Bowel movement concern?

[softfang]

I don't have regular bowel movements. I'm not even sure how "regular" it should be. It's different for every person, I imagine. But either way, I think I have one about once a week or so. Last week, I had a minor anal prolapse incident when I pushed too hard and strained during constipation. It freaked me out, but I managed to fix it myself by carefully pushing it back in in the shower. Since then, I've been terrified of it happening again during my next movement. But recently, while I've been feeling like I need to go in that regard, it won't come out. I've been taking fiber pills everyday for a couple days now, and eating bananas (once every day or every other day if I can help it) to try and ease it along and soften things up. I've also been drinking a ton of water. I researched it and have also tried elevating my legs while I sit to help ease the process. It feels like it starts to come out slowly, but then it sort of gets pulled back in. I sometimes get a tiny bit of gas when I'm on the toilet, too. Another weird thing is, I give up after sitting there for several minutes (I don't strain, too afraid to try pushing much at all after the prolapse incident), then go back to sit where I was before. Minutes later, the 'urge' to go comes back, but then passes after a short few seconds, then comes back in waves. Oh, and I don't feel pain or anything during any of this. I don't want to get it checked out unless there's no other option... so can you help me?

[softfang]

Thanks for the information. I managed to pass it last night (luckily didn't strain too hard to cause another incident, but it was still constipation). So I'm going to try and do a cleansing for a day or two (drinking nothing but water and not eating solid foods). I heard that an occasional "cleanse" like this helps in some cases. I'm not going to starve myself or anything silly like that, though. I wouldn't be able to. I love food too much! But one or two days of 'fasting' might help regulate it at least a little and give my body a bit of a break, if I did my research correctly.

[mammo]

You should consider taking a stool softener like Miralax so you don't have to strain to have a bowel movement, and it will help you to be more regular.  Drinking the water is good but too much fiber is as bad as not enough and bananas can be constipating.  IBS can also make you feel like you need to "go" but you really don't and cause constipation as well.  It's awful because that's exactly how it makes you feel and so we keep running to the bathroom only to get no results.  IBS is easily controlled with medication.  I would see a Gastroenterologist about this and he will know what you need to do.  This is very common and they hear it everyday.  I hope this helps and take care.