Stress will always linger around, and it does make it worse. Believe it or not, once i stopped worrying about BM i started having them daily
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I was rushed twice to the ER because of this, i know how uncomfortable it gets when ur full and need to go but you just can't. Mind you i just had a major hernia surgery so straining is a no no. I strained twice after the surgery, close call no damage done to the mesh or the incisions. But it did aggravate my AF beyond belief.
The pain was almost other worldly. When you feel you need to go, don't strain, Give it time, stool softeners work on softening the stools in the rectum as well. But it takes time to get there and usually the first one is the hardest (pun intended lol)
Oh and stay near your tub after the first one, most likely you will need a hot bath right after it, it should make the initial burning sensation go, you will be sore but hey, this is why we are all here to learn from our experiences and share our pains.
Enemas are good too, but leave that as a last resort, and if you don't know how to take them, seek some medical assistance, you can easily damage your AF with the nozzle. They are a relief, i had 2 last week and i hope i won't need them again they are usually safe but saline hurts a lot with an AF. At least it hurt me, i took the Fleet Enema.