hello, i'd like to talk about my piles please

[HairyBumCrack]

I am a long time lurker of mn but this is my first post, so please be nice

As the title suggests, this is all about my piles I'm 24weeks pg and have had nasty external piles for about a month now. I've tried every remedy suggested on mn, including 3 types of cream, suppositories, calcium fluoride, witch hazel, hot baths, ice packs etc etc.

But they arent going at all!! Was signed off for last two weeks but have now run out of sick pay so cant afford to be off any more but sitting at my desk and walking is agony and making it worse

I cant face another 16weeks of this torment so I've come to ask if there are any other wonder cures or anything else I can try? (I've stopped short of doing an 'amateurarsedoctor' but fear i may resort to that soon!)

Is it likely the doc will do anything other than prescribe more creams? Some form of surgery under local anaesthetic maybe?

(oh and the relevance of my username? I can no longer trim that area because theres something in the way )

Have you tried Proctosedyl? Another ointment I know but only available on prescription. Definitely discuss with MW or GP.

Good luck!

hi BlueChampagne,

yes, thats one of the ones I've tried so far, together with Anusol HC (prescription) and Germoloids (otc) but didnt help much (used it for a week)

thanks for the suggestion anyway

i had piles around 18 weeks with this PG, i ignored them for awhile (esp as my MW said yeah thats common in pregnancy, anything else?) then used aloe vera gel and they went away. They will eventually go away, there's just a lot of extra weight on your body. Uncomfortable I know. Try not to sit on hard chairs, and lie on your side.

Oddly I found osteopathy helped as I had a bad back at the same time and when that got a bit better it seemed there was less pressure on my bum ... HTH

Ow, ow ow!

You have my extreme sympathy. I had piles during my last pregnancy and they were absolute agony. I used to be in tears some of the time with pain.

I found using the special wipes (anusol and other makes) after a bowel movement helpful and eventually had HC cream on prescription. That seemed to keep them under control until the birth.

I would go back to your GP and see what else can be done to help.

Thanks everyone

BellasYummyMummy - i havent tried aloe vera gel, so will get some of that.

Mishy1234 - have been using moist tissues instead of normal loo paper, but havent tried special wipes yet

I'll see if the new suggestions help before I go back to the GP

I've also heard pelvic floor exercises can help.

I'm 41 weeks pg and suffering The Grapes of Wrath. You have my sympathy

They can be injected with something to help them shrink - your doc should be able to refer you. I had it done years ago (wasn't pregnant then). Doesn't need any anaesthetic, its uncomfortable but only takes a few minutes.

thanks ninjacat i hope the birth brings you some relief!

and thanks also bigpreggybelly, will mention that to the doc if I end up going back. I'm still hoping they will just go on their own but its not looking likely to be honest!

Hope you find something that works for you.

You're welcome HBC - your user name is hilarious!

i'd go back to the docs and have an honest chat with them about this - you've still got enough time of your pg for this to be a major issue for you.
I've had all sorts of creams for these but the one that really sorted me out in the end was one they also use for, um, angina patients, which dilates the blood vessels - it gives you a headache but it's worth it. I'm sorry but I can't remember the name of it.
Can you also try sitting on a rubber ring type of cushion? I know it sounds ridiculous but it'll help and if anyone asks at work, just say it's for Coccyx pain, or something else - you don't need to shout it out loud?!!!
good luck

hi MummyElk,

yes, I do feel this is a major issue for me - 40 weeks seems a long way away and this is currently occupying most of my waking thoughts!

I did try a rubber ring, but it felt worse, like the pressure was greater on that area - the only truly comfortable position is lying down but I cant do that for the next 4 months!

thanks for the tip on the cream, i will mention to the doc if/when i go back - I'm going to try a couple of other suggestions from here first

oooo I had these as well, so huge sympathies. Mine were nasty so a physio came (bear in mind, this was straight after birth of dd so I was a bit hazy) and they had a vibrating sort of metal box (stay with me here) and then they placed it against the piles and they reduced down. I never asked what it was (was too zoned out) but I wish I had cos it was magic and I bet the little b*ggers start up again with this pregnancy. Ask if the physios can do anything?

I found endless applications of Anusol and glycerine suppositries sort of helpful, but I know how AWFUL they can be...it's so undignified isn't it?!?

Good luck!

Yes tinylion, undignified it most certainly is! I know I am meant to lose all dignity during the birth but didnt think it would start so early

thanks for the tip, I wonder if the 'magic box' the physio used was to do with increasing blood flow to the area, which apparently helps them to drain and reduce.

I hope you dont get a recurrence this time around!

i'm 25 weeks and suffering too. But i've already had surgery to remove the buggers 2 years ago (not a pleasant experience) and that was without pregnancy or childbirth causing them. Needless to say pregnacy has brought them back!

They usually only last 2 weeks and then tend to ease off, but will come back, and back. Some times I found the creams made them worse. The best thing I can advise is to keep yourself regular, and avoid over straining, Prune juice, although resembles pureed slugs and tastes foul is very effective. Also avoid sitting on the loo for too long! Paracetamol will also ease the pain. They are no joking matter. If they are affecting your daily life see your doctor again. Thet do ease off or you get used to them! Good luck

thanks nothingbyhalves,

sorry to hear you are suffering too, i would say 'i'm glad i'm not the only one' but i wouldnt wish this on even my worst enemy

they were originally caused by constipation but i sorted that out straightaway (with fybogel & prune juice which i continue to take religiously every day!) and havent had a problem there now for over 4 weeks but the damn farmer giles still persist

i'm going back to the docs next week if there is still no change, cos i really cant see me coping with this for another 3/4mths (and i'm dreading all that pushing at the end as well...)

Definitely pop along to your GP. I've just managed to get rid of mine (developed post pregnancy) and it was hellish. GP prescribed some prescription-only cream as the Anusol I bought hadn't done anything. So yes, it's likely the GP will give you a cream to try but it's probably stronger than stuff you can buy from the pharmacy. Make sure you say what you've already tried and for how long. I've also been using Senokot to keep things loose (not sure if this is suitable if you're pregnant though), maybe as the GP about this too.

I still dread going to the loo but if they come back I'm straight down the GP - afterall, that's what they're there for and you shouldn't have to suffer.

HBC - So sorry you are suffering this. I had terrible Grapes of Wrath (TM, Ninjacat), after DS2 s birth, and they recur every time I get a bit constipated. Recovery from that second birth (a vaginal delivery) was much worse than recovery from my first CS birth, because of the pain from the piles.

No advice I'm afraid, but good luck....