Hi, very glad found this forum!
I had my first AF in April 2012. I didn't know where the pain came from , so in May I went to a proctology clinic and, after an examination it was confirmed I had an AF. It got better in about 3 weeks but then I had another one. And then another one...I had about 4 until now
I have read a lot on the internet about this subject and I am aware of the hygiene rules and I have been eating more fiber food. Although I eat fast food from time to time (like twice a month) I'd say my diet is quite healthy now.However, from time to time I'm experiencing harder stools and therefore fissures.
Yesterday I found I have another fissure, and it hurts :( It doesn't bleed (yet?) and hurts only when I go to the toilet but looks bigger than what I had in the past and I'm really freaking out.
Any of you had multiple fissures like me or I'm the only one? :(
Any advice will be appreciated. Cheers

No one?

Oh PinkSparkle,
Sorry no one has responded to you and sorry you are suffering - but welcome to the forum and hoping someone will chime in to offer you the advice you need. I've not suffered "multiple" fissures - just the one was bad enough! Have you had CRS confirmation that it is multiple fissures you are dealing with and nothing else?
It might be worth cutting out the fast food completely for the time being? Not what you want but it might be just that one burger that creates that harder stool, which in turn, aggravates things a little more?? Are you using a stool softener at all?...
All the best to you and hope you find some resolution to start helping the healing process soon :)

Hi Ever the Optimist and many thanks for answering.
I have only used natural stool softeners such as tea and flax seeds. And I'm eating more fruits.What kind of stool softeners have you used?
I went to see a doctor twice, and the diagnosis was anal fissure. Haven't gone lately but I guess it can't be anything else since I have no hemorrhoids (fact confirmed by the doctor) and, although I fear an underlying condition might cause the fissures, I'm 21, so it's unlikely to be cancer and I haven't experienced other symptoms apart from some abdominal pain that is gone now, therefore I think it's not an autoimmune either. I am aware that there can be a lot of other things, but I am trying really hard not to freak out too often as I understood AFs take time to heal.
How do you currently feel?is it better/cured?
Also, I have read on the Internet a witch hazel lotion might be helpful (it's not available where I live but found it online for sale and it's not very expensive so I could give it a try but I don't really know much about it). Any thoughts on that anyone?
Best wishes :)

Hi Sparkle,
Have you seen a Colorectal Surgeon? or was the fissure(s) diagnosed by a GP? Just wondering because if it was a while ago, you got checked out, it might be worth going back for a more recent check and some more reassurance? If you haven't done so already, you should get referral to a CRS too as they are the specialists in the anal area.
Lots of people develop fissures without having any underlying issues. It generally tends to be constipation & straining, passing a hard stool or something in the stool that tears the anal passage, or alternatively bouts of watery stools that seem to cause most fissures. You are doing a great job in thinking positively that it's nothing worse and I'm sure you have nothing to worry about too but if in doubt, please just go back for some more reassurance.
It sounds like you've totally researched the importance of keeping your diet fissure friendly and your stools nice and soft. I use Lactulose (UK based!) and olive oil (tablespoon before bed) as a stool softener and that has always worked for me. Flax seeds are great! I grind them up and sprinkle generous amounts on all sorts of things to increase my fibre. I do steer well clear of anything deep fried/ fast foods/ tough red meats and "white" stuff (cakes/ bread/ rice etc.) though. Oh and drink SO much water!!
My fissure kicked off in December 2011 (VERY miserable Xmas!!) and I was prescribed Dilitazem cream for a few weeks. This was my life saver! Have you been prescribed any creams at all to help you heal? The fissure is now gone and I believe full healing took place in about 4 months. I'm doing good! Thanks for asking :) Unfortunately, I also developed a Fistula as the fissure was healing (no connection between the two), so I've been recovering from surgery for that, but all is looking OK.
I did use Witch Hazel now and again on my fissure and found it good, but I did alternate that with Aloe Vera (from the plant) which was very relieving & Sudocrem/ Baby creams. These definately provided relief along with lots of hot baths! but did not miraculously heal the fissure in anyway. They really helped get me through the experience though!
Really hope you start to feel better about this all soon and find what you need to do to fully heal.
We are all here in the meantime :)

I've seen a proctologist and had a tiny camera inside my rectum in order to be diagnosed.My fissures tend to get better in about 3 or 4 weeks but next time I have a harder stool I get a new fissure. This freaks me out and makes me depressed but I try to be more optimist. The truth is from time to time I have a day when I don't drink enough water or eat enough fiber...I have been prescribed a rectal/anal cream. When I felt that wasn't helping anymore I bought another one from the pharmacy and I kept alternating (using each for a few days). The doctor said to use it a few weeks until feeling better, so I have also been taking breaks of using ointments when felt better... Could that be wrong?Did you used the drugs and baby creams all the time?
I'm going to try eating olive oil , it's a very good idea (THANKS!!) and I hope it will work for me too.
Does it hurt when applying Witch Hazel?(I have read on wikipedia it's an astringent that's why I am asking)
I have used Calendula officinalis cream sometimes and it is ok.Sometimes I have applied it before going to the toilet in order to facilitate stool passage and it works. I've heard Vaseline is very good for this purpose but haven't tried it yet( I suppose any ointment should work).
Lavender tea has desinfectant properties so, after a hot bath, I have applied for a few seconds a pad with lavender tea and then used the prescribed anal cream.
I have recently read hemorrhoid wipes can be used on AF and I guess I'm going to try this too.

Unless you are on some sort of Paleolithic diet, I doubt you are getting enough fiber, especially if you have IBS. I haven't had multiple fissures, just the same one, giving me trouble once or twice a year, for the last 25 years. Maybe my regimen would work for you. It produces bulky, soft stools; not runny. I take about 2 tbsp. of generic Metamucil, every night. Mixed with the Metamucil is about the same amount of generic Miralax. I mix this with grape juice, microwaved to room temperature. I have tried other juices and also the flavored Metamucil. Grape and apple juices are the ones I can tolerate without any bloating.