Hey Davo,
Just curious, did he ever mention nifedipine or diltiazem to you as options?
I just wonder why some CRSs choose one over the other...
-Tanya

Davo, I'm glad to hear that you are getting the green light for LIS. I'm now five days from receiving my own surgery, and am so hoping to break the cycle.
I have noted that the Nitro didn't seem as effective lately, but I've been unsure whether that was the result of tolerance build up, or just another side effect of the cocktail of happy pills that I am on for my other issues.

Hi WOI, He said GTN is the one he offers first however if the headaches are too severe then he offers nifedipine or diltiazem (cant remember which one is the ointment). I dont think one is more effective than the other however with GTN the side effect is headaches whereas itching and irratation are the side effect of the other ointment.
Hi RAS, I think it must be the GTN tolerance level - i myself have noticed it is less effective lately although i never really realised this until he told me this!

Hi Davo, good luck on your surgery I am fairly certain it will turn out to be the best decision in your life :)!
I just read your entire thread and I was so reminded of myself a year earlier. I don't think anybody was more cautious with food (became even vegetarian), softeners, sitz baths, and "you name it new miracle cream I was sure nobody ever thought of before", but it all just added to my time of suffering.
The worst thing of all is I would always find a way to blame myself for setbacks, like if I only hadn't taken that rice or slept longer or relaxed more during BM, it was always something.
Now I only wished I had listened to both of mine CRS's who told me the incontinence fears are WAY OVERBLOWN in their opinion and one would even go so far to guarantee me none :)! Long story short, in my opinion everybody should give ointments a try but if it didn't work the first 8 weeks, move on with your life :)! Life is to short to spend it in the Fissure world!
Ps. Of course I am only speaking from my experience (18+ months of suffering, months of Nifedipine and 2 unsuccessful Botox injections) and from the perspective of a otherwise health, young 30 year old male. I genuinely have no idea if the risks associated with Post-partum females are significantly higher! Still can't imagine my life without LIS!

Ps. The minor problems I am still experiencing today might have also been caused by months of my unnecessary Nifedepine abuse and the fact that I way overdid it with my Sitz Baths (burns). Just something else to think about :)!

Hi Morningstar,
When i first found this forum i had a few people tell me to forget GTN & Botox and plague my GP to refer me for LIS! At the time i had just been diagnosed with this fissure and surgery never crossed my mind (I was convinced GTN would solve things).
As time moved on i more and more realised that this thing just wasn't going to go away and that other fissure victims :D were in fact correct (to some extent)
I now believe i have lost about six months of my life - my whole life evolves around toilet visits, how much water i have drank, how soft my food is, taking medication, etc. I have not really socialised with friends in six months as it normally involves alcohol, the fear of a re-tear has stopped me taking my girlfriend to restaurants and the pain has cancelled holidays and ruined my Christmas.
So when my consultant said 'Lets put an end to all this nonsense' and offered LIS my face positively lit up. My state of mind has smashed through the roof just knowing that in two weeks time I will be having a procedure which in time will put an end to all this pain and eating food which can only be described as baby food.
If it wasnt for an upcoming long weekend to Italy i would actually be having my LIS today! Roll on the LIS!!
Davo

This weeks pain score so far:
WEEK 12 OF GTN
I went one day without a toilet visit so on the Monday morning my BM was harder and dryer than usual causing another re-tear. On Wed & Thurs my BM was in the evening which makes things better as i dont need to commute to work straight afterwards

Mon 3.5
Tues 3.5
Wed 1.5
Thurs 1.0
Fri 1.5
Sat TBA
Sun TBA
At this stage it is interesting to note that if you can control your toilet visit times it can help immensly. I was always as regular as clockwork (once a day after breakfast) - by changing this to the evening it meant my trip to work was pain free and I would only get the pain on an evening which meant i could bath and relax for the evening straight after. Also i could go to bed and sleep through that last bit of pain.

Hey Davo, I'm glad you are finally getting sorted. It seems alot of people on here are and after a year I'm starting to feel a bit disheartened and wondering if I will ever get sorted out. A bit undecided whether to go private still as it will cost alot of money but like you I am hoping soon to not have to live my life revolving around toilet habits, food etc. I'm really pleased for you, good luck with the surgery and I hope you get your life back soon :)

Hey Sue,
when I have trouble making a decision I like to write all the variables down and assign them numbers of importance. Then I add and subtract the pros and cons to see where my heart really lies.
My CRS referral for a second opinion isn't til July25th. If I could pay to get bumped up the list, I would. I mean heck, all I need is 15 min with the guy.
Anyways, sorry to hear you are hurting again!
-Tanya

Hi Sue,
I totally understand your situation - I am fortunate that my girlfriends employer provides health insurance that extends to me however if i did not have this cover i would personally pay the cost myself. I know its not cheap and you may have to use savings or a loan to cover this but for me I have lost half a year of my life and my state of mind has been in the gutter at times.
If i could put an end t the fissure by having LIS and knowing that i could be fissure free by the summer then i would jump at the chance. It is a small price to pay to get your life back - Why dont you just pay for the initial consultation and see what the CRS recommends?
Davo