Hi everyone. I'm a happily married guy in his late 20s. Last summer I developed a fissure which grew to two this summer (I didn't know that certain dietary and lifestyle choices I was making aggravated things).
After being in intense pain for several months, I saw a specialist and have made dramatic changes across every phase of my life (cut out all caffeine, chocolate, soda, fatty food, introduced pain relief creams, etc) and I am finally seeing long stretches of a "zero" on the pain scale over the last week or so. Movements are smooth and nearly pain free as well.
I've been feeling noticeably better for over a week now. I know this is a long process and that I will always be prone to fissures for the rest of my life as a result of this occurrence … but I'm wondering if I'm naпve to think that this stretch of low to no pain is a sign that I'm on the mend? How long do you have to be pain free before you can feel confident that things are healing?

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Can't you just enjoy the pain-free time? Seriously.
I would suggest you to try keep a healthy diet and continue with the fissure friendly habits.
It happened to me to feel better and then get another fissure, but there could be explanations for that as I've done some things wrong... Anyway, there is a guy complaining he had problems after 10 years of doing quite well, so I suppose no one can answer your question as it probably depends on the way each organisms reacts. You're obviously making progress and I think you shouldn't be worried unless you present with other symptoms.
We're glad you feel good and we wish you to keep it this way.

Thanks Pink Sparkle :) I absolutely can enjoy the pain free time. I guess I should have been more clear. The change in lifestyle has been very dramatic obviously, limiting what I eat and what I can do physically. I'm someone who enjoys working out, dancing, cleaning, doing yardwork .... all of that is limited until this heals up. My hope is that, once it heels, I can revisit at least some of these items that have been cut from my life so I'm trying to gauge if a lot of folks see early improvement and then it comes back or if this really is a sign I might be on the road to recovery.

Hi Colby1983, and a big welcome to the forum. You found the right place, though we know that anyone who comes here is not here for the fun of it. We are usually in pain, or worrying, like you, that things have improved but it is just the luck of the day or week.
You seem to be on the right course, having changed dietary habits, got medication to help heal the fissure, etc. But you would not be the first to relapse, so though things might be going well, suggest that you stay as close to the regimen that has worked for you, until some time has passed. It is difficult to say how long it takes before you know that you are healed as we are all individuals, but wish you luck with the time you have now. And we are here, to answer questions and help along the way. All the very best to you.