kyrehe wrote:I have IBS, so when I take stool softeners it usually just creates a day of severe diarrhea.

Hi,
QUick update first. Since my last full scale fissure I've been close a few times but nearly a year now since the last 'split' with the associated many weeks of severe pain.
Does anyone easily get constipated, especially if you suffer with IBS? More detailed - with IBS(or not), can you get constipated even just a day after a normal BM? Since having my last full scale fissure (around this time last year), I've felt close a split a few times, and maybe even partially split once, but so far so good(or as good as can be).
I think I've had occassional IBS for years (not diagnosed officially) where mostly I had loose motions. Recent years I seem to be going a bit more the other way(can easily get constipated)which could be I suppose as a result of the fissure issues as of course both are related.
An example, I had a normal BM on Friday morning. I'm quite frequent usually (at least once a day). I didn't go Saturday morning but Saturday evening I was suddenly dying for the loo but could I get it out? No. When trying (while slightly panicky as I was cramping and dying to go) a few small round lumps would be forced out but I didn't really seem that constipated. Finally I was able to clear the 'cork' and behind that was quite soft.
In the past I've even been like this even after going to the loo the evening before (so went loose one evening, then dying to go the next morning but couldn't get it out!!!) and have wondered how can I be constipated so quickly after a normal BM the evening before? I even eat a lot more of the healthy foods, in fact, I'm now kinda religious in eating at least 5 a day!
So just wondering if others especially those with IBS get this? Another theory I have is that maybe I'm not always that constipated but sometimes the inner muscles are just too tight and therefore have to force to clear what others might easily pass.

Hi, I found this online:
Anal fissures are a common complaint of IBS sufferers. IBS symptoms of constipation and diarrhea have been associated with the onset of anal fissures. The silver lining here is that anything you do to help your system to function more regularly should help to reduce your risk of a fissure.
The main recommendation for avoiding fissures is to keep the stool soft. Although this can be difficult to do when you suffer from repeated bouts of constipation and/or diarrhea, there are some things that you can try. Increasing your fiber intake and using bowel retraining to try to establish regular bowel habits are two strategies that can be helpful.
An additional self-care strategy for reducing your risk of anal fissures is that of taking regular sitz baths, particularly after experiencing a bowel movement.
I've had IBS for over 40 years and everything stated above is true. Finding balance is the hard part and controlling stress is even harder. Suzy

Hi Suzy,
I've had IBS for over 20 years and definitely agree keeping everything regular is such a challenge. What exactly is bowel retraining?
Thanks!

Hi, that means training yourself to have a BM at the same time daily and learning how not to ignore the urge to go. Ideally most people go in the morning or after a meal. I actually did this. I got up in the morning, had breakfast, then went to the bathroom whether I had to go or not but you can't sit more than 5 minutes. I never believed it would work but in about a week I was able to have a BM in the morning and sometimes again after dinner. It's worth a try.

This is exactly what happens to me.... and one of those plugs caused my fissure!
I have found I can completely illiminate this by eating vegetables and fish. Or small amounts of chicken. Add too much chicken and it starts to happen again. Have poatoes and salt to create the biggest, most dangerous plug of all!
Even drinking loads of water won't help. I have to be soooo careful!

Me too! Constipation caused this! I have IBS and used to have loose stool, but for some reason was getting very constipated. I keep stool soft with stool softener and diet(well trying)! I am going to see dietician tomorrow as I am still having problems!? I don't want to live on softeners forever!
Suzy, do you take stool softeners?

Exactly my problem, too! I usually have loose stools with my IBS but back in September had 3 days of constipation. I've never been constipated in my life until then. That episode caused the fissure for me. I hate IBS!! As if just having that isn't enough now we get to add a fissure to the mix!

Yes, it is so annoying! I can't help but wonder if I did stray from my diet and ate too much red meat and carbs. U was running a lot at the time, and was fuelling up.
Unfortunately I have 2 Fissures, cried when CRS told me, and have cried almost every day since with the pain!
I have Botox in 4 wks time. I just want my life back. Just eaten salmon steak with sweet potatoes wedges and veg.
So scared to eat anything too stodgy or hard. I am wasting away! Hell couldn't be As bad as this Fissure hell.

Yes, it is so annoying! I can't help but wonder if I did stray from my diet and ate too much red meat and carbs. U was running a lot at the time, and was fuelling up.
Unfortunately I have 2 Fissures, cried when CRS told me, and have cried almost every day since with the pain!
I have Botox in 4 wks time. I just want my life back. Just eaten salmon steak with sweet potatoes wedges and veg.
So scared to eat anything too stodgy or hard. I am wasting away! Hell couldn't be As bad as this Fissure hell.

ibs is usually related to candida.do you have a white coated tongue?