Hi all,
It's been about a year since I started lurking and then posting because of my fissure. At the time it seemed like it was the end of my world. It was all consuming and every day and most nights revolved around severe, crippling pain, food, bm's, and what I could and could not do, physically and mentally. It was difficult on my family and my doctors certainly were not much help. With the help of this forum I attacked this thing in an all out battle. Every waking moment was spent strategizing how to kick this thing. Did loads of research, lost 30 lbs, did a dietary 180 and used over the counter meds when necessary (mostly advil; couldn't do laxes). Sitz baths, fiber, water and exercise were my friends. Oddly enough the BIGGEST change for me was a breakfast cereal: Fiber One Caramel Delight. I was experimenting with the breakfast thing, going through every cereal in the aisle and this one calmed my system down almost immediately after trying it. I eat it with almond milk. Eating it several times a day when my system couldn't handle anything else on some days. Anyway, that was the major break through for me but everything else I did was definitely a contribution to the war. I can now happily say that the fissure seems to have passed into the past. I have been pain and blood free for 5 months. It was important to know my dietary limits, otherwise I found the bm's went back to moderate pain with minor bleeding, but the days of food fear are definitely over (touch wood) and I have managed a burger or two, a beer when I want, and have had no back sliding into fissure world. Thanks to you all for your support and amazing energy and information on this site. It has put at least one person back into the regular world. -Daniel