About 10 days ago I had a fissurectomy, a skin tag removed, and a superficial fistula removed.
I'm sharing to try and help anyone who is going through this as it took the biggest toll on my mental health.
In July 2025 I started having bleeding following a BM which persisted for a couple weeks, the only other symptom was some intense itching periodically. I was in the process of planning my wedding and figured maybe it was a hemorrhoid which I had developed due to stress, constipation and a little bit of stress-induced over exercising.
Flash forward to September 2025 - wedding had passed and the symptoms persisted. I could clearly feel and see a medium sized lump in my rectum which I still believed to be a hemorrhoid. If I drank 2 liters or more water, took Metamucil, ate 35 grams of fiber and stayed as stress free as possible the symptoms were manageable but if strayed from the plan at all - i.e. traveled - I was in for a week or more of bleeding, pain and the WORST, MOST INTENSE, CONSTANT itching.
I made an appointment with my GP in October 2025 and they agreed it was a hemorrhoid. I was told to use Preparation - H and continue the high fluid and fiber diet. If anything things got worse. I went back to my GP twice before she referred me to a dermatologist for the intense itching. I couldn't get in to the derm for about 3 months during which I virtually isolated myself outside of going to work. My sex life became nonexistent, I couldn't exercise or socialize, all I could think about was my pain and embarrassment.
I saw the dermatologist in January of this year. They did not have any idea what was going on with my anus but they diagnosed me with Lichen Sclerosus which apparently was wrecking havoc on my labia. I think that due to the pain in my butt the infrequent itching of my vagina due to the Lichen really was going unnoticed. The dermatologist suggested that this could be affecting my anal area too so I started using the prescribed steroid cream on both areas. Needless to say, the Lichen Sclerosus improved drastically in a couple weeks but my ass was still in as much discomfort as ever.
I tried to be patient and hope that maybe the two things had aggravated each other and I would get some relief soon, but then, after what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation to London with my new husband I had an episode (on the plane ride home) of the most intense itching and burning ever. The next morning when I had a bowel movement the bowl was once again, full of blood.
I called my GP sobbing as soon as the office opened and she told me to come on in. Once again, she couldn't find anything except that skin tag which she still believed to be a hemorrhoid. I had some painful cracking and thinning of the skin in the anal area due to overuse of the steroid cream. (I stopped using this in the anal area and I now only use it infrequently when things flare up a bit in the vulva area.) My doctor had no idea what to do but she referred me to a colon and rectal specialist. When I called to make the appointment I was told the next opening was over 2 months later. I totally broke down and cried to the receptionist and she took pity on me and squeezed me in about a month later.
I waited in cautious hope but major trepidation for this appointment as I was now convinced I had some sort of horrible disease. At this appointment I finally felt validated. I was assured that hundreds of people suffer from anal issues and embarrassment was something I needed to let go of. After an exam with an endoscope as well as some general poking and prodding the PA I saw said she was 100% sure it was a fissure with an accompanying skin tag. She started me on a course of nifedipine ointment (used to relax the sphincter muscle allowing healing) which I was to apply to my anus 3 times daily.
Flash forward one month from this appointment - things were 90% improved. Pain was almost nonexistent, bleeding after bowel movements was rare and only if I had a bout of constipation. Itching was still ongoing but greatly less than before and healing skin also itches so I didn't think much of it. I was ecstatic. I starting have sex again, seeing friends and going to yoga and pilates classes.
I had my 1 month follow up via TeleHealth with the Rectal Doctor and she was thrilled to hear these results as well. She told me to continue with the ointment for another month and we would touch base again.
About two weeks after this phone consult I got the flu. I was constipated and dehydrated and then had a bout of diarrhea and I was right back to where I had started. I tried not to freak out, I had another follow-up in two weeks and I tried to get things back under control during that time, but nothing worked. I took medical leave from work because the pain, itching and my mental health were almost unbearable.
When the time for my phone consult came and I shared the bad news the doctor suggested waiting another month and then if things had not resolved having an in-person visit. I told her I couldn't wait, I needed to be seen right away, my life was falling apart. She got me in the next day and after a brief exam said surgery would be the best option, unfortunately the more conservative method had failed.
This appointment happened on March 18th and the surgery was scheduled for April 14th. This month was extremely challenging. I was in constant discomfort but needed to return to work to keep my health benefits. I cried on the way to work, sometimes at work, on the way home and all evening. I avoided seeing people unless absolutely necessary, I took loads of antihistamines to help with the itching and ibuprofen to help with the pain. My poor husband felt so bad for me but there was nothing he could do except try and distract me or just hold me while I sobbed. It felt like this was my new existence and surgery seemed so scary.
My body was so tired of being in pain that everyday was a massive struggle.
The surgery happened, and it was extremely quick. I was put under General Anesthesia and when I woke up I obviously couldn't remember anything.
The surgeon told me that they had performed a fissurectomy, removed the skin tag and also removed a superficial fistula which they had not picked up on previously. I was so hopped up on pain meds and so happy that day, needless to say the area was painless for the next 12ish hours.
When I woke up in the morning I still felt ok. I removed the dressing, had a pretty painful BM and soaked in a sitz bath about 5 times throughout the day.
The real pain came on day 2, although it really wasn't as bad as what I had experienced previously.
Day 3 was worse, though mostly because my anal area was sore/bruised from the surgery. I upped my water intake, started taking MiraLAX and tried to eat healthy, high fiber meals and get plenty of sleep.
Day 4 was a bit better, I spent time in the yard with the dogs and my BM was much less painful. I had a decent amount of bloody drainage and some light itching, also the area was swollen as hell.
Days 5 and 6 showed more improvement, continued light bloody drainage, less pain.
Day 7 was a minor setback as I had forgotten to take MiraLAX. No tearing or anything just increased discomfort during a DM and a little extra blood.
Day 8 was better, swelling had gone down, pain was much less, still light bloody discharge but they said this could persist for several weeks.
Day 9 I went back to work, it was tough but I work in an office so I can sit/stand as needed and don't need to do anything strenuous.
Today is day 10, I feel better than I have in months, but I am still cautious to admit this as setbacks happened so many times before surgery. I am walking with almost no pain (short distances) Sitting is fine (I try to move often to increase circulation) and I sit on a regular pillow - don't sit on a donut it will pull your butt cheeks apart and hinder healing. I am drinking a lot of water, eating balanced meals and taking Metamucil and MiraLAX just to be safe. (I'm often constipated so this is not overkill for me)
If you are dealing with something similar I'd be glad to talk with you. This has been the worst 9ish months of my life (well, almost) and it hurts to feel alone and unheard.
These things are highly treatable but sometimes it seems so out of reach.
Things that helped me during the months of waiting were: Therapy, Audio Books, baking, knitting, TV shows, hugging my dogs, limiting contact with toxic family members, TONS of weed - edibles, tinctures, joints, bowls, bongs, doesn't matter, it helped, talking to people I know who deal with chronic pain, it puts things into perspective, also as mentioned before antihistamines (Zyrtec was my go to) and ibuprofen.
Sending you love if you're struggling. Better times ARE coming.