Thank you all for these replies.
Missy moo... thanks so much for the link to that study. I had heard about it but not actually read it until now. It really makes me angry when most medical professionals so quickly encourage fiber for constipation and IBS...when so often supplemental fiber makes things worse. Fiber supplements are often referred to as Bulking Agents! That is the last thing a person with painful hard and large stools needs!
I have been finding that magnesium and Viramin C are helpful for softer stools. What's frustrating is that sometimes my stools get too loose now and then I back off the magnesium and C and...today for example...I had a really large painful BM that really hurt. I didn't bleed but I think it re-injured the fissures and stepped my healing back. I might just have to keep the mag/c no matter how weird/soft the bms get.
What have you found helps the stools stay soft as regularly as possible?
Thanks for all the tips!
Adam