I have been away for awhile but have still been checking the forum nearly day. I have been doing remarkably better. In fact, I was afraid to post anything so as not to jinx myself. I saw the CRS last week and he said he saw no evidence of an active fissure. He told to keep with the routine for several more weeks to be sure. I am not out of the woods completely but seem to have found a trail to daylight!
I was so down when all this started. Special thanks to Dawn and Dwarfs and others for the words of encouragement. I look back at some of my notes I made around thanksgiving that were terribly dark. I had asked Dawn is she was saint and I was not joking. She may have saved my life.
I would not have known what to do without this forum. The diet and healing tips were invaluable. My daily routine included: 3 baths a day, a dolcalax tab in the morn with a magnesium tablet and Vit C. Two doses of metamucil a day, tons of water, no red meat (in fact very little chicken or turkey either), lots of veggies, fruits and BEANS. A half dose of Miralax in the evening with a herbal decaf tea. I dropped all caffiene and alcohol. I used the Nefid (spelling?) cream 4-5 times a day. I also found a fiber supplement called Floralax that I used instead of meta on several occasions. Aloe vera juice, black cherry juice. Some of the routine seemed liked vodoo but I stuck with it every day for some 30 days.
I understand that I beat the odds and I am very grateful. I also realize that my diet will never be the same. It wasn't that bad in first place. I was not a pound overweight and did watch what I ate - but I got complacent and I paid for it. Never again. I also realize that many of you are still suffering and my story might make you sick! There is hope - my fissure was borderline acute/chronic as it was 9 weeks old before it was diagnosed (by product of a hemmi). My AF was at 3 o'clock on the butt dial - not sure if that was good or bad. I guess I had the diagnosis and found this forum in the nick of time.
For those of you with the dark thoughts and the overwhelming feeling of hopelessness - don't give up! I am proof that something good can happen. Again, I realize I am in a lucky minority but folks like Dawn are also proof that things will get better. Thanks again for this forum and for those of you who spend time on it helping your fellow sufferers.