Posts by rapidraven4

James Rogers8 said:Four days ago, I developed this agonizing inflammation around my clitoris. It’s incredibly painful even without any physical contact, and even just the friction from my underwear feels unbearable. I’ve tried drinking cranberry tea and applying chamomile compresses, but the swelling hasn't budged an inch. I am at a complete loss as to what else to try, and frankly, the thought of walking into a doctor's office or seeing a gynecologist fills me with dread. If anyone here has dealt with something similar or has some advice, please, I am begging for help because the pain is truly excruciating! 🙏

...look, if the pain is truly that intense, you simply have to see a gynecologist... it is far too risky to offer medical advice blindly based on internet chatter...
The underlying cause of such inflammation can vary wildly... so please, go see a professional...
And listen... a long time ago, I experienced some discomfort near my clitoris myself... though it wasn't nearly this debilitating unless I touched it... eventually, a small bump appeared, about the size of a pea, which absolutely terrified me... but within a day or two—right as I was psyching myself up to head to the clinic—it just vanished. However, if this doesn't clear up, and if the pain remains this severe, you really need to consult someone with actual medical expertise. 👍

..there isn't much else you can do besides exercise a bit of patience....if the test comes back negative ....then you aren't pregnant....try running another one toward the end of the week, maybe around Friday...if it's still negative then just let it go....your period will arrive eventually....bodies undergo all sorts of shifts and changes....so just take it easy🙂
Don't get worked up...stressing out won't help your situation one bit....🙂

Sandra Baker35 said:Well... I went to see my primary care physician and laid everything out for her. She asked if she could perform an exam, and I told her... absolutely, please go ahead.
Anyway, now I am left sitting here wondering what on earth to make of it all... she told me everything seemed fine from her perspective, though she did spot one tiny hemorrhoid that had popped out. She insisted there were no abnormalities; she even performed a quick digital exam 🙄, which didn't cause any pain at the time... but honestly, now I'm feeling this discomfort again, and it feels more like vaginal pain this time. To top it off, I have developed a whole new issue—which isn't funny at all, really—but here we are. Actually, the entire lower region was aching before, and now I can't even be sure which specific part is causing the trouble... who knows what is actually going on with me????

My dear... my own GP told me the exact same thing. 😉

If this continues to plague you and you just want some peace of mind, it might be wise to finally schedule an appointment with a proctologist...
I say this just so you can put your heart at ease and pinpoint the actual source of the trouble...
But listen... yesterday at work, after using the restroom in the afternoon, I felt such a burning sensation back there that I completely panicked. But that’s just how it goes... perhaps things are just a bit inflamed right now, and until they settle down, one simply has to wait it out. In the meantime, just take care of yourself and soothe the area with whatever works...
Did she prescribe anything for you?
Any medications, ointments, creams, or suppositories?

Ugh... if I am being too intrusive, feel free to kick me in the backside. 😂

Oh, that reminds me... the doctor's sister mentioned to me yesterday that she deals with hemorrhoids too, and she swears by drinking tomato juice every single morning; she says it works wonders. She still drinks her coffee, but if she sweetens it, well, it's probably better regardless...
She suggested that when I'm showering, I should try letting a stream of lukewarm water hit the anal area—if you'll excuse my bluntness, I am certainly no medical expert—to help stimulate circulation. Apparently, hemorrhoids are nothing more than blood vessels that have essentially become congested and swollen in that area due to hard stools, and most of us living this frantic, unhealthy American lifestyle struggle with that exact issue... 🤣

She also advised me to eat plenty of fruit... apparently figs and prunes are fantastic for keeping things moving smoothly. So, I'll be heading down to the local farmer's market very soon to stock up. 😁

cosmicdrifter11, are you feeling any better? 😉

Susan Alvarez84 said:Come on, give me the lowdown on how things are going with the ring. I am dying to know if you can actually feel it. P.S. Please try to include plenty of wild poses so I can stay properly informed. 🙂😉

I will get back to you on that, I promise... but honestly, I have to finish this entire cycle of birth control pills first before I can even think about switching over to the ring. Once I start my next cycle, I'll finally put it in, so I will definitely let you know how it goes once I've had a chance to test it out!

boldheron7 said:you should give Daflon a shot; it’s actually the only one officially FDA-approved as a medication for veins and hemorrhoids, whereas everything else out there is just some glorified supplement or "wellness" aid, and frankly, it’s much easier on the wallet than Viagra—it’s sitting at roughly $33 for a pack of 30 tablets

Hmm... I actually have some Daflon sitting in my cabinet right now... a friend of mine, who happens to be a physician, handed them to me because she swears by them after finishing a full course...😉

But the real question is, can I actually get my hands on them without a prescription??
....I know they aren't free, obviously, but I'm wondering if I can just stroll into a CVS or Walgreens and pick them up off the shelf like any other over-the-counter item...
Then again, I suppose I'll just head down to the pharmacy and ask; if they turn me away, I'll figure out my next move soon enough...
And what about Viagra?
Does anyone here actually have first-hand experience with it? 😕

Sandra Baker35 said:Well... I have my own doctor 😢. For the most part, I've just got this swelling around the anus; I can't tell if something is actually protruding, though it certainly feels like it might pop out, but I think it only happened once! The real issue is that the pain down there is excruciating, and it radiates right into my leg—it’s such a pervasive ache that I can't even pinpoint the exact source anymore. Curiously, when I actually touch the swelling itself, it doesn't hurt all that much; instead, it’s more of this spontaneous, throbbing agony that strikes out of nowhere. Now I'm terrified it might be something far more sinister, even though my bowel movements are normal, everything else seems fine, I haven't run a fever, and I haven't lost any weight, but... ugh... I have no idea what tomorrow's exam is going to reveal... I just know I've been an absolute wreck for days because of this!
Elisco... I truly hope you feel better soon; it pains me to hear you're suffering like this. Tell me, did you undergo surgery already, and where was it performed? Hang in there, 👍!
By the way, rapidraven4, is that Dr. Filati running a private practice?

I see... so Dr. Filati is in private practice... and word on the street is he's quite excellent.
He actually maintains his own website, www.drfilati-clinic.com,
where everything is laid out clearly...
And honestly, I suspect everything will turn out fine... perhaps you really just have some particularly large hemorrhoids.🤣

Goodness... please, you absolutely must let us know what your doctor says...
A friend of mine, who graduated from medical school, actually diagnosed me with hemorrhoids during a trip to the coast this past year... we had been drinking quite a bit, and I mentioned how much my backside was hurting due to poor digestion—we were eating whatever we could get our hands on at the beach—and she just shot back, "Honey, you've got hemorrhoids." And I was like😕😂... "Don't you dare joke with me!" and she just replied, "Welcome to the club."
What kind of club is that, anyway? We aren't exactly old ladies...😲😲

Oh, and Elisco; you should probably try one of those suppositories to help things move along... you know, the kind they suggest to clear your system before surgery... they aren't harmful; they just soften the stool and make the whole process much easier. :9
I can't offer much more advice than that...🤷
Stay strong, 👍

Sandra Baker35 said:Well done to you, rapidraven4, though I have my doubts about seeing a general practitioner for this. Is that really what they specialize in? Do they even look at things like this?
I managed to book an appointment with my doctor for the day after tomorrow—just a standard GP visit, really—but I must admit, I am absolutely terrified that they might find something far more sinister than mere hemorrhoids! Honestly, I can't tell if my anxiety stems from the actual physical pain or just the sheer dread that there's something much worse lurking beneath the surface... and frankly, I have no idea what kind of hemorrhoids I'm dealing with. There is this noticeable thickening around the anal area, and I constantly feel as though something is about to slip out at any given moment 😠! I haven't seen any blood, and I manage one bowel movement a day, early in the morning; it’s perfectly normal, neither too soft nor too hard, and quite substantial (not some tiny thing like a matchstick, more like a thick cucumber 😕), so I desperately hope it isn't something more serious... regardless, I suppose I just have to face that dreaded examination 🤷
. Oh, and by the way... if anyone happens to have a recommendation for a decent proctologist... I certainly wouldn't turn them down.

On another note... I actually have a pretty good GP... he's about 40 years old... I felt a bit embarrassed at first, thinking about him having to examine my backside 😂🤣, but he assured me he sees these issues all the time, so I just lay on my side and let him proceed... he examined the area, used his finger to check for irregularities, and asked if it was painful... and that's how he reached his diagnosis...

I don't think I've reached a critical enough stage to require a specialist proctologist just yet....😁

The thing is... I definitely have this thickening around the anus... and when I'm sitting on the toilet... it seems to protrude outward 🤣🤣
only to recede back inside afterwards....
As for recommendations... my mother dealt with similar issues ages ago and saw Dr. Filati..... she swears he is excellent....
Maybe try asking around....👍

Sigh... I finally sat through an appointment with my doctor today. He didn't even bother referring me to a specialist because he claims it’s a waste of time...
It turns out I have hemorrhoids—internal, though they're visible enough—and we're looking at stage one...
Honestly, damn these hemorrhoids. 😢

The doctor just handed me some suppositories and gave me the standard advice to keep the area clean... which is incredibly frustrating because I already do that constantly. How exactly am I supposed to manage hygiene while I'm stuck at my desk at work!?
I carry wet wipes everywhere I go; honestly, for years now, I've been lugging around these massive bags just so I can fit all my supplies inside...
So, here we are. I felt compelled to tell you all that as of today, I am completely overhauling my diet. I'm going to try to change everything from the ground up and see if there's actually any improvement...

And seriously, am I really expected to cut out coffee too?
Also, regarding this Viagra... is it something you need a prescription for, or can I just pick it up over the counter? And what about those Herbalife capsules... is there anything else worth taking?

And get this... I'm an avid cyclist, but now I can't even sit on my bike without agony. That hard saddle is pure torture. I feel like I'm going to kill myself...

😢 😢

Grace Martinez56 said:Of course there are ways; I’m talking about staying active, keeping things lubricated, watching your diet, and basic hygiene.

In my own experience, they’ve vanished quite predictably on several occasions—usually triggered by either some family stress or just dealing with stubborn constipation.

Alright... thanks... though I honestly think I'll head in for a professional exam before I try anything else.

Should I book an appointment with a proctologist right away, or would it be wiser to start with my primary care physician? Since we are discussing external topical treatments... and since I've actually taken a look myself... I know how ridiculous that might sound, but between using a mirror, squatting, and sheer willpower, one can manage to get a clear view.😂

Good grief, just thinking about it again gives me a bit of a headache...😁

Is there actually any chance that if they're just small... I mean, if there's just one tiny external thing that could be removed so it's gone for good...
Or maybe they could just disappear entirely, so they aren't sticking out quite so much.🤣

Between my studies and my job, I find myself stuck in a chair far more often than I’d like. It was only after a long, draining conversation with a close friend of mine who happens to be a doctor that I realized I've developed what she calls "chemical imbalances"... and frankly, I'm spiraling into a bit of a panic over it.😕

Since I need to get back to Paoli...
I’ve always made it a point to take them right before hitting the hay...usually around 11 PM...and honestly, that hasn't changed a bit from how I used to be to how I am now; if I had to take them during the day, I would absolutely forget about them within minutes.🙂

As far as weight gain goes, I have never actually struggled with that issue...especially while I was on Triquilar.🙂
They work fine enough for me...but I find myself increasingly drawn to the contraceptive ring...so I think I'll make the switch over to that soon. My plan is to finish up one more cycle of these pills and then give the ring a shot.

Has anyone here actually heard of it?🙂

So, to respond to Pauli...
I have always taken them right before bed, usually around 11 PM; that was my ritual back then, and it remains my ritual now, because if I were to take them during the daylight hours, I am absolutely certain I would forget them entirely.🙂

As for weight gain, I’ve honestly never struggled with that issue at all, particularly while using Triquilar.🙂
They work fine enough for me, I suppose, though I find myself increasingly drawn to the idea of the contraceptive ring, so I intend to make the switch once I finish this current cycle of pills.
Have any of you ladies heard anything about it?
🙂

It’s entirely possible.... I actually just found myself scrolling through the manufacturer’s website for these birth control pills, and they claim all of this is perfectly normal—just standard side effects during the first three cycles while your body tries to recalibrate to the hormones. But honestly, darling, I would much rather endure those physical tantrums than ever have to visit a " way am I pregnant??" website again. 🙂

amberheron64 said:So, you haven't actually done any testing yet??? In that case, please don't start taking those pills—you really need to run some diagnostic tests first just to see if they’re even safe for you to use.
What kind of medication are we talking about here?
And honestly, how could a doctor even write a prescription for those without seeing the necessary lab results first?

Wait, were you actually getting regular checkups and blood work done a few years back?

Of course I did... I had them done a few years back, and then again about a year ago when I was on them... my results have always come back fine, which is why she cleared me to start again. Besides, I was the one who insisted on starting once my period arrived.
It's just Triquilar—the one with the lower hormone dosage.
She told me I just needed to redo the routine blood work I usually get, but I haven't had a chance to squeeze it in yet because I was traveling for three weeks. Now that I'm finally back home, the weekend is hitting, so I'm planning to head to the clinic this Monday.🙂

I want to verify something...
I started on birth control this month... however, I haven't quite managed to get around to performing those blood tests my doctor insisted I undergo🙂)
But after just two weeks, I've developed this heavy, messy discharge... is there a chance this is directly linked to starting the medication?
Is it simply a matter of waiting for the body to adjust to the hormones?
A few years back, when I first went on the pill, I dealt with the exact same thing, though I have this nagging sensation that it feels much more intense this time around...

What are your thoughts?
Keith Thomas21—I suspect you might be dealing with the exact same situation as mine... these side effects from birth control are truly relentless...🙂

ironstag said:I was actually planning on leaving tomorrow... since I took a test this morning...

And this pregnancy? It was absolutely not part of the plan. 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢:

I’m just praying I’m not pregnant because, frankly, the timing couldn't be worse. 😢😢

Regardless of how the chips fall, you're facing a heavy reality, and whatever path you choose will ultimately be yours alone to own.
There are plenty of discussions happening here where you might find some common ground; please, reach out to whichever thread feels right so you aren't carrying this weight by yourself.

For now, just try to stay steady... if you are indeed pregnant, it isn't the end of the road, but you really need to sit down and have a serious, solitary conversation with yourself about what you truly want. In fact, I suspect deep down, you probably already have an inkling of what you would do if you found yourself caught in this exact predicament.🙂

Carol Scott98 said:The last time I sat in my OB-GYN's office, she mentioned that a new contraceptive ring—one you insert into the vagina on the first day of your period and leave there for three weeks—is expected to hit the market around May. Essentially, the hormonal cycle is identical to taking birth control pills, but without the constant, nagging anxiety of remembering a daily dose. I haven't pulled the trigger on trying it yet, but it sounds quite intriguing...

I am curious to know if anyone here actually uses this thing and what your experiences have been like. 😍

For those of you who are completely in the dark about what we're discussing: here is a little info, followed by a bit more or this

So, here is the situation... two days ago, I had an appointment with my doctor to finalize my contraception plan, and I ended up restarting the oral pills I used to take a few years back.
However, my physician showed me this ring and walked me through the whole process, and honestly, it seems absolutely wonderful...

It’s roughly 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter, much like a tiny rubber bracelet infused with hormones to prevent pregnancy... you compress it slightly to insert it deep into the vagina, where it settles snugly against the vaginal walls and stays perfectly in place; it simply cannot slip out. Furthermore, she assured me that it doesn't interfere with intimacy at all...
To be honest, I felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to just go ahead and try it right then and there... but the doctor advised me to finish two cycles of the pill first, after which I can switch over to the ring whenever I'm ready...
The primary advantage is that I won't have to live with the perpetual dread of forgetting a pill, and frankly, this kind of method seems ideal for busy, career-driven women who don't have time for such trivialities...
Now, I am just waiting to get through these next two cycles before making the definitive jump to the ring....

It remains in place for three weeks, mirroring the pill schedule... once that period is up, you remove it, wait a few days for your period to arrive, and then insert a fresh one on the same day you started the previous one.👍
And thus, the cycle continues.😉

Personally, I find this method of protection to be quite brilliant....🙂