Using your logic, I do have to wonder why successful Botox users would report their success stories at a far lesser rate, percentage-wise, than successful LIS patients? My CRS didn't even want to go in the direction of Botox, but if it is what is the common route in your locale, you may have no other option. This ailment is squirrely enough as it is. Some are cured for good just on Nitro therapy, while others like myself are not.
Whichever route you go, may you be blessed with success.

You know there are so many variables that aren't included when they come up with those statistics. They get those statistics from studies where there is very little follow up. Usually they just check back with the people a month or a few months later. So there's not much info on those who go on to get a second or third botox and are healed.
That's a long term scenario though and you have the wedding stressing you out. You can't tell everyone, hey we are putting off the wedding because I have an anal fissure... though you might feel like yelling it at the top of your lungs some days! :)
I always write things down when faced with a difficult decision. I write down the pros and cons so I can see them in front of me and it helps to weigh them evenly without getting confused and distracted.
If you have a good doctor, they will make your feelings part of the equation in their decision, because they are bound to find the best way to heal you. So if you decide you really want to just do the LIS, then you just make sure your doctor knows it.
I'm sure it will be a fabulous wedding!
I hope things are easing up for you again.
-Tanya

Hi Davo, I suggest that if you are going to go down the Botox track, that you would get it done sooner rather than later, as, for me anyway, the 4 weeks immediately after the botox was purely horrible, due to the further tearing that happened during the inspection/botox! Certainly give yourself plenty of time before your wedding!
When I say that my fissure has healed, for about the last 3 weeks the pain during the BM has lessened to the extent where now I have NO pain during the BM. I used to be able to feel it coming down the tract (so to speak) as it all passed the fissure (OUCH!!!!) but now the BM seems to have healed. My GP checked last week and without delving in too deep (I was paranoid about re-opening it all up again) he said he couldn't see any evidence of the fissure being open, so in that respect I have to say that the Botox has certainly helped! As far as my spasms/cramps go, I have continued to get those even after the botox, and even though the fissure seems to have healed! (In pain ATM here at work, rocking from side to side, quick butt massage when I get the chance and doped up to the limit on Pain Relief). I'm not sure why this has continued and am back at my specialist on 1st March - hopefully he may be able to answer that one! My GP suggested it COULD be my Pile that I have, although he said it was a small one and shouldn't be causing me this much agony!
Don't give up on the Botox idea. Certainly it has to be a holistic approach - I told my pharmacist the other day that if he runs short of any supplies, come and see my kitchen bench! I take Aloe Vera Juice Morning and Night, Lactulose, LSA Oil (Linseed, sunflower and Almond Oil) and Benefibre, mixed into Feijoa or Kiwifruit Juice, plus try to eat plenty of fruit. The LSA can also be purchased in a powder form which is nice mixed into Yogurt!
Good luck with your upcoming wedding! Just think - at least your girlfriend has seen you at your worst! My husband is awesome and as I am pretty much written off in the evenings after a BM, then a lot falls back onto him as far as kids/homework/afterschool activites, dinner etc and I am forever grateful that he just gets on with it! Never again, will I dismiss someone who says they have pain! I think a lot of people don't relate as it can't been seen like a broken arm etc!

Hi Nitsnz,
Sorry to hear of your pain after Botox - i am lead to believe this is quite common due to the insertion of the camera for sigmoidoscopy.
For me i have been quite fortunate in the fact that i have never really had much pain during the BM itself apart from about 3 days in the beginning. My pain is only due to the spasms which start about 30 mins afterwards and last around 2-4 hours.
Anyway i called my CRS today and would you believe he is on holiday so the earliest appointment i can see him is on the 21st Feb (unless i want to see another CRS). I guess this may work in my favour as that is the week i hit the 12 week mark for my GTN routine.
I intend to start writing all sorts of questions now in preparation for my consultation and i want to know his Botox success and recurrence rates!
Thanks for the wedding comments and i really hope you feel better soon
Davo

Ahhh, thats interesting that you too only seem to have the after pain! Maybe it is more common that I thought!
Would love to hear if that is what others experience too!

I for one, have pain both before, during and after. When I first feel like I have to poop I get pain, when I do have a BM it feels like someone is cornholing me with a railroad spike or bayonet, and then there are those terrible spasms that come on anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour afterwards and leave me in agony for the next four hours or more (usually more). I so cannot wait for the 27th to roll around.

I am at Week 10 today on GTN and my re-tear pain is slowly reducing again. As always no pain during BM's and spasms for abour 2-3 hours afterwards (my pain score today was 3.5)
The fissure is looking good and i can see healing but it is still a little deep. I think my main pain is the soreness from the external part rather than the internal wound.
I am intrigued what it will be like at the 12 week mark when its my next CRS visit.
I am at a friends wedding this weekend and hoping the food they serve at the reception is soup and wholemal bread with water! :-D
Stay happy guys!
Davo

Good to hear Davo!
Hard to predict the future when it comes to AFs. I think that is half the problem.
But it sounds like your future is good!
-Tanya

Thanks WOI,
As horrible as it sounds i sometimes think myself lucky when i read the accounts of other people on here!
What stage are you at again now?
Davo

I'm the same as you really, 10 weeks on nifedipine. But I don't get the spasms. Just generally sore with painful twinges.
I guess I should count myself lucky too! lol!
I am daydreaming of botox though.
Thanks for asking. :)
-Tanya