@pzzzzs posted:Thanks very much Lauren and Scott for taking the time to respond. You gave me several things to think about. I do take Loperamide every day on a regular basis and I sometimes use wipes, but I was told to be careful that the wipes don't contain any alcohol or chemicals. Scott, you're right about the description being associated with anal fissures. I don't know for sure if I have anal fissures or not. The doctors I've seen so far are reluctant to look inside because I'm so raw and irritated on the outside. and I haven't seen any blood yet. I assume that I'd see some blood if I had anal fissures. Is that correct? I never thought about the dilation possibly causing the anal fissures, but that makes a lot of sense. I'm going to try sitz baths. Do they work differently with a different effect than the bidet attachment? I guess the bidet attachment is only cleaning the outside, but what can get inside to the fissures if they exist? I'm confused about the gas also. It is both extremely painful and a great quantity. I don't drink any carbonated beverages and I stay away from gas-producing foods. I could be swallowing a lot of air. When I'm in severe pain (I call it "having an episode", I'm gasping and screaming (or at least moaning) a lot. I'm going to ask a doctor about the "SIBO" that you mentioned. Is there a test for that or should I just ask to be put on an antibiotic?
Your welcome, hope things get better 