I've been lurking around for a while here; I've found a lot of info and moral support on this site so now I just have to jump in and let y'all know what is helping me.
I am a long time AF sufferer - I had my first one after the birth of our first child. I was totally clueless then!!
Through the years they come and go - missed surgery (not LIS) by the skin of my teeth twice because it healed just in time.
Back in 2001 I had barbaric dilation done for a chronic fissure - I went into the operating room with one fissure and came out with two!!! Never again! It did help though, but only for two weeks and then the spasms came back anyway.
I agree that the hydrocortisone creams and suppositories are useless. To make matters worse I have celiac disease so can't use bran and many laxatives/stool softeners make me ill. I just use plain magnesium capsules now and live on vegetables mostly.
Now I got a new fissure about 3 months ago. We live far from a city - to get an appointment with a specialist takes months in this part of Canada. Besides surgery really scares me. So in desperation I bought a butt trainer kit from Colt. Success! For three days now I've had no spasms - there is a small amount of pain when I go poo, but not bad - but what a relief to get rid of the spasms.
I only use the smallest tool and it won't go all the way in either, I just go very slow and careful, don't go beyond where it gets a bit uncomfortable and leave it in place for 5 min or so twice a day.

Hey Baba,
That is fantastic! So glad it is working for you.
I got my 'training kit' in the mail last week. But haven't had the courage as I am starting to slowly heal finally.
But I do plan to use it even if it is only as a preventative measure. I know I am a wee bit too tight down there.
May I ask what you use a lubricant?
Would you say the smallest is 1" diameter?
I know about desperation and despair.
And I'm not even that bad off. It's just so tiring! And everything is on hold perpetually. Well you know...
Thanks so much for sharing!
-Tanya

Yeah the smallest would be approximately 1" or a wee bit less. I was shocked at the size of the big one LOL! Hubby said. it must be for a horse!
For lube I tried vit E oil, olive oil, KY jelly but I found vaseline to be the most helpful.
I was scared to use them at first, the very thought of it was terrifying, but then I found going very slow, not painful at all.
After the first time my spincter did feel like it has been insulted though.
I'm thankful we can sound off here on our troubles - now my husband's ears can have a rest! LOL

I know what you mean. My hubby often gets this pained expression on his face. It's taken him a while to realize that this isn't going to be a quick fix and it's serious.
Anyways, It's really great to hear about someone else having some success with self dilation.
-Tanya

I read of someone in the 'net that healed that way; that's where I got the idea. He said that in Europe that's the treatment of choice. If it works it sure beats getting surgery.
I expect that after healing one would have to maintain it too, and always be vigilant with diet etc.

Hey Baba,
There is more info on self dilation on the yahoo anal fissure group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/analfissure/
on the left side under 'files' is a doc that jr and I compiled of 4 past members on that site who have had success with it.
They do have to do upkeep, but as I recall it is only like once a week or so.
Yah, I am totally fine with eating a high fibre diet and even always doing metamucil, if it means I never have this problem again!
-Tanya

Oh, so glad to see someone else trying the self dilation here. I'm still only using a .5 inch dilator... Even the 1 inch seems so big to me. Glad to hear you are finding success with it. Gives me motivation to keep going.
Tanya... I still have to get the additional documents uploaded. I need to get a time when the pain has died down enough to actually sit at the computer!

Thanks for the link Tanya- lots of helpful info there :D

No worries jr,
You need to get a laptop.
I so rarely use the desktop since i got one.
-Tanya