Hello all. Sadly, I found this forum the same way all of us have...out of desperation. I am so thankful for the person who started this years ago.
On March 20th, I got a fissure (thought it was a thrombosed hemorrhoid, but soon learned all about the world of AFs)!!!
I changed my diet, added Metamucil (had already been on Miralax), began drinking a ton of water, used nitroglycerin 3x a day, and had 3-4 sitz baths a day. My CRS said "congratulations, the fissure us healing itself". Then I got an abscess which burst on its own and a fistula occurred. The CRS said I had to have surgery to remove it.
So, on June 29th I had a fistulatomy and a fissurectomy (he decided to remove the fissure since I was having surgery anyway). Yesterday I had my post-op and he said it looked good (even tho' I have an open wound!!). I guess that's normal.
Has anyone else had this? How long did it take to fully heal? He told me the chance of recurrence is 5 percent, which is encouraging!!! Has anyone been fissure and fistula free for a long time? I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm at the end of this life-altering experience. My heart goes out to those in third world countries who don't have baths and doctors. I would love to contribute if anyone knows an organization that helps in this way.
I read this post often lately. For all you sufferers, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. This too shall pass (no pun intended!)