I too have had that permanent cut sensation. It has turned into a dull sensation post-LIS, but it is still there.
Fiss and others are right, by this point you should drop the proctofoam (I'm assuming that is what you were prescribed. I was prescribed some once by an idiot doctor, who later let the area abscess). Your drs should be prescribing one of three ointments, nitroglycerine, nifedipine, or diltiazem.
Even though your spasms aren't painful like charlie-horse-type spasms, they are what is making you constantly feel the cut because they are putting constant pressure on the cut. The spasms are also reducing blood flow to the area and thus reducing healing.

hi there,
sorry you're suffering. I was prescribed proctofoam too and it was useless, especially as it thins the skin.
hope you find a good doctor who can prescribe the right cream for you to try.

Hi there and welcome to this wonderful forum :)
I am sorry you are here for the reason many of us are !
I am sure you will find some great advice here and hopefully this will give you more understanding of how to deal with your fissure.
Please be careful with the Hydrocortisone, i used this for a very long time as i knew no better,
It does thin the skin overtime which is not really ideal when there is a fissure in place !
Nitroglycerine, nifedipine, or diltiazem could well be an option for you.
Goodluck

My gastroenterologist called back today and said there was really nothing more she could do, that it had to "heal on its own." She prescribed some lidocaine for me and told me to call back in 2 weeks. If it hasn't healed in 4 months, I doubt it will heal in 2 more weeks. I'm at the end of my rope - I can't see a Colorectal surgeon without a referral. I don't know what to do...

This is just horrible : (((, your GP is sadistic and ignorant , to say the least. Can you go "private" perhaps. Exams cost about $200 for specialist in the USA. It looks a lot, but if you count in all that you paid so far for co-pays, and creams that did not work - I bet it is much more : (((.
I really hope that you will find help soon

your GI is wrong. Unless you have some sort of underlying condition, you should not be left to "heal on your own." chrionic ones don't heal on their own and are subject ot omany retears. perhpas you should go to your GP and get a referral from there. you should be seeing a colorectal surgeon for this, not a GI. I have both and there's a big difference.

Yep. I agree with BG. You need to see a CRS. Too many medical specialists are clueless about fissures. I wouldn't listen to anyone but a CRS about how to treat a fissure, or any anal/rectal problem...

Absolutely - Colorectal Surgeon is the only one who knows anything about fissure treatments !!! Also, not all CRSs offer all of the available options. Make sure before you make app. that CRS you are about to see offers Nitro and Nifedapine creams and Botox. If you ever decide to have a LIS, make sure you ask him openly what is HIS personal experience with the results and if he ever had a case which ended up with incontinence. It is important since research papers are one thing and his expertise is the other.
All the best !!!

Well, here's the deal. There appears to be only one colorectal surgeon near where I live, and she's not available until mid-July. She works in a surgical office, and the woman I spoke to said there was a general surgeon at the office who could help me. I asked her twice if she really thought he could help with my issue, and she said yes. I made an appointment to see him this coming Monday.
Ugggh...I just don't know what to do. I found some other colorectal doctors in WI through an internet search. They're pretty far away from where I live, and I don't know if they're covered by my insurance. Heck, they may not have any appointments until mid-July too. I'm not sure whether to just keep this Monday appointment or try to make one with a different doctor.

I would go to CRS exclusively - but if your insurance is covering this one you might go and see what he has to offer. I saw general surgeon and he offered anal dilation which is the method not thought in medical schools for the past 20 years (that is how outdated his knowledge about fissures was). It must be very frustrating for you to wait for so long - but I think by waiting you might gain more on the long run : ( . You can call those other CRSs and see what openings they have - you never know. Beside, you can make app. and ask them to call you if there are any cancelations in the meantime which is a great chance there will be - I personally canceled many times for various reasons.
Good luck !