Hello PamlynOh yes i strain persistently on the toilet even though my BM's are soft all the time.I get the pain in the areas that you mention.Have tried all sorts of medicines to no avail,but remember everyone is different and what does not work for one may work well for someone else.At the moment i am taking 20mg Amitriptyline at night for pain and Fybogel in the morning to see if it helps me to pass stools any easier,have you tried anything to help the pain?