Aw Andy - I'm so sorry your are having such a bad day. :(
I think it is a very good idea to go to your doc to get a referral. I really hope the wait time isn't too long. I know what it's like to wait in pain. It's such a shame that you are not able to use your holidays to have fun, but I'm glad you are able to take some time to look after yourself. Push as hard as you can to see a specialist as soon as possible. Many of us here had to throw a few fits with our GPs and other docs. I know it's exhausting living with pain and the ups and downs of a fissure, but don't give up! You are entitled to timely and proper treatment and you will get better and get your life back.

Could you go private for a one-off consultation Andy? Might be worth it to see what an expert would advise?

I would go back to your doc and get things moving Andy to be honest. I was admitted to hospital (NHS) and put through ultrasounds and MRI scan before in the follow up appointment they even identified my fissure! I have waited 4 months for the follow-up with the CRS, it's in 19 days and counting! I did go for a private consultation which was quite informative and he advised me what he would do next, so I at least have something to argue with. If you go private I would try and find someone who could refer you back to them on the NHS. Good luck! :)

I wouldnt have the first clue how to get a private consultation with a CRS?
how come you had ultrasounds and an MRI scan? how do they actually properly diagnose a fissure?
all ive had at the moment is a diagnosis based on my symptons. no one has put a camera up or anything.
i know i need to see a consultant, but asides from surgery, is there anything they can actualy do other than nitro and diltiazem?

After leaving my appointment with my GP, I immediately started calling every CRS in the area to see when I could come in. I was fed up. I was fortunate enough to get an appointment that very same afternoon. I would encourage you to try and do the same. Not all require direct referrals.

Andy, I have rang my CRS secretary and the only way to hurry up a referral is thru your "lovely?" G.P. They are the gateway to the CRS's..unfortunately for the brits! I have had a sigmoidoscopy camera & that is how I found out I had 2 Fissures and internal piles..charming lol.
On my last appt. he wants to give me another camera, this time a colonoscopy and whilst I am asleep, botox injections. That is the next step 4 me. I had an ultrasound scan today, as he just wanted to be thorough. U need to see G.P and ref. asap. as all this has taken 1 week shy of 6 months on the nhs. I cannot afford a private consultation. Keep us informed!

I didn't have the typical symptoms of a fissure and they were suspecting something else which doesn't bear thinking about. It's because I was admitted to hospital, like Andrea they were being thorough. At my follow up appointment to the scans I had an anoscopy (camera) and the registrar saw it. For my private consultation he did a sigmoidoscopy, and he suggested botox injections as the cream is irritating me. It took the NHS 2 months to identify it, and I've now had 3 and half further months of it. My NHS appointment in September is only a follow up so if they suggest botox I'm on a waiting list again (although my parents have offered to help if I go private). Botox is offered first I think, like you I don't want to go the surgery route yet until I've tried botox. I had to get a referral for a private consultation through my GP (which took 4 weeks as she didn't want me to and said to give it time). They can recommend someone which my GP did, or you can search yourself on the net. I'm not sure what hospitals are near you but I went to a BMI hospital (where my GPs recommended CRS was), Val told me about Nuffield hospitals. You do need a referral letter from your GP though :)

Yes, you can just find a private hospital, find the consultant you want - then phone their secretary who will book an appointment. Then phone your gp and ask (demand!!) that they faxover the referral! Easy peasy!!

Hi Andy,
my GP diagnosed my fissure by inspection. Not a pleasant procedure, but at least he confirmed what I already suspected. So far I haven't seen a CRS. Are you using the stool softeners ? Movicol is available from UK chemists without prescription. So far I have tried prune juice and Movicol, Movicol was very effective for me. I used it for 5 days when I was away from home and the BMs were not a problem in fact a couple of times they slid out so easily and painlessly I had to check the pan to make sure that something had actually come out!

Hang on in there - I feel (and possibly share your pain).
I was diagnosed by GP with a small anal fissure (4mm, boat shaped) around march/april - and have since tried Rectogesic, Diltiazem, Wheatgrass cream and wheatgerm oil plus stool softeners/psyllium husks etc.
Went on holiday - relaxed, bit of cycling, sunshine etc - and pain pretty well went away. Came home and it came back a bit.
Went this Tuesday to a Colo-rectal surgeon. She did a visual examination, finger examination then an Anoscopy (not the nicest experience I've ever had). Great news was/is - no fissure, no scars indicating chronic fissure healed or unhealed - so probably a clean heal. As she said 'I can't see anything I could operate on'.
left on a high - had three bowel movements on Thursday am and now pain is back with a vengeance! Go figure!
I'm now going back to my GP next week to ask what we do now - stay calm and carry on, go crazy! go back to CRS?
Just to say this clearly is an up and down two/two steps forward- three steps backwards - four steps forward process - and like you it can be very debilitating.
I sometimes think I'll go bonkers in public and start verbally abusing my own backside. Other times I feel quite low.
One things for you though - while we might feel it - this forum proves, we are not alone - you are not alone.