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AIBU?

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Original poster

To go to A&E with hemerroids

147 replies

bumproblems · 17/01/2023 17:18

I am 37 weeks pregnant and have hemerroids, I can't get a proper look I think there's 3 and they are swollen and angry and agonising. I can barely walk or sit. I phoned GP and got scheriproct ointment and suppositories which I'm using but I have never been in so much pain in my life and nothing is giving me relief. I've been lying in bed with ice on them for an hour just tried to stand up and it's still agony. I'm weeing a million times a day and night and when I sit on the toilet and then stand up they sort of contract every single time and it brings tears to my eyes how much it hurts. The gp never looked just prescribed over the phone. I'm worried something is wrong I've had piles before but this pain is something I've never experienced 😭😭😭

OP posts:
Jumbojade · 17/01/2023 22:40

Mars27 · 17/01/2023 17:44

you can only say you don't need to go to A&E for hemorrhoids if you never had them. Mine started to get seriously bad when I was pregnant and when I was breastfeeding all hell broke loose with 3 fissures on top of the hemorrhoids, it was absolute agony! I was offered an operation then but didn't want to stop breastfeeding. They eventually they got better when I stopped taking iron (which makes you very constipated) but I suffered on and off for years and finally had them operated on a year and a half ago, the relief was immense!

Yes, you should go, if they trombose it can be dangerous. I don't think they will do anything more invasive at A&E but you will get a direct referral for gastroenterology with a view to operate. I'd take an operation with both hands, it's been a relief for me.

Show quote history

Unfortunately an operation isn’t always a success. I had an OP and suffered 6 weeks of even worse pain (to the extent I passed out) after it. Not only that, I was left with luckily mild faecal incontinence and 2 years later haemorrhoids are back, despite following all advice. Adult Ds also had a haemorrhoidectomy, his have returned too! Both wish we hadn’t had the OPs.

Adrywhiteplease · 17/01/2023 22:43

You have my utmost sympathies. I had this at 27 weeks pregnant and it was absolutely the worst pain I have ever experienced. I couldn’t even breathe without hurting. My doc sent me to A&E ( im in Ireland though) and it was lanced. The relief was indescribable. It was numbed through injection and that wasn’t pleasant but I felt nothing when it was lanced. The hospital told me I was insane to wait so long and I should have come earlier. I don’t know if it’s worth ringing the A&E of your local hospital - might be worth a shot to see if they would deal with you as it’s truly horrible. As I say I’m not in the UK so I don’t know what protocol is but worth a phone call to check.

Menora · 17/01/2023 22:46

I had a thrombosed pile last year and ended up off work with it, crying in bed I couldn’t walk! The really strong numbing gel from the Gp did eventually work and the pain subsided. I had to go to the chemist to get it and honestly just cried the entire way and every step I took, people were giving me very funny looks. It will pass but it is truly awful. Mine still plays up but I am on it with ointment the slightest twinge

bakebeans · 17/01/2023 22:48

CohenTree · 17/01/2023 18:21

Don’t go to A&E, it’s not life threatening. I went to A&E recently as I had an ear plug stuck in my ear!
Go OP.

you had something stuck. That's a bit different!
no I wouldn't go with haemorrhoids. It's usually the gastro/surgical team that would band them as an outpatient. They wouldn't be cured any different than in a&e unless you have lost a lot of blood and in which case u need a blood transfusion.
a&e wouldn't be able to start the referral process, it would be the midwife or GP as this is tracked and there is a trail unlike if you go into a&e.

Throwncrumbs · 17/01/2023 22:55

Mars27 · 17/01/2023 18:19

No, not misleading.

She is 37 weeks pregnant, of course they wouldn't operate now,. However, she will give birth soon. She'd better starting the referral process now, better sooner than later.

Colorectal is part of Gastroenterology, which is the bigger umbrella dept. Like Audiology is considered part of Ear, Nose and Throat (I am deaf and I get to see the audiologist AND the ENT Consultant as both are part of the same bigger dept).

If she is really thrombosed it can put her in danger that close to birth. At A&E she can get a fast track referral to Gastro/Colorectal (whichever you prefer) for an operation as soon as she gives birth.

Like I said, unless you have suffered from really nasty hemorrhoids you can't possibly imagine how agonising it is. Everyone saying "Don't go to A&E", "Go to your GP" or "Put some cream and take paracetamol" have zero idea how intense is the pain. The anus is one the places in the human body with most nerve endings. The pain there is horrific.

Anyway, hope that helps.

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General surgeons deal with haemorrhoids. I’ve had a patient have a cardiac arrest after massive blood loss from ruptured haemorrhoids. Go to A&E

Cactusprick · 17/01/2023 22:58

bumproblems · 17/01/2023 21:12

This is really grim and I'm sorry but I have taken a photo which short of uploading on here I can only describe as two large hemerrhoids which look like a big fleshy lump, then next to it is a much much smaller pea sized lump that is tight, shiny and dark purple/blue. I think that's the one that is absolutely killing me. Does that sound Normal? I've looked at a million vile photos online but I can't find one that looks like it with the fleshy lumps and the tight smaller very dark purple ones. I'm worried it's something worse than a pile! I don't know anywhere I can upload a photo and get advice and I don't really want to email it to my GP as that isn't anonymous Blush

Yes it does sound like haemorrhoids. Exactly what mine were like a few weeks back. I’m also 37 weeks pregnant.
I understand your pain completely, one of mine was almost black it was so dark blue. Absolutely agonising.
My doctor prescribed scheriproct ointment and suppositories too and they did really really help me. Within 2 days. Try upping the dosage. It’s good stuff.
Ive had piles before and had the banding treatment but they do come back unfortunately, pregnant or not!

Nat6999 · 17/01/2023 22:59

Could you get some lidocaine cream from the pharmacy to try & numb the pain at least temporarily? What kind of delivery are you planning for? I think I would be begging for a C section.

Logicalreasoning · 17/01/2023 23:00

I had these when I was pregnant with dd, at about 34/35 weeks they then disappeared and returned with a vengeance after I had her, creams and painkillers I was told... 😫 they lasted about 5 weeks in the end 🤭

Orangepolentacake · 17/01/2023 23:01

is it me or there are 2 surgeons in this thread, one saying go and the other saying don’t go to a&e?

AlwaysAReason · 17/01/2023 23:10

In fairness, anybody can say they are a surgeon on the internet. No way to verify either of them.

SecretDoor · 17/01/2023 23:11

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/haemorrhoids/

OP @bumproblems please note the second to last paragraph of the NICE guidance.

I work in an Emergency Department. I have referred patients to the emergency surgical assessment unit with uncontrolled pain from thrombosed piles and some have been admitted for urgent surgical management or pain management.

user764329056 · 17/01/2023 23:15

Had the same OP one Christmas Day, it was incised in A & E, immediate relief

Yummymummy2020 · 17/01/2023 23:16

You poor thing. With the pain you are describing I would go.
I had them too in my last pregnancy. They were pretty bad but thankfully not as bad as yours, had they been though I would have gone as I think if you have severe pain you should always be seen. Have you a doughnut cushion you can bring in case you are left waiting on a chair just to try keep the pressure off?

QuestionableMouse · 17/01/2023 23:20

Endersduffduff · 17/01/2023 18:36

Genuine question - are there strong painkillers they can give in pregnancy?

Codiene.

Roundabout78 · 17/01/2023 23:21

QuestionableMouse · 17/01/2023 23:20

Codiene.

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Codeine can constipate you terribly-I would avoid if possible. Instilling elf is probably better.

GCSquirrel · 17/01/2023 23:30

I absolutely hate the comments on here of “is it an accident or is it an emergency?” You are not a doctor who has examined the OP. One day this advice could cause someone’s death.

WeeM · 17/01/2023 23:39

I’ve been there too with hellish piles during and after pregnancy. You have my sympathies! The best thing I found that worked (and suitable when breastfeeding) was Hemoclin which I got in Boots for about £16, it was almost instant relief although the application wasn’t so pleasant!
hope You get some relief soon.

Glitterybee · 17/01/2023 23:41

This happened me in late pregnancy 14 years ago and honestly I could cry thinking of the pain!

you’ll need some numbing gel to try and ease the pain and strong painkillers.

Northernsoul72 · 17/01/2023 23:41

SecretDoor · 17/01/2023 23:11

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/haemorrhoids/

OP @bumproblems please note the second to last paragraph of the NICE guidance.

I work in an Emergency Department. I have referred patients to the emergency surgical assessment unit with uncontrolled pain from thrombosed piles and some have been admitted for urgent surgical management or pain management.

I'd agree with this and that was my experience in the summer

KittytheHare · 17/01/2023 23:54

Orangepolentacake · 17/01/2023 23:01

is it me or there are 2 surgeons in this thread, one saying go and the other saying don’t go to a&e?

That's what I thought also!

Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin · 18/01/2023 00:28

If you go to a&e they will just send you round to maternity (they see a pregnant women and automatically will refer you to maternity) I’d ring your maternity unit, saves waiting in a&e for ages

goldennotyetoldie · 18/01/2023 08:09

Good morning @Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin just checking in to see how you are.

I hope your suffering has subsided and that you are getting the treatment you need.

Sending Flowers

In a couple of weeks you will be sitting (on a doughnut cushion!) flooded with post -birth hormones, a beautiful baby in your arms and all of this will be a distant (and horrible) memory.

Original poster
bumproblems · 18/01/2023 08:56

After a night of absolute agony and no sleep I text my midwife who has said one of the obstetricians on the ward will see me so I'm on my way in. I don't know what they can do but even just something stronger than paracetamol will be a start Sad

OP posts:
666roses · 18/01/2023 09:23

I hope you get some relief,

Plingston · 18/01/2023 09:33

You poor thing, I'm so glad you're going to be seen and really hope there's something they can give you. Even stronger painkillers would be useful.

I was in tears in bed with piles myself two nights ago, brought on by chemo. It's happened with every round so far but the pain of the most was recent one was unbearable - I almost felt in shock from it and they just kept bleeding. I put some frozen peas in a sandwich bag and wrapped them up in a cloth and applied them to the area. It didn't cure it but did provide a bit of relief. Certainly better than nothing. Mine seem to be easing off a bit now but I still can't sit or stand for very long.

Late pregnancy is bloody awful but you're nearly there now. Just this last bit to get through and you'll have your baby and this will all be a memory.