I just can't seem to stay on my fiber diet. I could go on it for a week or two, but then something happens...I stay somewhere else for the weekend...I go out to eat for a birthday celebration...normal life occurances...and it throws me off.
If I get right back on it and only let it go a day or two at most, then usually the recovery isn't so bad, but this morning my bm was really bulky and big. It wasn't hard.... meaning it didn't feel like it was scraping anything, but then when I looked there was blood in the stool. So i'm sort of scared. :(
What I'm wondering from everyone is...well...i have a few things.
# 1. Does MOM or stool softeners work better for you? If MOM, are there any flavors that aren't quite so disgusting as the original flavor. I hate taking MOM because the taste is just awful....and I avoid taking it, even if it means consequences in the morning, so I am looking for a way to fix this...
# 2. Are there any (tasty!) foods that you depend on? Staples in your diet? I am particularly interested in fruits that you guys find to be very softening and hold a lot of moisture. (Pears?)
Any other advice for a very busy person on the go? How much water do you guys drink on a daily basis?
I've just about had it! I hate having to think about this every single day!

Kate

Kate,
I drink 8 glasses of water daily and wish I had started doing that when I was your age. You could try Miralax which is sold over the counter and tastes better (no taste) than MOM. Have you tried the MOM tabs? I know they used to exist because I had to take them as a kid! I think apples and blueberries are good to eat to help with constipation.
Good luck!
Cheryl

I would try MOM cherry flavor. Just a small sip before bedtime. That forgives a lot of diet mishaps.

I am finding that 1/2 a prune seems to help too.

I bought a stainless steel water bottle and try to get 3 liters in a day.

I know how frustrating it is.

Oh Kate, I am so sorry : (. Blood is definitely not good sign : (((. Now is critical time to prevent another big or hard poop for couple of weeks at least so you will not do further damage :(.
You know mine routine- metamucil 2 times a day and as a softener in emergency I take Colace one pill before the bed time. I used MOM before but my CRS told me last time that Colace is better - like
MOM is more of a stimulant and Colace more like just softener.
Try dried fruits - any of them is pure fiber just waiting to absorb water in the guts and make anything soft. Of course, water consumption is very important with any type of fiber - fiber can not work without it - period.
Try to mix some Fiber-sure in your water bottle - you can not see
it or taste it at all.My CRS has no colorectal problems but is using it in everything she drinks - including coffee !!!
When away from home and eating out always have a salad. I discovered that I can eat ANYTHING - including pizza if I firs eat salad or drink full glass of metamucil. Fresh fruits are great - for me apricots and peaches and plums and cherries work the best. Pears have a lot of those aleuronic "stones" and can possibly be scratchy - I guess.
Staple food - cooked oatmeal EVERY morning ( with goat milk and water ) and mixed in black cherry preserve to make it extra yummy. That way I know that at least one poop will be nice and uber soft.
Of all meats I found lamb to give me the softest poop , even better than fish or chicken.
Anything cooked is the best - so veggie stews or soups are ideal ,
beens are fantastic.
MOM also comes in cherry "aroma" and it MUCH better than regular !!!
All the best ! Hope you heal fast !!! You have to put your butt as a priority no matter where you are or what you are doing, busy or not - weddings or not : (((. It is just how it is - boring -I know ...

Thank you for all of the replies so far. I am just really feeling down about this. I know that it is something that is going to be with me for the rest of my life, and that thought just makes me really upset. This is something I am going to have to think about for the rest of my life. At every special occasion, at every meal, every day. Not that I am the only one of course...
I am sure you all relate to this frustration. It's just so damn hard to eat properly. Its going to get harder once I move in with my boyfriend. He eats junk! I am going to either have to start doing the shopping or shopping for my own foods. I already do a little bit of that.
I guess I'm just scared, but I also am beating myself up about it because its my own fault. I know what I have to do and all of that... but sometimes I just let it go and I figure "i'll make it up later" and sometimes i do, but other times I don't.
I'm also thinking that, maybe I need to start getting more fruits and veggies in. Almost all of my fiber comes from fiber sure or from whole wheat breads and cereals. Maybe that would help.
I can feel my fissure when I walk around or when I am sitting down at certain angles. This is also really scary, since I haven't felt this in awhile.
My mom suggested that I start taking magnesium. Apparently its supposed to soften your stools, and its also good for sleep, relaxation, and calcium absorption. I guess I could give it a whirl, but I have to be careful with the starting dosage or it could be a bad time.
I'm just feeling so low about it right now. I keep thinking "its not fair!" and "why me" and then theirs "none of my friends have to deal with this!" This is stuff that i just keep saying to myself, and I know I have to get over it and just accept my condition. I wish the condition was something I could be more open with my friends about, but... I don't think it would be received with sympathy and understanding.
*le sigh* I'm off to figure out what's for dinner...So far I've had 15 grams, I need ten more.

Kate

I know it is easy to beat yourself up and feel like things will never get better but they have! You aren't on here all the time so that is a good sign!!!

I know I give the same advice but I do have to recommened All Bran Buds. You can get 13 grams of fiber from 1/3 cup so you will be close to your quota in one meal. You can even get soy milk with fiber in it.

Magnesium is great. I take it every day. Maybe start with 400 mg and see if that helps. Really, you have so much to try and you know you can get better because you were better. I think you are doing better than you think! I would love to trade butts with you! :heartsign:

Kate,
Was it just some blood on the stool? Is that what has worried you so? Please just relax! It's gonna happen from time to time. I get blood on my stool on occasion. But do I let it worry me or allow it to be a life-centering event? Nope. I keep right on doing what I am doing.
Of course, if the pain returns, that's another matter, or if you have copious amounts of, or regular (daily), bleeding.
Regardless of your situation, eat healthy but enjoy some pizza, or a burger when you want it. Just keep reminding yourself why you eat healthy most of the time, and when you get older you'll be so much younger looking and fit than so many of your age-group. All those extra anti-oxidants over the years will do you a tremendous world of good!
Get your mind on your life and off that compromised tail!

hi kate,
as long as you are not in any pain, then the blood would seem typical here and there.
i remember prior to my worst fissure years, that i would have an run in with a bloody toilet bowl - sparingly - but nonetheless those days were scary too but everything returned to normal.
to be honest i haven't been drinking liters of water per day.....
i have been adequately drinking enough fluids and and also try to consume foods throughout the day that would be high in fluids themselves.
not that i have any yummy staples, but i do have my tofu, seaweeds, and whole grains as well as some yummy smoothies a la jamba juice but from a store called robek.
i don't do any MOM, stool softners, or any fiber supplements and i have been good definitely for the last year re: fissures.
just chalk it up to a hiccup and that this too will pass and that you will have these random blood appearances for the rest of your life.

Kate -
I am not completly familiar with your history - I think you may have had LIS??? If that is true, have you concidered a second LIS?
Also, have you ever been told you have hemmie? If it is just blood and not pain, it could be some bleeding hemmies. It is very common for fissure sufferers to have both of these unpleasent conditions.
For me, I have found a routine that has caused me no pain and blood for 3 months. I drink 64 ounces or more of water everyday. I am a busy girl with school, clinical rotations at the hospital, raising a one year old - but no matter what you will find me in tote with my HUGE water bottle. People always comment on how big it is - I might as well carry around a gallon of water. If I forget my water at home, I stop at the store and buy several bottles to bring with me to school. I eat raisin bran every morning with two heaping spoon fulls of ground flax seed. I eat a healthy lunch and dinner. With dinner I take 2 fiber chewable tablets, a prenatal multivitamin, and a vitamin C. The only time I take mom is if it is midmorning and I have not had my usual 6 am bowel movement yet. MOM works weird for me, it does not make me have to go like a laxative should, it works more like a stool softener for me.
Good luck with everything! We uunderstand you and are here for you!
Jen

Hi Kate. I had a blood surprise again today myself. I have been trying to keep upbeat as I believe that a positive attitude makes a big difference in dealing with the ups and downs that this condition presents with. The mind is a powerful thing and can help with the healing process.
Also remember that half of the world will deal with hemerroid/AF issues in thier lifetime and you are NOT alone. It may be unspoken but Im sure there are people around you hiding "thier problem" because they feel they are alone also. Just today I discovered a close friend of mine is dealing with the same issue and struggling with a surgery decision. It was only by chance I discovered this as neither of us openly discussed our "problem"
For me increasing my water intake has made a big difference in softening. I keep a bottle next to my bed and drink before my feet hit the floor and any time I might get up as well as before bed. Also, I increase my water intake anytime I drink dehydrating beverages (caffine/alcohol) to help avoid hard stools which aggravate and can produce the blood episodes that strike fear into our days.
I hope you are feeling better.