Posts by quietfox383

James Lee2 said:From what I gather, the MM method is most extreme when you already have a hemorrhoid prolapsing outside the canal... which wasn't my case. I had stage III, which led to complications with the canal and fissures, since the inside was packed with thrombosed hemorrhoids... the biggest issue was the narrowing of the canal due to increased internal sphincter tone. It’s slowly returning to a more normal state now that there aren't any hemorrhoids messing with it... and like you said, the hemorrhoids were handled using a mix of Hal Rar for the severe ones and laser for the minor ones, so that's basically it... just a bigger surgery and more techniques for a better result... hopefully.

I don't quite get it, but what you described sounds pretty terrifying. I haven't seen anyone else on this forum describe anything like that, from what I can tell. I can't afford to be out for 3 or 4 weeks like that; I have people depending on me. It seems wild that recovery is such a complicated, heavy ordeal.

James Lee2 said:Hey everyone dealing with hemorrhoids. Just wanted to share my experience. I've been dealing with this stuff for maybe 8 years, starting with itching and eventually seeing some blood on the paper after using the bathroom... nothing too frequent. My morning routine was usually pretty regular, just some occasional hard stools. Then about 20 days ago, I noticed quite a bit of bleeding—like half a coffee cup worth—during a bowel movement. That really spooked me. I dealt with some mild pain afterward for a couple of days before scheduling an exam. I didn't want to wait for things to get worse. After the checkup, they diagnosed me with Grade 3 hemorrhoids (out of 4), no prolapse yet, but I had an anal fissure and some narrowing in the canal. They recommended surgery, so I went ahead and did it at a private clinic just two days later. It was a mix of techniques: THD, unknown, LHP, rectoanal fissure repair, and an anocutaneous advancement flap... basically a fissure repair. It’s been 19 days since the surgery. That first night was brutal. I was in pain for about 6 hours before I could finally catch an hour or two of sleep. Spent 3 days in the hospital before being discharged. Had soft food for a while and dealt with frequent diarrhea. Follow-ups have been fine, but the doctor recommended digital massage of the canal because of inflammation and stenosis. I've been doing that massage for about 15 days now; it hurts at first and causes spasms that last for hours. Eventually, the spasms don't last as long. They happen because the internal sphincter hasn't fully healed, making it hard to pass stool. Once the spasm lets up and I walk around, I can go, then back to the massage, and so on. I guess I'm heading toward recovery, though the spasms aren't as intense now, even if they'll probably stick around for another 10 days or so. The massage seems to be the only way to relax the muscle that's been cramped by hemorrhoids and causing the stenosis for years. Hoping for a quick recovery... just sharing this so someone else might know what the post-op road looks like. Best to everyone and hope you see your doctors on time.

My God, that sounds like a total nightmare, especially what you're going through after the surgery. I didn't realize it would be like that.
How did you pick that specific method? What about Milligan-Morgan or laser?

Arthur Hall25 said:No problem. Seems pretty similar, I guess. It wasn't even a real surgery; I just went to the surgical outpatient clinic at the hospital—not even admitted to a ward—waited in line, got called in, they checked me out right then and there, gave me some gauze like after a blood draw, and I just went straight back to work. No recovery needed, nothing. No bleeding or anything afterward either.

It's probably just an internal thing that pops out and stays out because of thrombosis, or at least that's my guess.

That sounds promising, hopefully it works out that way in the end 🙏 I don't really know anything about this stuff, so I was pretty shaken up when it happened to me.

Last question, then I'll stop bugging you, I promise :-) After they remove the external part during that procedure, what happens to the internal one? Does it grow back, or is that the part that ends up popping out? It would be nice if that procedure actually solved the problem for good. I changed my diet recently anyway, living a lot healthier now. This is just a leftover from my old sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits.

redranger2 said:???? No way they don't know. Nexium is a pretty well-known drug for both external and internal hemorrhoids.

I honestly have no clue. Maybe we just didn't click over the phone, since I had to talk to her that way because I'm not in Washington, D.C. right now... but I'll probably just ask her in person when I go in for my checkup..

So, what did your primary care doctors actually recommend to you guys regarding Nexium? How did you even hear about it?

Anyway, I asked my doctor about Nexium, and she just said "never heard of it." ��

redranger2 said:Those pills should shrink the swelling, both the external ones and the internal stuff. Some might just retract back inside, others stay out there. The Nexium should help with the pain, maybe take some Neofen forte if it gets really bad.

Keep things clean, wipe gently, use some cream on them, and try not to deal with constipation while you're feeling vulnerable. It won't just burst or anything; I've had an external one for years and I'm fine. For the constipation, Portalak works okay.

Don't sweat it too much, you'll be alright. :-)

Thanks a lot 🙂
I managed to get a quick consult with a doctor remotely. She gave me some Hemero protective cream and a regular laxative, that psyllium husk powder, to keep things soft. Hopefully, the symptoms die down. 🙏 When I get back to NYC in a week, she wants me to come in for an exam so we can figure out the next steps once she sees what's actually going on...
I'm being pretty careful with hygiene; I use baby wipes that I soak in water, then rinse off with lukewarm water in the shower.

Arthur Hall25 said:Yeah, I explained it to her. A surgeon checked it out and said it was just an external thrombosed hemorrhoid, if I recall correctly. That was basically it.

Thanks! Our situation seems pretty much the same. Since I'm not in Washington, D.C. right now, she told me to just use Hemero protect cream and some laxatives. Once I get back to D.C., I'll go see her to see if things have actually improved or what the status is. But honestly, it looks like I'll be facing a proctologist and surgery just like you did.

Just let me know: is that surgical procedure something specific since it's external, or is it just one of those standard ones (unknown, Milligan-Morgan, etc.)?
How long did your recovery take?

driftingcanyon2 said:If they aren't thrombosed, you won't see those wounds in the mirror because we're talking about internal hemorrhoids. As for infections, I don't think it's a big deal; if I made it through, you will too. I lost more blood than some women during their period. 😁 Not that I'd recommend surgery, though—I never went that route. I just managed with Nexium capsules; they were my lifesaver.

Yeah, but I don't have internal ones; mine popped outward. 😢 So, there's swelling sticking out. That's why I'm panicking... The doctor said she's never heard of an external one just splitting on its own. She gave me a laxative and some Hemero cream to hold me over until my exam. We'll just have to see what happens then...

Arthur Hall25 said:I'm not sure what's going on with you, but I went through the exact same thing about two years ago. It wouldn't go away, so I saw my doctor, who gave me a referral for a surgical clinic. The doctor just did a small incision, and that was it—it cleared up. Then, about six months later, it popped up again before receding after a few days. Haven't had issues since then. I guess keeping things regular helps, so I use chia seeds and sometimes psyllium. My diet is pretty standard otherwise. I felt it a bit recently after a heavy round of antibiotics, but it passed okay.

No need to panic, it probably isn't anything major.

Did your doctor give you a surgical referral without seeing a specialist first? Or did you see one already?

So, the surgeon just cuts it, lets it bleed, and that’s it? Just pray to God nothing comes back and you don't end up needing actual hemorrhoid surgery.

driftingcanyon2 said:If you're at home, it's easy enough—just rinse off in the tub and cauterize it with some heat. The real issue is when it happens out in public. It’s happened to me a few times, actually. Luckily I was wearing dark pants so the blood wasn't too obvious (kind of like a "period" 😁). Since then, I don't go anywhere without carrying cotton pads just in case. But honestly, the main thing is to start taking capsules (Nexium/Prilosec) right away. You can grab them over the counter at any pharmacy without a prescription.

I get it, but what happens once the bleeding stops? I mean, you're left with an open wound right there, surrounded by bacteria. What comes next? How does it heal? Do I need to head to the ER to have them fix it, or what?
Sorry to bug you :/

driftingcanyon2 said:@quietfox383/">@@quietfox383

Don't panic, you clearly haven't dealt with this before. First off, go grab some Prilosec or maybe even Nexium immediately. Second, based on what you're saying, it sounds like internal hemorrhoids that have flared out, so it's probably just a matter of time before they burst. Bleeding might happen, or it might not, but you should be ready (maybe keep some cotton pads handy for when things get messy). It could be pretty awkward if it happens while you're out in public and blood starts showing through your clothes.

Oh my God... What happens if it actually bursts? What am I supposed to do? Do I disinfect it somehow? When does it stop? What comes next? And what about that lump that popped out—does it just fall off or go back in?
I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. 😢

fadedbear43 said:I felt my first external hemorrhoid about two weeks ago. Not really sure what caused it. I've been using Hemero cream, taking chamomile baths, and changing my diet, so things are mostly better now and symptoms have pretty much cleared up. Still get some itching here and there. Should I bother with those Nexium tablets too, or is it unnecessary?

So, did the external hemorrhoid just move back inside, or...? I don't really get how things progress with the pills and creams over time.
How'd you get the cream? Was it prescribed after a checkup, or did you just grab it off the shelf at a CVS?

jadeangler14 said:You can definitely get the tablets without a prescription. You take Prilosec for 4 days at 6 tablets a day, then another 3 days at 4 tablets daily. It'll cost you about $40
Fact is, you can't really get Faktu without a prescription anymore, but if you manage to see a doctor, I'm pretty sure they'd write it for you even without a full exam.
Honestly, I don't know if it'll disappear completely. If we're talking stage one or two hemorrhoids, maybe it'll clear up if you change your lifestyle. Also, nowadays you can basically get stage one or two handled in 5 minutes painlessly at private clinics—it isn't even expensive, and honestly, it's better than letting it hit stage three.
Someone close to me had stage three with a clot. Before surgery, they were on FleboVen (which is just like Prilosec, but requires a prescription), and that helped a bit... try the tablets, try to find Faktu, and maybe change some habits if you haven't already. It might help. But you should probably schedule an appointment anyway if you feel uncomfortable or if things don't improve.
Are you bleeding heavily in the restroom?

Well, I "injured" myself because I was rushing in the bathroom to finish up quickly. I've actually been really careful not to strain, and I've never had bleeding before. Not even now. I was in the restroom, wiped, didn't feel anything at the time, and went back to my laptop to work. After 2 or 3 hours, it started stinging and hurting. I thought it was just because I needed to go, but if it were that obvious, I would have realized sooner, cleaned up, and been fine. But this time, I realized there's a "lump" sticking out. I already changed my diet about two months ago (was diagnosed with insulin resistance), lost some weight, and I try to eat veggies, berries, stuff like that.
Since this is my first time dealing with this, I have no idea what's happening and I've been in a total panic for two days. Now I'm scared of what happens if that part sticking out bursts and starts bleeding. What should I do?
And I'm also worrying about my two elderly parents; I'm hiding this from them because it would just freak my mom out even more.
Rough situation. 😢

Honestly, this whole thing hit me out of nowhere. It's pretty traumatic. I’m still kind of worried things might just snap and start bleeding, and I have no clue what I'd even do if that happened. My situation is a bit messy right now—I'm not actually at my own place, I'm away looking after both of my elderly parents. I really don't want to freak them out if something goes wrong, like a sudden bleed or whatever...

redranger2 said:No need to freak out.
It sounds like an internal hemorrhoid, kind of like a varicose vein, so you probably just need some topical cream. Faktu is fine, I guess, but there are others with mild anesthetics to help with the pain and itching. Maybe try a chamomile soak, dry off well, and ask the pharmacist for a solid recommendation.

There’s also Nexium tablets for hemorrhoids; they worked for me, maybe.

Thanks for the reply.

What's the actual outcome with the cream and pills? Does it go back inside, or does it stay there but just stop hurting?

I'm worried about bleeding if something pops, and I'm not sure what to do then. It's a weird situation... I'm not at my own place right now, I'm looking after both my elderly parents, and I really don't want to cause a scene or scare them if I start bleeding or something.

jadeangler14 said:My advice, I guess, is just to grab some Nexium or maybe Prilosec if you want a cheaper option—just follow the instructions for acute hemorrhoid symptoms from the pharmacy and start taking it immediately. It should help either way. Maybe look for a prescription for some Faktu cream too. You probably need to fix your diet, cut out spicy food, and get more fiber. Light walks might help, too. Just avoid straining, heavy lifting, or sitting for too long. Chamomile baths could work. All that might help until you can set up an appointment. Everyone is different, and things don't work for everyone.
Based on what someone close to me went through, if it’s stage 3 or 4 hemorrhoids, all that stuff helps a bit, but nothing is permanent. Frequent issues can mess with the rest of your health, too.
As for surgery, laser methods and unknown options are at least 10 $0.00, supposedly they "don't hurt" as much as the classic Morgan Miligan or Ferguson procedures, but the chance of it coming back is way higher with those methods.
Morgan Miligan (no stitching) and Ferguson (stitching) are the standard ways.
Someone close to me was supposed to go to a private clinic—I won't say which one—but the day before the procedure, they canceled on us and told us to call back in a month and a half when they get back from GoTo.
We just watched a movie instead and decided to go through the public healthcare system.
Hope you feel better.

Thanks a lot!

So, do you think I could get that cream and those pills without a prescription or seeing my primary care doctor? I mean, I've basically just lived with these hemorrhoids because there weren't any major consequences yet, so I never actually saw a doctor or got logged into the medical system as someone with this issue.
I'm trying to reach a doctor online somehow...

For me, it's just one of those things where I feel better one moment and worse the next. Like yesterday, I had to go shopping, and when I got back, I suddenly had to go bad. After that, the pain and itching were worse, almost like it was inflamed.
Then I washed with lukewarm water and used cold compresses, so throughout the night and into this morning, I just felt this strange sensation, like a lump, and it's kind of sensitive/painful.

Will that cream and those pills make it go away completely, or will it just be some relief?

And you're right, standing lightly or walking makes it easier. My only fear is the sweat irritating it and making things worse...

Hi everyone,

I need some advice or info.

Yesterday, I was in a rush during a bowel movement to get it over with, and after finishing, I sat down to work on my laptop. A few hours later, I started feeling pain, burning, and itching in my anus, so I had to stop sitting.

I didn't pay much attention at first since this has happened before after using the bathroom, and it usually just goes away on its own.

But since it wouldn't stop this time, I checked myself out last night and felt a lump next to my anus, maybe about a third or half the size of a pinky finger.

I'm not really sure what it is—maybe hemorrhoids (it feels like internal ones, though I haven't treated them because I tried adjusting my diet when I noticed issues) or maybe perianal thrombosis?

The lump is skin-colored or slightly bluish, and it hasn't grown; it's stayed the same size. It just itches, burns, and hurts, especially when sitting. Lying on my stomach helps the most, I guess.

I cleaned up with warm water afterward, and the pain, itching, and burning mostly subsided or went away during the night. It really just depends on how I position myself while lying down.

Today, I still have a slight ache. The swelling/lump is still there, but I feel a lot better than yesterday.

I already reached out to some proctologists for a private consultation, but I haven't heard back from everyone yet, or they say I need a specialist exam first because they aren't sure what it is.

I'm not in Washington, D.C. right now; I'm planning to be back around September 7th or maybe a little earlier. I'm a bit panicked about what to expect until I can actually see a doctor.

Will the swelling go down in a few days, or will the pain and discomfort stick around?
Could it burst?
Is it okay to have a bowel movement, or will that make things worse?
Should I sit or walk (like going to a mall)? For now, I'm just lying in bed and resting.

Also, I looked up hemorrhoid removal surgeries at some clinics. I saw mentions of the HAL method and the Milligan-Morgan method—does anyone here have experience with those?

Thanks for any help.