toilet handle VERY difficult to depress

[helpless]

Emptied the tank and reajusted the plunger and washer type item.........seems to create a vacuum...had used a fairly potent bowl cleaner previously...wonder if it may have detroyed the surface of the rubber somewhat?

(Feels like it will break the handle to force it down.)
Any help appreciated!(:
Feeling........."helpless"
It's a Mansfield.....about 6yrs old.

[DIY Guy]

If I understand, the flapper at the bottom of the tank is sealing too tightly and that makes the flush handle difficult to push.

If so, try just pulling the chain (or whatever) that connects to the flapper and see whether that seems to be too hard to pull. If so, try replacing the flapper.

if it pulls up easily, then the handle shaft through the tank may have become damaged and thus it should be replaced.

If that all seems fine. Take off the tank lid and then flush the toilet as normal. Let go of the handle and watch how long the flapper stays up. If it lefts most of the water drain out before resealing, that is fine. However, if it closes quickly after flushing, then you may need less length on the chain that connects to it or you might need a new flapper.

Let us know how this turns out.