It breaks my heart to hear of the many re-tears here...
I recently saw a post here stating that we should set certain routines and or journals of our AF progress and that this will help us in the long run. I could not agree more as I got to know my arse over the years on a one-on-one basis. I almost want to say we became buddies minus of course his "friends".
Anyway, with me being dirt poor and no Dr. to go to I had to really know whats going on down there. Thats when I decided I had to see for myself what the hell an AF looks like. Kinda awkward but a mirror between the legs worked for me. I was lucky that most of my AFs were right there near the end of the anus.
Also perhaps I am fortunate to have a few foods that act as my miralax, if you will. Milk of mag-guernsey (aka cows milk), mixed pure fruit juices are a couple of things I can always count on to keep me nice and soft. I only wish more of us can find our natuaral lax's.
Also in the shower every day I can tell the status of my AF or anus with a quick finger probe. Whenever I was on the verge of getting another AF I would always feel a little irritation as if the skin was weakening and thinning. That allowed me to take positive measures to avert re-tears or new tears.
Those first several years of battling AFs I was not aware of the benefits of vaseline, proper diet, exercise and baths to alleviate symptoms. Thankfully my skin tags never were too large and also I did not suffer from other ailments like IBS, Crohns or the like.
Looking back, I think I could have done what it took me 20 years to do, in only a few (if that!!) if I knew what I know now and if I had the discipline to avoid the foods that offended me.
I just wonder what % of us here, can become %100 again like me, without surgery. So please, stay the course people, keep up a good fight. I am in no way free from ever getting another fissure as I well remember a post here of a person who after 14 years had another AF. But I do feel right now that If I keep this same routine up, that I may very well avoid anymore of those dreaded "piranhas".
Please do find a routine of your liking, please try and find what makes you constipated vs regular and I believe that you too can one day soon become fissure free. Accent the positive and eliminate the negative and please don't mess with Mr. in-between.
(ok I digressed a little bit)
P.S. sticktoitiveness
HTH and GL