Help! Awful piles - what can be done?

[Lucinda15]

So this post may involve TMI but I need advice from ladies who have dealt with piles in pregnancy! I'm desperate!

I'm writing this after 2 hrs of sleep tonight and feel I'm unlikely to get anymore due to the awful piles I've developed. I'm 32 weeks pregnant, have had piles in the past due to history of IBS/constipation plus awful piles post delivery of DS 5 years ago. I have always managed to prevent/treat them with diet and anusol when required etc. However, 3 weeks ago I was told I have gestational diabetes, and started to reduce the amount of fibre and fruit in my diet to control blood sugars. This has led to constipation and combined with a busy weekend with lots of walking and standing I have now developed a huge pile(s) that is causing me excruciating pain. I really feel someone is stabbing me in my intimate bum area with a handful of pins. It's worse than I've ever experienced before and I've been in tears yesterday it's making me so miserable. I've been unable to sleep tonight because of the pain. Anusol and paracetamol just aren't helping at all. So I'm heading to the GP as soon as it opens in the morning.

But my question is, will they be able to prescribe me something stronger while pregnant?

And I'm so embarrassed about calling in sick at work, but I really don't think I can go. I'm in so much pain and the thought of sitting on a chair all day makes me want to cry!

Im also petrified of labour! I remember I developed awful piles after pushing last time and I'm dreading what will happen this time of the piles are already here and this bad I really feel miserable about it all!

Has anyone else got any good tips/advice? Anyone been prescribed a wonder cream from gp that I could ask for?

Oh I absolutely feel for you. At about 39 weeks with dc3 I developed huge ones, from being constipated only once, and I think from my standing job. It spoiled the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy as I could hardly walk, sleep, sit or think about anything else as they just throbbed and stung like hell and I was in tears a lot over it too. Unfortunately I just kept getting told plain Anusol, which was a joke. The only positive is that there were no problems giving birth with grapes intact, and in fact as soon as I had her I literally jumped off the bed with relief - the pressure on the piles was gone and felt amazing. However as you have 8 weeks plus to go, you can't put up with that. Sorry I have no tips or advice, I just wanted you to know you're not alone I've since learned that I should have went to the gp for the "good stuff" (whatever that is) despite the pharmacists all telling me there would be nothing they could do. Let me know how how you get on this morning x

Just put 1% hydrocortisone cream on them. Here in the USA you can get it over the counter for skin rashes. There is a prescription version that comes in foam form that is specifically for piles...it's called Proctofoam here in the USA, but it's basically just hydrocortisone. I have had piles my whole adult life (way before pregnancy) and hydrocortisone is the ONLY thing that works and it's fairly instantaneous and long acting.

Thank you both. I have an appointment at 11.20 so hopefully doc can prescribe something good for me. I have heard of procto-something in the U.K., hopefully it is the same stuff and doc will be happy to prescribe in pregnancy. I really dnt want to carry on like this! I just tried a small bowl of shredded wheat to see how blood sugars would tolerate as before the gestational diabetes I really relied on this. But they went sky high I dnt know what to do for the best! So frustrating. I shall discuss with doc. Thanks again x

Saw doc, who was lovely, but she didn't want to prescribe the steroid creams as I'm pregnant I'm so disappointed. But she has prescribed anusol suppositories and more cream. And says she will do some reading about alternatives without steroid and call me if anything she can find. I think I may just demand the steroid cream if this doesn't clear up in the next day or so, I'm utterly miserable and in tears with it all. Feeling hopeless and so worried for labour.

What a nightmare. Personally I would go back for the steroid stuff. Any clinical reports I've read indicate no observation of complications caused by short term topical use of mild steroids. Otherwise, is there any way you can shove them back up? Mine were too swollen for me to attempt it but a midwife did it for me (ouch). All 4 just popped right back out, but worth a try? Topically carefully applied Manuka honey and apple cider vinegar seem to have a lot of positive reviews. Please don't worry about labouring with piles. I was convinced all my veins would burst -and my whole bum would turn inside out but I didn't even notice them in labour. That said, do keep on at the GP. It's rubbish how us pregnant women are left to suffer. It is upsetting. Hope you're feeling a little better?

Thanks westering - still feeling a bit blue about it all. I think I'm just frustrated that I can't use my usual diet 'tricks' for constipation due to the GD. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. And I'm so scared about labour. This one is looking like a big baby (as was my first) and I had a terrible time after him with episiotomy stitches and piles. But I hadn't started off with piles before his labour so I have no idea what's gonna happen this time, dreading the worst! I've been saying exactly the same thing to DH, I'm scared I'm gonna blow my bum inside out through it all. I'm dreading it.

However, when I went to the chemist for prescription, I also picked up some preparation H gel and wipes. These seem to be calming things more than the anusol... but they are still very large and angry! No chance I can pop them back.... I can barely apply the cream... debating how well the suppositories are going to later. God it's all so unpleasant!! I think I will go back to docs on Thursday for steroid cream if things haven't improved by then.

Thanks for the kind words tho.

That's good that the Prep H is helping to calm. Is there much info out there on preventing constipation whilst managing GD? It must be difficult for you. Maybe when you're at the doctor's on Thursday they could have a go at pushing them in for you. Although mine were relieved after birth, they massively improved once they were poked back in. It's all so delightful isn't it. Probably far tmi but I couldn't even have guessed at where to put a suppository. Hope they help for you. It's so depressing. X

Thanks westering I have no idea where to put the suppository either 😂 Although I seem to be managing the constipation a bit better. Have read some tips/advice on how to increase fruit without raising sugars, and have loaded up on lentils and veg today plus being more strict about taking fybogel. I've had success today, it wasn't too painful and hopefully can keep it going. Just need these piles gone! X

Really feel for you. As pp said some people have good success with apple cider vinegar

I took half doses of lactulose, and used suppositories. It's horrible. Glad to hear PrepH wipes are helping you.

Urgh I really feel for you!!
I got the 1 pile about week 28, not constipated at all. Dr says it was just the pressure of baby. No steroid cream here either just anusol. It was so sore at beginning and I was so upset thinking it would stay like that for rest of pregnancy. So I tried a mix of coconut oil, lavender and tea tree which was soothing but the anusol seems to shrink it. I'm nearly 35 wks now and it's still there but much smaller and not sore. We call her Little Em (as in Emma Roid!) I use wet bottom wipes and apply the cream after every poo, aprox 3 times a day. Can't bare thinking about pushing during pregnancy!!
Oh the joys of pregnancy! It's so gross sometimes!!

I really hope they get better. Just wanted you to know you're not alone. It's horrid!

Yes lactulose but at night. GD is hardest to control first thing in the morning because of how you produce cortisol in the wee small hours. Stick with eggs at breakfast but you could try shredded wheat later in the day. I apologised to everyone who looked at my lady bits during labour because of the piles. Had a bum like an old chimp! I'd try the cortisol cream. It's only low dose and for a short while. Certain you can buy it anyway over the counter but I'd send DH.

Oh and loads of water to keep stools fluid.
Maybe try physillium husks or ground flax seed in a little water.
Exercise, keeping active helps.
Bring knee upto tummy on each side whilst standing.
Lots of leafy greens, cucumber, brown rice, lentils, beans...

Good luck!

That's silly. No reason not to use a topical 1% cream during pregnancy. What's the main active ingredient in the suppositories? Wouldn't be surprised if it's hydrocortisone. This isn't about your diet, it's about hormones and vein walls and all the diet modulation in the world isn't going to make it significantly better.
Reminds me of when I was suffering something awful from asthma attacks during pregnancy and UK gp wouldn't prescribe inhaler because I was pregnant and had to call my US doctor who was appalled about the lack of knowledge of current research which said that the strain on the heart and oxygen deprivation from an asthma attack is much more risky than the medication for the baby.

Sofia, yy to doctors being overly cautious in the UK when prescribing to pregnant women, but thanks to the "blame" culture that has boomed over here, every man and his dog have to cross their t's and dot their i's.... the dietary tips from other posters are because the OP says she is managing GD and cannot use her usual dietary tricks to do so. No one is suggesting it will cure piles but obviously preventing constipation, and therefore not straining, is going to prevent worsening of the condition

It just seemed extra absurd when at the same time I was being told that it was perfectly fine to drink up to 2 alcoholic drinks a day!!!!!!! And I do realize that other posters are being helpful with the diet suggestions. However, as a lifelong pile sufferer, I am very aware of what does and doesn't work and after years of misery, I finally discovered hydrocortisone and it changed my quality of life significantly.

The thing that has made the most different to me with constipation in pregnancy is upping the amount of water I drink. It makes a noticeable difference to going to the loo.

My diet was already good and full of fibre etc. when constipation struck really badly. I've never drunk enough (used to average less than a litre a day) but have made a concerted effort to drink more (at least 2 litres) and it has made a difference.

I really feel for you. It sounds horrid

Thanks for the support everyone! The anusol suppositories seem to have helped overnight, I was in much less pain and managed to sleep well which has helped my mood immensely! The old grapes are still very large and angry but less painful so I'm gonna persevere with what the doc has given me for a day or two longer. If no improvement by wknd I will go back and request steroid cream definitely! Thanks for all the tips and kind words so good to know ur not alone in these things

Are they external piles?
I had them with dd and was in absolute agony. I went to see the gp for the second time in tears. He asked me if I wanted him to take a look the pain outweighed the embarrassment!
Whilst he was looking he said he could try to push it back in but it might not work. Given the pain I said do it. I nearly hit the fucking roof!! But practically skipped out of the surgery!
Maybe this could be an option?
I really feel for you, the pain is horrendous and imo worse than labour!

Thanks dipdap yep they are external. The doc did take a look yesterday, but didn't offer to push them back in thank god. I dnt think I could manage that right now the pain must have been awful! I wince thinking about it! To be honest, I think I'm gonna try and push for the steroid cream, I really feel they need it to go down and get under control. Like I say, a lot les painful today but still very large and angry and I so want them gone. Otherwise labour is gonna be horrific!! I darent think about it 🙈

Have you tried an ice pack/bag of peas? it might help.

I thought Germolene was good, then when I got discharged I asked for a big tube of Scheriproct full of steroid to keep me going. Don't worry about piles in labour, will be the last thing on your mind but don't forget to mention it when you go in to have baby as they will give you something for when giving birth.

After was worse for me, I got terribly constipated due to iron tablets and have been blessed with a lovely Anal Fissure. Its like shitting razor blades so keep on top of it once baby is here.

Piles are the devil. Sending sympathetic pile hugs

I struggled with them earlier on in my pregnancy and the doctor prescribed the suppositories, which I struggled with but also a laxative in mixture form. I had no relief from the anusol but did find using the laxative helped move everything along. I stopped using both after a 4/5 days and they just 'cleared' up on their own. I've had no pain for about 4/5 weeks now. See if your doctor can prescribe a laxative to help with the lack of fibre.

Just looked them up....Anusol contains zinc oxide which some people (me!) are allergic to. Guess that's why I found the suppositories not only not helpful, but they seemed to make things worse....now I know why.

How are you feeling now?
I know the thought of having them pushed back in is like hell but honestly hurts like hell but the second the little fuckers ate back inside it's AMAZING!!!! (I still now (8years on) remember the relief!
Jokes aside though. Really hope your feeling better, piles are something I wouldn't wish on a worst enemy.