Kim, my syringe at least had the decency to buy me dinner first :)
MJFarrell, let us know how things go with the diltiazem. As you can see, applying it isn't so much a science as it is an art. We've got some syringe users, some finger users, and probably other methods too. It's like drugs minus all the fun!

And I used an applicator (that perfectly fit my Diltiazem tube) that originally came with an Anusol tube.

i never had any success with dialtizem nor nitro...my best success was with valium...i didn't use it very long and didn't get addicted to it (i have lots of pills left as proof...) i do keep my valium around in case i have a bad BM...valium was the only thing that kept me sane before the surgery...and after surgery i used valium and ibuprofen--i hardly had to use any of the narcotics (and before i started using valium i was taking narcotics like candy...)
ultimately i had to have LIS but for me it was the best option (13 years of dealing with fissures...)--even if i do retear or get a new one...this past month has been bliss --i would be willing to do another LIS in a heartbeat...
it's up to you, but i would ask about valium--of course that's just me...