Hi fellow posterior sufferers,
I've been dealing with my fissure for probably 6-7 months, and it's been quite a ride. I started by visiting my family practitioner, who prescribed steroid creams for a number of weeks, which did nothing. I finally convinced him to refer me to a gastroenterologist, who diagnosed my fissure and gave me a nitroglycerin cream to apply rectally. There has been some relief, but still, if I pass a stool that's even slightly hard, I suffer for hours.
I teach college, and I'm fixing up my house to sell it and move to Florida. I'm married and have a one year-old daughter...I don't have time for this!
I guess it feels good to vent. Any advice welcome!
(My handle is from an old joke: "Rectum? Dang near killed 'em!")

Hi Wreckedem,
I know how you feel. I have 4 kids under 7 and I also feel that I don't have time for this. There is just so much to do.I've been suffering for 5 months.
How long have you been using the nitro cream? Maybe you just need to give it more time. Since you pass hard stools sometimes , have you tried a stool softener or prune juice?
Hope things get better for you.

Welcome wreckedem!
This forum is a great resource for advice and support. In addition, it is a great place to just vent. Believe me - all of us here feel your pain! Although we are not doctors, we are here to help you in any way we can.
A couple of questions:
1. What are your symptoms? Pain during a bowel movement? Pain following a bowel movement? Blood?
2. What else are you doing, other than using the nitroglycerin? Taking stool softeners? Fiber supplements?
3. How long have you been using the nitroglycerin?
4. Have you considered surgery (Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy, or LIS for short)? If so, there are some GREAT threads on here from people who have had surgery. In particular, search for the posts by DAVO (go to the MEMBER LIST link at the top of this page, find DAVO and click on either POSTS or TOPICS). I would read ALL of his posts, from his very first one to his most recent one.
If you give us some more information, perhaps we can give you some specific recommendations based on our experience.
Probably the best piece of advice I can give you at this point is to go see a colorectal surgeon (CRS) as soon as possible, NOT a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist specializes in the study and management of diseases of the entire GI tract, whereas a CRS specializes in the management of colorectal issues ONLY (including fissures, of course). You want a colorectal specialist, in my opinion.