Hi all,
Just stumbled across this forum and thought I'd join up!
Been to doctors three times and finally got diagnosed with a 'large' anal fissure at the front of my anus (doesn't sound too pleasant). I'd never heard of it before until now but filled with dredd over how this will go over the next few months :( I'm not in pain during the day and only feel discomfort when I'm on the toilet (describe it as pooing glass and wiping with sand paper).
The Doc said that the Fissure is at the front of the anus and he didn't need to insert his figure to feel about etc. He saw it instantly, so I'm assuming it's on the outside. Anyway I've been given the lovely headache cream to apply- Glyceryl Trinitrate
Can't believe how quickly the headache comes on! I'm going persist with it, try and change my diet (not too bad at the minute!) and use some stool softener- Dulcoease (maybe?)
I've been navigating the forum but there is so much info- I don't know where to start. Does anyone have any general advice they can offer at this stage in my Fissure journey?
Biggest concern for me is I'm about to start a new job in 2 weeks and I don't know how I'll cope with these headaches. Do they get any better?
Thanks!

Miralax morning and night.

Yes. They usually do get better. Mine lasted almost 14 days, and dissapered from one day to the next.

delasama wrote:Miralax morning and night.

The brand name's Movicol in the UK (noticed that Attack the day is in the UK :)) and yes, can confirm it's a good stool softener.

Hello Attack the day!
Welcome to the Forum. Sorry the reason you're here, but you found the right place. :)
I can't recommend anyone better than Davo, one of our Moderators, as to how he handled his fissure. The first link is to his general posts, the second for after he had surgery. He is in London, and had one of the best colon and rectal surgeons around. 
Hope this is of some help. 
http://anal-fissure.org/st/Davo
http://anal-fissure.org/t4589-my-lis-diary-march-2012-fully-healed-in-4-weeks?highlight=Davo
All the best, and feel free to ask any questions you might have, and take advantage of all the info here.

Hi, regarding the nitro. Sounds like you are not having the severe sphincter spasms after the BMs. I gather most of you pain is from the BM passing the fissure. This is a good thing as you will still have good blood flow to the area allow the fissure to heal. The spasms may still come as a result of the sphincter reacting to the pain.
To avoid the headaches..
Use a smaller amount..just adjust the dose increasing gradually.
Use gloves when applying. Or just cut the finger off a glove and use it.
Try to apply just to the anus and inside. Avoid surrounding tissue.
Be sure to lay down for a while after applying..this helped me the most.
In the initial stages I used Ibrufren and took it half an hour before a BM and hence application of Nitro.
It does get better but these little things helped me manage the day until it did.
Xx Pia

Hi Attack the Day, I applied the Nitro in a lower dose initially then increased to the full 2.5 cm. the headaches did subside after using it for a few weeks. Then there were no real side effects. Make sure you put your finger in to apply. I just covered my finger with some film.
Hope you heal on the Nitro, let us know how you go. R xx

Hi Attack the Day, I applied the Nitro in a lower dose initially then increased to the full 2.5 cm. the headaches did subside after using it for a few weeks. Then there were no real side effects. Make sure you put your finger in to apply. I just covered my finger with some film.
Hope you heal on the Nitro, let us know how you go. R xx

Thanks all! Feels good to know I'm around such supportive people- There is some really useful advice here that I will take forward. One positive at the moment is that I only really feel pain during the BM's- just hope this continues :)
Here is my plan for upcoming weeks/months:
- Ducoease stool softeners x 3 times a day
- 6-8 glasses of water
- GTN applied x 2 a day for the prescribed 8 weeks
- More Fibre (brown bread, bran flakes, nuts/seeds, wholemeal pasta, fruit/dried fruit)
- Fybogel Fibre drinks
-Magnesium tablets
Please let me know your thoughts- am I over doing it on the Fibre front or can you never get enough?
X

Be careful, too much fibre can bulk too much. You will have to experiment to find what is right for you.
The Fybogel made me too bulky. But I have IBS, so it is even harder to regulate. My dietician said soluble fibre is best to soften stools.