Anal fissure: What helps it heal?

Thank you so much for this additional info! Sounds like you had nifedipine only and it was prepared by a compounding pharmacy (mixed to order) vs. pre-packaged and sold by a non-compounding pharmacy (Walgreens, CVS, etc.). Mine is also compounded with the two additional components (hydrocortisone 2.5%, lidocaine 5%). The concentration of nifedipine in mine is the same as yours (0.2%). It's so encouraging that you had success. I'll call my physician's office w/an update next week and perhaps that will result in some adjustments based on my symptoms. Take care and thank you again.

@ruth2019 your compound sounds good. You have the same concentration of Nifedipine and since that is the main ingredient it should work okay. The other two ingredients seem like they are to ease pain. The compound may be more effective if you applied it internally. I applied internally and externally, even though instructions were to apply internally.

Hello - I am new to this group and would like to ask if any of you have tried red light therapy (infrared) to assist with healing? If so, did you feel that it was helpful as part of an overall conservative protocol for healing a chronic fissure?

I also have a question about using Botox on a 1x basis to settle down the spasms and give the fissure a better chance of healing. I did see in previous posts that Botox has been tried by some, but if anyone has recent experience, it would helpful to collect your thoughts. Additionally, will you please comment as how the Botox was administered? I have read about varying approaches (e.g., superficial around the outside of the sphincter muscle with a local anesthetic vs. injections higher/deeper into the muscle under general sedation).

I have been fully checked out by both a GI specialist and colorectal surgeon. I do not have any underlying conditions...just the fissure and associated spasms. Just trying to assess my options should I need to go beyond conservative measures to clear this up. Thanks so much!

@ruth2019 your compound sounds good. You have the same concentration of Nifedipine and since that is the main ingredient it should work okay. The other two ingredients seem like they are to ease pain. The compound may be more effective if you applied it internally. I applied internally and externally, even though instructions were to apply internally.

Hi Mikaylar - thank you for your response. I am on a conservative treatment path that includes sitz baths, a compounded ointment, pelvic floor therapy, and so on. Hoping very much to heal it without a surgical intervention. I'm scheduled for a recheck in October. In my case, I was initially misdiagnosed and I think the time lapse is what slowed down my healing. I will add more time w/feet elevated based on your suggestion! Thank you again.

@cahabagirl yes, Nifedipine compounded ointment is what healed my fissure - cost me around $70 because my government health plan didn’t cover it, but it was worth the out of pocket cost! It took six weeks of application three times a day.

I too developed constipation after my colonoscopy and had to remedy that first. That was why it took so long for the fissure to heal.

When there is a tear or cut in the rectum there is a muscle called the sphincter muscle. Had I known this I would have been spared so much pain. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer and it works to relax that muscle. I’ve never used Botox but my doctor put me out…an absolute must and he administered steroid shots right into that muscle. But without that fissure being sewn up it takes a long time for it to heal. God bless. Diane.

I see it on Amazon. Is that the right thing? Thank you so much. We need to help each other and to stick together like we have honey all over!! God bless! Diane.

@ruth2019 the label just says “Nifedipine 0.2% ointment compound” so I don’t know if a compound means it is a combination of other drugs. It was made up in a compounding pharmacy. I applied it internally, using a finger cot three times a day plus after a bowel movement. The ointment came in a pump dispenser which I found very convenient.