Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Or maybe I’m just getting my hopes up—maybe this cream actually *will* work and finally get rid of all this itching... 🙂 I really hope my doctor realizes we're dealing with external hemorrhoids here!

amberfalcon6 said:I didn't end up getting a referral to a specialist after all... a different GP saw me and said she couldn't see any hemorrhoids or anything else. She just gave me some cream called Trioderm to help with the itching. It actually helped quite a bit today, even though I've only used it once, but when I looked at myself, I noticed a purple area just below my anus. Now I'm wondering if it really might be a hemorrhoid after all...

Uhhhh, what can I even say to you...🙄 I honestly think you should still try to see another doctor to get it checked out. That purple discoloration often points toward thrombosed or swollen hemorrhoids. Look, I'm not a doctor, but you can find plenty of sites stating that purple coloring is a sign of thrombosed hemorrhoids. Maybe look at some photos—check out the one in this thread—to see if it looks similar to what you're seeing. I don't know what else to tell you. There are other possible changes in the anal and perianal area, but I'm not sure if those other issues typically show up as purple shades. I truly don't know. Try using the cream for now, and once things settle down, go get someone else to take a look. The main thing is that it isn't causing you pain.

So, honestly, I’m not really feeling any pain right now... and the discoloration isn't even that huge—just this purple-red tint... hm hm—but I’m still treating my backside with an oak bark soak 🙂 Maybe that’s actually helping? Who knows! It doesn't look quite like the photo, though... :/ the whole area around my anus is just a very light, subtle shade of purple...

Oh, and I wanted to ask—what does a specialist actually do during that exam? Do they use some kind of instrument, or is it just a quick finger exam and a visual check from the outside?

amberfalcon6 said:Well, nothing really hurts right now. And the color isn't even that intense purple-red shade... mm-hmm. I've actually been treating my backside with an oak bark bath alongside this cream. 🙂 Maybe that’s doing something? I don't know, it doesn't look quite like the photo... :/ the whole area just has this very faint purplish tint...

Oh, I also wanted to ask—what does the specialist actually do during the exam? Do they use an instrument, or is it just a finger exam internally and a visual check from the outside?

They’ll definitely use a finger for a digital exam, though they might use a small instrument to take a closer look at things too...

Michael Diaz4 said:Well, they'll definitely feel things out by hand—though maybe a quick check with an instrument wouldn't hurt either...

I just hope nothing goes in too deep😢 and it doesn't take forever..

amberfalcon6 said:I just hope nothing goes in too deep 😢 and it doesn't last long..

Just use your finger to check how far you need to go. It isn't a long process. The real issue is if there's significant pain. Honestly, I don't think it should hurt enough to prevent you from checking manually... Just try not to be afraid. Relax, and everything will turn out fine...

Michael Diaz4 said:Just use your finger to check how much room you have—it doesn't take long at all! The real issue is if you're in intense pain. I don't think it would hurt *that* much that you couldn't just feel things out... honestly, don't be scared! Just relax and everything will be fine...

Thanks so much! 🙂 By the way, do you happen to know if using steroid creams makes a fissure any worse?

amberfalcon6 said:Thanks so much. 🙂 By the way, do you happen to know if corticosteroid creams make things worse if there's an anal fissure involved?

I actually already answered this on a different thread. They DON'T make it worse; in fact, they're often recommended. That said, just to be absolutely certain about what's going on, go see a specialist. If it really is what you think it is—hemorrhoids and a fissure—then surgery might be the best move. It's a "one and done" kind of solution, which we've discussed before. Get a proper diagnosis from a doctor first so you aren't guessing... Good luck...

Michael Diaz4 said:I already gave you my take on a different thread! They don't make things worse—actually, they're often recommended. But hey, just to be totally sure about what's going on, go see a specialist. If it really is what you think it is (hemorrhoids and a fissure), then surgery might actually be the best move. You get it over with once and for all—we've talked about this before! Get a real diagnosis from a doctor first so you know for sure... Good luck!

Ugh, I really don't want to go under the knife—nope, definitely not! I'm actually pretty terrified of surgery... Since I'm usually such an optimist, I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best—maybe if it is a fissure, it'll just heal on its own? Or maybe the hemorrhoids aren't too bad? But yeah, for sure, I'm going to ask for a referral to a specialist this time. Thanks so much for the reply! 🙂 🙂

I think I’m going back to see the proctologist again... everything seems fine for a while, then it just starts up all over again. I already told myself I'm done wasting money on those random creams from the drugstore; I'd rather just go to a specialist and get it sorted out properly once and for all.

I felt something last night right near my anus
feels like a hemorrhoid to me
I’ve never dealt with them before—I definitely would've remembered, god knows -.-

It’s this roundish thickening when I touch it; doesn't really hurt to the touch, though I feel a bit of tension when I'm sitting down
noticed it after I went last night—haven't had to go today, so I can't say for sure if it's bothering me or hurting, bleeding, or anything like that

Do you guys think that's what it is? I haven't been able to get a good look at it because I'm feeling a bit awkward about it😁 so yeah
what should I do?

Good grief, I'm losing my mind here
since nobody seems to have an answer to my question.
-.-

Andrew Ramos38 said:man, I'm feeling pretty hopeless
because nobody seems to have an answer to my question?
-.-

Look, nobody on a forum is going to give you a real medical diagnosis.
You really need to see a doctor for that.

Based on what you're describing, it could be hemorrhoids, or maybe just an ingrown hair.

In the meantime, grab some hemorrhoid cream at a CVS, stick to light meals, and make sure you're drinking plenty of water.

What a total nightmare... Dealing with hemorrhoids...

Greetings. Last night, I felt a small lump near my anus, and I am entirely certain it is a hemorrhoid. For perhaps two or three months now, I have noticed a tiny speck of blood on the toilet paper after bowel movements—nothing significant, mind you. However, reading about people experiencing heavy bleeding here has caused me some genuine concern. This little protrusion feels quite tense; it isn't exactly painful, yet it isn't painless either. It is simply uncomfortable. This morning, I picked up some Preparation H at the drugstore and have applied it twice already. Since then, I’ve had a few bowel movements, and the discomfort hasn't been too overwhelming.

What I am truly concerned about is the possibility of a hemorrhoid rupturing. I have been scouring this thread, but I haven't found practical advice on how to manage the fear of a sudden rupture occurring in public—for instance, during a lecture at university. The idea of such an incident happening is my greatest anxiety. How do you all handle this? Is it possible for one to just burst spontaneously, or does it typically only happen during physical strain or perhaps from applying cream?

Has nobody provided an answer to my question?

To continue describing my ordeal: today marks the third day of applying Hemoprocin, and I believe the swelling has decreased by about half. The itching has subsided, and sitting down or getting up has become significantly less painful.

What I am curious about now is whether anyone has successfully managed their hemorrhoids by adjusting their diet—for instance, consuming more fiber, cereals, soups, and generally lighter foods, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables—combined with regular physical activity? To start, while this heals, I plan on walking every day, eventually transitioning into more intense exercise and movement.

Hey there, I’ve been dealing with some of the same issues mentioned in this thread, so I was wondering about how the whole doctor visit actually works...

If I head over to my primary care physician, is he going to handle the exam himself, or will he just hand me a referral for a specialist—like a proctologist?

Also, is it even possible to get taken off work—you know, get medical leave—for hemorrhoids?

thanks

fadeddrifter21 said:Is anyone actually going to answer my question?

Anyway, to keep my own saga going—it’s been three days of using Prep H, and honestly, it feels like the swelling has shrunk by half. It doesn't itch nearly as much, and getting up from a chair isn't such a nightmare anymore.

What I really want to know is if anyone has successfully managed their hemorrhoids just by changing their diet? I'm thinking more fiber—lots of oatmeal, maybe some bran, plenty of fruit and veggies. And staying active. For now, while this settles down, I'll stick to daily walks, but eventually, I want to get back into a full workout routine.

Just keep using whatever ointment you have and focus on keeping things regular. Hygiene is non-negotiable here—you need to stay clean, washing thoroughly several times a day, especially before applying anything. And please, don't strain. Just rest until the inflammation dies down. You really shouldn't be lifting heavy stuff or pushing yourself too hard right now either...

Michael Vaughn2 said:Hey there. I'm dealing with similar issues, so I was wondering how the doctor's visit usually works.

If I go to my primary care physician, will they examine the area themselves, or will they just give me a referral to a specialist?

Also, is it possible to get medical leave for hemorrhoids?

Thanks.

They probably won't do the exam themselves, but if you ask, they'll give you a referral to a specialist. As for sick leave, you can certainly request it—usually for a few days.

It’s getting pretty uncomfortable to walk around with this thing—it really hurts—and I'm on my feet quite a bit during my shifts at work.
Usually, I can just tough it out for a week or two without needing to call in sick, but honestly... I think I might actually need to request some medical leave this time.

Andrew Ramos38 said:good grief, I'm losing my mind here
because nobody seems to have an answer to my question...
-.-

go see a doctor!!!