Help with piles please!

[grapesandplums]

Hello all.

I've had internal piles for years. For first 4 years they were internal, which only really caused a problem after wiping and this was after my first child. I would find myself dirty again throughout the day. Not enough to stain knickers but there upon wiping.

I then had my second daughter 6 years ago and had horrendous piles after, that looked and felt like a twig! Thankfully they cleared up, but since then I had one that would pop out when I went for a bowel movement and was back to my usual difficulty getting clean and dirty again throughout the day. I'll not lie, this alone left me miserable, but worse things happen at sea so I've just lived with it.

However, earlier this week, I started getting intense anus pain and on examination I had a large purple external pile. It was maybe the size of a small plumb and incredibly painful. I think from research, it's probably thrombosed. Over the next couple of days I did everything research said to. Ice, ibuprofen, anusol suppository and germaloid 4 in 1 external cream and lots of rest. Initially it did go down to size of a grape and less painful. I went swimming and for a walk yesterday and then this morning after a BM it has swollen again and I'm back to square 1 pain-wise.

I'm going on holiday in 5 days for 2 weeks. I won't go on about how much this holiday means as I know everyone is desperate for a holiday and I'm sure you can guess. What are my chances of this ruining the whole thing?? My research tells me there isn't much the GP can or will do, and it also tells me that most creams, suppositories (both OTC & prescription) are pretty useless so I haven't bothered trying to get an appointment. I followed GoldenCage (can't remember her exact name) thread and I remember from her story that no amount of GP, A&E or OTC intervention helped.

Does anyone have any success stories? Or reassurance that I still stand a chance of a normal holiday?? I don't need horror stories, I've already read all of those 🙈🙈🙈 please help!!!

This sounds awful. Honestly, I would try the GP (in spite of what you have written). Best wishes

Thanks. I will have to go to the GP in the end but I can't see it'll be worth it. If it ends up being a chronic problem I know I'll have to be referred but at this point I doubt they'll do much and just trying not to get too down about my holiday x

Stay off your feet as much as possible, more activity will cause more swelling. Use ice on and off during the day and get some steroid strength ointment from your GP. Drink extra water and don't strain on the toilet. Raise your knees by using a kids footstool or even a stack of books if need be. Lean forward and relax. Get a stool softener (movicol/laxido) if necessary.

Get them operated on. Best thing I ever did. Sadly not the short term solution you are looking for. Like you I suffered for years, never really got on top of them, but have been pile-free for six years now.

I really feel for you, the pain can be very very bad. I had really painful piles when pregnant with my first baby.
We were due to go on holiday for a week with my in-laws and I actually ended up sending my hubby and I stayed home cos I couldn't have managed a holiday in that much pain.
Advice I should've followed (and didn't cos I felt silly) is to sit on one of those donut cushions. I got one after second baby when piles returned and that cushion made a huge difference! Meant I didn't keep putting pressure on the piles when sitting!
Also lie on your side and put a pillow between your thighs when you're sleeping to keep pressure to a minimum.
A salt bath can help too from what I remember but it really is a long time ago.
Sending you a cuddle OP, it's a rubbish thing to experience.

piles especia external ones are horrific 😫
I had FIVE external thrombosed piles after giving birth to DC3 22 years ago .. the pain was so horrific I had to have morphine .
Every so often I’d get a nasty external pile and what Would help is Lactulose so you don’t strain at all .
Having a 15 min warm bath after a bowel movement .
wrapping some ice cubes in a flannel and sitting on it .
If the external pile is small enough You can gently push it back in and lie on your side for ten mins .

start attacking it now with lactulose etc and it should be better for your holiday but certainly get. Referal to a colorectal surgeon in the long term

The suppositries that are on prescription are much better than any that.you can buy.

Try and get some scheripocht ointment asap! Some online doctor place might do it.

Lactulose, three times a day. Suppositories every night. It will go down before your holiday.

I think OPs have given you fab advice but just wanted to say I really feel for you and hope everything improves and you have a great holiday.

I feel your pain! I'm waiting for my operation on my external piles at the moment.
Get yourself a sitz bath (with a hand pump). Honestly it's one of the best things I've bought. Hope you're feeling better soon OP

I have a cooling pad from Amazon that was helpful to me after giving birth.

If you have caffeine, stop now. It's surprising how big an effect it can have

Thank you all. I'd say I'm following pretty much all that advice at the moment so looks like it's the GP for me on Monday to try and get something stronger this week, although I'm not very optimistic. Has anyone heard of Exroid treatment? I've just found it when googling. Looks amazing & non invasive, and the patient story on there was great. I can't believe it's not available on the NHS! Does anyone have experience with it? I really don't want surgery.