Okay so. THIS is a forum I thought I'd never have to join! First of all let me offer my sympathies to you all. I am possibly in the same boat. (Dammit.)
If you're interested, here's my story:
I'm a 24 year old female. I've never really been constipated before in my entire life. Diarrhea yes, but never constipated. Sometimes my stools would be a little hard and feel weird coming out but it's never a feeling I'd call pain- just discomfort. Now, about two weeks ago I was shocked when I saw some blood in the toilet. I knew it wasn't time for my period yet. And I had been so engrossed in whatever I was reading on my phone that I hadn't even paid attention to whether or not this BM had been uncomfortable, haha. I just figured it was "vaginal spotting" because it was just about ovulation time. Especially since the next day my poop contained less blood, and the next day none at all. I did start paying attention after that though. Things pretty much went back to normal. Well, until about 5 days ago. My stools got hard again. I chalked it up to not having been at work for a few days (cuz when I'm at work is the only time I really remember to properly hydrate). I decided not to worry about it. Cuz hey, no blood right? The next day, oddly enough, I had diarrhea. And then.... three and a half days of nothing. Well, practically nothing. A couple of those really hard pebble turds. Still no blood. I was super stressed because it was the weekend after Thanksgiving so I had to work double shifts three days in a row. I was drinking water like crazy, hoping that'd soften everything up so I could go. And it worked. But as the last piece came shooting out, I felt like my anus was being sliced open. I got up to look and sure enough the last piece had a smear of blood on it. But it looked fairly soft! The last piece, at least. It came out really fast too. Maybe one of the earlier pieces opened up the wound and I just didn't feel it immediately?
Well naturally I started crying and stressing even more. It doesn't help that my period starts in a few days!! Not only does that mean my emotions are out of control right now, it also means that in a few days if I see blood I won't necessarily know which hole it came out of!
I read that taking a warm bath helps so I did that. I felt no pain for the rest of the day. I guess it only happens while I'm pooping. I feel kinda gassy right now but I can't seem to go because I think the fear of pain is holding it back. I keep trying to relax but it doesn't work. It's psychological.
I don't have a primary care physician (haven't been to the dr in awhile) and I'm wondering... for something like an anal fissure/hemorrhoids should I go to a regular doctor first or go straight to a specialist? I know people recommend going to your regular doctor first but that's probably just because most people can get an appointment with their family dr sooner right? But I just don't wanna go to a new dr only to get referred to a specialist!
How do they diagnose it? Do they have to do any tests? I'm terrified of getting exams, let alone having someone poke around in there! Does the exam hurt??
What's the best stool softener? We have Senokot at home but I'm scared to try it. Does it really soften it or just make you go more often? Cuz I've actually been going fairly regularly with the exception of this weekend.
Also what are spasms? I don't think I'm having any spasms. Is that what I have to look forward to?
Btw I generally don't strain. I would describe it as waiting. Yes, I have historically had to sit on the toilet for about 5 minutes before going, but I never forced it. It just took awhile to get going.
Can they get infected? Are there any drugs that can help them heal? Or make them worse? (I've been taking a lot of Aleve and B vitamins lately for my carpal tunnel)
The only thing that gives me hope is... there hadn't been any blood for awhile, including the really hard stool previous to this one. So it was probably healing on its own but then the pressure from the three-day constipation reopened it.