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Original poster

Haemorrhoidectomy hell

74 replies

IncredibleSulk · 01/12/2022 20:21

I’m day 3 and I honestly can’t go on. This pain is absolutely horrific. Please please tell me your happy endings or any tips to see me through another night.

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MsMelody · 01/12/2022 21:33

@IncredibleSulk, I don’t have any tips unfortunately but can offer heartfelt sympathy. On day 10 myself and finding it a struggle to stay positive. There’s a great Facebook group called ‘Hemorrhoidectomy Support Group’ which I recommend joining - lots there who are still in the awful stage, and many who’ve come out the other side and are glad they did it.

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 01/12/2022 21:41

Thank you I will take a look. I’ve just called 111in desperation as I can’t cope with paracetamol and ibuprofen Its horrendous. My poor 10yo has seen me sobbing in the bath and I was in so much pain I couldn’t get a grip of myself to stop.

day 10 and it’s still awful? 😭

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N0tfinished · 01/12/2022 21:44

Can you get an appointment with GP for
More effective pain relief?

MsMelody · 01/12/2022 21:49

@IncredibleSulk, it’s still very sore but manageable now.

I’m so sorry you’re in such pain. I’m presuming they didn’t discharge you with prescription pain meds like Tramadol?

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 01/12/2022 21:59

Discharged with paracetamol and ibuprofen although I have taken tramadol too and dihydrocodeine in desperation and it’s done nothing. Further complicated by the fact that I’m breastfeeding a 4 month old so I have the worry of that and also obviously wanting to avoid constipation.

111 have just called to say there’s a delay and they will be in touch soon. I’ve read about gabapentin being effective and this is more suitable with breastfeeding so I’m hoping they’ll prescribe that.

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Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 01/12/2022 22:04

@MsMelody I’m glad you are improving, I can only dream of a ‘sore’ day so you give me hope that it will come.

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MsMelody · 01/12/2022 22:08

I didn’t find Tramadol much use (and was also fearful of the dreaded constipation). I’ve heard good things about Gabapentin though - I think it’s prescribed in the States a lot more after this surgery.

It WILL get better, although I know it’s truly awful at the start. I found it best (or least worst) lying on my front listening to something to try and distract me. I know it’s so stressful with the kids around - my husband has taken them out a lot as I’m so tearful.

MsMelody · 02/12/2022 07:56

@IncredibleSulk how are you doing this morning? Were 111 able to help?

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 08:54

The doctor at 111 was really helpful, he went through the research around tramadol and dihydrocodeine with breastfeeding (I have both here from previous situations) and advised me to take tramadol overnight and call the GP tomorrow for a review. He said to ask for diclofenac suppository (which again I have, I’m like a pharmacist 😂) but I was too scared to try that overnight incase it hurt too much. So I got through the night with tramadol and hot water bottle. Dosed the teething baby up with calpol which helped as they only woke up at 3 for the normal feed instead of every 90 minutes like the night before. Put the suppository in this morning and I’m the most comfortable I’ve been since the operation so I hope this is the way forward. I’m waiting on a call back from the GP to sort something regular going forward.

thank you for asking

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MsMelody · 02/12/2022 09:03

Oh I’m glad things are a bit better. I’d be terrified to try a suppository at the moment 😬 but good it was helpful.

Dolally34 · 02/12/2022 09:08

Hi I'm a theatre nurse and we discharge patients with cocodamol (30/500), ibuprofen, gtn ointment, senna, metronidazole and lactose enough for three days. I would suggest you ask GP for maybe antibiotics or the gtn ointment or ring surgeons secretary for advice off surgeon if pain is this intolerable. Hope you feel better soon Flowers

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:08

It was no where near as bad as I anticipated. Dare I ask how bad the first 💩is likely to be? I’m dreading it.

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MsMelody · 02/12/2022 09:12

I read all sorts of terrible ‘broken glass’ anecdotes about the first poo, and while it was sharply painful I wasn’t biting down on a towel or anything. Jumping in the bath straight away helped. Unfortunately it does seem to trigger pain afterwards which you have to ride out.

MsMelody · 02/12/2022 09:13

Have you had internal and external removed?

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:13

Dolally34 · 02/12/2022 09:08

Hi I'm a theatre nurse and we discharge patients with cocodamol (30/500), ibuprofen, gtn ointment, senna, metronidazole and lactose enough for three days. I would suggest you ask GP for maybe antibiotics or the gtn ointment or ring surgeons secretary for advice off surgeon if pain is this intolerable. Hope you feel better soon Flowers

Wow i was just waved off with paracetamol and ibuprofen, I don’t see how anyone could cope with just that it truly has been horrendous. The doctor at 111 advised the GTN spray so I will ask about that when the GP rings.

For the first time since coming home I haven’t got a boiling hot hot water bottle stuck to my bottom thanks to this diclofenac. The break from it is just bliss even if it ends up only being temporary.

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Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:14

Yes, I was in quite a mess before the surgery 😅

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Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:15

Sorry that’s a yes to both internal and external.

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Catmummyof2 · 02/12/2022 09:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

MsMelody · 02/12/2022 09:20

I was a mess too (internal and external) - joys of childbirth.

MsMelody · 02/12/2022 09:22

The ‘turning point’ days scare me! I’m day 10 and feeling things got better initially but have now plateaued and I should be feeling better than I am.

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:42

I’ve just been reading about the GTN spray, sounds like it may help. Now that I am more comfortable I feel like such a drama queen and it’s almost hard to believe it could have been that painful but honestly I was in such a bad place last night and I have no doubt it will be like that again soon.

@MsMelody are you able to rest much? I hope things start to improve for you soon. It’s such a difficult topic too, I initially told my non-immediate friends/family that had to be told about an op that I was having a hernia removed as didn’t really want to talk to everyone about my bum but it’s been so bad I’ve had to have someone here 24/7 to help when OH hasn’t been able to.

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PearlclutchersInc · 02/12/2022 09:45

Movicol, baths if you can, ibuprofen. There's not a lot really. I was nearly insane as I couldn't get comfortable in any position.

Sympathy

BittenontheBum · 02/12/2022 09:47

I can't say whether tramadol would be useful in your circumstances but it has never made me constipated (long time prescribed user)
What you are describing sounds bloody miserable.
I really hope it is not unbearable for too long and you find some relief soon 💐

Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:55

@PearlclutchersInc that’s the thing isn’t it you just can’t get any relief no matter what you do. My hip is really hurting as I can only tolerate lying on my right hand side. Baths have been very helpful and I did order a sitz bath that was delivered last night but I was in no fit state to try it out so I will have a go today whilst things are a bit less awful.

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Original poster
IncredibleSulk · 02/12/2022 09:57

@BittenontheBum thank you, that’s reassuring. I will persevere as it definitely helps me to sleep with the discomfort.

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