worried now a days coz me developing anal stenosis now a days and BM is much more difficult ... my dr says u should use anal dilators .i startes using smallest of them but Bm is still not easy ... i m worried and much disturbed life leadig coz of this operation . i think one shoul go for this operation if it noly exist between u and death.
Hi, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m 8.5 weeks after my circumferential hemorrhoidectomy which has caused anal stenosis like in your case. I’ve undergone 2 anal dilatations under sedation in the past 3 weeks, and was also operated on by a general surgeon, not a colorectal one. He also thought similarly earlier that there wasn’t stenosis but now diagnosed a mild case. He’s able to insert his index finger with a lot of pain to me, and since the last week I’ve been using anal dilators twice a day at home. However it seems like today I can’t poop as easily again, the stools have become narrow since yesterday. I’m wondering how you managed this. Did you do self-dilations at home after your sedated ones? Did your surgeon recommend any thing or it just healed?
After the sedated dilutions, did you have bleeding? Wondering if the injury caused to the scar tissue causes it to granulate more.
Hoping to hear your experience and how you recovered fully! Thanks.
I haven't been on this site in a long time! The inability to poop from the anal stenosis got my pelvic floor muscles all screwed up. It was like I'd forgotten how to poop. I had physical therapy (I had no idea there was physical therapy like this!) and it was better, but I still have problems. The straining stretched my rectum (rectocele) so the poop wants to settle there and it's more difficult for it come out the anus.
I now take Miralax every day to keep things soft. Most days, that takes care of things, but sometimes I also take magnesium to help even more. So here it is 7 years after my surgery and I've accepted that I will probably never have a normal BM on my own ever again.
Yes, it's depressing, but it is something I can deal with.
I did have bleeding after the sedated dilations. I didn't do any at home again. Mine was severe. It was extremely painful when the doctor tried inserting his little finger and he ended up with scar tissue bits clinging to it when he pulled it back out. Best wishes to you!
I’ve since done 3 sedated dilatations, and have been inserting a dilator twice a day at home for the past 2 weeks. So far, this treatment plan has helped, but I’ve developed a small fissure which the doctors don’t seem very worried about. I’m definitely just hoping to be able to do a normal bowel movement one day. In the last 2 weeks, I would normally be able to do a good BM every day, but once in a while, I would still have to use an enema.
I take a stool softener at night, and fiber drink after lunch.