I strain to go to the bathroom a lot, especially in the evening. The past week I’m finding I’m way sore around my chest area bc of straining to go. It even hurts to sneeze bc those muscles are so tight!
Any suggestions on how not to strain? I try and relax- bring my iPad and not think about pooping. Hard to NOT do though.
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Guess it’s a good ab workout tho- looking on the bright side!
What’s the consistency of your stool? Solid? Pudding? Liquid? Have you been evaluated for a stricture or prolapse?
It all depends on the day. Some days will be all liquid and others (most days) are all loose formed. I don’t think anything’s wrong like a stricture or prolapse, but I don’t have any other symptoms really.
This sounds crazy, but hum while you strain. It helps. 
It might be a stricture since you need to strain to go. I had to give myself enemas with my bidet in order to empty due to strictures.
I tried humming and it works mostly. I think it takes your mind off things. I don’t think it’s a structure. I think it’s more that cuff leftover from the rectum/UC.
My entire entire back/chest muscle hurts and it’s gotten a lot worse. I know it’s from straining to empty. My husband suggested Colase or a stool softener. Think that might help? It’s been all formed the last week which is great.
Yea or nah on the Colase?
Have you tried drinking more water? Drink a lot, then taper it back to a more reasonable amount when it starts to work if required. I find water makes a huge difference
My strictures were caused by the scar tissue the cuffitis was causing so it might be a stricture.
If you don't mind runny BMs, supplement your diet with grape juice once or twice a day. If I'm getting to the point where I'm having to work hard to evacuate, I'll down some and the next time things move through very easily.
I don't know where this fits in with your topic, but do you ever strain because you are trying to go when you don't need to? And this may sound weird, but when I was diagnosed maybe seven years ago, my doctor told me to have my bowel movements when I urinate. Now it seems like I cannot stop! As in, if I am urinating I will have a bowel movement. Is this a learned habit I can unlearn or what?
The humming worked bc it prevents me from concentrating on going. I usually go whenever I pee - just like MCH suggested. In the evening, when things kick in a little bit more, I tend to sit there for 5-10 min and let stuff work itself out. I don't try and push - it's more a visceral thing. Just happens. Super sore back muscle and my ribs hurt in the front bc of straining.
Some years after my pouch surgery I went to some trouble to train myself to urinate without defecating. I have found it to be quite useful. When my bladder is full it often falsely feels like my pouch is also full, but just urinating frequently clears up that confusion, and helps me find what I think is a more appropriate frequency for pouch emptying.
