A year ago would not have guessed I would be here. Had pain the middle of Oct 2011 that quickly got very bad. Went to my GP who said I had 2 thrombosed hemorrhoids and within 5 minutes was cutting and saying "not much clot there". That is because they were not throm hemorrhoids. It was a large internal abscess that turned into a fistula over the next 3 weeks. Of course horrible pain and alot of tubes of stuff and antibiotics that did not work. Finally after stomping my feet I was referred to a specialist who did surgery. Finally someone who seems (so far from what I have read) to know what they are doing. It has been 5 days. OUCH.My main problem is trying to keep from getting constipated and control the pain. I believe I could be a rich woman if I could find that happy medium. I use raw psyllium and eat nothing but fiber. Veggies fruits and alot of water.Sometimes a BM is a breeze the the next I am constipated. No rhyme or reason. I do know I cannot do this without the pain meds. Any pointers. I am willing.My doctor said with a IBS history that stool softners (docusate sodium) may tear me up but as a last resort maybe. Any feed back would be helpful. Thanks

Hi Sterling,
We've had quite few people in here with IBS who take Miralax. It can be a challenge to figure out what works best. Some take fiber supplements along with the Miralax and some just eat fiber alone with the Miralax/ stool softener.
Docusate Sodium is a pretty mild stool softener and if you are suffering from constipation, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't cause any stomach tear up, but unfortunately I can't guarantee that... It really is trial and error and an individual thing with what will work best.

personally i don't think u shld eat too much fiber. Moderation is key, cause u only need some fiber to keep things going. Too much fiber with insufficient water can cause the stools to bullk up, harden and cause constipation.
Alternatively, u may try some prune juice and magnesium oxide, but to each it's own, u got to experiment how much is good for u

Well I am definitely tired of 8 glasses of water a day but it seems to work. I have also found that prunes are my friend.I also like them. I am going to research the non and soluble fiber. I am also going to try branching out to a few more foods. I hear what you say about too much fiber and I am looking at that to see if that could be a possibility . Thankyou for the feed back.

no prob sterlingbird, if u aren't sure of any foods, just ask or just skip them.
For me i have skipped quite a number of food while i was having the fissure for 5 months, i dropped 7kg (all bad fats) and now everyone envying my figure. hahaa
now after having almost healed my fissure for around 3 months, then i start to pick up other foods.
So bottom line is, take it easy!

OK so I am a recovering alkie, 2 major surgeries and had 3 kids.Never shed a tear for any of that. This brought me to my knees. Worked in mental health for a long time and never really got depression until my third week of sitting and sleeping in a bath tub, losing 30 pounds in one month and hours of sobbing in the tub for days. The first Doctor screwed up The second Doctor seemed to do good but absolutely no follow up. Every thing I have found has been online and most is trial or error. I have found a voice and like it. This is not going to kick my butt (pardon the pun). OK so the prune juice leaves me with alot of questions and I will be looking around for that. I have cut the pain meds as much as I can and keep my sanity. I will be able to use Ibuprofen after my appointment next week which will be a blessing. You people have made me grateful for the medical care I have and the ability to use my banked sick and vacation time not to mention a wonderful support from my husband. I am not going to be this lucky and squander it.Thank you for your suggestions and help. See ya around.