I'm back.🙂 Still alive. Everything went fine. Dr. Ivanovic handled all the internal stuff, pushed the prolapse back in, and cut out the thrombosis (turned out there were actually three spots 😳). I spent the night at Sun City Clinic, and when the doctor checked on me this morning, he looked really happy with how things turned out. My meds: Medazol 3 x1, Detralex 2 x1, and some Dolokain.
It hurts quite a bit—well, it’s not exactly sharp pain, more like intense pressure—so I didn't get much sleep last night. I've been popping Advil granules every 5 or 6 hours just to take the edge off. Honestly, I'm really happy with everything at Butterfly; the nurses there are wonderful.🙏
I'm just waiting for the pain to die down. I figure I'll be feeling great in a few days, and then it'll honestly feel like I never even had surgery.
Finally back home and just trying to relax. I already took 2 Dulcolax, but honestly, I’m not even sure if they’re going to do anything for me.🤷 I'm thinking about brewing up a couple of cups of mountain tea; that stuff always works for me when things get rough. The pain is still there, but I guess I'm used to it by now.🤣 Karen Thompson10, I'll settle up my tab when I'm discharged (is that tomorrow morning?)
Karen Thompson10 said:Did you actually tell the doctor what you're worried about and all the issues you're dealing with? He really needs to take all of that into account.
Usually, when you go in for a DG HAL RAR, getting back to your normal routine happens within a few days, but since you're also dealing with that mild thrombosis, I honestly have no idea how it’ll go for you. Look, I had a fissure, and I still haven't done any physical activity at all because I was strictly forbidden from straining. It’s driving me crazy—I am just dying for him to give me the green light so I can get back into my sports routine.
I told him about the candidiasis, obviously, and mentioned that I'm really not a fan of antibiotics. He said, "Fine, you don't have to take them if you don't want to," but he still recommended them anyway. I decided to just take them. The fungus is a side issue right now; my main priority is making sure some other nasty beast doesn't move in after the surgery. I'll stick to probiotics and use vaginal prophylaxis, and just hope for the best.🙂
I'm really hoping there won't be a long period of pain and bed rest. I'm skipping my workout this week, but it would be killer if I could get back to it next week.🙂 We'll see. I'll survive the break, I just want to get rid of these pests once and for all. And I seriously hope the Hemorrhoids don't come back—not even for ten or fifteen years.🙂
UPDATE: Honestly, what's actually eating at me the most is this fungal relapse.😢
The doctor says it’s just a minor thrombosis right under that mucosal prolapse. He didn't seem worried or anything, so I'm figuring I'll be fine in maybe 4 or 5 days.😉
So, when can I actually get back into physical stuff—like sports or hitting the gym? Are there any restrictions?
Karen Thompson10 said:Haha, that’s exactly how I walked in—basically telling him I wasn't going through with surgery and that I thought Dr. Misir was totally overreacting by recommending it. Such a huge panicker. 🙄 His reaction actually caught me off guard too; he made it clear this has to be done, no other way. But he didn't push me, he actually really calmed me down. I don't know if it's just my case, because I usually have a massive fear of doctors. 😁
Well, I didn't do any special prep work. Did he tell you exactly what you need to do? I had my surgery on Tuesday and hadn't eaten anything from Monday afternoon until Tuesday at 4 PM. Plus, after 10 AM on Tuesday, I couldn't even have liquids. And unlike Leslie, I didn't have to do a full cleanse, though I have no clue why. Oh yeah, I wasn't allowed to apply any creams or take any painkillers for those two days either, because of the anesthesia.
You barely need to bring anything since they provide everything. Still, I brought some stuff just in case. Grab a bathrobe if you have one; if not, they'll give you one there. Bring pajamas if you want, though you can sleep in the robe (personally, I'm more comfortable in PJs), but DEFINITELY bring thick socks. You’re going to get freezing cold after the surgery—I was literally shaking. And slippers. That's pretty much it.
I packed a bunch of other things, but I never even touched them. Toothbrush, toothpaste, a little toiletry bag... none of it was used. You won't have time anyway. You'll probably be finished around 6 PM and then just drift in and out of sleep until midnight because the anesthesia leaves you feeling loopy, and people will keep popping in to check if you need anything or if you're okay. Then the night nurse takes over and checks on you regularly until morning, but after that, you should sleep normally, provided the pain isn't too bad. The doctor comes in around 7 AM to check you over, writes up your discharge papers, and you're heading home around 10 AM. And that's it. Basically, you're just going to spend a lot of time sleeping.
For afterward, you'll need Medazol, Detralex, and Lidocaine gel. I paid for everything in cash.
Don't be scared. You'll see it's not as bad as you think, and you'll be so glad you finally got rid of that nightmare once and for all! 😉
p.s. I need to go back for a follow-up, so let me ask you... you just called the clinic and booked it, right? What time does he usually do his exams, and how much does it cost? And how does he actually perform the exam there? Hospitals are a total mess; you really have to hustle to get seen. Thanks!
Great, thanks for the info. I just called them to set things up. Here's the plan: one Detralex now, another tonight, and one tomorrow morning. Today I'm sticking to liquids. I have to do the cleanse. 😢 Today at 3 PM, two Dulcolax tablets, and at 6 PM, a Dulcolax suppository (how am I supposed to even get that in when the prolapse is so huge I can barely see my own backside? 😢). I'll use Lidocaine to make the cleaning easier. I honestly don't know how I'm supposed to get the Lidocaine inside when he pushed it back in and an hour later it was already out again. 😢
P.S. Yeah, I called them and told them I needed an appointment with Dr. I. ASAP. She got back to me within an hour or two and gave me a slot. I actually had my exam yesterday at 6:40 PM, but he usually works by appointment. Just call them and hammer out a specific time. It costs $100, plus you have to bend over in a standing position.🙄 But honestly, nothing surprises me anymore.😁 I've gotta hand it to Misir, his stuff works wonders.
To be real, I’m mostly dreading the cleaning today. And Medazol is the absolute worst—I’m trying to dodge antibiotics because of this Candida issue, and I’m seriously hoping it doesn't wreck all the work I've put into my six-month-old's treatment. Honestly, I'm thinking about skipping the antibiotics altogether.🤷
Thanks for all the feedback. I’ve decided—I’m going through with it. There isn't really an alternative for me here. I can't just sit around dealing with this discomfort (I mean, it's not like I'm dying, but sitting down or even walking is a total pain) and then wait five, ten, maybe twenty days for it to just fade away. Plus, I'll be praying to God that I don't have to deal with any bowel movements.🙄 I've dealt with surgeries and the recovery pain before, so what's this? It’s going to hurt, but it'll pass. That was always the worst part.😉
Yeah, I went to the clinic. The doctor was actually pretty nice, a totally normal guy. I guess I was secretly hoping I wouldn't actually need the surgery (crazy, I know), so his attitude caught me off guard when he said, "Look, if you want to do this, we can do it right now." He wasn't pushy at all; he told me I could just sit tight and do nothing, but warned me not to be surprised if this big one lingers for a long time.
He mentioned there's some mild thrombosis (underneath the part that prolapsed), which might be causing the ache. He said if I wanted, I could even head into work on Monday, provided the pain doesn't stop me.
Karen Thompson10, how did you prep for your surgery? What kind of creams or stuff were you using? Also, what should I pack to wear afterward? And which painkillers should I have ready to go once I'm home? P.S. Did you pay upfront in cash or did you do a payment plan?
So, I just got back from my checkup with Dr. Ivanovic. He told me one of my internal ones prolapsed—it’s pretty big—and apparently, I’ve got several more inside at both typical and atypical spots. He managed to push it back in, but I can already feel it sliding right back toward the exit. It still hurts like hell.
Dg: Internal hemorrhoids, Grade II and III, plus some thrombosis on top of it all.😢
The game plan: surgery (HAL + RAR). He said he could squeeze me in as early as this Wednesday at 4:00 PM. I need to show up around 2:00 PM, go under light general anesthesia, sleep it off at the Sun City Clinic, and then I'm out by Thursday. I should be able to head back to work by Monday. Apparently, the pain might be a bit worse because of that thrombosis. Before the procedure, I’ve got to take Detralex tablets, Dulcolax, and use some Lidocaine ointment. Price: $2.75.
I have to let him know by tomorrow morning if I'm doing it. The whole thing caught me totally off guard, but honestly, I think I’m going through with it.🤷
Karen Thompson10 said:Don't freak out; there’s really no reason to. 🙂 If you ask me, the smartest move is just to see a doctor and get this over with. The best-case scenario without seeing anyone is that the hemorrhoid just recedes and the pain stops, but since you've been dealing with this for a while, I think you know deep down it’ll just come back. The absolute worst case is developing complications like fissures, fistulas, polyps, or who knows what else. And trust me, you’ll regret not getting it handled when you had the chance. Recovery is a hell of a lot harder once things get messy.
Seeing a doctor isn't actually that scary! I used to be nervous myself, but looking back, I honestly regret not doing it sooner. You mentioned your mom went to the doctor too—what did she tell you?
I don't know... I know it sucks right now because of the pain. If you haven't felt it, you don't know. Ugh... try applying some Faktua ointment; maybe that'll help. You also have that hemorrhoid cream. But let's be real, those are just Band-Aids. You know that. 😢
I hope the pain lets up soon... but seriously, stop putting off the doctor's visit. 🙂
And don't wait until you're in full-blown panic mode, like you said. By then, the pain is usually so intense you can't even function normally. You really don't want to end up in that spot.
Thanks for the reply and for trying to calm me down.🙂 I think it shrunk a little bit (I used some herbal oil last night), but it still hurts. It’s not an agonizing pain, per se, but it’s uncomfortable. Honestly, sitting is easier than standing or walking right now.🤷 It’s not about being scared, though. I’m not the type to shy away from doctors—I've already seen two proctologists. It's just that I feel like I'm constantly fighting one health issue after another (first gynecological stuff, then that candidiasis), and I just wanted to wrap one thing up so I could focus on the next. But clearly, life doesn't work like that.🙂 Thanks, I'm calling Butterfly tomorrow to schedule an appointment. Let's see what the doctor says. (Is it okay if I ask how much the exam costs, just so I know?)
A Hemorrhoid just popped out on me.😢 It wasn't even because I was constipated—honestly, that's what surprised me, since I've been having soft, easy movements every single day for the last ten days. This thing is huge and it hurts like hell when I walk, and sitting down is just pure discomfort.😢 Is there any chance it’ll just relax, shrink, or slide back inside on its own? What’s the absolute worst-case scenario here, and what's the best?
And is this a sign that I need to rush to the doctor and get this sorted immediately, or am I just overthinking it? (I'm constantly trying to find that sweet spot—trying not to freak out, because let's be real, I'm a total overthinker and a chronic panicker, but also trying not to wait too long and turn a small issue into a massive disaster.)
Karen Thompson10 said:It’s all very subjective. Some people deal with hemorrhoids their entire lives and just live with mild discomfort. Honestly, looking back at my own experience, I really regret not seeing a doctor the second I realized they weren't going away on their own. Once the pain actually sets in... man, it’s pure misery. If you read the last few pages, you'll see just how many complications can pop up.
The only thing I’d suggest is skipping the laser removal. It isn't a permanent fix, and if I recall correctly, the prices for the DG HAL RAR and THD methods are roughly in the same ballpark. Look, if you're already weighing the option of surgery, you might as well go for the one that gets rid of them for good.
And since yours aren't even bleeding or hurting yet, you probably won't even have much of a recovery period. I dealt with the exact same stool issues you're having, and for the first time in my life, things are finally regular and normal. I honestly don't know if I owe that to the surgery or just changing my diet...
My advice? Just get rid of them now. Don't wait. 🙂
Thanks for getting back to me so fast. Given my family history, there's a pretty high chance I'll be dealing with complications in that area my whole life. Just a quick question (I'll Google it later, but in plain English): what's the actual difference between THD and DG HAL? From what I gather, there's also the + RAR version versus just the standard HAL method.
So, does that mean my mom might have made a mistake by choosing laser removal for her internal ones? 😢 Dr. Misir told her they wouldn't come back after that.
I completely overhauled my diet about six months ago (because of some Candida issues), but my hemorrhoids have actually gotten worse since then.😠 I could probably get this done through Merkur or privately (like at Butterfly), right? I assume the wait times are just longer at the hospital.
I mean, I think it's been happening for a while, so it's likely just Stage II—there's no need to panic or rush. I don't want to be paranoid when I see how much trouble, pain, and bleeding other people deal with (my mom is a prime example), but I know this isn't just going to vanish. It's better to handle it sooner rather than later.
Morning.🙂 Quick intro: I'm 26, dealing with one or two external hemorrhoids and some stage II internal ones. They haven't bled on me yet. My diet hasn't been great either—constipation has been my lifelong companion. It’s definitely genetic, too. My dad had his hemorrhoids operated on ages ago; my mom is actually in the middle of getting laser treatment for her internal ones plus surgery for her external ones (stage III, under Dr. Misirov).
I've seen a few doctors. One private specialist told me they could use a laser for the internal stuff and go with traditional surgery for the external ones. He said since there's no bleeding, it isn't an emergency. Over at Sun City Clinic, they mentioned they only do traditional ligation, which is a hard pass for me.
On top of that, I've been battling chronic candidiasis for about a year now, which I'm pretty sure is making my gut health even worse.
I'm going to dig through this thread (I heard Butterfly and Arithera use more modern methods), but I really want to hear about your experiences. I know deep down hemorrhoids aren't just going to vanish 🙂, but I've been acting like it's not a big deal, thinking I have plenty of time. Am I being naive here? Should I start taking this seriously and look for a fix, even if they aren't hurting or bleeding right now?
I’m currently a patient over at Holy Spirit. If you’re trying to get an appointment there, just give the Mayo Clinic a call at 01/3712-111. Honestly, unless your doctor gave you a specific recommendation or you have a particular specialist in mind, just ask them who has an opening when you call.
Just make sure you schedule it so your ultrasound falls somewhere between day 5 and day 10 of your cycle.
They taught me the same thing—that you should schedule your ultrasound during the follicular phase, basically as soon as possible after your period ends. I always aim for somewhere between day 5 and day 9 or 10. That’s when things look most realistic. Plus, there's a chance some kind of cyst just cleared out with your period, so you can see everything clearly before the hormones start kicking in again.
jadescout56 said:...So, I finally pulled the trigger and scheduled the laparoscopy. My gynecologist says it’s best to just get it out of there. I had my CA 125 levels checked, and they're slightly elevated—it's supposed to be under 35, but I'm sitting at 39.80. I'm a little nervous, 😲 even though they say it's nothing to lose sleep over. Does anyone have advice regarding the laparoscopy itself? I heard it's done under general anesthesia... how long do you usually stay in the hospital, how much sick leave should I take, and what's the best stuff to pack for the hospital stay?
There's actually a whole thread about laparoscopy, go take a look, there's plenty of info there. Just ask if there's anything else you need to know.😉
I got my first period when I was 10 (specifically 10 years, 10 months, and 10 days 🤣), and looking back over my 15 years of "experience," I don't think I've ever had a cycle shorter than 35 days.🤔 My longest one in the last 6 or 7 years? Probably around 60 to 70 days. When I was younger, everyone assumed it was just because I was growing or being super active in sports, but nothing changed even after I finished growing. I've had several doctors bring up oligomenorrhea. My surgeon at Mayo Clinic—who actually operated on me twice—told me not to sweat it. He basically said this is just how I'm wired, that my ovaries are just a bit lazy 🤣, and compared it to how some women have a 28-day cycle while mine averages out to 40 or 50.
Back in the day, ultrasounds showed a polycystic or microcystic ovary once or twice, along with hormonal imbalances (high androgen, low progesterone, inverted FSH-LH ratio, high prolactin), but my hormones have been totally normal for the last two or three years. I also ended up losing almost an entire ovary due to a cystadenoma, but strangely enough, my cycles didn't get any longer because of it.🤷
Otherwise, I’ve been on Diane since 2002 to regulate my cycle. My doctor says it’s better to use it so we aren't "wasting eggs" unnecessarily 🤣 since I'll need them later for pregnancy. I take breaks from it once a year or around surgeries. During those breaks, I check my liver enzymes and hormone levels. My liver tests always come back clean.
He also told me not to stress about getting pregnant down the road. To quote him: "Be happy that you're actually ovulating naturally; plenty of women don't even have that. So what if it happens every 40 to 60 days? You'll just have to have sex a little more often, and that's that."😁
Standard testing I've done includes the usual stuff (pelvic exam, Pap smear, color Doppler ultrasound), cervical swabs, basal hormone levels, and progesterone. I've also checked my thyroid several times, and it's always fine. Right now, I'm taking a break from Diane to deal with a Candida infection, but I am using Duphaston to keep my cycle regulated.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiences.😉
P.S. I might have had polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound once or twice, but I don't have PCOS (the syndrome). My ultrasounds have been clear for the last few years, so there's nothing PCO(S) about it. It's just plain old oligomenorrhea.
I’ve packed on a solid 30 pounds since I started taking Diane eight years ago, but let's be real—I can't pin all of that on them. It’s also about quitting sports, my lifestyle, sitting around way too much, eating... you know how it goes.🙄 Besides, being 25 isn't exactly the same as being 17.😉
But yeah, they definitely played a part in me getting a bit softer.
fadedpilot2 said:Hey sweetie, one quick question please... is an antibiogram just another word for swabs, or is it something extra? If it is, can you get that done at a public clinic? I'd rather not deal with the same doctor again...
She wasn't asking me, but here's the lowdown: An antibiogram is basically an extra step they take after a swab identifies exactly which bacteria are causing the trouble. Once they isolate the bacteria, the lab tests them against various antibiotics (or combinations) to see which ones actually work—meaning what you should take to kill the infection—and which ones the bacteria are resistant to. They include those results with your report so you know exactly what medication to grab instead of just guessing with random antibiotics.
So, long story short, an antibiogram is a list showing which specific drugs were tested on the bacteria and whether they actually did the job or not.👍
Kevin Jackson63 said:But does that mean my cycle ends up being shorter?
Only the very first one is shorter. For instance, I started my period on May 13th and kicked off the pills right then. I’ll be on them until June 2nd (that's 21 days), and expect my next period around June 5th. That puts this specific cycle at about 25 days.
After that, everything settles into a perfect 28-day rhythm.👍