Huge painful pile 😩

[Ouuuuccchhhh]

Hi, this is my first time ever having piles (well, one), and I don’t know what’s normal!! It’s a very big, very hard and painful lump and from googling, it seems to maybe be a thrombosed pile (blood clot inside it). Apparently it still might just go away on its own and no need for doc or anything - I’m putting Anusol on. Is this normal though? Can anyone else with piles experience calm my anxiety??

Yes sounds normal and it’s super painful usually. Unfortunately once you’ve had one like this, you are more likely to get more. Have a look at your diet and see if you think it needs more food to keep your stools soft. Is it grape like size?

Yeah you’re absolutely right, I’ve not been eating enough fibre. Coupled with a recent bad cough and a very sedentary WFH job, it’s a perfect piles storm 😫 Yes, it’s grape-sized but super hard.

They are soooo painful! First time I had one I couldn’t sit down for a week. Apparently in some countries they cut them open to relieve the pressure but they rarely do that here (apparently it’s not always the best course of action). It usually resolves itself after 10-14 days.

Oh my that does sound bad!! I can sit down but need to do it a bit gingerly 🥴
I’ve went and bought the more medicated Anusol from the pharmacy so will try that.
I’ve got a spa weekend coming up so I’m stressed about that making it worse!!! All the chlorine, hot tub, sitting in saunas etc. But there’s no way I can cancel.