796 posts shown.
Melissa Sanders35 said:Hey everyone. I wanted to share what I'm going through. About eight months ago, I had my baby, and ever since the delivery, hemorrhoids have been a nightmare. It was painful and difficult to deal with in the bathroom, but they were internal and would settle down, so I didn't panic too much. Then, three days ago, one decided to make a bold appearance on the outside, and honestly, the pain is unbearable right now. From what I can see, it's this hard, immovable blue lump about half an inch long. I've never really struggled with hemorrhoids before, though I've always dealt with constipation and irregular movements. There’s no family history of this either. Everyone kept pushing Plex on me, which turned out to be a massive mistake—nothing but expensive marketing. Two weeks after taking Plex, things just went south fast. About a month ago, I saw my doctor; she checked everything and said there wasn't anything palpable internally, and that the blood in my stool was likely due to intestinal irritation. She recommended Detralex, which I just started three days ago. Every morning, I have bran with a glass of Donat mg. After every bathroom trip, I clean up and do chamomile sitz baths twice a day, applying some ointment from a local pharmacy and taking Detralex 2 x2. Is there anything else I should try or take, keeping in mind that I am breastfeeding?
Get a second opinion... And for heaven's sake, stay away from diarrhea. That is absolute torture when you're dealing with hemorrhoids...
Standing upright is actually considered a major risk factor for developing hemorrhoids. You could almost argue that hemorrhoidal disease is just a byproduct of human evolution. Essentially, hemorrhoids are what happens when the venous plexus in the rectal area and anal region undergoes varicose expansion.
It’s a massive issue, affecting more than 80 percent of the population. It seems to hit men just a bit harder than women—roughly a 55:45 split.
Swollen veins
Internal hemorrhoids involve the dilated veins within the internal plexus, located above the dentate line (which sits about an inch from the anal opening) and covered by the mucosal lining of the lower colon. External ones sit below that line and are covered by skin.
The main red flags include bleeding, pain, itching, burning sensations, general discomfort, and messy discharge that can soak through underwear. Eventually, if the bleeding becomes frequent enough, you can end up dealing with secondary anemia.
There are plenty of reasons why this happens. Genetics plays a huge role here. If you talk to people suffering from this, they often mention it runs in the family—parents or siblings have dealt with it too.
Again, our upright posture is a big culprit. It’s part of our evolutionary history. But humans haven't fully adapted to living vertically, which leads to various pathological issues, including hemorrhoids—what some call the "pathology of verticality."
Modern life requires us to fight back against this vertical pathology through physical activity, sports, and taking regular breaks during the day, at night, or on summer vacations. Another significant factor is the lack of certain valves in the portal vein system; the way the portal vein communicates with the hemorrhoidal veins is a major piece of the puzzle.
You see it most often in people whose jobs require them to be sitting for long stretches—think office workers, drivers, or tailors—but also in those who stand all day without moving much, like surgeons.
Degenerative changes
Interestingly, even athletes—football players or basketball players—deal with this, though their cases are usually driven by different factors like intense physical strain or genetics.
As we age, tissues undergo degenerative changes and lose their fibromuscular structure. This applies to blood vessels as well, which is why hemorrhoids are so common among the elderly.
There is even a psychological component. Emotional stress can change tissue tone, which in turn increases pressure within the blood vessels.
Mechanical causes
Several mechanical triggers play a role in the development of the disease: constipation, tumors in the pelvic or abdominal organs, kidney issues, foreign objects, muscle spasms, pregnancy, liver cirrhosis, obstructive lung or heart disease, and even the increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by heavy coughing, sneezing, or vomiting.
It’s worth noting that chronic constipation can actually be a result of hemorrhoids rather than just the cause. Once the underlying issue is treated, the constipation usually clears up.
fadednomad23 said:Do you have a link to your solution? We're dealing with 118 pages here, after all.😁
Try looking back around March or April of last year. Your best bet is to search for my name under the participant list and go from there. You'll definitely find it interesting. And honestly? That primary doctor's medical report doesn't look high-quality to me. Go see a different SPECIALIST for this kind of thing. To be blunt, the report feels incomplete—I feel like I could write parts of it myself. It's not that I'm attacking his expertise, but find someone else who specializes in this and actually inspires confidence. This specific report just doesn't make me trust that physician, even if he's great at other things. Get a second opinion. At the end of the day, it's your own ass on the line...😁 And the DG HAL RAR method is the gold standard for hemorrhoids. Good luck...🙂
EDIT: Oh, I didn't realize I had posted this many times. A real veteran in this thread... It all starts right here...
fadednomad23 said:Since I can't seem to get a single response over on the colonoscopy subforum, maybe I'll have better luck here...
I figured I’d join the rest of you patients on this thread...
I went to see a specialist today following a colonoscopy I had five months ago, mostly because I just can't seem to stop the rectal bleeding. I noticed that vividsailor7 and several others here have shared quite a bit of experience and smart advice, so I thought I’d lay out my situation.
First, here is the report from the colonoscopy back on December 22, 2011.
"Light anemia noted during processing; no abnormal findings present, stool consistency normal, but frequent bleeding from hemorrhoids/splattered mucosa. General status is good, patient is not pale, tongue is coated, abdomen is soft, non-tender to palpation, no meteorism.
EXTERNAL FINDINGS: Skin appears calm; external hemorrhoid at the 3 o'clock position looks calm.
DIGITAL RECTAL EXAM: Rectal ampulla is empty; internal hemorrhoids are palpable.
Flexible endoscopy shows normal mucosa up to the cecum; diverticula in the sigmoid colon, significant spasms, highly tortuous sigmoid, sharp linear flexure, double hepatic flexure, mucosa appears normal, large vulnerable internal hemorrhoids, currently not bleeding.
Diagnosis: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Sigmoid Diverticulosis, Grade III Hemorrhoidal Nodules."
For treatment, I was prescribed Detralex and Hemero protect cream. I was told if the bleeding continues or if anemia develops, I should return to the specialist for a follow-up and potential surgery. Since I am still seeing blood (even though there's zero pain), I decided to go back to the specialist today.
The exam happened today, and the specialist's findings are as follows:
One thing to mention—during that colonoscopy five months ago, I was in quite a bit of pain, apparently due to how twisted my intestines are. Honestly, the idea of doing that all over again doesn't exactly thrill me, but if it's necessary...
A friend of mine who went through the same thing claims they told him he's been clear for five years now.
So, no polyps. That’s great news. Really great. Look into the DG RAR HAL method and deal with this once and for all, rather than waiting five years. A surgeon will remove those enlarged hemorrhoids, and yeah, it might hurt, but you just have to push through it. For a happy ending to this thriller, read about my own experience. Just fix it now and be done with it forever...☕
Nancy Morris5 said:I see some dietary advice here that just isn't an option for me. It seems like the main goal is softening things up,🤷 but I deal with IBS and tend toward diarrhea, so that won't work. My stool isn't hard.😁
So what should I do? Besides just using creams?
A few years back, I noticed tiny spots of blood on the paper, but it went away on its own. Today, I saw it again.😢
There’s no pain, though it was a little itchy one day.
That's how hemorrhoids start. They tend to get worse over time. Of course, that doesn't mean you need surgery right this second, but it might be worth looking into the DG HAL RAR treatment method while it's still in the early stages...
Brandon Green3 said:Plex is absolute garbage. It’s a total scam, a complete rip-off, and honestly, it doesn't help at all. I went through two whole bottles—a friend brought them straight from the US, and I paid top dollar for them—but they did absolutely nothing. Zilch. Nada. Zero. Nothing at all...
Look, you don't need to tell me about it. I've tried the creams too. Of course they didn't work. We all know what the actual solution for hemorrhoids is...
wiredcobra25 said:Is there any way to skip the doctor? And what can a doctor even actually do for hemorrhoids?
I did a little digging online and stumbled upon Pilex capsules, but man, they look expensive enough to buy a small car. Has anyone here tried them?
Actually, you're mistaken there—you really ought to see a doctor. It isn't right for us to be handing out medical advice on a forum as if we were all experts. A physician is the one in charge of this stuff. That said, if you have some questions, I can certainly offer some practical perspective based on my own extensive experience fighting this beast. I used to think it would just fix itself through conservative methods, too—you know, just applying creams and hoping for the best. Creams help during the early stages, sure, but once you hit stage 4, they won't cut it. So please, go get a doctor to take a look at it. For a real thriller, check out my previous posts and those from others who managed to resolve this. In the end, we all made it through safely. Just go see a professional...
wiredcobra25 said:Guys, please help. I’m dealing with hemorrhoids, and honestly, I had no idea it could be this nasty... last night, I noticed several hemorrhoids right at the anal opening. Don't even get me started on the pain. I tried applying some drugstore cream a few times, but it didn't really do much. To be fair, they aren't quite as numerous as they were last night, but the ones left behind look terrible. Two or three have swollen right at the opening, and they're a deep, dark purple color.
I've never dealt with anything like this before and now I'm actually scared. What should I do? Will everything go back to normal? Like, will this swelling eventually go down? 😢
I know this might sound silly to some, but it really isn't to me. 😢
Classic... It's a good sign that they've shrunk, and that bluish tint is just typical for hemorrhoids. You need to see a doctor. For more details, scroll up and read through everyone else's experiences here. Mine were pretty rough, but things ended well in the end. Surgery was the answer for me. Bottom line: you can't do anything without seeing a physician...
Eric Brown7 said:Internal hemorrhoids, stage two.
My doctor recommended surgery using the HAL method. I don't have massive issues right now (I haven't even used any treatments yet), but I am planning to get pregnant. For that reason, the doctor suggested getting it handled beforehand so I don't deal with major complications during pregnancy.
I'm honestly a bit terrified of the surgery. I keep putting it off because I'm scared of the aftermath. I read online that there's a risk of losing bowel control, among other things, and I just can't make up my mind.
If anyone has been in a similar spot, could you share your experience? Also, which private clinic or doctor would you recommend?
I don't really have anyone close to me to ask about this (it feels like I'm the only one dealing with this, since none of my friends have ever mentioned having these kinds of problems).
I am also aware that since I went to a private clinic for an exam, it might be easier for the doctor to suggest surgery just to keep their business moving. (To be clear, money isn't the issue if this truly is the best solution).
Thanks in advance
If you look back at my posts from last year, everything will make sense. It’s definitely better to fix this now while it's still in the early stages. This is one of the least invasive procedures out there; you won't have issues. As for the loss of control—they're lying to you. After this specific treatment, you don't have to worry about that at all. See, there's a sensory area above the hemorrhoids that allows you to control your movements and tell the difference between gas and actual stool, and that area remains untouched. They use a probe to find the specific blood vessel supplying the hemorrhoids and destroy it, which prevents them from coming back—something that used to happen constantly with those old-school methods. Hajde, go back and read my posts from March, April, and May of last year. I laid out the entire procedure and my whole recovery process there. I was actually the toughest case to deal with, so if you're only at stage two, it won't be nearly as bad for you. After everything was done, my hemorrhoid problems were gone for good...
Just do it now and get this headache over with...
Rebecca Harris69 said:I wanted to share a little success story. I've been using Fact ointment and it actually helped reduce things 😁 😁 😁. I'm really hoping they disappear completely, but at least I feel much calmer now. Honestly, I think I triggered this by overdoing it—I tried to push a piece of furniture that was way heavier than I realized, and boom, hemorrhoids appeared that very same day. From now on, I'm not lifting anything heavier than my phone! :P To be honest, reading about how bad things can get has me a bit spooked. But since everyone seems to rave about Fact, I decided to give it a shot, and I have to say, it's a thumbs up from me. Sending good vibes to everyone else hoping for relief too!
It won't just vanish entirely. But the main thing is how well Fact works. Just make sure you don't strain yourself; you already know that part...
Take a look at this thread: The moderator will definitely merge this once they see where you're heading with this. As for hemorrhoids, though... I'm practically a PhD in that field.😁
David Collins77 said:Hey everyone,
About 10 days ago, I had surgery for hemorrhoids using the HAL-RAR method... they were grade two or three...
I went home the day after the procedure. Right after getting back, my blood pressure spiked and the pain was just brutal, but since then, everything has been fine...
However, when I go to the bathroom, sometimes there's a pretty intense burning sensation...
Is that just because the skin is a bit damaged and sensitive following the surgery, or what?...
Today, after a bowel movement, I feel this pulsing sensation in my backside, almost exactly like what I felt before the operation, and it feels like the hemorrhoids inside are "working" or "pulsing" just like they used to...
It’s actually scaring me a little... is this normal?...
On top of that, it feels like I felt a small bump near the anus after using the restroom that wasn't there a few days ago... looking in the mirror, it looks like a tiny little lump popped out... basically, the area looks different than it did two days ago...
What have your postoperative experiences been like for those of you who underwent the HAL-RAR method?...
Did anything similar happen to you? Did the hemorrhoids actually stay gone after the surgery?...
They're gone for good. Though, yeah, the whole setup down there definitely looks a bit different now...
Karen Garcia6 said:Wait, could it be that the treatment didn't work for me, which is why this flared up?
Does Medicare cover any of those methods at all?
Treatment? I'm not sure what kind of therapy you were on, but basically, I can just reiterate what was said before: stay away from heavy physical activity. Don't lift anything heavy, don't strain yourself. You already know what the diet should look like. Try to stay calm, and hygiene—perfect hygiene is a must (I'm sure you know that)—and that’s about it. As for which cream to use, I'm not sure, there's plenty to think about, but you really can't go wrong with Preparation H. You could also try Ruscoven, which helped some people (it didn't help me since it's for external use only). That would be it. Regarding Medicare, I wouldn't know; I'm writing from Canada...🙂
northernraven3 said:Hi everyone, I’m new here and—to be totally honest—I just can’t face reading all 115 pages. I’ve looked into the surgery stuff, but things aren't quite clicking (I think I'm probably just panicking). My husband has been dealing with this for a while, and after 15 years, I finally pushed him to go to the hospital. He was seen at a local hospital in Washington, D.C., diagnosed with internal hemorrhoids, grade 3/4, and they say he needs surgery. They want a colonoscopy done first. I haven't seen anyone mention getting a colonoscopy right before the actual procedure (which is supposedly scheduled for June). His doctor is H. Hochstader, so if anyone has experience with him or has heard anything, please help. Apparently, the surgery is under local anesthesia, though he still has to meet with the anesthesiologist. I know you’ll likely tell me to just read all 115 pages, but if anyone has five minutes, could you send me a DM or let me know if it makes sense to seek a private opinion?
There’s actually a whole thread dedicated to colonoscopies, so check that out. And yes, it’s perfectly normal to have one before surgery; in fact, those results are usually the most important part. Good luck...
Karen Garcia6 said:I honestly can't wrap my head around that 7,000—$2667I mean, how much does that even come out to? 😢
It’s a shame. Just start saving up. Try to just take it easy and manage for now while you can still tolerate it. Trust me, if the pain becomes unbearable, you’ll remember I said this. Just take it one step at a time and build up that fund. Good luck...
Karen Garcia6 said:this was my original post back in February.
Now it’s April. I’ve seen the proctologist twice since he told me to stick with the therapy for just one more week and that would be it—basically done—and that I should call him if it happened again. Well, lucky me, it happened again. 😢 It’s itchy, and I can feel a couple of hemorrhoids when I touch them.
I don't know, I'm losing my mind here. That visit with X. Y. didn't exactly inspire much confidence. I really don't want to just start slathering on random creams on my own, and honestly, I'm not in a financial position to spend money experimenting.
So, please, I need some advice or a recommendation for a good doctor. Thanks in advance!
Find someone in your own city who has dealt with this and get their take. If it's just itching, that's actually a decent sign; the main thing is that it isn't painful. I'll say it again—go see someone who uses the DG Kate Allen35 method. If you catch it in the early stages, there isn't a long or painful recovery process. And seriously, don't fall into the trap of thinking you're saving money by delaying treatment; the costs are always lower at the start of an illness. Health is everything, Karen Garcia6. Take care of yourself. Go see a doctor immediately to have it looked at and don't skimp on your health... Good luck...🙂
It isn't that the cream changed; her hemorrhoids just took a turn for the worse. It worked for me too, right up until the point where nothing seemed to touch the pain anymore. You have to understand that hemorrhoid disease follows its own timeline. Over time, things escalate and get much harder to manage. About 18 years ago, a doctor told me that Fact was basically useless because it doesn't contain any cortisol. He viewed it strictly as an anesthetic. Back then, it really didn't do much. Later on, once things settled down a bit, it actually helped. But by the end? Nothing worked. I eventually had to go under the knife for surgery. The reality is that every medication's effectiveness depends entirely on which stage of the illness you're currently facing...
Eric Chase12 said:Thanks for the advice—I know. And honestly, I tell everyone the same thing. But everything feels like it can wait until tomorrow, and then years just slip by. It doesn't look bad on the surface, so you think you're fine. Then they scare you a little bit with the exam process, and... well, I found out you can even do it under anesthesia. You just bring a good book and you're set. Since I finally made up my mind, my first appointment is June 15th. As you can see, there's a crowd; people are actually showing up for these exams. Now I'm just waiting. We're all just waiting. Something...
Don't wait. I used to think I’d never need surgery because I convinced myself I had everything "under control." Then a doctor asked me, "How have you even been living like this?" I told him I was managing it. But when he showed me the surgical photos? I got chills. It is always so much worse than what you see from the outside. There should be no hesitation when it comes to your health. When we see a problem with our car, we head straight to the mechanic. If I see a tiny scratch from a pebble on my car, it bugs me constantly, yet I didn't give my health (my backside😁) a second thought.
I get what you're saying, but honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea to go see a doctor. You really want to rule out anything else regarding those polyps just to be safe. Trust me, I lived quite comfortably with hemorrhoids myself. That was until things started getting complicated, and then... Well, I already laid everything out last year...
You're right, Jessica Grant56: calling it "hemero" is just wrong terminology, even though I see all sorts of medications and creams being advertised using that "hemero" label. You can definitely manage if you're dealing with a lower stage of hemorrhoids, but honestly, to be safe, it’s better to get checked out by a doctor just to rule out other dangerous issues.
