to dread going to the doctor for my haemorrhoid problem?

[TurkishDelight57]

this post might be TMI

After two years of procrastinating, I’m finally going to a specialist for my little haemorrhoid problem. The bleeding has become alarming, and it’s scaring me now. I feel like I’ve put it off long enough. Can someone please tell me what the examination at the specialist involves? There aren’t any female specialists in my area so I’ve been referred to a male doctor. That does make it sightly more embarrassing for me, I won’t lie! What exactly does the whole visit involve? How painful/embarrassing is it? I might also need to have a rectal biopsy (which sounds terrifying), does anyone have first hand experience that they can share?

I’ve had the issue for over two years now- started when I became constipated due to some medications I was taking. There was blood every time I wiped (sorry, TMI), but I kept ignoring it thinking it was normal and would go away. Well- it hasn’t. The bleeding has just gotten worse, the pain isn’t unbearable by any means, but it’s worse than before. And there’s a constant itchiness/discomfort. I’ve tried OTC remedies and they did help, I’m very tempted to just carry on with those and avoid going to the doctor

I'm sorry, I can't answer your question, but there was a woman on Gransnet who had this problem during lockdown & had to show her Dr on an online video call.

I had a bowel issue that might have been piles (it wasn’t) that I went to the GP with (not a specialist). She did a physical examination by (in layman’s terms) having a look and inserting a finger into the “area” to check for lumps. A nurse was brought in when that part of the examination took place. It wasn’t painful (for me) and wasn’t actually that uncomfortable, although I’m pretty laid back about this stuff.

@cheapskatemum omg. I don’t have words. Imagine having to show it on a video call, it’s beyond awkward

Not that it’s any more pleasant in person, but still.

@TimeToMakeACupofTea

Hope you’ve recovered now

I think because my bleeding is rather excessive now (it’s like a period from my bum, sorry to be graphic) the GP referred me straight to the specialist. My bad for letting this go on for two years.

I am laid back about this stuff to an extent- I’m ok with Pap smears with my usual nurse or the occasional bikini wax with the nice lady I always go to. But I really dread more intimate examinations particularly with health care providers I don’t really know. I’ve recently had a spate of health issues that have required intimate exams by a number of doctors and (this won’t make sense to anyone perhaps), but I’m just starting to feel like there’s nothing private about my body anymore and it’s a free for all. I know that sounds silly, but maybe I’m just a bit fed up

Try to focus on the relief when the doc sorts it out. After many years of really very bad piles, I rarely have any problems.
They might need to use a finger or put something in to help them see. Ask for a chaperone. If she’s nice, she’ll hold your hand. It will be over in minutes, seconds, probably. They won’t be embarrassed, nor should you be.
About 6 months ago my partner had terrible piles and refused to go to the doc. I was buying him otc creams and suppositories that just didn’t help. In the end he had to go, they were making him so I’ll. The relief within just a few hours was enormous.
Be brave 💐

I had a similar issue (fissure and fistula) a few years ago; my surgeon was a man and he was lovely. He had to examine me twice outside of ops and both times a female nurse was called in. Not painful at all, just a finger tip sort of inserted. You change in private, are covered with a blanket and then change again in private so they really only look at the exact area. I honestly didn’t find it embarrassing at all.

Thank you all!

If you don’t mind my asking, how do they examine the area- as in what position? Is it knees to chest, or similar to the smear test or hands and knees?

My piles honestly aren’t that painful- uncomfortable, but not painful. I don’t find that they’re affecting the quality of my life in any way. It’s just alarming to see blood (and so much of it!) every time I go. I would have honestly carried on as I am, but I’ve been told any rectal bleeding should be checked for cancer just to be safe...

@Catmummyof2. Thank you, that really helps me to understand what to expect. However- a camera? How on earth does that even go in! Surely that must be painful Did everyone else have to have a biopsy too when they had rectal bleeding? I led to believe it was a standard to rule out anything nasty, but is it really?

Have they said they can fix it on the day? That's the ideal, if possible.

I had hemorrhoids treated by my dermatologist a couple of decades ago. Pretty much a non-event. My case was less serious than yours sounds though - itching but no significant bleeding, and not far inside, so all they did was a quick cautherization which took care of things. With the bleeding you're describing you'll probably need an actual proctologist, maybe even get a colonoscooy done as well?

If you are seeing a consultant at hospital in an outpatient setting then it will be as described above. If you’ve got piles that are big enough, they’ll offer you some banding there and then but if you’ve no one to drive you home again afterwards then you’ll have to go back for another appointment. Banding isnt always effective first time round so you might need another go at it anyway and if that doesn't work then it can be done under GA but the waiting time for that is huge. Biopsies will not be done in an outpatient setting.

It’s quite likely they will send you for either a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy to check for internal piles and that there isn’t anything else causing your bleeding. This is done separately from the outpatient appointment and you’ll need either some very strong laxative to clear you out prior or an enema done on the day. If biopsies need taking then this is where/when they’ll be done. You’ll be offered gas and air or sedation for the procedure and you’ll be told the outcome there and then (they’ll tell you if you’ve got piles/polyps) but you will need to wait for the biopsy results. Nothing will be done without your consent and you can withdraw consent at any time.

When one of my DDs had just turned 18 she had rectal bleeding. A GP did an internal examination and DD was mortified, then she had to have another examination with a camera which she was given sedation for but was aware of what was happening. It wasn’t pleasant but she got through it, the staff treating her were kind and DD made herself feel better by thinking that the staff had chosen to spend their days looking at bum holes .

My experience was the same as @TimeToMakeACupofTea but male doctor and female nurse present. Offered female dr but I wanted it sorted there and then. They've seen it all before and are considerate throughout given it is a bit
Dr thought was piles but referred to gastro to be sure. Turns out was IBD. Then had cameras done etc..I'm not phased by it now at all, I'm just glad I went when I did.
I know it's easier said than done but its worth putting your embarrassment aside for 5/10 minutes however hard it might be. It's similar to a smear as in quick enough and respectful if you've had one of those.
Good luck and I hope all is ok and its a minor ailment!

Can I also say I've never had a colonoscopy only a sigmoidoscopy* (spelling) which is a similar process except the camera isn't sent as far round the intestine. If my idb had of been worse at the time they probably would have then sent for me to have the full colonoscopy. I have been able to have this twice without anaesthetic but 2nd time did get given gas and air if needed. Option was there for anaesthesia though if wanted.

Just to echo the thoughts of Sockpile's DD. I have a close family member who works in this medical area, and I can confirm he loves what he does, is never embarrassed by discussing it, and finds it utterly fascinating. (Takes all sorts). So OP please don't worry too much, as your doctor has chosen to specialise in looking at patients' bottoms, does it every working day, and has very much already seen it all, so to speak. Good luck.

My sigmoidoscopy and pile treatment was one of the least painful procedures I have had (and I have had loads), honestly, everybody was so kind and respectful. The doctor encouraged me to watch the sigmoidoscopy on the screen...
I had an operation years ago for piles and it was grim, treatment now is so, so much better. I would go for it.

In terms of embarrassment having a bum check up is about 15 times nicer than a gynae one when you lay on your back legs akimbo trying to make small talk and avoiding eye contact with your doctor!

I had surgery on piles a few years ago.

I remember at the consultation the doctor put a rocket shaped torch up my bum, that’s my overriding memory. The consultation really wasn’t terrible, the doctor will have seen thousands of bumholes and it’s not really that awkward.

I had halo surgery which was good for about 2 years and solved the problem. But then the piles returned and now I just live with it and eat as much fibre as I can.

The colonoscopy was my least favourite part, I really didn’t enjoy the sensation of that and felt a bit traumatised afterwards. My advice is if they offer you sedation for that, take it.

@PigeonLittle I don’t know why I find the bum examination much more mortifying than the gyne one. It just seems like such a private area, I feel almost defiled at the thought of having strangers poke around there. Ugh.

If it wasn’t for the tiny risk of cancer/pre cancer, I wouldn’t bother and would just carry on.

I’ve had HPV before and it caused some changes in my cervix. Apparently there is a small chance of it causing anal cancer so I suppose it makes sense to be sure

I have had several ops for an anal fissure, all with male surgeons, and all absolutely lovely, even if some of the euphemisms made me giggle ("I'm just going to take a look at your tailpipe..").. I wouldn't say it was my favourite thing, but still better than gynae exams etc. The things that I found most helpful beforehand were taking some Andrex wet wipes with me so that I KNEW categorically that everything was squeaky clean and wearing new knickers (not that they saw them, but made me feel better). I also remember a nurse telling me that she would always much rather give someone an enema than have to deal with someone coughing up mucus.

So far I’ve read about the rocket shaped torch, the camera, colonoscopy, sigma scoot or whatever it is, I read enema somewhere- and none of those options are remotely appealing to me. If they can just reassure me it’s not cancer, that’s really all I want to know.

I don’t think I will go through all those mortifying procedures and treatments for something that isn’t even that painful (for me at least).

I just want reassurance that it isn’t cancerous and hopefully there is an quick and easy way to do that.

DH has - they do an examination and can see if it’s piles or anything else. He had to do a stool sample and all was well.
He got prescription meds and they cleared it up

What do they need to do a colonoscopy for usually? I thought they only did that to 50+ males Obviously I’m very uninformed. But whatever they do it for, unless it’s to diagnose cancer, my answer is a polite no