I just wanted to come back because this forum really helped me get through my experience with AF, and I wanted to thank the person who runs this site, and add my two cents.
Last September, I got an anal fissure after a hard bowel movement. It was bloody and horribly painful. In fact I ended up in the ER 3 times that week because of the pain. I ended up on IV dilodid (sp?). Basically, synthetic morphine, a pretty strong drug. After that, I experience horrible constipation and had to manually remove my waste (not fun at all, really one of the worst experiences of my life).
I live in the US and didn't have insurance at the time. I tried changing my diet, using miralax, sitz baths, and even the nitroglycerin cream that the ER gave me. I have $8000 in medical bills from just that first week, so I couldn't go back to the doctor until I had insurance.(My doctors were very mad that I wouldn't go back in, but I wasn't about to ruin my life and finances when I thought there was a chance I would get better on my own).
Well, I didn't get any better, and finally got insurance in January. I went to a great gastro doctor, who specializes in AF, and she wanted me to have the 2 fissures I had cauterized right away. The next week I did.
The pain I experienced during recovery was almost as bad as that first week. The nitro cream, hot baths, and ibuprofen were my friend. I used ice packs to dull the pain too. It took about 2 weeks until they were healed (I went back to work 2 days later like my doctor said I could, but I shouldn't have- would recommend taking at least a week off work).
Went back to the doctor because I was still bleeding after bowel movements after those AF had healed. The doctor thought there might be more higher up in my rectum. I went in for a 2nd surgery, and she found 4 more fissures higher up and cauterized them too. Again, very painful for me.
A month or so later, I was still having irritation. I went back to the doctor, not bleeding anymore, and found out that the fissures and cauterization had left skin tags. I had 2 skin tags removed about a month ago. The pain wasn't even close to the other surgeries. I am all healed now!
I have been using Miralax now for quite a while. It helps cut the pain and gave me a chance to heal. I still use it if I am feeling like I might have some constipation so I just never have to worry about this again.
The surgeries were not fun, but I am SO VERY VERY GLAD that I had them. It wasn't easy, but I feel like my life is finally getting back to normal. I am healthy and happy and no longer in pain! I would recommend the cauterization to anyone if it can help! Good luck!