Thanks for this forum, it's been a big help so far. I've had a history of "hemorrhoids" for several years. Three weeks ago my pain/burning got very intense. A week later my physician assistant told me that my hemorrhoids were causing the issue and started me on steroid suppositories. The pain was intense enough that I made an appointment with a CRS for the next week. She diagnosed me with an anal fissure. She started me on nifedipine/lidocaine ointment twice a day. She also recommended one tablespoon of metamucil morning and night and continue with warm baths twice a day.
I'm not sure if this fissure is new or if I had a chronic fissure that recently got a lot worse. I've had mild bleeding/pain with some BMs for the past few years. The problem would flare up and I would increase my fiber and the problem would calm down. I had a colonoscopy and my GI doctor said I had internal hemorrhoids. A couple of years ago, my PCP said I also had external hemorrhoids. My CRS says I have no signs of external hemorrhoids. She said that fissures are frequently misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids. I guess it doesn't matter how long it's been, I'm just glad to have some treatment options.
I'm starting slowly with the Metamucil and I'll see how it goes. I already get a lot of fiber by eating shredded wheat, a fiber bar, beans/lentils every day. I've been taking 200 mg of colace daily for years now. My CRS said colace won't help but I'm going to keep taking it. I'm having some issues with the nifedipine application so I'm going to post about that in the general forum
I've been encouraged by reading everyone's stories and advice here.