I have only been suffering extreme pain during bowel movements since last Thursday, and since then I have drastically changed my diet and water intake and managed to get myself on a regular schedule of only having a bowel movement in the morning when I wake up. It's still extremely painful.
My doctor gave me lidocaine and nifedipine that I have been using since yesterday. I can't get in to see the surgeon until Oct. 24th. Am I going to be in this much pain indefinitely? :(
It's unbearable. Throughout the day it does not hurt much, just a little sore, and a few stings here and there depending on how I move, but just the thought of knowing what is coming each and every morning. After reading a lot of posts on this board I am just feeling more and more hopeless. I have read some good positive ones, but that is usually after surgery right? I can't imagine being in this much pain every day for another month or however long it takes me to be scheduled for a surgery. Will it go away or at least ease up on its own some?

Hi again,
We are not doctors on here, and questions as to whether the pain will ease up on its own are difficult to answer. Your fissure sounds very new and as such is more likely to be healed by Nifedipine (which relaxes the muscle and allows blood to get to the area) than someone who has left their fissure until the chronic stage. There is a lot of information on here about diet, water, fiber and not getting constipated.
Just a thought. Some of us on here have been in pain for years, not days, so we know exactly how you are feeling. If you feel you are in too much pain, try taking ibuprofen which is anti-inflammatory.
By the way, just to help you, it is easier to stay on one post as it can get confusing when you write in different places. Pain can make us do that, but for your own benefit you will find it easier to have just the one thread.
Keep using the Nifedipine regularly and the Lidocaine. Might just do it for you! Also, a Sitz bath has been a wonderful thing for many of us.

Apologize for the multiple posts. Thanks for your response though.
I do take ibuprofen. I am also barely eating. Just enough to calm hunger pains really because I am so terrified of the next bm. They are soft so far, but still painful.
I know that a lot of people here have been in pain for years. That is what is scaring me the most I think.
Thanks again for the kind response. :-)

Make your stools as soft as possible w/o being runny. Try taking some Miralax to get them softened up to help make BM's more comfortable. One of the keys to healing a fissure is getting your BM's soft and regular. Good luck and don't despair!

Also, many, many people have left this board over the years because they healed and no longer need to be here!!

thank you Cherylk, i appreciate it.
I am just so stressed about it all, it's incredible. I think I will feel better once I get to talk to the surgeon too, but this board definitely helps (For the most part, except for some of the horror stories. I should really stop reading those...)

There is a very big emotional component with having an AF. But it can be a vicious circle--stress makes it worse, and being/feeling worse causes more stress. You might think about getting on an A/D to help calm your nerves if your GP will prescribe one for you! In the meantime, you also might try the squatting position which many people have found helpful in that it provides less stress on the rectal area. Try to think good thoughts (if possible) when having a BM. And also try searching for the many success stories which are listed on the board. Good luck!

I completely understand how panicked you feel. The thought of having to put up with intolerable pain is unbearable. It's still early days for you though and there is a lot of hope that you can get through this in minimum time. Try to stay positive. Keep your stools soft, drink plenty, take some painkillers just before a bm to lessen the blow.
Just remind yourself that just because some on here have had a real tough time, that doesn't mean you will. We are all different.
Take care

Soft stools is the key to decreased pain!!
It takes some time to get to the point when it stops hurting, but keep at it.
Besides everything mentioned, try also sitting on a warm heat bag/ bean bag. It can help ease the pain.
Although my fissure has not healed over the past 9 months, (and I have to wait 1 yr to see a surgeon), I can say that as long as I keep my poops soft I don't have any pain shitting or otherwise. The key for me is Miralax, if I don't have that-- well, yikes.