Can Someone Please Calm My Mind?

[lorka150]

Here is the short story. Two and a bit months ago, I had strep throat. The combo of the antibiotics + codeine gave me constipation and a yeast infection.

For two months, i've been to many doctors. First, I've had hemorrhoids, then a yeast overgrowth in both anus and vagina, then something else, then hemorrhoids again, and on a million different treatments.

I've tried everything. My worst symptom was the intense, BRUTAL itching in my anus (and sometimes vagina) for days and nights on end.

It's finally letting up, for the most part, but still driving me INSANE when it shows up. I am SO sick of this. It's literally taken over and is ruining my life. i can hardly drive, sleep, anything when it's there. For what it's worth, it IS better, but I am stressing about it.

My stools use to be grand, and now they are a little comprimised.

My main fear is when they come out thicker (they are loose when they hit the toilet, but still thick) so they are cutting the inside and breaking new wounds. Is that why the itch is coming back, or the itch seperate? This is so new to me.

Anyway, I don't mind the bloody stools (although I do miss my lovely healthy poops), but I DO mind if it's causing the itch to come back. I really don't know what it is, and I am not seeking treatments.

Instead, I am seeking a piece of mind that these DO eventually clear up and go away. I cannot imagine living much longer with this. I have many things coming up and I am horrified that it's been over two months.

Has anyone had this? Please help if you have.

[CarlaB]

Hubby uses Preparation H wipes instead of TP and his don't bleed anymore or bother him at all.

If you itch, especially in your vagina, are you sure it's not candida contributing to the problem? Are you taking probiotics? I'd take a good strong mix of them (I take Theralac and Ultra Flora available online).

[lorka150]

thanks for the message i'm much past both of those remedies! just prayers now, maybe.

[debmidge]

Lorka: I've been through what you're going thru. Have you seen a protologist yet?

My health problem was hemorrhids and two fissures (from the stool cutting the lining as it was leaving my body). I too had vaginitis - it seems to go along with this condition.

The fissures had to be closed by surgery - no other way. I also had to have a spincterectomy as the years of constipation resulted in a tight muscle which started the straining problem, which created the fissure problem, etc. It seems that every time you strain you're excerising this muscle and making it stronger which is not what you want to do as it becomes the very root of the problem.

Surgery was done by colon specialist and during it the hemorrhids were removed as well. It was same day surgery. Prior to the surgery I came down with vaginitis constantly from anus forward. Once the surgery was done and I healed (which took several weeks, but I Ok to go to work after the first week) I've been fine ever since.

Prior to surgery I needed to do a daily sitz bath to calm the area down- this was very soothing and got rid of the itchiness, are you taking something for the vaginitis?

This was the step after Prep H: Doctor told me to buy this instead of Prep H stuff: Best hemorrid suppositories are "Calmol 4" and usually they are behind the counter as they are expensive and then use Balneol when you wipe yourself (Balneol is a special cleanser esp. for these conditions). Balneol costs $14 per small bottle....so try these remedies but make appointment to have a qualified doctor examine you and make a surgery date. Once you eliminate this problem you'll feel a lot better and will not need these pharmacy items.

[lorka150]

Thanks for the reply. It has gotten better since the very beginning though, so I am not sure if surgery would be required. I have seen so many doctors, I cannot imagine that one of them might not suggest that.

It was hell for about a month, and now, it's itchy / burning here and there. I would assume it's getting better?

I am just frustrated.

[debmidge]

Lorka

The itching and buring means it's not getting better. And every time you have a compacted/hard bowel movement you'll reopen the fissure (deep in the tract). The healing of the fissure is causing the itching and burning. Also, a untreated fissure can turn into a fistula (or a dead end fistula).

I know you said you went to doctor but was it a protologist or a colon doctor? And yes, I can imagine a GP/internist ignoring this problem. When I had fissure, I thought it was a normal hemmorrid and ignored it for a few months until the fissure never healed - the smallest bowel movement kept opening the wound.

[cruelshoes]

Hi, Lorka! I'm sure you have already thought of these things, but how is your fiber intake? Soluble fiber acts like a bulking agent and absorbs water from the colon into stool making it easier to pass. Insoluble fiber can be abrasive to the intestinal walls (that's what it is supposed to do, right?). Are you eating things a lot of that?

Hope you are getting better. 'Roids are a big pain in the butt! Sorry, that was a bad joke.

[lorka150]

Thanks Colleen

I am eating both types of fibre, but I do know that it shouldn't help/hinder too much. Because of all of my restrictions, I've eaten the same things for about a year now - once in a great while I sample something new.

Today is an okay day so far, so my fingers are crossed. I am looking for atleast four or five in a row.

Thanks!

[Karen B.]

A post on another thread reminded me of something that helped me to heal about 25 years ago. A medical issue resolved but left me with hemorrhoids. A friend told me to drink a Tbsp of mineral oil in 6 oz of orange juice every day (the orange juice keeps the mineral oil from being too nasty). This helped keep things going more smoothly until I got my system back on track (that took about a year). But the lubrication helped keep the hemorrhoids from getting irritated until they went away.

Since then, any extreme will bring this back as a problem. The key has been getting enough fiber and water. Also, taking probiotics have helped. The doc has offered me suppositories with steroids in it but it would have to get way worse than it was for me to go that route again (I hated using suppositories).

[lorka150]

Since then, any extreme will bring this back as a problem.

Do you mean bodily extreme, or food/diet? Meaning - heavy lifting and stress?

[Karen B.]

Do you mean bodily extreme, or food/diet? Meaning - heavy lifting and stress?

Extremes like constipation or diarrhea. Having a hectic day when I don't drink enough water and eat fiber foods like veggies, beans or quinoa is a guarantee that I'll have a problem. At least recovery is now down to a couple of weeks instead of months.