I had thought my fissure was under control, and the pain from it seemed to be manageable. Then, out of the blue, in the middle of the night I started to experience sharp, intense pain the like of which I haven't known for years. I'm still uncertain what has caused this - the pain seemed to come after some spasm-like sensations, and I don't know what is causing them - it feels as though the bowel is moving around on its own. The pain has now receded a bit, it's morning and I'm awake and active, but it feels as though it might return in full force at any moment. Quite scary and unpredictable.

Here's my theory, I think that with a fissure, the whole area in the vicinity gets aggravated and on edge. It can lead to all kinds of weird sensations and pain. Have you ever been checked for infections or fistula? Sounds scary, I know, but those can be very painful from what I've read on this board. The sooner they're dealt with, the better.

See here for a description of levator ani syndrome http://www.merckmanuals.com/professiona ... r-syndrome. It sounds kind of like what you're describing

Yes - it may be something like that. If it persists, I guess I will have to visit my GP again - though I've been checked for infections and fistulae, etc. so many times, and to little avail, that I'm inclined just to try to deal with the pain via pregabalin, ibuprofen, etc. and wait for it to die down. A year or two ago I used to go running off to the doctor almost weekly with this kind of thing, but more recently have learned that although the pain can be bad, it usually abates after a while. And as for what's actually causing it - I sometimes think "who knows?"

Have you looked into getting physical therapy for this?

Not yet, but I may have to, if it continues. Thank you for your concern.

It just goes to show how dependent an AF sufferer is on their surroundings. It turns out that my weekly cleaner scoured the bathtub with liquid detergent a couple of days ago - I didn't know, and took a bath as usual. The result was the violent inflammation that caused the sudden pain. Mostly better now, though still pretty sore down there.

Ugh, that sounds horrible. Must be something really potent in that cleaner like bleach. It's good that you're feeling somewhat better now!

It may have been liquid bleach, that's what worries me. I'm not out of the woods yet - woke in the middle of the night with sharp shooting pains and diarrhea (TMI) and didn't sleep any more. This morning am sore and painful, moving about is difficult. Not sure what to do.

Sorry to hear you're suffering so much. I just found this calming meditation on YouTube, to take my mind off my skin condition that seems to be flaring: https://youtu.be/Lx_B_q9YUuY Do try it if you are inclined to, it might help to ease a tiny bit of pain.