An embarrassing question...

[Spanglebangle]

I got piles after having my first and they got way worse after having my second.

Have you gone to the doctor about them? What did they do?

Have you had them fixed? What happened? Is it better.

I'm so itchy and in pain, please share your experiences.

They prescribe a cream (which I think you can probably also buy from the chemist), and it helps them repair.
Yes, it helps enormously.

Pop along to the chemist to get the cream. Invest in a hand held shower attachment if you haven’t got one already. The water is very soothing.

You need a steroid cream or pessaries from the chemist first of all. Have a chat to your pharmacist first, don't be embarrassed. If that doesn't do the trick, see your GP.

Anusol over the counter gives great relief. If you can bare to sit on something cold it helps reduce them.

Ice cubes 🧊

OTC creams are good - prescriptions ones are excellent.

Protocsedyl and Scheriproct are the steroid creams and suppositories you can get on prescription.

They’re magical.

Also if you are really in pain and sitting for long periods you could get a donut cushion. Don’t be embarrassed at the chemist - piles after childbirth is very common. I sent my DH to the pharmacy after my baby and he said to the lady at the counter “uh... my wife has had a baby... she’s having some pain in her bottom and the midwife suggested a cream....??”. The lady knew exactly what he meant even from that cryptic description!!!

Germoloid cream (OTC- I ordered off Amazon cos I was too embarrassed to buy it!) and a donut cushion off eBay. I’m one month pp and I still have them. Didn’t get them with any other pregnancy but did this time. They’re awful!

DH had an operation do get rid of his. It was pretty hardcore though. Would only recommend if you'd tried everything else and they were still causing you a lot of pain.

@tulippa

DH had an operation do get rid of his. It was pretty hardcore though. Would only recommend if you'd tried everything else and they were still causing you a lot of pain.

That made my bum cheeks go into an involuntary clench at the very thought!

It sounds most unpleasant.

It may not just be piles! When I had my first I had piles and fissures (little tiny tears in the passage). So painful. I was given some pessaries by the GP - stronger than OTC stuff.

With my second I was terrified of this happening again so was doing everything to minimise then reoccurring. Drank loads of water, ate a handful of prunes each day - water was the main thing to keep everything soft and less painful.

See your GP, it’s not worth suffering.

Yes, cream from the gp helps, it’s really common,
I needed to go to hospital as mine were so bad and they banded them there and then....god that was a shock and I left upset.
Try the cream first it will help

Hi OP, I've been suffering with them for many years (before pregnancy) and fissures too (which are SO painful, even to break wind - I used to have to bite on a towel when I went to the loo and the fear of pain made everything worse with constipation etc.). If I were you, you should see a GP - don't be alarmed if they check them - sounds horrific but take it from me, it's all good, just make sure you relax.
You'll be given a good steroid cream (none of the OTC ones worked for me) and pessaries - also some stool softener (if you think you need it).

You'll be grateful for the proper meds and should feel better within days - don't leave it, it'll get worse.
Don't be embarrassed either - remember you've given birth, so nothing should embarrass you after that .
Good luck, you'll be fine.

Had them for years and itching is the worst. I would say use wet loo wipes to make sure you are absolutely clean after "going". And make sure your diet is focussed on making sure you can go without effort. So lots and lots of water, lots of fibre (I am low carb but it is doable, do your research) and if it doesnt improve then see the doc. Mine are fucking annoying but not bad enough for surgery, which frankly I wouldnt want as it can be worse than the piles themselves I have been told.

I feel for you OP, I got them bad during pregnancy and after I had DS the midwife helpfully told me that mine were the biggest she’d ever seen. Second all of the advice to see the GP for some decent cream, mine prescribed me Scheriproct which is magic stuff.

Mine will mostly clear up and then flare up again maybe once or twice a year. Last summer they became awful and SO painful and I asked the GP about my options, she said there are things they can try short of surgery (which is apparently very painful and doesn’t even always 100% resolve them). In the end I didn’t pursue it as they cleared up again. It’s horrible when they’re bad though.

Even the prescription creams etc did nothing for me so I had surgery - horribly painful and they came back a few months later (though in fairness, nowhere near as bad, so maybe the surgery helped a bit). It's awful, I would definitely go to the doctor and get some help - it's nothing to be embarrassed about, it's extremely common and can be tackled.

Have you tried laxatives as a short term solution? Last time mine flared up a gp said this was the best option and it cleared them right up, not been a problem since!

Gp prescribed me Scheriproct (sp?) and it worked wonders

For me, they did nothing. At all. They're "normal" and I should ignore them. Four years later, same answer.

Following as I had them so bad after DC1 and I’m due again in 2 months and just know I’ll be suffering again! I was given Naproxen tablets after giving birth and they worked miracles in pain relief. I also used anusol cream and cold water from the shower head to try and soothe them.

Anyone who has had a fissure, this is the worst, I still have one and it looks absolutely horrendous! It’s not really painful anymore but I’m so embarrassed by how I look down there. Does anyone know if anything can be done to fix the skin tag that’s been left? Mine was quite big!

I've posted this before but always see a Dr and make sure it's really piles. Mine turned out to be Anal cancer tumours , I'm fine now after treatment but it could have been very different.

For me, they did nothing. At all. They're "normal" and I should ignore them. Four years later, same answer

Exactly the same here. OTC or even the prescribed stuff is fine but doesn't solve them or make them to away if you're having a flare up. I feel for you they are so irritating.

Definitely go get checked! As some have said, it may fissures as well. I had an anal fissure after my third for months! Honestly would rather go through childbirth again!!!

As well as the anusol and other creams/ suppositories mentioned, Tucks medicated pads (they have tea tree and witch hazel) are great for external piles and vaginal stitches!