by Luka » 06 May 2013, 13:47
I am 29 and have (as far as I know) one fissure. It seems a bit large and I'm not sure how much the Diltiazem helped. My CRS never got a very good look at it because I was so tense and most decent CRS's won't do an anoscopy when you have an active fissure. I still get pain on and off, but it's bearable and some days I don't have any pain at all. It's more of a burning, slightly throbbing pain. Unlike many others on here, I don't have pain during bowel movements; I just have pain afterward. I believe stress and loose stools caused mine, as well as shy bowel syndrome. I rarely get constipated and have a very healthy diet.
From what I've read, most fissures will heal on their own without surgery. It's just a matter of how long you're willing to wait for them to fully heal. LIS is an option if the fissure has trouble healing and if people are in horrible pain. I don't believe all fissures need LIS after 2 months of not fully healing. People have healed after having fissures for years without surgery, so it can happen. It is when a lot of scar tissue builds up over time from repeated healing and re-tearing that causes problems with healing that you will probably need surgery (fissurectomy and LIS).
For myself, I can't afford LIS (at least, not right now). I don't have health insurance and am currently unemployed, so I would have a lot of trouble paying for it. Plus, since my pain is currently manageable and I seem to be getting better (albeit very slowly), I don't feel like the risk of LIS is worth it in my current state. Now, if I had severe pain all the time, I would DEFINITELY consider LIS. As it stands, though, I don't want to risk it and it scares the heck out of me (I'm a total wuss). From what I've read on this forum and other places online, recovery from LIS can either be a complete breeze or a nightmare. I don't want to take that chance right now and risk pain that is far worse than what I'm experiencing now. Just my personal choice.
After a few more months, I'll see how I'm doing and decide from there with my CRS. For now, though, I prefer to see how I do without LIS.
January 2013 - Diagnosed with fissure. Eventually turned chronic.
History of IBS and anxiety disorder, along with fear of using bathrooms other than my own caused it.
Tried Diltiazem, but eventually developed a rash.
LIS surgery scheduled August 26th.