jr2:
Yes, my CRS has instructed me to take Miralax for life (I take a full dose every morning; I also take 1 1/2 tsp. of Konsyl twice a day). Because of this, I usually have one soft, but well-formed bowel movement every morning.

I have graduated to the 15mm dilator, and, up to now, things seem to be progressing. I have also been eating a little more varied food, having a treat or two, which is such a vast change in my life.
I am so glad that I took this step. It has made a tremendous difference in my quality of life. Things are not perfect, by any stretch of my imagination, but I do see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sav

I read this thread a few days ago as I was starting out with Self-Dilation...here's my report so far if anyone's interested:
http://anal-fissure.org/t6278-my-pain-has-disappeared-but-it-wasn-t-magic-read-how

@Savaici ... hooray! All good news!

butthurt... Thank you for posting your regimen, which is really similar to what I am doing. I hope you continue to have success!

Those that have healed completely with the use of dilation, how many minutes should I keep it in?
I only used one finger for the past 3 days for 10mins. One finger to me feels very small.. not sure if it was even dilating. I think 10mins is a bit long and today I feel my "skin tag" is a bit irritated... ugh...

buttquestion
There isn't really an exact science to it in terms of length of time. Some people go for a few minutes, one physical therapist of a forum participant recommended 20 minutes. If one finger feels too small you're probably ready to start increasing the size of dilation by using a dilator. As far as the irritation of the skin tag, make sure you are using a lot of lubrication and you can try to apply slight pressure away from the site of the skin tag as you insert.
I find it's really important to do some sort of dilation immediately after a BM, even if it means just using a finger. The reason is there tends to be an over-reaction of the muscle right after a BM that snaps it shut very tight and pulls on the fissures. It is by far the most critical time for me to get the muscle to release.

jr2 wrote:buttquestion
There isn't really an exact science to it in terms of length of time. Some people go for a few minutes, one physical therapist of a forum participant recommended 20 minutes. If one finger feels too small you're probably ready to start increasing the size of dilation by using a dilator. As far as the irritation of the skin tag, make sure you are using a lot of lubrication and you can try to apply slight pressure away from the site of the skin tag as you insert.
I find it's really important to do some sort of dilation immediately after a BM, even if it means just using a finger. The reason is there tends to be an over-reaction of the muscle right after a BM that snaps it shut very tight and pulls on the fissures. It is by far the most critical time for me to get the muscle to release.

I see. I think this fissure is driving me mental.. my mind is paying attention to my butt like 24/7... every little pull, itch, discomfort make me worried that I somehow make it worse!
I don't know why I feel a bit worse today... it feels the skin tag is a bit irritated. I start using both coconut oil and dilation together at the same time and now I don't know which one makes it worse... I like coconut oil because it seems to reduce itching a lot but it could be making fissure more sensitive or whatnot. I don't know anymore!

Hi buttquestion.
You might like to try using Sliquid Organics Natural Gel, which is what I use, making sure you get the especially thick consistency one for anal use. I find it very good. Sliquid sells it from their own site.
Sav

I didn't realize there were other people trying self-dilation - thought I must be a bit wierd. I first tried it a few months ago, and it worked, but it seems it isn't a permanent cure, as I had to start doing it again after a while. Seems to work though.

Have started with the dilation again and using 14mm. I have changed from using Sliquid to Organic Anal Lubricant from Intimate Organics. This is better - being able to start with 14mm - than last time, so I see that as a step in the right direction, in that everything is not as 'tight' as before.
I still bleed most days, but just don't worry about it.
Anyway, that is where I am at. When you think that hospitals in Europe usually send patients home with instructions for dilation after LIS, I think this is the route to take even without LIS, to loosen the muscle there. That muscle that I described to my hubby as a shark biting  inside your arse. Having never experienced any sort of pain (like my life about three years ago), he could understand that this is somewhat nasty to go through :roll: .
I have also started eating a little more of a normal diet, without adding stock to everything with the hope of making my stools softer. Now I am a little more brave, but still stay at a certain amount of food. I do not want my BMs to be any more painful than they are. It is never easy but things trundle along.
Anyway, this is where things stand now.