PILES!!!! OMG!!! WTF?!?!?!

[cardamomginger]

Sorry if this is all TMI !
Am 20 weeks with my first and discovered yesterday 2 HUMUNGOUS external piles. They really are terrifyingly enormous and frankly I want to cry. They are not causing me any problems and the joke is that I had been congratulating myself on avoiding this sort of problem - have had no pain, no blood, only very few episodes of constipation, so no straining, etc.. But no!!
Does anyone know if these are likely to resolve once I've given birth or is it more likely that I'm going to have to go and get them removed or otherwise "dealt with" (shudder)? I'm going to try some anusol HC to see if that will shrink them a bit, although the size that they are I think I'd be better off using the tube as a weapon to beat them into submission. I take it there aren't any other treatments suitable when preggers?
Be grateful for any tips or encouragement!

OK how big exactly? Are you exaggerating or are they actually the size of balloons/baking potatoes/creme eggs (delete as appropriate)

It's not just to do with constipation/straining, it's the weight of the baby/womb on your pelvic floor and also because your veins get weaker. It does resolve after pg, IME.

Anusol is good, get the ointment not the cream (more effective). Get some moist toilet paper and/or witch hazel wipes too. And have warm baths.

Thanks! Not at the creme egg stage (yet????). But they are large . Will give the ointment a go! Thanks for the encouragement that they might resolve - DH was all serious doom and gloom about how I'll doubtless need surgery .

Some you could have put a bonnet on!! Yup !

i never had piles until i was pregnant with my first, and have had them ever since, its now 5 years later! everynow and again i will use the pesseries, not sure if they are safe in pregnancy, a pharmacist or midwife should be able to advise.

i had a couple of absolotly huge ones a week or so again, had a really bad constipation episode (im on heavy duty painkillers making it worse) and i lost a huge load of blood from what i think was one of them bursting finally. i called up the midwife and she wasnt concerned at all, just to make sure that the blood was from there and not PV.

it takes a hell of a lot for piles to need surgery, and i mean a hell of a lot, i really wouldnt worry, keep up your fibre intake, and make sure you keep your fluids up too as that makes a lot of difference in the constipatin and pile sense

Thank you! And sorry you are suffering too.... X

They will go by themselves
And be thankful they are not painful
(6 w post partum and finally not needing to take ibuprofen before going to the toilet)

You have my deepest sympathies.

Definitely get some cream and spend some time in a warm bath. They will most likely go away after the baby's born - mine did and they were huMUNGous.

pmsl at bum plums!

I am 36 weeks and have had them since about 25 weeks,you have my sympathy. Anusol doesn't seem to be working so I'm hoping they disappear once the baby comes.

I ended up in casualty with a surgical consult - he did a quick local - took a scalpel then ruptured them - because they were strangulated I didn't need any stitches and it sorted the problem out!!

Oh Fizzielove, the same thing happened to me. If they get to the rock solid stage they have probably strangulated and may need to be ruptured. If they are squashy (sorry TMI) or with just a part of them solid, they shoudl go of their own accord. You are VERY lucky they are not painful.

DO NOT USE ANUSOL HC -- hydrocortisol gets absorbed into your blood stream and is toxic for your baby.

You can, however use normal anusol. Get the pessaries, and put them in the freezer so they go up easier (and are nice and cool and soothing ) Eat lots of fibre, and don't sleep on your right hand side -- you will squash your vena cava and put addition pressure on the veins down there!

OP was just wondering about the dreaded piles myself. I'm veggie but this pregnancy has given me constipation for the first time in 20 years. I already eat a high fibre diet and drink loads of water. Was smug in my last pregnancy as I never had any bottom issues.

Went to the GP with painful 'plum' that turned up a few days ago and I've got some movicol and anusol to take. Oh joy.

The GP was very sympathetic as I wailed about how fed up I was with the nausea, wind, bloating, constipation and now this! August can not come quick enough for me.

Anusol HC is better than most, BUT I was told not to use it during pregnancy cos it contains hydrocortisone, so check this with your GP.

ktwiltshire, I could have written your post!! 5 yrs since having my son, and I still suffer a lot. Yet my GP has never, ever suggested surgery, so as you say, it takes an awful lot for that to be the only option. I just get a regular Anusol HC prescription (not now, tho, am just drinking lots of water and drinking smoothies...)

I am not a great lover of fruit/veg, but when I make a proper effort to eat 4 or 5 a day, it DOES make a big difference (I should learn, shouldnt I?!)

Buy a bag of fibre powder from health food shops, and add it to all the foods that you can (eg bolognese, stew, chilli, anything with a sauce) - just a spoonful a day can make all the difference. Make sure you drink plenty plain old water to stop yourself getting clogged up!

You can take Fibogel drinks in pregnancy too - available at all chemists. Theyre a big help, plus youre gulping down a glass of water at the same time. If you get constipated, Lactulose is another option in pg.

If they get sore, a warm bath really can make the world of difference, or some ice wrapped in paper towel.

I remember when I was 8 months pg, there was a full weekend that I could barely move cos I was in agony. I stayed in bed all weekend, crying. Lovely.

Hope any of these tips help.

Thanks so much for all the tips! Only sorry they are coming to me from your own PAINFUL experiences! X