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Thats a very long post to expect people to read with no context on what its about...

Pipyeah777 wrote:Hi I have a fissure and it’s a lot better now. I mean I don’t feel the pain anymore. Just an itch sometimes. Does that mean it is going away? I’m not using any creams or any medicines or anything like that except for taking MiraLAX every day and eating a very gentle vegan gluten-free diet. Nothing processed all Whole Foods. I think that has definitely helped but I’m just wondering if no pain means that I am in some kind of healing process. Thanks

Having no pain issues would indicate that the fissure is healing or could be healed. I would stop taking MiraLAX every day. The overuse of laxatives can lead to electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Laxative abuse can also cause long-term and potentially permanent damage to the digestive system, including chronic constipation and damage to the nerves and muscles of the colon.

Pipyeah777 wrote:Not true. It’s not a laxative. It’s a stool softener. You can take miralax forever. So I probably will.

That's dangerous. You should not take either "forever." Apparently you don't believe me so I will say a little bit more.

Taking a stool softener for an extended period of time can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. An imbalance of electrolytes can lead to weakness, confusion, seizures, and irregular heart rhythms plus you could make your fissure worse as your sphincter will never have large bulky stools to pass and it will tighten up thus further preventing proper healing.

Miralax is an osmotic agent that draws water into your bowel from nearby tissues and help retain the water in your stool, making it softer. Taking too much of an osmotic agent can lead to the following side effects: diarrhea (really bad for fissures), cramping, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. In other words, it sounds like a ticking time bomb to me. Why not just have the natural daily fiber you already eat? I eat a lot of crap (from a vegan standpoint) and I wouldn't touch Miralax unless it was an emergency. Fortunately my BMs have been fairly normal for the last 18 months.

Both stool softeners and osmotic agents are considered types of laxatives.

Unless otherwise directed by a doctor, remember that laxatives are only intended for short-term use. You put yourself at risk of dangerous side effects both when you take too much of a laxative at once and also when you take them too frequently. Abusing laxatives can lead to serious problems with bowel motility as well as electrolyte imbalances.

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How long have you had a fissure problem?

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That was a little difficult to read. But I get the drift. I got a squatty potty at Aldi of all places and it was like $10. Everyone has different situations so we all go different routes. My issues have been IBS pain (from stress) but not IBS that causes constipation or diarrhea. My fissure started on a trip to Colorado in 2014 with bad food related BMs and even though I had many over the years none were chronic until this one. My job was really stressful back then so it seemed to make things worse. I also probably could've done more to promote healing. One thing I wish I had found was a proper sitz bath for my toilet. I would just go in the tub but that was annoying so I rarely did it. On the toilet it's so easy, I could do it all day.

As far as how to have to have soft normal bulky stools? The general advice is sound: decent amount of fiber and water. I average 5 BM a week and most are bulky, soft and clean when I wipe (yay!). I also have a bidet to help clean the area. It's no coincidence that once the fissure was gone, the tension and stress associated with just having a BM was gone, so the whole experience is back to normal as it was most of my life. And it's been 18 months this month since my LIS so things are definitely A-OK. Good luck.

Haha yeah I applaud you for attempting to read that. Wow I’m really sorry that you had to have that surgery… I guess with a chronic type you almost have to…. I’m glad you’re doing well now. The anxiety is real, but since I am now out of the woods I feel a sense of relief and calm and I can go to the bathroom and not stress about it anymore… Mine has finally healed over thankfully I was able to take care of it on my own without any medical intervention…… Hopefully this will never happen again. It’s been a learning experience for sure. I didn’t care for the sitz bath. I found them uncomfortable and didn’t help much. However a hot water bottle was a lot more relaxing because I could lay on my stomach watch the Golden girls with a hot water bottle on my ass lol fun times!

Wait a second. All you do with a sitz bath is put some warm water in a bowl made to fit on the toilet and sit in the water for 15 minutes. That's it. It couldn't be easier. Did you do more than that?

Hot water bottle - whoa!

Sounds like you are all set.