Ugh. Internet might help in finding a specialist. Word of mouth----Anyone else in this group from Calgary? I have seen people post those kinds of topics on this group before-you might find someone in your area.
In the mean time, I would keep reading observations and musings from people in this group and go with suggestions you seem drawn to. If it's pharmaceuticals like antibiotics, then make an appointment with a non-specialist, family doctor-type and then just tell them what you want them to do after you have gotten help from this group. I have found most doctors are open to getting me whatever pharmaceuticals I need within reason.
Here are my best OTC dietary supplemental ideas (ease into these):
- Organic psyllium powder with water - follow directions for this.
- Electrolytes (love the saltstick lozenges
- L-Glutamine powder (helps rebuild intestinal tissue-takes a while to take effect)
- Probiotics (especially Visbiome)
- Zinc can also help with general healing, aloe too.
Topically (for the butt)
- Non-alcohol based plain witch hazel
- Handheld bidet (so you can control the water pressure depending on how you're feeling and aim where you need it)
- Fissure oil from "Forces of Nature" (https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...le?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
- Aloe gel fresh from a plant
Mechanical
- Try different seated positions while pooping so you don't have to push with your internal muscles.
- Wait and just mindfully allow the anal sphincter to relax.
- Massage your guts to help get everything out. I push in and down right below my belly button to trap what's in my pouch and then just hold the pressure until the fecal matter and gas move down and out out of me. Sometimes I have to use internal muscles a little right at the end, but this keeps the straining to a minimum. I do that a few times until the pouch is as empty as possible and then I don't have to visit the toilet as often.
If you're having a lot of pain right at the anal opening, and fresh, red blood, it could be a fissure or a really bad hemorrhoid. Sometimes that kind of pain is there all the time, just worse right after we go, and we get fearful of pooping because the pain is debilitating right after. For that, fresh aloe has been my best helper in healing along with the psyllium to make good soft poops that have a mucous-like external layer (doesn't make your guts and anus raw-actually coats and soothes) and the mechanical things I mentioned. I have even used the sunburn kind of aloe gel (go for organic if you have to do that) but that mixture stings somewhat: it's not best for that kind of tissue but will do in a pinch.
These things have worked for me and I didn't have to get them from the MD. It gets expensive but it's much better than being in pain.