Well, I saw the general surgeon today, and he gave me ditiazem cream to use 3x a day. He wasn't very clear on how to use it, or for how long (I made a post in the Diet Tips / Supplements asking for advice). Oh well. Hopefully this will work!
The strange thing is, he couldn't see the fissure! He tried to find it just by looking at that area, but couldn't see it, so he did a quick internal exam with some sort of scope (which hurt, though not as bad as the one I had months ago). He still couldn't find it! How weird is that? A different doctor saw it through a scope a few months back... I dunno. It sure feels like it's still there. I have that awful cut sensation, and pain when going to the bathroom, so I'm not healed.

I have had a few drs tell me that they could not find it, followed by drs who could find it. I think it just matters how the membrane is pulled when they are looking. some ways it may be visible, some ways not.

Uh oh!
Is burning a normal side-effect of diltiazem? I'm experiencing (rectal, obviously) burning after applying the cream (internally and externally). Should I be worried, or is this just a side-effect I'll have to get used to?

I don't remember getting burning with diltiazem but I sure did with nitro so I am sure it is quite possible. We all react differently. Does it last more than a few minutes?

It says on the leaflet that i got with my cream that burning or stinging may happen initially when applying the cream , It did happen to me and usaully wore off within the hour :)
Goodluck

It lasted for a good 15 minutes last night. It wasn't TERRIBLE burning, but it was bad enough to make me pretty uncomfortable. Still, I'd rather have burning than fissure pain. XD I'll deal with the burning if I have to - I just wanted to make sure it's not abnormal.