Recovering from a haemorrhoidectomy . . . warning: TMI alert . . .

[Puffykins]

Has anybody ever had a heamorrhoidectomy, and if so, please can you tell me how long recovery took? I'm on day 12 now, and am still in considerable pain - I can't walk anywhere except the bathroom for the endless baths I take, can barely sit up unless I'm on my special donut cushion and even then only last up to 45 minutes. I have two young children, and I just feel that this is so unfair on them. And I'm getting kind of depressed about my lack of progress. I need someone to give me hope. Please?!
(P.S. If anyone is considering having one: strongly consider it. I've never experienced anything more painful than the first 4 days post op, EVER. I would gladly have given birth every day rather than going through the pain I was subject to.)

@OMGimscared 😂 I know what you’re saying I’m used to talking about my botty as I was diagnosed with distal colitis ten years ago and my consultant is well simply gorgeous 🤦‍♀️ But we always make a huge point of making a joke and laughing about something. After three children, hysterectomy, enosdcopys, colonoscopies it doesn’t embarrass me anymore. I’m just like here you go just look 😂 and the conversations I’ve had to have with my gastro consultant, how many times you go, consistency etc etc, why do I have to discuss this with such a gorgeous guy 😂 but honestly we just laugh and laugh. I think when you live with this you have to laugh otherwise you’d cry all the time. But I know how hard it is to overcome that because at first it was embarrassing but you just have to think they’ve heard it all before and seen it all before.
I lay in bed watching the tv on a towel in case of any little leakage and let the air get to it.

@Dizzyali77 and @OMGimscared - how are you both doing today? Yesterday was probably my best day, but last night I started with this indescribable itch that I simply couldn't scratch that kept me up most of the night so I'm feeling tired today. I've remember the itch from last time, but it wasn't as bad as this. I've been told it's a natural part of the healing process, but OMG, it's driving me insane! Have you experienced this dizzyali77? I rang the hospital and they spoke to my consultant who's recommended Daktacort, so I'm going to try that.
BMs are easier today, but the burn afterwards is back and I'm not sure why. I did have a different soup for lunch yesterday which was much more peppery, so wonder if that could be having an affect? Who knows? It's so tricky trying to get it right and avoid anything that might irritate. Soaking in the bath to try and relieve everything a bit. The positive is, that I know once my bowels are fully empty, that I feel like human. However, they still seem a bit sluggish from the GA, so I have a couple of full movements, followed by 3-4 small ones. It would be lovely to get it out all in one go! Probably sharing far too much, but if anyone understands, it will be the people on here.
Hope you're both having good days 😊

Hey @Disneylover1, pretty much the same as yesterday. Funnily enough I’ve got the burn today to aswell as the blood with bm, I can hear it dripping into loo. It does go after a few hours but it just feel like it’s a bit raw up there if you get my meaning.
Wish I could do it all in one go but I’ve not done that in years which they say is normal for me due to my other problems. It’s so hard to know if it’s healihg in there as can’t see up ya own bum. 😂 which is why I’ll shall be glad to see surgeon on Monday to know what’s going on in there, think mine is being very slow in healing. I think this recovery is very frustrating to say the least. By it’s good to talk to people who understand. And yes I’ve been itchy at times to and trying to ignore it, easier said than done, let it air seems to ease that a bit and gp gave me dermol 500 to put in my Sitz Bath and think that’s helped a bit. Fingers crossed we all heal soon x

@Dizzyali77 - it really does feel like 1 step forward, 2 steps back doesn't it? Yesterday I thought it was the start of a little bit of progress and I'd keep going forward. I've got very little bleeding, but the burn is horrible! I did have a lot of bleeding a few days ago though when it was just dripping before the BM had even started. I know you'll be pleased when you've seen the consultant, but I honestly don't think I could bear being looked at internally at the moment. I hope it's not too bad for you.
I haven't got a sitz bath as I find sitting in that position puts pressure on things. The main one I had removed is next to the perineum and I find it drags and causes pressure there which spreads to my vagiba making me feel like I'm having a really heavy period. Have you ever had that downward dragging feeling? It was worst after birth for me, but that's what it feel like, albeit on a milder level as the post birth drag was really bad for me.
Going for a wee is still a bit troublesome too. I find that I sometimes need to actively focus and try to relax the right muscles to get the flow starting. It's only when I'm still going through the process of getting all the BMs out. Once I'm empty, it passes freely, but while there's still some there, it's tricky. I guess there's still a fair bit of internal swelling and inflammation that needs to go down though.
I hope OMGimscared I'd doing okay as she's only a few days on so at the start of this hellish journey. I'm so grateful for others to talk to though and pleased I found you both 😊

@Disneylover1
Ughhh that heavy dragging feeling is the pits, I feel for you coping with that. One reason I’m glad I don’t have periods anymore. I think worst part was the contractions after giving birth whilst uterus shrank I didn’t like that part.
I’m finding the Sitz Bath quite soothing and really helped with pain but I don’t sit on there for 15 mins like some suggest, five mins is enough for me. My bladder is still playing up to and it does feel still kinda swollen up and inside but as you say it’s easier when you’re empty. I only had my hysterectomy eight months ago so still healing from that also. Yeah it is one step forward and two back that’s for sure. I think my hubby will be glad when I’m all healed and my happy bubbly self again, I think the healing time is really underestimated by the drs and the leaflets they give you.
OMGimscared I hope you’re doing ok?
I’m glad I’ve found you to talk to as it does help as I don’t know eBaying else who’s had this op so I’m grateful for having the chance to chat to you. X

@Dizzyali77 - yes it's very isolating. Only others really know and understand what you're going through and as lovely as friends, husband's etc are, it's just not the same. It's also helpful to gauge where you're at compared to others too. We both seem at a similar stage, although you are bleeding more than I am, but you had more removed. I feel for you having 2 major surgeries within 12 months though - you've really been through the ringer. I'm sure it will all be worth it though, for all of us going through this bottom torture!
It's good to know that you're the same with having a wee - makes me worry less. I wonder what's brought the burn back for both of us though? Did you eat anything different yesterday? Are you taking fybogel too? I do wonder if the acetic acid and orange flavouring could be a problem. Logically, it says that BMs will be more acid, but I really don't know. There is a natural version, bit even that has acetic acid in too I bet it tastes disgusting too. The movicol is bad enough.
I know you have numerous BMs because of your gastro issues, but do you have any troubles telling if you're fully empty after a BM? I sometimes feel there's a bit left, but think it could also be due to the swelling and over sensitive nerves. I have found occasionally that I've felt the urge to go and a tiny 5p sized bit comes out, and that's it. However, the relief is immense. I think those little bits sitting internally on the wounds must really aggravate and cause pain. I understand some of the pain of nappy rash now as I didn't realise the poo burns before going through this, thanks to all the stomach acids etc in it. The things you learn and discuss when you have bottom/gastro issues
What else are you doing to pass the time and try to distract yourself? We don't have a TV in our bedroom, so I'm on here, another holiday planning forum, and have downloaded a load of games to my phone too. I love reading and thought I would read more so loaded my kindle up, but I'm only doing that at night when I go to sleep. I feel I need something more active than that during the day. If I feel good in the afternoon/evening, then I go downstairs to lay on the sofa and watch a bit of TV. It needs to be something mindless and easy though. I watched an episode of Criminal Minds the other night and it really upset and disturbed me! I think I'm a bit sensitive to seeing others in pain, even if it is just make believe. I've got a load of MasterChefs recorded too, bit that would be torture seeing all that delicious food and then looking at my apple and soup! Oh, I can't wait to eat normally again, but not even going to attempt it until everything is healed.
Sorry, I do tend to ramble on - it's distracting

@Disneylover1 yes I have the same feeling have I finished, like you say hard to say if finished or not but I used I get that with the hemmies also. To me it feel like one side is burning and sore more than the other. I’m not taking lactulose or fibogel as both make me go to many times, my bowel is so sensitive and to much fibre and I’m on the loo constantly. I also have coeliac disease so gluten free diet for life. I’ve been back to normality just a week after as three kids to run around after and hubby came down with man flu. Well as soon as I woke up from op he told me he had a migraine and was next to useless so I’ve had to just get on with it. Which is why I think I didn’t ask as many questions as would of after op because he wasn’t feeling very well and I was dopey. Men hey!
I find that when I’ve come to end of BM I always do a little more pee which would of think that’s due to swelling. All my surgeon told me was he removed four hemmies three big internal and one external, follow up in five weeks bye. And being a bit out of it forgot to ask any questions.
I’ve been reading, watching stuff on five select, playing games on I pad, Netflix also and to be honest sleeping whenever I get the chance to as at least not in pain then. I think I’ll be glad to get back to work. As I suffer with anxiety and sitting around doesn’t help as thinking goes into overdrive and I’d much rather be busy. But at least the sun has been shining last couple of days so that makes me feel brighter.

@Disneylover1 - I can't imagine having to run around after children at the moment. You sound like superwoman if you've been able to do that! Fortunately mine are 15 and 17 now, so can look after themselves, and hubby has been a star. I'm so grateful for him looking after me.
Do you ever get a pain/pressure around your coccyx with tender buttocks just either side of it? I'm getting that occasionally too. I felt it straight after surgery, but the nurse told me there was an internal sponge dressing, so I put it down to that. I was also told I'd pass the sponge with my first BM. Well, no sponge has ever appeared! I'm not entirely sure there was one as my surgeon didn't mention it and I didn't have one last time. Every time I've rung the hospital to ask something, I forget to ask about this sponge too. I've looked on Google and they're meant to be dissolvable, so maybe that's what's happened? My husband keeps questioning it, but I can't see that there's any way it would still be in there 14 days later after the number of BMs I've done, plus, surely I'd be quite ill if there was something festering away?
I'm definitely feeling the pain more to my left side too, which is where I've had the hemmie and a skin tag removed, however, I'm also feeling it deep at 6 o'clock (nearest my coccyx) and I think I might have scratched a little too much last night and left a little raw bit, as that's where the blood smear is coming from, so need to let that heal now too - 2 steps forward, 1 step back 😞

I've been reading some of the US forums, and they seem to stich people over there rather than leave it open. Can you imagine stitches on top of everything else? Have read horrendous tales of them dangling out, smelling as they're rotting, having to be manually removed etc - makes me shudder just thinking about it.
I can understand why you wouldn't need any more fibre or laxative. It must be a fine balancing act for you. I try to eat as healthily as I can. I don't have the gastro problems, just the hemmies, so I make sure I have lots of fruit and veg, whole grains, brown rice, bread etc, no red meat, lots of water etc. I don't even drink alcohol as it relaxes veins, and I don't want my hemmie veins to be relaxed at all! I'd love a juicy steak sometimes though. Our daughter is a steak fan, so when we go out to eat, she'll soak some of her chips in the steak juices so that I can have a small taste
I hope @OMGimscared is okay today. As uncomfortable as I feel today, I bet it's nothing compared to her.

@Disneylover1 and @Dizzyali77 the fact that both of you have questioned how I am has bought a tear to my eye. I was taken to hospital at 9.30 last night, hot and cold sweats, kept passing out, high temp, nasty stuff coming from my wounds and the stink omg made myself gag. Only got home an hour ago, and that is only because I insisted I would rather be in my own bed than on a trolley in a busy hospital corridor. Turns out I have a pretty nasty infection! Had some intravenous antibiotics and have been sent home with a load - that apparently will give me the runs yay I can't wait! Reading all of your threads today has made me feel so much better knowing that yes people do understand. I am terrified of my next bm, especially after yesterday's episode, I haven't eaten for over 24 hrs I am starving. Again my husband is on a 12 hour shift tomorrow but my 12year old daughter is with me and she is so lovely and helpful. She has done the washing and ironing after school today bless her. Think I need to sleep now feel like crap. Going to go and dream of sexy anaesthetists 😜 Hope you are both getting better xx

@OMGimscared - oh bless you, it sounds like you're having a horrible time. Why they don't give antibiotics when you're discharged, I'll never understand. It's got to be the hardest wound site to possibly keep clean. I'm glad I asked this time. It's a long road to recovery, but you will get there. It just feels like an endless, painful ground hog day. But each day passed is a day towards being back to normal.
Your daughter sounds wonderful being so helpful. Hopefully your husband will have some time off soon. Can he take any to help you through the early days?
Even though I'm much further down the recovery road than you, I'll be here until you've recovered as I know how lonely it can be. Having people who understand really helps x

Omgimscared, oh on that sounds awful, poor you. I do hope that over next 24 hrs things improve a bit for you. Ah bless your daughter, times like these they can surprise and really step up to the mark, mine have done before now.
Best thing to do is rest as much as you can but don’t do to much dreaming of sexy men 😂. I’ll be about to as nice to chat to you both xx

Omgimscared......really wishing you all the v best. Sounds like you are going through s particularly harrowing time!

I'm now day four post op and I'm probably going okay, all things considered! But...again.....this might be TMI.....there is a bit of an aroma around the wound. Not an awful awful smell.....and doesn't smell like an infection....but certainly a scent I'm not used to ....I can't even describe what it smells like. Is this normal???

@CareBear50 - I'd try to get it checked out to be on the safe side. Mine hasn't had any sort of odour this time, but I did get a small infection when I had my first operation and that smelt a bit fishy. Better to get it checked and get some antibiotics rather than leave it and end up really poorly. It also sets back your recovery. Other than that, glad to hear you're not doing too bad 4 days in.

@disneylover1 yes I might get it checked out just in case. Have had three BM since two am....now seven am. Very uncomfortable. So have decided to start taking pain killers again. Apart from BM associated pain it's really just a general tenderness-ache that I can cope with......even been painting a bedroom and been to supermarket and cleaning patio of mould. Quite enjoying the time off work in some ways. Seriously 💓 is going out to rest of you taking a bit longer to recover x

@CareBear50 - wow, you're doing really well to be so active! Wish I was the same.
I was up at 3am having a BM too, then my bladder went in to overdrive waking me every 30-60 minutes for a wee. Seriously tired and fed up of my rhythms being all over the place. Had another BM about half an hour ago, and am now waiting for the rest to follow as I tend to have a morning of them. I thought I'd got my food/fybogel/movicol balance nailed as I was clearing everything in the morning and having BM and pain free afternoons, evenings and nights, but since the piriton constapation issue I've been going morning, afternoon and night. It's exhausting! Pre op, I used to go once, maybe twice a day. I do wonder if all the fybogel and movicol is just creating more to come out? Part of me would like to cut them out and return to my pre-op eating, but part of me is scared in case I make things worse. Just don't know what to do for the best.
My main op site/wound is also a lot more tender and swollen now than it was to start with, and there's a nice green bruise on my buttock below it. To start with, I hardly felt it once the pain from BMs had subsided, but now it's a constant ache - a bit like the ache of a hemmie. I hope all this constant pooing hasn't put strain on the area and created another problem. I've still got the itching which is driving me insane. God, I can't wait for this all to be over!
Hope everyone else had a good night @Disneylover1 and @Dizzyali77

@Disneylover
Had a good night last night, I think stopping the lactulose has helped me just to go back to my ‘normal’ habits as I was waking early hours to go and then going five times in day so got fed up with that and just cut that out and have gone back to normal, ha ha well normal for me.
Still bleeding though that’s shows no sign of stopping at the moment but at least only comes with a BM. I think that’s the worst part because we can’t see the wounds we constantly worry that we’ve done more damage or something is wrong, I know in my case it is.
Just getting on with all the washing today, three sets of uniform, three sets of pe kits etc etc, get all ironing done then can just relax as no school for a week. Although my middle and youngest have already been arguing🤦‍♀️.
I just keep thinking it will be just so nice when I don’t have to constantly be thinking about my bum 😂 and it’s all just settled down, as hubby keep saying patience! 🤬😂

@Dizzyali77 - glad you had a good night. I've just woken from a nap feeling quite low and tearful. I'm fed up of my days being about my next BM and worrying about my bum. With all the BMs I've done over the past 2 weeks, plus the day 12 constipation marathon, I'm worried I've done damage and created new ones. I'm panicked that there's a new one near or behind my wound site which is why it's tender and swollen. I'm scared to stand for too long in case my bum turns itself inside out and I end up looking like a baboon. I haven't washed my hair in 2 weeks as I'm scared to stand in the shower, so have just been taking baths. My body is clean but my hair is gross 🤢
I don't know what to do about food, fybogel and movicol, bit I think I need to try cutting them out. My husband wants me to walk around the house too to try and get things moving naturally, but it's that fear of being upright and things descending again.
I guess I'm having a bit of a low, woe is me moment 😭 I just want life that doesn't revolve around my bum. I don't want to be able to feel my bum 24/7. I just want to be normal.

Okay, so I've just had a full on emotional breakdown on my daughter as my hubby had to pop out to do a small job. Crying my eyes out as I'm just so fed up today 😭😭😭 Poor girl. I think I just hit a really low moment as 15 days in and still feeling like this has taken its toll. I'm trying to be positive, but and just scared of things not healing properly or the problem not being solved.
I think I'm going to stop with the fybogel and movicol. My current diet consists of:
Porridge, vegetable soup, apple, vegetable stir fry and brown rice, and about 2 litres of water a day. Do I really need 2 sachets of fybogel and a laxative on top of that? I'm thinking that half (if not more) of the poo that I produce is fybogel. I'm scared to cut it out too in case I get constipated, but I can't see how that diet would constipate. I'm normally quite logical, but I just keep second guessing myself through fear 😞

@Disneylover oh sorry to hear that, not good when it starts to make you feel low. I feel fed up with the whole thing to be honest. And I’ve regretted having this op quite a few times now. I totally understand where your coming from, you just want to go to the loo, no pain, no blood and just feels normal. Once I’ve got laundry done think I’ll try and sneak a nap as even though I had good night still feel tired.
It might help to walk around a little bit, it does say that in my recovery leaflet but when you don’t feel comfortable it’s last thing you want to do. Just want to wake up in the morning and everything feels and works normally down there.

And another full on crying for when my husband got home. Just can't seem to stop today 😭
I feel so pathetic when I've just been able to lay in bed to recover while my husband takes care of me, while the rest of you are looking after yourselves, doing housework, being admitted to hospital etc. I think 3 nights of bad sleep has caught up with me 😞

@Dizzyali77 - it's such a simple thing to wish for isn't it - a normal bum and poos with no pain.
I do remember last time that the pain and blood free BM just appeared one day and it was the best feeling. From there, everything improved so quickly. I just keep praying for that day to come every night when I go to sleep.
I think I'm going to stop my fybogel and movicol as I'm basically just eating fibre anyway. 🤞I'm not about to make a horrible mistake that sets me back.
Can you feel your bum constantly at the moment, or once the BM pain subsides, does your bum feel normal? I feel mine all the time, so it's a constant reminder of what I'm going through. I haven't even sat down on it yet. I've spent the past 15 days laying on my side! I feel quite pathetic and I'm usually very strong 😞

@Disneylover1 and @Dizzyali77 can't believe you are doing laundry 🤔 My daughter is down there doing the lot and.... baking a flipping cake, the kid is 12 😂😂 lmao at your baboon comment disneylover1 it really made me chuckle. I have been up since 5am, still high temp and dizziness and lots of pus but (and I don't want to tempt fate) the smell doesn't seem to be as bad. Hoping the antibiotics are doing their job. Had to have a bm at 6am and jumped straight in a bath of Dead Sea salts (well I didn't jump really, kind of eased myself in lol) I do feel a bit better today and I too just want to wash my hair it is vile. @CareBear50 please get the smell looked at, I had a weak smell and it turned into this vile infection, just ask for antibiotics anyway it won't do you any harm, and god I am so jealous at how well you are doing, but like me do not tempt fate. Disneylover1 how on earth are you doing that many bm's a day? The very thought is terrifying, you must be so sore. Actually smiling at all our threads, what a way to influence people and make friends eh 😹😹. Seriously you are great and have been an awesome help to me 😘

@Disneylover1 so sorry you are feeling tearful, sending a huge hug. Don't ever think you are pathetic, you certainly are not, it really is worse than anything I have known. And I too am laying in bed while I have child labour slaving away for me, I also intend to stay here for the next 2 weeks on my side, in fact I don't think I will ever sit right again, all people recover and deal with pain and emotions differently, so please don't beat yourself up xx

@OMGimscared - thank you for your kind words. I do feel pretty pathetic after the awful ordeal you went through though. Glad to hear things are improving though.
I'm now convinced the number if BMs is due to all the fybogel and movicol. I'm not going to take them today and see what happens. Having to go so often is just killing me. Sometimes they're what I would consider to be a full BM in a normal pre-op day, and sometimes it's just a tiny but the size of a 10p piece. Every time I need to trump I go to the loo too as I normally follow through a bit! Will be glad when that stops too. The last 15 days of my life have basically been bed, bathroom and the occasional evening on the sofa if I'm feeling up to it.
Nothing like bums and BMs to bond people. I guess it's a bit like those pregnancy and post birth conversations that you can really only have with people going through it. No one else understands. I'm so grateful for the people on here x

@OMGimscared - sorry, I forgot to say what a 🌟 your daughter is. You'll have to do a nice mummy and daughter thing together once this is all over 😊