Good morning! Yes indeed it is 2am where I am and I am awake because my anal fissure decided to visit.
My AF story is quite similar to many I've read this morning, seeking solace in being amongst "my people."
I developed an AF in December 2017 after eating meat for a few dinners, but having led a vegetarian lifestyle for several years. Instant clog, instant constipation, instant here-I-am-now. I have had, nearly every time since that day save once, severe pain during and following BMs. Often I have blood but not always. The pain will show during the initial exit of the BM, be relatively painless during the rest, but after 1-5 minutes following the BM, I'm done for the day due to the amount of pain and discomfort I am in.
While I have not been cured of this awful, unfair, and painful condition, here is what I have learned that may be of help to you, but please note that we're all beautiful, unique individuals so what works/didn't work for me may for you:
What doesn't work:
Prep H, Tuck's Pads, Aloe, pain relievers
What doesn't work but brings me the most relief so I'm not in tears:
Heat between the cheeks (hot, wet washcloth between my butt cheeks)
As hot as my parts can stand bath (seriously, the temporary pain relief of these things is MAGICAL)
Walking
Stool softeners and water (this is a common theme in every post I have read and I cannot stress this enough if you haven't already started using them)
Sitting straight up while having a BM (as long as stools are soft)
What brings me (temporary) relief:
Time
I went to the colorectal doctor at the end of March and he formally diagnosed the AF (I thought I had hemorrhoids) through a rectal exam, which itself was painful and uncomfortable and led me to leaving work early because I couldn't stand the pain it put me in (had to give myself an enema before, too. That was weird but it didn't hurt at all like I thought it would). BUT! (no pun intended) Ah-ha! There was some relief knowing what it actually was. I began using stool softener (generic kind) and drinking an ungodly amount of water.
The pain, OH MY GOSH THE PAIN, that I have following a BM usually lasts 12+hours. I won't feel better until I wake up the next morning. I'm not a religious woman but I've found myself seriously praying for relief. I passed two kidney stones last year and would take that gut-wrenching pain over this crap. At least there is some relief after several days!
In the past month I have had one completely painless BM and several where the pain only lasts like 8 hours. It's a start, right? However, after three days without a BM, and thus pain-free, coupled with unnecessary confidence, I didn't take any softener and here I am sleepless and dreading the six hour flight I have to sit through in a couple of hours.
Recently I went for a long walk immediately following a BM. I am convinced it helped alleviate the pain and "heal" me faster for the day. My mind wasn't solely focused on the pain and the movement kept pressure off of my butt. The constant fidgeting of finding that "sweet spot" while sitting can be bothersome and tiring and often never found.
Like many of you, I fear the moment I know "it's coming." I feel instant sadness and legitimate trepidation. I began a liquid based diet of soups, Naked drinks, and maybe one solid meal a day (but still 'soft' foods). This has taken my regular every other day cycle and moved it to 2-3 days. Coupled with the softener and water, it is so much easier to use the restroom and I'm convinced alleviates the pain faster. While it may not be healing my AF completely, it's given me a mental and emotional break from the agony and frustration of being in pain so often. It's also allowed me to stop giving lame excuses to people so often as to why I'm walking so funny (the ole' knee injury excuse works best).
In mid-May I am having surgery to, hopefully, get my life back. I have sat out many days since this all started or have not been able to enjoy life because of the hair-pulling, scream-inducing pain and frustration of this thing. I will post back when I have the surgery with, ideally, good news. Maybe it will entice some of you to get it too.
Here is my recommendation to you, fellow anal sufferer: don't brave the pain. If you haven't been formally diagnosed with whatever you have, GO SEE A DOCTOR. Get help. If I had done so, I could have been fixed months ago.
And start using stool softener and drinking so much more water.
If you are suffering from an anal fissure, my friend, you are a strong individual. The awful, awful, awful pain that you are in shows your strength and resiliency. But please go to a doctor. The emotional and mental fatigue of this condition is also severe, like the physical pain. Don't wait, don't think it'll go away on it's own if it's been longer than you can handle.
I wish you all well and quick and easy recoveries.