by Ever the Optimist » 05 Feb 2013, 15:36
Hi all,
Just to chip in and add my story too and to hear you are all doing so well...
I'm exactly one year and one month on since the development of my fissure, which was followed by an abscess and then fistula and a few piles thrown in for good measure!! It was a painful 2012!
I am very happy to say that the fistula totally healed, the piles ( I believe not helped by all the internals & EUA's of last year) are manageable and the fissure almost, almost gone (but not quite)......
Incidentally, I had 7 months of treatment with Diltizem cream and I swear this played a huge role in helping "heal" my fissure.
If I foolishly strain - even a little (which I 99% do NOT ever do these days!), I feel a familiar mild twinge in that area reminding me of some of those days of hell I endured and just warning me to stay sensible! Most of the time, I feel nothing. It's like it never happened. My only reminders of the constant pain, distress, exhaustion, stress of it all are in my diary. I can't remember the intensity of it all but I am highly aware that I do not want to go through it all again....
So, for those wondering "Will life ever be the same again?" -
I believe largely "Yes" - You can go back to normality, get rid of the pain, take control of your life again but "No" on the other hand, simply because you've had that experience and your bottom may not feel 100% the same again, but it's just adapting to it and going with the change and accepting what's happened has happened.
These days it's one particular internal pile that tends to bother me most, not really the fissure - but that's not every day and easily soothed with creams. I consider myself lucky.
So, in response to the original question, "No", it definitely does not heal overnight" - It can take weeks, more realistically months for those with chronic fissures, but it does take optimism, patience, positive thinking and a few dietary and toilet changes to help get you there along with the hot baths, stool softeners and creams!
Good luck all :)
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups