Hello, I'm happy to find this community, thank you!
I think I developed a AF with the birth of my baby 3 months ago. I made some poor dietary choices right after birth (lots of celebratory simple carbs) plus a natural tendency toward constipation led to some rough bowel movements. At first there was little bleeding and pain, but as the weeks went on the razor blade sensation got much worse. I didn't have many occasions when it was painful between BMs, but the BMs themselves were pretty awful. I knew I wasn't taking great care of myself with diet and drinking enough water (breastfeeding), and I have a bad coffee habit.
Eventually I couldn't ignore it anymore; I decided to apply myself to healing before seeing a doctor. I changed my diet and started a magnesium supplement (haven't ditched the coffee though). The BMs got a lot softer and less painful, and it had been 2-3 weeks since I last saw any bleeding.
Then I let my guard down and didn't stick to diet/water as diligently as I should have (election day stress eating!!). This was followed by a large BM with the old razor pain. On the tissue I saw blood again. It's discouraging, but I am resolved to go back to the routine that seems to work and not stray from that for a while.
It seems like healing is a fragile thing? Is it normal to go two steps forward, one step back? I hope I didn't completely sabotage any of the progress I had made. I really don't want to see a doctor unless it is absolutely necessary.