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

@raspberrylipbalm I’m sure he isn’t embarrassed by what he does because he’s not the one getting naked and showing his bum hole to a stranger This might sound terrible, but it didn’t even occur to me if the medical team might be embarrassed, all I can really think about is how I feel about it all. And so far, I’m leaning towards no thank you

Are you referred on the nhs? If yes it doesn’t mean you will get that doctor on the letter. From my experience that’s the name of the doctor on the piles clinic. When I went I asked for a female to examine me as due to past sexual assault I felt awkward. They agreed and also arranged a full female team for my op. I actually didn’t mind having a me once I was under anaesthetic as logically I know that’s their job and if I am out I am out! But they kindly did it anyway. They gave me the impression the request was not that uncommon and they just scheduled the women preferring women medical teams on the same day.

So. My mum thought she had haemorrhoids but it turned out to be something much worse. The only reason she went to the gp was because I forced her - she was mortified at first.

I now have regular colonoscopies - not gonna lie, not great fun but OK? They've been done by men. Far rather that the leaving polyps there.

Put on your big girl pants then take them off and let the professional inspect your butt.

My mum was described as stage 3 / 4 when diagnosed. Luckily it turned out to be stage 3, and she's had 14 years. But a few more weeks and it would have been a much worse story - that was the view of her consultant.

You get yourself there, you bend over and you simply get on with it x

So interesting to see this.

The bleeding profusely could be a thrombosed haemorrhoid. Becomes strangulated basically.

I literally had two last week. Was petrified. Went to the doctor and they confirmed it was that and not to be worried.

I’m under 30 (not that it makes a difference) but I’ve been checked down there so many times now, I’m totally over it. I promise you’ll be fine.

I have mine banded 3 years ago. Worked a great until now.

Also had other checks to rule anything out.

But what tire describe sounds exactly like a thrombosed one. Like me!

My friends DH got Botox injected into his anus (?) to help this problem. Too early to say if successful or not but the issue he had was the scarring. Every time he had a hard stool the whole lot ripped open again.
He’s on a low dose laxative permanently as well.

I'll second @BestInterests post Op, I thought I had piles but it was actually anal cancer. I'm now clear and no signs of the cancer returning but without wanting to scare, please, please don't let embarrassment get in the way of getting to a Doctor

Try to remember that the clinic you will be seen at has nothing but people with this sort of presentation requiring the examination with proctoscope as described.

Please do go ahead with all that they suggest for your own health. Piles are caused by increased internal pressure in that rectal area, the commonest cause is of course constipation, but a turnout could also cause the development of piles. If the recommend a colonoscopy, try to go ahead with it- well worth it for the relief it would bring with all looking ok in there.
Best of luck

Tumor/ malignancy - not turnout! No idea where that came from

@TurkishDelight57 - I have had a colonoscopy - it wasn't for haemorrhoids - something different - & I am not a 50+ male.
I had a mild sedative , everything was done so nicely - all covered up so none of my bottom was on show so it wasn't embarrassing. & Actually I rather liked looking at my colon from the inside lovely shade of pink - I am sure Farrow and Ball could name a paint after it.

I think many of these procedures are worse in the anticipation than the event. And the doctors who do them are so well versed .

No to be serious I stayed awake all night worrying about the colonoscopy - & it was absolutely fine. The drinks you have to take - well - different matter but the procedure - I would if needs be have one again and not worry one iota - I suspect yours will not be as bad as you imagine.

I’ll add a bit more info.

I was checked internally to begin with. (Fingers)
Wasn’t painful. Just weird 😂
Doctor confirmed she could feel what felt like haemorrhoids. But to be sure I was referred (emergency) to the bowel clinic.

I was the youngest in there and petrified. Had another internal check (fingers) and surgeon said the same thing as doctor. But to be sure I would need a sigmoidoscopy to rule anything out.

I went ahead and had that done. And I’ll be honestly that was incredibly painful. I’ve had a colonoscopy in the past and was the same. It’s just not nice. It hurts. (Personal opinion massively though)

All was clear and I was recommended for banding. I was put to sleep and had them handed. I also had a shot of Botox (LOL)

I was definitely uncomfortable after the procedure. And would told they would fall out within 10 days. They did.
That was 3 years ago.

3 years ago none of mine were bleeding badly or prolapsed.

2 weeks ago I get 2 prolapsed and bad, bad bleeding. Like you describe. A period.
Went on for 3 days and finally went doctors who told me it was thrombosed.

I need laxatives and a high fiber diet moving forward. They said I need to avoid surgery.

I’m doing lots better now. Both have disappeared and the cream I was given has worked wonders.

[quote TurkishDelight57]@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[/quote]
The idea of it feels much much worse but the actual process is so much better. Lie down comfortably, cover yourself up, face the other way, close your eyes and just wait till it stops.

No having to watch them shine the light, check different angles, feel akward in stirrups, legs wide open etc

I have carried out these examinations countless times and there's actually very little to "see" it's practically all done by touch. There's much more "visual" in a smear although it's really not something that registers or you even notice.

Imagine going into your fridge for something that's in the exact same place all the time. You open the door, look but don't actually notice anything apart from what you're looking for, then close the door again. It's business as usual for doctors and nurses so please try not to worry or be embarrassed. 💐

This is all private not NHS, so it’ll be the consultant I’ve been referred to I’m afraid.

Apparently there just aren’t female
Ones in this area that the insurance will cover. Anyway.

If it’s just polyps or haemorrhoids and nothing cancer related, can’t I just leave them there? Sorry if it’s an ignorant question, but what’s the worst that’ll happen ?

For goodness sake OP, I hate to sound nasty, but stop being such a bloody wimp! It's people like you who actually DIE of cancer because they're too worried about allowing the people who do this for a living, to look at their private areas. I know you feel embarrassed, everyone does, but PLEASE don't put your health at risk by not going to get treatment. If you ever suspect ANY chance of cancer, then go get it checked out as fast as you can, as that way you have the best chance of a good outcome. I've heard time and again about people who haven't bothered to get things checked out because they didn't have any pain, only to find when they are finally forced to get it checked that it's too late. So again, please go and get it sorted NOW!

@TurkishDelight57

I went to GPs for exactly the same issue, lie on side, loads of gel, finger up bum.
Painless and the feeling you ve poo'd yourself is due to the amount of gel used.
Believe me, its far worse for them than us, they are at the out pipe end :(

You'll wonder what all the fuss was about, well i did.

fwiw have you tried a hi fibre diet ? mine were pretty bad but a few months of dried fruit/ veg and no processed meant the op i was down to have was cancelled.

@TurkishDelight57

This is all private not NHS, so it’ll be the consultant I’ve been referred to I’m afraid.

Apparently there just aren’t female
Ones in this area that the insurance will cover. Anyway.

If it’s just polyps or haemorrhoids and nothing cancer related, can’t I just leave them there? Sorry if it’s an ignorant question, but what’s the worst that’ll happen ?

@TurkishDelight57 You need to go. I’d actually say it is normal to be a bit worried. We are taught from a young age that certain body parts are private and we don’t show others. But this isn't just anyone - it’s a professional looking for an essential reason. Also tell them you are nervous, they will do what they can to put you at ease.

@Alexandra2001 So glad that your Op was cancelled

My diet is actually pretty good. High fibre, I don’t eat any processed food, I’m vegetarian so I get plenty of fibre.

@Bagadverts. I agree that’s it’s for a reason, but I still feel violated and just annoyed. I understand logically it’s necessary, but emotionally I can’t accept it.

I don’t find it ever helps to tell them I’m nervous. The response is usually just a practiced lecture about how it’ll be very quick and there will be “mild discomfort”, delivered like they’re talking to a five year old. And then they call in an annoyingly cheerful nurse as if that’s supposed to help- oh you’re embarrassed? Well don’t worry, we’ll just call in yet another person to stare at your bits. Never understood how increasing the audience is supposed to help.

Besides, I’m not just nervous, I’m actually really repulsed at the thought of a stranger touching me that intimately - and a man at that. I can’t exactly tell him that.

@Speakuptomakeyourselfheard I hear you! And I 100% agree. The cancer risk is the only reason I finally brought it up with my GP and why I’m dragging myself to do something that so obviously upsets me.

Like I said, if it was just about the pain and discomfort, I wouldn’t bother. I’d rather live with it than go through all those ridiculous tests and procedures. It’s only to rule out cancer that I’m going.

Chaperone is there for doctor’s protection as well as you(for example in case of allegations of assault). It is also the reason they look to see that the doctor is acting properly. You can refuse but the doctor can try to find a different colleague who will examine without one (but must go ahead if a delay would affect your health).

www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/intimate-examinations-and-chaperones/intimate-examinations-and-chaperones

I've had piles surgically removed, not the nicest of recoveries but manageable with lots of fibre. The appointments were alot less a thing than I thought they would be, literally on a bed knees to chest, someone else present while exam took place, literally took maybe a minute? That happened again by surgeon to Confirm what would happen/ what I was expecting. That was that.

Don’t be embarrassed: this is quite literally what your doctor has trained for (their chosen speciality) and that level of blood loss is worrying

On a bed knees to chest would mean he can see my lady bits too and that too from a rather odd angle. Lovely. Just lovely. I am so irrationally irritated that I have to do this.

If it was cancer, wouldn’t it show up on my blood work too? I’ve recently had a full blood profile done for some other medical procedures and that was all fine. Surely if it was cancer then something in the blood work would have indicated that too?

If it isn’t cancer then, I can handle it myself with anusol and fibre.

@Bagadverts I don’t care one way or another about the chaperone, if the doctor wants one for his protection that’s his business.

I just don’t understand why they present it as something that’s supposed to make a nervous or embarrassed patient feel better. Puzzles me as why increases the audience for something so hideously mortifying is supposed to put me at ease. I have no intention of refusing the nurse/chaperone etc. but they’re there entirely for the doctor’s benefit, not mine.

It's not nice but just do what 1,000's of us have done before and go and get it done!