Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

After battling a red virus for a week, I ended up dealing with external hemorrhoids after just a few days. Naturally, I went to see my doctor. Honestly? Neither the pills nor the creams did a damn thing. So, on Monday, I headed down to the pharmacy to pick up some Hemerodin capsules from Encyan. Since I started taking them on Monday, this external hemorrhoid—which had been bothering me for over 20 days—has almost completely vanished.

Kate Martin5 said:For years, I've just dealt with the occasional little blood spot on the toilet paper (definitely internal hemorrhoids), but recently, out of nowhere, this massive one popped up overnight 😲. It’s incredibly painful—makes sitting, walking, or even standing a real struggle. I've been through antibiotic therapy, ointments, hygiene advice, and I actually got two different opinions. One doctor told me it's an external hemorrhoid caused by thrombosis. Another one insists there's no such thing as an "external" one; they say everything is internal and should be pushed back in. But honestly, this isn't just an internal one that slipped out; it feels external. No matter how much I try to push it back, it just pops right back out immediately.

An external hemorrhoid isn't the same thing as thrombosis, though an external one can definitely become thrombosed. Usually, external ones happen when internal hemorrhoids prolapse, which is when they really earn the name. Basically, they are clusters of vascular tissue that swell up due to increased internal pressure during bowel movements, stretching the rectal lining.

In a situation like yours, the best move is seeing a specialist (either your primary care doctor or a proctologist) to figure out if there's actual thrombosis or maybe even a strangulated hemorrhoid. Follow whatever treatment they gave you. Personally, I'm a bit skeptical about the antibiotics; I usually find an antibiotic ointment is plenty. Also, they'll likely suggest ways to help get things settled back where they belong.

Don't forget the lifestyle stuff: watch the spicy foods, stay hydrated, don't rush, and avoid heavy lifting or intense workouts that spike your abdominal pressure until things calm down a bit...

Carol Sanders said:Just to clarify, having an external hemorrhoid isn't the same thing as having thrombosis, though an external one can certainly become thrombosed. Also, sometimes what people call external hemorrhoids are actually internal ones that have prolapsed outward. Essentially, these are just clusters of spongy tissue designed to help with bowel movements by increasing internal pressure and protecting the rectal lining.

In this situation, the best course of action is to see a doctor—either your primary care physician or a proctologist—just to confirm whether there's actual thrombosis or perhaps a strangulated hemorrhoid involved. Regarding the treatment mentioned, I suppose everything suggested makes sense, though I’m a bit skeptical about the antibiotic; personally, I think an antibiotic ointment should be enough. The goal is ultimately to get those hemorrhoids tucked back where they belong.

As for lifestyle adjustments, you really ought to watch your diet—avoid spicy foods and anything too dry. You also probably shouldn't engage in sudden, strenuous exercise or lift heavy weights for a while, since anything that spikes your abdominal pressure might make things worse while you're trying to let the area calm down.

My medical history notes that it's thrombosed. 🤷

The first doctor prescribed Klavocin and Faktu, but then the second doctor stopped the Klavocin and switched me to Medazol, while telling me to keep using the ointment and doing potassium permanganate soaks. Honestly, nothing has helped over the last week 😢 and the hemorrhoid isn't shrinking at all, nor can I push it back in. 😢 I'm trying my best to rest and stay lying down, but even that doesn't seem to be working. I’m starting to feel pretty desperate because I’ve never dealt with this before, and it’s worrying me that it isn't receding at all...
The doctor told me not to come back for a follow-up unless things get worse, but the problem is that things aren't getting any better. What am I supposed to do?

Kate Martin5 said:The medical history shows it was thrombosed 🤷

My first doctor prescribed Klavocin and Fact, then the second one stopped the Klavocin and switched me to Medazol, while telling me to keep applying ointment and use hypermangan compresses. Nothing has helped over this past week 😢 and the hemorrhoid isn't shrinking at all—it won't even go back inside 😢 I'm trying to rest and stay lying down as much as possible, but even that isn't doing much. I'm feeling pretty desperate because I've never dealt with this before, and I'm worried about how long this will last since it just won't subside...
The doctor said I don't need a follow-up if things aren't getting worse, but the issue is that things aren't getting any better at all. What should I do?

Are they both proctologists, or what are their specialties and where are they located? Based on your description, this sounds like fourth-degree hemorrhoids. For that, you really need a solid exam and advice from a proctologist on the next steps.
It’s awkward giving advice like this.
Did this show up out of nowhere after some physical activity, or have you been dealing with hemorrhoid issues for a while now?

Definitely try chamomile baths in addition to everything else mentioned. Avoid sitting too much (especially on the toilet),
and definitely watch your diet. Get enough walking in, drink plenty of fluids, and make sure you're getting enough fiber—think teas and oatmeal. Also, try to relax a little (your mental state 😁 matters). This isn't something terrifying that can't be fixed, even if it's hurting quite a bit right now.

Carol Sanders said:Are they both proctologists, or what are their specialties and where are they located? Based on how you're describing this, it sounds like fourth-degree hemorrhoids. For that, you really need a solid exam and some advice from a specialist regarding next steps.
It’s a bit awkward to give advice online like this.
Did this show up out of nowhere after some physical activity, or have you been dealing with hemorrhoid issues for a while now?

I’d definitely suggest chamomile sitz baths along with the things mentioned above. Try not to spend too much time sitting—especially on the toilet, either.
Watch your diet, make sure you're getting enough walking in, staying hydrated, and eating plenty of fiber—things like tea and oatmeal. Also, try to stay calm (mental state 😁 matters); it isn't anything so terrifying that it can't be managed, even if it's hurting quite a bit right now.

Both doctors were at the emergency room at Holy Spirit. One is listed as an MD, the other is a surgical resident. They told me the outpatient clinics aren't open right now, but I think I’ll either have to rush over there in the next few days or call to see if the proctology clinic is running, because I'm really not liking how this feels.
About four years ago, a proctologist diagnosed me with second-degree internal hemorrhoids. Since then, there's just been the occasional speck of blood on the paper and maybe once or twice I felt a small lump, but essentially, no major issues for those few years.

This one just appeared one morning, totally out of the blue. No special activity, no stress that I'm aware of, just a massive hemorrhoid all of a sudden. 😕 I've never experienced anything remotely like this before. It hurts, and it gets bigger during the day when I'm sitting at work, despite taking Fact, which hasn't had any effect. And yes, I do sit for my entire shift.

Digestion is fine—no issues with straining or spending too much time on the toilet. That's why I'm confused, and honestly, it scares me that this isn't shrinking and the pain won't stop.😢 I can tell for sure that it hurts more if I, say, stand up. Sometimes I even get this sharp, stabbing sensation on that side when I walk, almost like it's cutting through thick meat, which never happens to me, so I can only assume it's linked to the hemorrhoid.😕

What exactly is the point of the chamomile baths? Could I just use a compress instead of doing the sitz baths? Doing the baths seems a bit impractical.

Thanks so much for the help and the advice! 🙂

cosmicmoose2 said:You have KB Merkur DG HAL, Arithera, or the Leptir Clinic. Those two are clinics. There might be others working there, but those are the only ones I know. Prices are roughly 9-$3.25 for private visits.

Stay far away from Arithera! You honestly won't find this level of unprofessionalism and sheer sloppiness anywhere else. Their entire business model seems to be offering a massive menu of treatments just to bill you for them. Out of everything they claim to offer, they actually perform maybe one or two things correctly! Make sure you sign contracts for therapies that are actually guaranteed to work, because they demand payment upfront (!). If you don't, you're basically walking into a trap. Their operating system is just like those big corporate health providers—full of fine print and even worse, "invisible" text!!!!
As for Arithera—never again!
🙂

Kate Sullivan73 said:Avoid Arither altogether! You won't find this level of unprofessionalism or shadiness anywhere else. Their only goal is to push a massive menu of treatments just to bill you. Out of everything they offer, they actually perform maybe one or two things correctly. Make sure you get anything effective signed in writing since they demand upfront payment (!). Otherwise... well, you're on your own. Their business model is just like those big corporate clinics. Tiny print and even worse—"invisible" fine print!!!!
Never again with Arither!
🙂

Is your frustration specifically about the procedure being discussed here, some other treatment or exam, or just their general way of doing business?

For this thread, that distinction matters quite a bit.

crimsongull20 said:Are you unhappy with the specific procedure being discussed here, some other treatment or checkup, or just their general way of doing business?

For this discussion, that distinction matters quite a bit.

It applies to both:
1. Patient care; they completely missed a critical moment that actually puts a patient's life at risk. And even when they were warned, the staff couldn't do a single thing because, well, there's no owner!
No owner—obviously!
2. Business operations—it’s all there in the text. They run things like those cheap telemarketing call centers in the States.
Never again!

Kate Sullivan73 said:It applies to both issues:
1. Patient care; there was a critical moment where they didn't even recognize the danger to the patient's life. And once they were actually warned, the staff couldn't do a single thing because, well, there isn't an owner!
An owner—of course there isn't one!
2. As for the business side—everything is already laid out. It’s just like working for those call centers back in the States.
Never again!

This is all written so tersely. If you're able, could you please elaborate on your story just a little bit? What kind of procedure did you undergo? Who was your surgeon? What specific complications occurred? Thank you.

Kate Martin5 said:What exactly are chamomile baths for? Can I just use a compress instead of sitting in a bath? Sitting in it seems kind of impractical.

They both sound like they might be surgical residents. It’s pretty unlikely either one is a full specialist right now, though it's possible one is an intern.

When dealing with a clot, you usually go straight for an incision. It's a quick, straightforward procedure, and they handle those in the ER all the time. That's what I would do. 🙂

So, it feels a little...

Maybe just head to a private proctologist? Or have my family doctor take a look first to get a second opinion?

The baths just mean rinsing with some "chamomile tea" after you go to the bathroom, whenever you need to.

Carol Sanders said:Both of them would likely be surgical residents at that point; there’s a slim chance one of them was actually a specialist, though it's possible one was just an intern,

In the case of a thrombosis, the standard move is usually to perform an incision right away. It's a relatively quick and straightforward procedure, often handled in the ER (if I were in that situation, I'd probably 🙂

So, the whole thing feels a bit...

Maybe I should just head to a private proctologist? Or perhaps have my family doctor take a look first to get a second opinion?

Sitz baths = rinsing with "chamomile tea" after bowel movements and whenever necessary.

I ended up seeing Dr. Vernon over at Aritheru since the hospital's specialty clinics are closed due to the strike. 🙄
He told me that while an incision used to be done within 24 hours, that's not really the approach anymore—now, it seems like nothing helps but just letting time pass. 😠 He stopped the antibiotics.

The recommendation was to handle this surgically once things settle down. That’s why I’m asking if anyone here has experience with him performing that specific surgery, or if that method is typically done in hospitals or strictly in private clinics. To be honest, I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea of surgery; I haven't dealt with anything like this before, and it doesn't feel like an absolute emergency right now (it's Grade II, and only this one spot is acting up). Still, I suppose delaying it could just make things worse, which would eventually lead to a more complicated surgery and a much tougher recovery.

restlessbadger2 said:This is all a bit too brief, so if you wouldn't mind, could you maybe lay out your story a little more clearly? What kind of procedure did you actually have? Who was the surgeon? And what sort of complications ended up happening? Thanks.

It sounds like we might be talking about some kind of therapy rather than an actual surgery 😕

Hello there, everyone!

I wanted to share my own experience regarding my recent hemorrhoid surgery at the Leptir Clinic. Back on October 23rd, I underwent the procedure for Grade II to III hemorrhoids along with a small polyp. Before this, I wasn't dealing with much bleeding, but the pressure and pain were significant, making it quite difficult to stay active—especially when it came to cycling. About a year ago, I actually tried rubber band ligation following the Barron method twice, but unfortunately, it didn't provide any lasting relief. The surgery itself went smoothly, and the immediate postoperative recovery was quite manageable. However, I am currently on my fourth day after the procedure, and the discomfort is quite intense. I’d describe the pain and stinging sensation as an 8 out of 10 on the pain scale. I am holding onto the hope that things will start to turn a corner in a few days. I have a follow-up appointment scheduled in six weeks, and I will be sure to check back in then to let you all know how the healing process is progressing...

Kate Sullivan73 said:It’s about both things:
1. Patient care; they totally missed the critical moment where someone's life was actually on the line. And even after being warned, the staff can't lift a finger because, well, there's no owner!
The owner—yeah, definitely doesn't exist!
2. As for how they run the business—it's all right there. It's just like working at one of those massive call centers in the States.
Never again!

Alright.

You’ve shared your experience in a few different posts now. But since I’ve already had to clean up some of your double posts, and seeing as you pretty much joined this forum just to vent about this specific situation, I get the feeling you're planning on dragging out this whole grievance here for a while...

Look, this thread is supposed to be about hemorrhoids as a medical issue, not a space for someone to bash bad service, so I’m not going to let the conversation veer off into that territory anymore, regardless of what happened to you or how closely your story ties into the topic... man, now I feel like I'm rambling a bit...🤔....but you know what I mean....🙂

That doesn't mean you can't send a private message to share all those details and your bad experience with anyone who might actually want to know.

Kate Martin5 said:I was at the ....

Yeah, we reacted the exact same way. It’s happening in our hospitals too, though I’m not totally sure what the current situation looks like on the ground...

Personally, I don't think this is about panicking. We just need to take urgent action,
like changing up our diet, staying on top of hygiene, and just "weathering the storm" through this current phase... and that's really it.

Carol Sanders said:Well, we reacted the same way here too. It’s happening in our hospitals as well, though I’m not entirely sure what the current situation looks like over there...

Personally, I don't think this is a reason to panic or jump into emergency measures,
like drastically changing your diet or obsessing over hygiene just to "weather the storm"... I mean, that's pretty much it.

No, it definitely doesn't feel urgent to me since I haven't dealt with these kinds of issues before, and I'm hoping I won't have to soon. It actually feels like my blood clot levels are finally starting to drop, 🙄 and the pain has definitely subsided. 🙂
I don't see any need to mess with my diet because everything seems to be working fine, so I honestly don't get why this sudden, crazy clot appeared out of nowhere. 🤷 I just hope I don't end up with loose skin hanging around where it shouldn't. 😲
I guess what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. 😁

Anyone got a recommendation for a doctor for a proctology exam and proctoscopy?

I've been digging through old threads and saw people recommending a certain doctor over at Sunce Clinic, but those posts are ancient, so I have no clue if he's even still there...

Please, I need a lead; this is urgent!

placidfox52 said:Does anyone have a recommendation for a doctor for a proctological exam and proctoscopy?

I’ve been digging through some old threads and saw people recommending a certain doctor over at Sunce Clinic, but those posts are pretty dated, so I have no idea if he’s even still practicing there...

If you could suggest someone, I’d really appreciate it; it’s kind of urgent!

In my experience, Vernon from Holy Spirit was actually quite good when I went to Arither for a private exam (they happened to be running a discount last month, though I'm not sure if that offer is still on the table, which made it pretty affordable). I was in a bit of a rush too, so I mentioned that when I called, and the receptionist managed to squeeze me in that very same day.

Hi everyone. I went to use the bathroom today, but after sitting there for quite a while without success, I started feeling pain near my anus. Since I’m also on my period, I didn't think much of seeing some blood on the paper at first. I'm 16, and when I checked myself, I noticed a little lump right at the opening—it looks like a small blister with a whitish tip. It feels really uncomfortable when I stand or sit, almost like I haven't fully finished using the restroom. I'm honestly pretty embarrassed to go to the doctor, so I just applied some Checkovic hemorrhoid cream for now. Does anyone have any other advice, and how long does this usually take to clear up? Also, a friend's birthday is the day after tomorrow—would drinking alcohol make things worse? Thanks, all.

I really don't have the patience to slog through 144 pages of fine print--
Is Pilex actually available in local pharmacies?$123
Because when I look online, all I see is some Himalaya stuff instead of Pilex-- $33
What’s the catch here? I'm just trying to avoid throwing my hard-earned money down the drain!!