Hi everybody,
I shared that in my intro post - It seems I'm a weird one-constipation actually makes me feel better. The harder the stool,the less pain and bleeding I have after BM. I wanted to know if there is anyone out there who is noticing the same, since keeping the stool soft is one of the fundamentals of healing AF.
After Junie told me about acidic stool irritating the Hypertrophied papillae I decided to put about 1 tsp baking soda in the water for the sitz bath and I think it's been helping with the pain or I'm just having a good day
Anyway, just wanted to share, maybe it will help someone else too.

Hi Mimi -
You're right, constipation is usually something to be avoided. Maybe keeping the stool more formed, not necessarily harder, is what is helping you. I think either extreme can be damaging - too loose or too hard.
I hadn't thought about baking soda as helping with that acidic sting after BMs. It makes sense that it would help! Thanks for sharing.

My fissure never liked super soft/watery stools either. It doesn't hurt coming out but irritates the anal area afterward and makes it feel swollen. I can't say that I like hard stools any better (they're worse for me personally since they give me that cutting sensation) but formed stools that are still soft are definitely the holy grail in my book :)

I think you are right on that one, NG!