Hi, I'm new around these sore parts.
Been diagnosed with this today. Had done a bit of research myself and thought it was either hems or a fissure.
Not my first experience unfortunately. As far as a remember (and there might have been more occurances), had a flare up in 2008 (or was it 2009?). And again around Sept last year 2011 which was very painful and lasted 4+ weeks. Interestingly both of these occurances happened after I had been hiking with a bit of jogging mixed in. I don't usually do running!
About 4 weeks ago had another small flare up while staying away from home that eased off after just over a week, this time not really with any running involved apart from some jumping when keeping warm, unrelated I'm sure. Then last Sunday for no reason another painful BM and another painful flare up - was only a little bit hard too (like cork being pulled out before free flows or is that too much info? :) ). Suspect it hadn't fully healed from the couple of weeks before. Today still very painful and in fact got worse Fri/Sat, possibly because I've had to do a long car journey in my car with rock hard seats/suspension which hasn't helped (I noticed last year when I had a flare up it was painful when driving).
Feeling a bit fed up at the moment because of it, and because I've had to travel 200miles back home to see a doctor as I couldn't find one willing/able to see me near where I'm currently doing some work for a client (no appointments for 4 weeks stories etc).
So, saw the doctor today. Despite saying I was in pain a full exam was done which was very painful as my pain is worse today. Best get it out the way I suppose but felt a bit like the finger action of this smiley was being done. Doctor didn't see it but suspects a fissure. Prostate was also checked, more pain From what I read Doctor's sometimes refrain from inspecting until the healing is underway, or numb the area.
I've been prescribed Sheriproct ointment and sent on my way. Not looking forward to driving back tomorrow to work with client today (had to take today off), oh and also trying to treat myself in the not private parents house where I'm currently staying while working at a client site. Great parents, love 'em but would rather have my own space especially for this and they don't deserve to be bothered with my PITA around :).
Hopefully this gets better soon as I'm very much looking forward to getting more excersise and doing plenty of hiking while I'm working down there (edge of Dartmoor, Cornwall just a stones throw away). Right now just feel like staying in bed :(
Ta ta, that's my intro over.

Oh one quick question that I'll add to my newbie intro. As a newbie to everything fissure related, what do you use to lube the tube/nozzle for applying ointment? Just realised I don't have anything. Are you supposed to squirt out some of the ointment for this purpose, or do you apply something to lube it yourself which I assume is water based?

Hi SF,
Was it a GP you saw? or a colonrectal surgeon (I think you call them proctologists in the UK?)
If the cream he gave you doesn't help, you might want to get a referral to a proctologist.
You can use petroleum jelly as a lubricant. In fact most people here use it before a BM as a way of protecting the area from friction and whatever.
Helps it slide out easier too.
There's no such thing as TMI here. :)
Anyways, welcome and sorry you are here. Hope it won't be long.
You should know though, that even after you are healed, the skin will take about a year to just get to 80 % of it's original strength. Plus since you tend to re-tear, you should always keep an eye on your diet (soft BMs) and drink plenty of water.
When a stool is a bit hard at the front end, it usually means that at some point during the day, you got a little dehydrated.
-Tanya

Hi,
Yes, a GP appointment to start with, bit difficult today as I'm aware that i cannot keep returning to this surgery in the future (if it doesn't heal) because it's so far from where I'm currently working. So I need to find someone else close to where I'm working in case I need more help.
My father states he has a really good GP and will be speaking to his doctor to see if I can get treated there if or when I may need more help, which will save me a 200 mile drive(each way) and my father thinks his doctor will be more likely to refer me to a specialist quickly, but now I know I can also ask for this referral myself. He's really busy but hopefully he'll allow me to register with him for future treatment, even if it's just a case of getting referred to a specialist :)
I think my recent flare ups might be related to my change of workplace/location, maybe some stress mixed in, and change of diet (albeit only slight)until I settle back down. I'm also more used to preparing my own meals, well aware of my previous problem(s). At the moment because I'm staying with parents while I work nearby, food is provided for me which may not always contain the amount of veg I'm used to. Anyway, hopefully I can get things back under control, including slightly improving the diet.

Hey SF,
Have you tried metamucil or some other fibre supplement?
I do metamucil twice a day and I think I will keep that up even after I am healed.
I know stress is a factor. I just need to have a confrontation with my daughter to feel my AF! Try to keep an eye on how tight you keep those muscles down there and tell them to relax when you notice they are tight. I find breathing into the belly helps when I am feeling stressed or anxious. I try to do it as often as possible.
Another thing that has been helping me is lanolin. I get the kind for breastfeeding moms (lansinoh) and put it on the fissure morning and night and after BMs.
That's great about your dad's GP. Finding a decent GP is like striking it rich!
-Tanya