Hi All,
I guess i can almost be considered an anal fissure expert as I have gone through one hell of a battle. I got my "blueprint for healing" from this site.
http://patients.uptodate.com/image.asp?file=gast_pix/rx_anal_.htm
Here are the things I have done to try to heal:
1. I modified my diet. more water, more fiber little fats. I also use baby wipes to wipe and i bought little squirt bottles (from target) to wash off after bowel movement. I also use a cream called "Balneol" which you can get from drugstore.com which really works well for irritation of the perianal area. (I just started to use it an it is amazing!) also found that badger healing balm is a nice bum lubricant. (all natural too)
2. I used dilizapam (sp? ) cream for 8 weeks x 2 (helped a bit but still fissure came back)
3. To my wits end I decided to get botox injections which put my arse to sleep for 2 months (was bliss but hell was around the corner as my fissure returned at the end of month 2)
4. I went the distance and had the LIS. Helped get me to get 85% healed with alot of the pain gone but still bleed maybe once or twice a month if I have a difficult movement. still fragile and on step #1 to maintain and encourage healing.
5. time & tears & hope. many times i have been overwhelmed by this simple but painful problem. I am an officer in the military and have often worried about being medically kicked out. I have worried about crohn's despite not having any other symptoms (loose stools etc.). My life seems to be controlled by my bowel movements, and age 33 that really sucks. But I fight on, I am happy to answer any questions on what has worked and what it was like to go on this fissure journey.
best of luck healing and you are not alone!