I have been on and off .3% Nifedipine 3 times per day for about 4 months for anal fissure. It worked great for the first month and then I got a stomach virus and was back to square one. Started it again but then started getting bad sphincter cramps that would re-rip the fissure. Laid off it again and was back in agony. Figured maybe give it one last try...this time being more aggressive applying first thing in morning, after BM and THEN 3 times a day. No side effects and after three weeks feel great except for some small twinges,a slight sharp feeling, if I move a certain way or after a BM.
Questions...how do I know when to stop taking the Nifedipine? If I feel no pain, not even the slight sharp feeling, should I still stay on it for a period of time after that? I'm athletic and want to get back to cycling and running but don't want to re-rip. Also, how long can one safely take Nifedipine? I have no side effects except maybe some light headedness occasionally.
Doc says if this doesn't work next step is botox, which from what I hear isn't much better than the Nifedipine or LIS (he said good luck in trying to get a CRS to perform that today--most don't want to do it because of the incontinence issue and fear of being sued for it. I just want this over with so I can be active again! Can anyone chime in with their nifedipine experiences and answer the questions? Thank you in advance. Rich