Posts by Jessica Grant56

Could we maybe dial back on the "quote" feature, especially when it comes to those massive walls of text?? It just makes the whole thread impossible to navigate! You don't always need to quote the entire previous post to reply... if you really need to show who you're talking to, just strip out the body text and leave their name.

Lisa Cook81 said:Thanks—I'll give that cream a shot...

I didn't really emphasize this earlier, but I think it matters: I doubt you'll be able to find it here at home. It feels like the pharmacies in the States just favor those same few big brands, and finding anything else is nearly impossible! If you happen to know someone over in Canada or maybe near the border, they can usually pick stuff up easily in a different state.

Lisa Cook81 said:Does anyone else have any suggestions for something—anything—that might actually help me out here?😢

So, I ended up picking up one of those creams that costs a few hundred bucks—I mean, what else was I going to do? It wasn't exactly a steal, but I accidentally grabbed this Italian Proctolyn cream, and honestly... it actually seems to be working for me. I guess my advice is just to try everything you can until you finally "hit gold" with something that provides relief. But hey, there's no point in sticking with something if it’s just a waste of time. That said—and this is important—if things start cracking or bleeding heavily, you're basically looking at an emergency. It would be incredibly foolish to ignore that kind of thing... even if it feels like a minor issue physically!
If you ask me, my best little tip is to just keep some kind of vein-strengthening cream on hand at all times—you know, things like Herbion or Vazogel—and just apply a little whenever you can!

northerndriver6 said:Well, that’s that then! No clue at all—he didn't even take a look himself. He just handed me the referral—so I guess I'll have to wait for the specialist to actually check things out!!! 👍

Oh, well—you aren't exactly being welcomed with open arms here, though it's certainly for your own good! But hey, if you decide to stick around, you’re in pretty good company. Since you're still just a beginner at all this, maybe a few pointers from us might actually come in handy!

northerndriver6 said:So, I just got back from the doctor... they gave me a referral for a dermatologist and some Betazon ointment. The itching finally cleared up, but those tiny little bumps are still hanging around.

And what kind of brilliant conclusion did the genius reach—is he deciding if you're a good citizen or not?

northerndriver6 said:Hemorrhoids, maybe?

Honestly, just go talk to a doctor. That’s really the only way to know for sure—and if it actually turns out to be hemorrhoids, well... welcome to the club.

Look, let's put it this way: if they aren't bothering you, if there's no bleeding and no pain, then what’s the point? Why mess with them? I know—I shouldn't be spending all day bending over and straining myself, but let's face it, most of us spend way too much time hunched over a computer screen anyway... Unfortunately, as we get older, new little issues tend to pop up. So, here’s one idea—it might sound a bit bizarre to some, but bear with me: grab a camera, set it on the floor, and take some clear photos until you get a good shot. First off, it lets you actually see the "enemy" and get acquainted with it—which isn't exactly pleasant, but it's not all bad either. But the real reason is this: do it once a year and track whether things are changing or staying the same. If I look at my own progress after four years and everything looks identical, it means they aren't growing and they're under control. Because if you notice things are starting to head south, surgery is always the last resort—but the longer you wait, the harder it gets to turn things around.

If it makes you feel any better, I’ve been dealing with this alongside them for over 20 years—maybe even 25 at this point—and we’re getting along just fine, aside from the occasional flare-up. My little "secret," if you can call it that, is using things like Vaseline or similar vein-strengthening creams; they seem to help keep everything resilient so things don't rupture as easily. Plus, I spend just as much time sitting down as you do.

And yeah, you might want to say goodbye to spicy peppers and hot chili sauce for a while... though a quick heads-up: if anything triggers a bout of diarrhea, I don't know why, but it feels like those spices irritate everything so badly it actually causes ruptures!

Using cold water is definitely a good preventative measure—it helps cool things down so the situation doesn't escalate. Also, try to sit on a breathable cushion, and watch out for what it's made of (avoid synthetic fabrics!). You can actually find specialized seat pads designed specifically for people who tend to sweat more.

Just hang in there. Honestly, I don't think anyone has ever actually died from hemorrhoids. At least there's some silver lining in all this...

jadestag11 said:Man... I’m already losing my mind from all these meds... they’re totally wrecking my life. Physically and mentally.
I feel like I'm going crazy...

Honestly, it sounds easier to just grab a brick and whack yourself in the head—then maybe let us know how you're doing after twenty years of dealing with this without complaining! This is way too pessimistic.
In the meantime, check WHAT you're actually sitting on! If your seat isn't breathable—like if it’s some kind of faux leather, lacquered wood, or plastic—well, that should tell you everything you need to know. Also, think about hygiene and what creams you're using... or are you even using anything at all??

gentleotter11 said:I’ve been thinking about this, and I've realized that 90% of people just don't bother seeing a doctor because they don't think their hemorrhoids are a big deal—they figure they can just handle it at home. But the ones who actually make it to a clinic? They always end up complaining. 🙂

That’s not exactly a groundbreaking realization, but... look, it really boils down to this: if you strike while the enemy is weak and small—using the right tools like good hygiene, decent ointments, maybe some home remedies—you can actually win the fight. But once it grows to the size of, say, a thumbnail? You can't defeat it anymore. At that point, you basically just sign a peace treaty where you agree not to shoot or leak, and then you spend the rest of your life just kind of managing the situation. It's like living with this constant, nagging idea that hitting 100 years old is a stretch anyway, so eventually, the issue will just be defeated by time. If it doesn't bleed, doesn't hurt, and doesn't get in your way, you got lucky—it worked for me, personally. Anyway, I’ve still got a long way to go before I hit a century, so I’ll let you know how it goes.

@ gentleotter11: Honestly, why don't you just go through all twenty pages of the forum? It’ll actually be worth your time!

Lisa Cook81 said:I tried using that FactSet ointment for two weeks, but honestly, it didn't do a thing for me... so I ended up picking up some Dolocaine instead. Can anyone tell me how you're actually supposed to use this? Like, how many times a day should I be applying it? The instructions are totally vague... please help me out...

Still, you really ought to check with your doctor first—it has lidocaine in it, which is an anesthetic meant to dull the discomfort, so... it's probably not the best idea to rely on a forum for medical advice! If you’re set on looking it up yourself, just type the name into Google; you'll find plenty of "personal experience" posts out there.

George Harris13 said:Hey everyone... so... I was looking back through some older posts, but I couldn't really find anyone asking anything quite like what I'm going through...
I noticed some blood on the toilet paper about a month or two ago—just small amounts in my stool...
Help... guys, please help me...

What kind of help are you even looking for here?? Do you want a few random people from this forum to grab you by the arms and legs and RUSH you to the doctor?? You're so young and playing games like this just isn't right. Seriously, pull together whatever tiny bit of courage you have left and go see a doctor within the next 48 hours. If you have any maternal instincts at all, you should realize how vital a gynecologist is to your life!! Who else is going to guide you for the next eight months—some local witch doctor?? If you let things get out of control, you'll be left regretting it later. So, listen: don't zone out... and don't forget your insurance card!

Any news claiming someone "cured their hemorrhoids" is straight-up science fiction! If we're talking about tiny, early-stage issues—I don't know—maybe. But once they get serious? There’s no magic pill besides the surgeon's knife. It just doesn't make sense: how could any medication target one single "crazy" capillary so precisely?? Besides, medicine is hit or miss; it might work for one person and be totally useless for another. For me, Pilex did absolutely nothing—it was basically like swallowing flour!!

Look, I totally get wanting to show solidarity with people dealing with the same issues—we all want to help. But instead of offering well-meaning advice that basically just describes a descent into hell, we really should be telling anyone who says they're seeing blood for the first time the one right way to handle it: GO TO THE DOCTOR! It might just be hemorrhoids, but it might not be, you know?? Of course, the easiest way most people try to figure things out is by jumping onto Google and typing in "hemorrhoids." You don't have to fall for those flashy ads promising magic, overpriced cures, but at least you can learn something useful from actual medical info online.

Karen Adams2 said:I'm going to pick up some Detralex tomorrow—we'll see if it actually does anything or if it's just a waste of time. I'll be sure to check back in here regularly to share my thoughts and let you guys know how it's going.😁

I picked this up a while ago, but since I've just been sitting on it, I figured it was finally time to give it a shot—though, honestly, I’m pretty skeptical that it’ll actually make a difference for me. At least it’s a lot cheaper than Pilex, even if the long-term cost eventually adds up. But then again, if something actually worked like magic, I don't think anyone would even be looking at the price tag, right?

Rachel Wilson24 said:Can you please recommend a good vein cream? I'm looking for something reliable. I know there are also Detralex tablets for veins, so maybe I could combine them—take the pills and use a topical ointment at the same time...

You actually asked this about five or six posts ago, but here we go again: Vaseline, Nature's Bounty, and so on. I used the first one for years, but since they stopped carrying it, I switched to another brand. They're all horse chestnut-based, so basically just herbal remedies.

Just a quick heads-up: try not to quote entire posts. If you're giving a direct answer right below, you don't even need to quote it. If it's not a direct response, just trim out the extra stuff and leave only what you're actually replying to! It makes everything much easier to read...

Karen Adams2 said:Ugh, that hasn't happened to me yet—you know, the spraying part—😲and then you can tell me I'm scaring people!

Why the "ugh"?? Because it’s always about the SPRAYING!! The real question is whether it's external and if it burst in a way where the stream points downward—in which case you'll see it (and hear it if it hits water!). It's pretty simple physics, really: a tiny little hole formed in a vessel under pressure—and look, the heart isn't just some random little pump, just check a blood pressure monitor!—so every time the heart beats, that pulsing pressure sends out a thin spray... Of course, it all depends on how thick the capillary that caused the hemorrhoid is. And here's the thing: if you find the spot and apply good pressure, the spray stops, and after a little while—once things cool down—everything's fine again! And I'll say it again: I honestly think those vein creams eventually toughen up the vessel walls, shrinking them and reducing the size of the enlarged capillary, which is why they don't burst as often. Maybe once every few months, usually after some heavy lifting or an upset stomach. But, oh, I forgot to mention!!! Those vein creams can sometimes "sting" or hurt a bit (especially at first), but it passes quickly, almost like they have an anesthetic effect... and hey, sometimes you just have to endure a little something!

Rachel Wilson24 said:..I know exactly what it’s like—literally leaving bloody trails all over the house, it's pure horror! I used to grab whatever was in the freezer just so I could sit on it to try and stop the bleeding..

Is there enough scary stuff being said here?? Honestly, you two seem like the more severe cases, so please don't wait any longer—you likely need surgery, and then you can deal with the recovery later. Even though not many people are posting, the number of sufferers out there is actually huge! Only a lucky few escape without issues. But you both missed all those milder cases, even though everyone eventually deals with that nightmare encounter where it doesn't just leak, but actually sprays! That's probably the absolute worst part—it isn't just oozing, it's pulsing in time with your heartbeat!

Besides the whole ice trick, there's an easier way when it happens while you're in the bathroom: sit on the edge of the tub and use a cold shower spray directly underneath to "cool" things down until it stops. If it goes on too long, you really have no choice but to sit on something hard that provides direct pressure right on the spot—that should help. Of course, the worst thing you can do is just sit on the Restroom seat and wait... It also depends a lot on your blood type, and everyone knows you can tell how bad an injury is by whether the bleeding stops quickly or not.

In any case, there's no room for panic. Even if it looks like everything is swimming in blood, realistically it's smaller amounts—though it feels like we've lost over 7 liters... But, if it lasts too long, here is one more piece of advice: always keep your phone in the Restroom! And if everything starts spinning, call someone with a car to come get you first, or just dial 911.

stormycanyon2 said:I wanted to ask you—I bought a pack of Pilex three months ago, but I haven't even opened it yet...

Honestly, just search through my old posts and read them—I don't want to type everything out all over again. My old stuff is pretty dated, sure, but when it comes to Pilex? Not a chance. It didn't do a single thing for me except make my stomach act up—I was running to the bathroom every single day and saw zero benefits!! For that kind of money, I was expecting at least *something*, but...

Here’s the short version: you can actually live your whole life with hemorrhoids without ever needing surgery. I mean, maybe you need a little luck, but my personal routine for those internal-external ones (you know, the ones that stay inside until you use the restroom, then pop out!) is this: after using the restroom, use the softest paper you can find—like triple-ply, or even double that—or if water is an option, use a decent cream. Mix in an equal amount of some vein gel (like Vaseline or Nature's Bounty, etc.) and try to push them back in... There are other tricks too, so since I'm already typing: having trouble seeing what's going on back there? Just grab a camera, set it on the floor, aim it at the "target," and use the self-timer! At least then you get a clear look at the enemy. But more importantly: when I compared photos from four years ago to now, they looked exactly the same. If that's the case, it looks like I won't need surgery after all.