I was searching online today and saw someone said they had a "chronic" anal fissure because it lasted 6 weeks? Other people say 5 months, etc... I've dealt with it 12 years! For quite some time though it was very subtle and just felt like it was something I had and since it wasn't major and I had already been to the dr in 2001 and know that it's just a fissure, it just became normal to sort of feel it when going to the restroom but wasn't really painful, just noticeable. But it started getting pretty bad not long ago and I decided, before going to the dr, that I'd look up on WebMD some at home treatment so for the past 2 months I've done the sitz baths, sometimes with epsom salt, taking a probiotic to just keep my digestion good so I can go regularly (which that has worked a lot and also my stomach doesn't feel unsettled after every time I eat now!) but.... the last 3 days in particular when I go I end up crying because it feels like I'm being STABBED and there is so much blooood!!! I I'm going to the dr but they can't get me in until next week, 6 days from now!! :( I was glad to find this site though, it's not something I go talking about to anyone, just a couple people, but they haven't experienced it! p.s. don't you hate that term "butthurt" that people are using? When someone is overly emotional about something they say don't be so butthurt about it!! LOL that's not even funny because I do have a "butthurt!!" I want to tell them that but I don't!!