Haemorrhoids help

weatherbell · 2024-02-01T08:29:11+00:00

I think I've had them for around 8 months. Finally pulled down my big girl pants and showed them to a doctor. She said stay away from creams as they thin the skin and instead just use epsom salts and change my position on the toilet. Essentially her advice is that I have to manage them as they are here to stay. If I want the area 'tidied up' I'd have to go private. Then she congratulated me on my haemorrhoids. It was all very funny but... Since I've stopped using the cream the pain has come back and they've swelled again. I'm not sure I have time for a 3 x daily sitz bath. Online I've read so many different opinions. They never go vs they clear up in a few weeks. I'm tempted to get another opinion... So... YABU yes haemorrhoids never completely go. They just kind of shrivel and then return so just live with the discomfort and 😳. YANBU get another opinion and try to get rid of them completely. No-one can live like this forever. [confused]

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 08:31

Get the cream back on, and buy some suppositories too. And find a new GP.

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 08:31

And no, I got mine in pregnancy and they’ve never gone completely. They get worse if I have loose stools and in the heat.

Hermittrismegistus · 01/02/2024 08:33

Use the cream!

myusernamewastakenbyme · 01/02/2024 08:36

I had piles a couple of weeks ago...i used Anusol suppositories....they gave almost instant relief...the creams did nothing for me.

Original poster

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 08:36

So is the idea just to use cream/suppositories when they are causing pain or itchy or swollen and then ignore the rest of the time?

OP posts:

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 08:37

Yes.

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 08:38

I believe removal is only done in extreme circumstances. I remember a woman died many years ago, after having piles injected when trying to shrink them.

Original poster

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 08:40

And so am I always going to have a lumpy bottom even when they aren't flaring up? It's like a horrendous skin tag.

OP posts:

Lifestooshort71 · 01/02/2024 08:41

Use suppositories when bad and try to relax with raised legs - walking and standing makes your bum drop out. When not bad, be constantly on edge, don't get constipated or too loose and slide them back in with greased finger when necessary. Had mine for 40 years and only caused real problems when I took codeine post-op - avoid anything that bungs you up!

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 08:41

How small does it go when you’re using cream? I have a permanent lump on my anus that is a pile, it gets bigger and more appear when I have a flare up.

NCforthisobvs · 01/02/2024 08:44

I had haemorrhoids removed. They were a nuisance but I could have lived with them, but being in my 20s, they were unsightly and so had surgery to get rid of them.

It was the most painful thing I have ever been through - and I have since had two children!

The surgery also left me incontinent. There is a risk that can happen but as all surgeries have risks, I dismissed it. But my internal sphincter muscle was damaged as a result and I now suffer from bowel incontinence. I complained about ugly looking haemorrhoids. Bowel incontinence is a thousand times worse!

So, think carefully if you’re thinking about pushing for surgery!

JamesPringle · 01/02/2024 08:46

I used the creams etc but the only thing that actually worked was witch hazel. You put some on a tissue and leave it between your cheeks for a good while. Makes a huge difference. You can get it in health food shops or online.

NCforthisobvs · 01/02/2024 08:46

NCforthisobvs · 01/02/2024 08:44

I had haemorrhoids removed. They were a nuisance but I could have lived with them, but being in my 20s, they were unsightly and so had surgery to get rid of them.

It was the most painful thing I have ever been through - and I have since had two children!

The surgery also left me incontinent. There is a risk that can happen but as all surgeries have risks, I dismissed it. But my internal sphincter muscle was damaged as a result and I now suffer from bowel incontinence. I complained about ugly looking haemorrhoids. Bowel incontinence is a thousand times worse!

So, think carefully if you’re thinking about pushing for surgery!

Just to add, I did the surgery privately with a renowned colorectal consultant and I was still left incontinent.

Original poster

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 08:48

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 08:41

How small does it go when you’re using cream? I have a permanent lump on my anus that is a pile, it gets bigger and more appear when I have a flare up.

It seems to go from my borrowing across my perineum. It isn't huge but I can feel it when walking. When I look in the mirror it is like a grey colour. Looks like a skin flap.

OP posts:

Original poster

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 08:48

NCforthisobvs · 01/02/2024 08:44

I had haemorrhoids removed. They were a nuisance but I could have lived with them, but being in my 20s, they were unsightly and so had surgery to get rid of them.

It was the most painful thing I have ever been through - and I have since had two children!

The surgery also left me incontinent. There is a risk that can happen but as all surgeries have risks, I dismissed it. But my internal sphincter muscle was damaged as a result and I now suffer from bowel incontinence. I complained about ugly looking haemorrhoids. Bowel incontinence is a thousand times worse!

So, think carefully if you’re thinking about pushing for surgery!

Oh gosh I'm so sorry. That sounds rough. Thanks for sharing your story and advice.

OP posts:

Original poster

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 08:49

Lifestooshort71 · 01/02/2024 08:41

Use suppositories when bad and try to relax with raised legs - walking and standing makes your bum drop out. When not bad, be constantly on edge, don't get constipated or too loose and slide them back in with greased finger when necessary. Had mine for 40 years and only caused real problems when I took codeine post-op - avoid anything that bungs you up!

That's good advice and good to know. Thank you.

OP posts:

Blarn · 01/02/2024 08:53

I have internal ones, or skin tags, I am not certain. I went to the gp a few years ago and she said they are just to be put up with. I always feel more uncomfortable with them when my period is due but recently the seem to be permanently bad. I have ordered some germaloids cream with my shopping - is it the right thing? I don't get constipated, that's the weird thing. They must have been created by pregnancy alone. Fun times.

Flossflower · 01/02/2024 09:00

I have had them since I gave birth to my first child over 30 years ago. I just have to put up with them. When they get bad I use suppositories - instant relief. My husband also has them and had them ‘banded’. The procedure carried a risk and they soon popped out again anyway.
The thing I hate most about them is that I am not always clean on my bum so I give it an extra wipe when I have a wee. Nothing much, just a smear but I would prefer to be completely clean. If I am going somewhere special I put in a suppository as this does keep me clean.

DustyLee123 · 01/02/2024 09:06

Blarn · 01/02/2024 08:53

I have internal ones, or skin tags, I am not certain. I went to the gp a few years ago and she said they are just to be put up with. I always feel more uncomfortable with them when my period is due but recently the seem to be permanently bad. I have ordered some germaloids cream with my shopping - is it the right thing? I don't get constipated, that's the weird thing. They must have been created by pregnancy alone. Fun times.

I use the Germaloids cream and suppositories.

delphi13 · 01/02/2024 09:07

I've had the op to remove...twice...because they come back. The op the first time wasn't too bad. Pulling me into a false sense of security for the second time which was for sure the worst pain ever and I'd rather be in labour for 2 weeks than go through that again. The pain post op is staggering every time you have to go for a poo for about a month. It would leave me shaking in pain and I needed painkillers pre poo and a bath post for each time I went. I don't know how bad piles would have to be for me to try that again but I'm thinking it would have to be the size of my head!! Especially as I now find that I wipe after a poo until the paper is clean and then have to wipe again after an hour as it seems a little more leaks out. Really not worth it!

MinervatheGreat · 01/02/2024 09:16

For cleanliness in the absence of a bidet, buy a small round plastic washing up bowl to fit within the inner rim of your toilet bowl with the seat up.

After a poo, fill bowl with warm water and sit over it to wash.

Warm water might bring an element of relief esp with some Epsom Salts added to the water.

NCforthisobvs · 01/02/2024 09:20

delphi13 · 01/02/2024 09:07

I've had the op to remove...twice...because they come back. The op the first time wasn't too bad. Pulling me into a false sense of security for the second time which was for sure the worst pain ever and I'd rather be in labour for 2 weeks than go through that again. The pain post op is staggering every time you have to go for a poo for about a month. It would leave me shaking in pain and I needed painkillers pre poo and a bath post for each time I went. I don't know how bad piles would have to be for me to try that again but I'm thinking it would have to be the size of my head!! Especially as I now find that I wipe after a poo until the paper is clean and then have to wipe again after an hour as it seems a little more leaks out. Really not worth it!

I know right! It is the most painful thing ever! I remember crying in pain in a warm bath so many times, and dreading having to use the loo!

The consultant said it would be “uncomfortable” and grimaced as he said that. Wish he was more clear!

Original poster

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 15:09

Thanks for the honesty everyone. Not feeling brilliant about my bottom's prospects right now but thanks for the insights!

OP posts:

Flossflower · 01/02/2024 15:31

weatherbell · 01/02/2024 15:09

Thanks for the honesty everyone. Not feeling brilliant about my bottom's prospects right now but thanks for the insights!

If it is of any consolation, this is something I have lived with for a very long time and I have completely got use to it.

GasPanic · 01/02/2024 15:32

Well I will add my 2c worth.

I think the key is diet. To eat stuff that basically doesn't wreck your bum when you go to the toilet.

Bread I find very bad for it. Eat loads of bread it bungs you up and basically wrecks your backside when you push it out.

You need to eat stuff that keeps you regular and makes it easy to go to the toilet all the time. And if you can't find that stuff you need to keep trying until you do. For me it is muesli. I eat a bowl of that for breakfast every day and I am fine.

I am pretty sure if I didn't and just ate white bread all the time the state of my backside would be horrendous.