Constant straining

The first thing that comes to my mind is an anal stricture but I would think your doc would have caught that if you just had a check up although one could develop at any time. I had one and it caused me to strain and I would have a small amount of blood sometimes. The remedy for that is a finger dilation by your doctor.

any recent change in diet, meds or stress levels?

Only new thing tried is low acid OJ which I stopped. It does feel however like I have a sore spot just inside the opening.

oj is definitely on the no list and that could have aggravated the tissue causing you to tense up stress and then strain. it might take a while to calm down. i have a hemorrhoid that hurts before during and after a bm but im only 6 weeks out. i couldnt even imagine drinking even low acid oj. the citric acid alone would tear me up. even items with citric acid as a last ingredient.

Can you eat a raw apple, skin and all? This does it for me...one a day. Sometimes, I add a dose of Metamucil to a small glass of very cold water. That bulks up the b.m. so that it is easier to pass. Best wishes in finding a solution which works for you. It is typically a matter of trial and error!

This is sounding like a fissure developing. The fact that you have pain with bowel movements is telling, and fissures are also highlighted by spasms of the sphincters, which make BMs difficult. Since you are a year out from surgery, it is less likely that minor changes in your diet would cause a significant effect on your function, especially in this way.

Try some sitz baths, topical anesthetics, and bulking agents to add form and substance to your stools. If this is a fissure, it will likely get worse and then you will really KNOW, as the pain will become unbearable. Right now it may just be some more minor anal irritation.

Jan

Thanks everyone for the info.
Jan what type of anesthetic do you recommend?

Topical lidocaine or Preparation H type ointment.

Jan

Thanks Jan