Hey! I'm new here and could use some advice. :p
So for a few months I have been having these horrid bowel problems. I figured for quite awhile that it was a hemorrhoid, but according to my doctor, I have an anal fissure. I am getting at the point where things are starting to become become better because I am starting to get my stools to a more comfortable...size, and texture I guess.
Like I said, I have had this going on for about 3-4 months and started after I had a ton of constipation. (I had a horrible habit of not drinking enough water.) Since then I have started drinking much more water during the day, and I have been trying to get more fiber into my diet as well. Occasionally I will take a laxative in case my stools are getting too hard. One thing I find strange, is that usually diarrhea feels the best for me. It usually doesn't hurt at all to pass. (it hurts a bit right after the BM but it quickly fades away) And the funny thing is that sometimes I can have diarrhea and go only once or twice a day.
There are other kinds of stools that I do pass (although they do hurt a bit more) usually the kind that is small, and soft, or even somewhat mushy. (sorry if that was too much XD ) But basically what I have been wondering is if I have been doing some things wrong, or if I can just do some things better. Should I use stool softeners instead of laxatives? Is there a exact specific stool that I should try to have?
Another thing that I am wondering about, is how can I deal with the pain I have DURING a bowel movement? Because sometimes I will get the occasional painful stool, and usually with those I just grab a towel and yell into it and get it over with. But I think the WORST ones to deal with is when you have a painful one, you get by it, but later that day you have to go AGAIN. Those are extremely painful and I want to know how I can just deal with the pain.
What are some tips that you guys have? :)