I am so happy that I came across this forum and can share my issues/concerns with other people going through the same thing. I have had anal fissures now for about 5 years. The first time seemed to last forever to heal and over the past few years have had a few occurrences but not as bad as the first one. Now I have it again and can't seem to get it to heal :( The painful burning is what bothers me the most but find when I use ice that relieves it. Any other suggestions? I also have a skin tag that seems to inflame at the same time as my fissure. Thanks

different people finds different ways to relief. For me is the aloe vera, best when it's chilled. You may like to read up the thread "my success story". Do a search and you could find it.
If you have exhausted your conservative methods, you may want to go for LIS

thanks that sounds great never thought of that :) I will look for your success story. What exactly is LIS and is it painful?

Here is a link to information about having a LIS (Lateral internal sphincterotomy). I think it is less painful than the fissure , but I have not had LIS so don't hold me to that!!
http://anal-fissure.org/t1850-surgery-information-lis
Lateral internal sphincterotomy

LIS is where they cut the anal muscle to relieve the pressure and tightness that is preventing the fissure from healing.
If you have a skintag, then it is likely that your fissure is chronic, and would need medical intervention such as LIS or botox.
I had LIS - my only regret is not having it sooner!

do they also remove the skin tag? It's amazing how they misdiagnose fissures. I suffered for months going to the doctor not knowing what was wrong burning and everything until he send me to a surgeon and he diagnosed it and said a lot of people suffer from it.
By the way this forum is AWESOME. Just found it today and feeling so much better knowing I'm not alone :( The stressing over it also makes it worse.

Hey Quiggles,
Yes they can remove the skin tag. Actually Val and I both had one removed with our LIS. I think it basically boils down to your decision and the CRS's.
I was told I could leave mine but it could keep causing me problems so I had it removed with my LIS.

Ok how was the recovery?

From my experience is wasn't as bad as my skin tag was on it's bad days. Actually much better. It kind of feels like a tight feeling there, it's sore like a bruised feeling and gradually got better each week. It's really hard to describe, but it wasn't that bad. I did have the LIS too so it's hard for me to say which was causing the feelings I had. I can tell you it's all tolerable and worth it. I took vicodin the first two days and then just otc pain relievers if that gives you somewhat of an idea. Now don't get me wrong it's a bruised feeling and it takes a full six weeks to totally not feel that feeling but it's not like you have to be in bed 6 weeks. I went shopping all day at almost 3 weeks post-op and didn't have any problems.

thanks for the info Dawn I am going to go and see the doctor again and see what he recommends :)
I actually tried doing a cycling class at the gym yesterday and dont think that was such a good idea.