Everyone with an anal fissure has suffered so much out of all proportion to the nature of this tiny cut. I thought I'd post a more hopeful message after some recent reflection on my condition.
When I first got a fissure a number of years ago, I despaired of not having options other than a sphincterotomy. While LIS is obviously an effective surgical treatment for many, the risks - however small - make it simply out of the question for many people, including myself. But there are now very new surgical options coming on line: - Fissurectomy with advancement flaps - Kenalog procedure - laser therapies Results look quite promising for each of these options, and hopefully in coming years they will become more available to everyone.
As for pain relief, I already posted here about my incredible experience with metronidazole suppositories (Flagyl), an antibiotic, but this novel treatment is not for infected fissures. No one has replied, so I do not know if others have tried this, but I very highly recommend it if you are in pain. It did not cure my chronic fissure, but it gave me my life back in terms of pain relief.
Of course, don't forget your Miralax/Movicol (macrogol) - which is so helpful.
Keep up hope - things will get better. It may take some time.