Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

shadowcyclist13 said:🙂 Wait, what?? You mean that lump is just going to stay there forever?😲

It will. But once the inflammation goes down (assuming it's inflamed), the size should decrease a bit and the pain should subside too...

Grace Ross62 said:No, it’s not constipation. It’s more like nausea and anxiety send me running to the bathroom, and then I end up straining. Basically, there's some mucus in my stool and a tiny bit of bright red blood—happened twice—on the toilet. No diarrhea, though; everything else seems normal. On the day this all started, I could feel a little lump right there, probably a hemorrhoid. Now I’m feeling a slight itch, and I can feel those little bulges. Could that actually be from hemorrhoids?

Sounds like a textbook case, and I'm sure your doctor already mentioned they're hemorrhoids... Just try not to strain, because that honestly just makes them swell up even more. It isn't anything dangerous, but you should definitely have a professional take a close look at it just to be safe...

Michael Diaz4 said:It sounds like a textbook case, and I'm sure your doctor already confirmed they're hemorrhoids... Just try not to strain, because that'll only make things worse... It isn't dangerous, but you should definitely have a professional take a close look at it just to be sure...

I've been using some Fact ointment for a few days, but could that actually be causing more mucus? Do you really think this is just a standard case of hemorrhoids? It’s honestly terrifying when you start to panic.
P.S. Thanks for the replies

Grace Ross62 said:I've been using some Fact ointment for a few days now. Could that be causing extra mucus? Do you think this is just a classic case of hemorrhoids? It’s honestly terrifying when you start to panic.
P.S. Thanks for all the replies.

Mucus can definitely be produced by the anal glands... As for the Fact, it'll probably just leave your underwear feeling a bit greasy... You shouldn't have any issues with the Fact itself. Don't worry, everything should be fine, but you really ought to go see a doctor to get it checked out just so you can have some peace of mind...

Michael Diaz4 said:Mucus can happen—it's just something the anal glands produce... As for the Fact, it’ll probably just leave your underwear feeling a bit greasy... You shouldn't have any issues with Fact... Don't worry, everything is fine, but go see a doctor so they can take a look and give you some peace of mind...

So, I went to my primary care physician. She took a look and said it looks like hemorrhoids, nothing else for now, and handed me some Fact ointment. Today, though, there was a tiny bit of bright red blood mixed with mucus when I had a bowel movement—and that was even when things were on the harder side. When it’s soft, there’s no mucus. I’m still terrified it might be something more serious; I’m just praying to God it’s just the hemorrhoids.
Did you ever deal with symptoms like this?

Grace Ross62 said:So, I went to the general practitioner. She took a look and said they're just monitoring my hemorrhoids, so nothing else is being done right now, and she gave me some Faktu ointment. Today, there was a little bit of bright red blood mixed with mucus in my stool again, especially since things were a bit harder today. When it's softer, there's no mucus. I'm still terrified it might be something worse. I'm praying to God it's just the hemorrhoids.
Did you ever deal with symptoms like this?

It’s a good thing you went to see the doctor. You don't need to worry anymore because I trust they looked at everything correctly and got the diagnosis right. This sounds like a textbook case of hemorrhoids starting up. You probably hadn't noticed the stool changes before, but it's actually very common to see mucus when things are hard during a bowel movement. It's totally normal and has nothing to do with cancer—I've told you that already. That blood is from the hemorrhoids. Just use the Faktu, watch your diet, DO NOT hold it in, and let things happen naturally without straining. Also, it is incredibly important that you don't sit on the toilet for too long; that puts extra pressure on the area. Seriously, don't bring newspapers, magazines, or books into the bathroom with you. The sooner you finish without pushing, the better. Watch what you eat, obviously, and keep hygiene a top priority—don't just rely on paper; make sure to wash up, and things should settle down. Once everything is under control, maybe ask your doctor about permanent non-invasive options if the hemorrhoids keep bothering you. Good luck and try not to stress. You just convinced yourself it was cancer. Take care and good luck, once again.🙂

Michael Diaz4 said:It’s a good thing you went to see the doctor. Now you don't have to worry, because I trust they gave you an accurate diagnosis. This looks like a classic case of hemorrhoids just starting up. You probably didn't notice anything with your bowel movements before, but it's actually very common to see some mucus when you're dealing with harder stools. It’s perfectly normal and has nothing to do with cancer—I think I mentioned that already. That blood? That's from the hemorrhoids. Just apply some Faktu, watch your diet, and for heaven's sake, DO NOT hold it in. Let things happen naturally without straining. Also, this is crucial: stop sitting on the toilet for ages. It’s terrible for hemorrhoids. Don't bring your newspaper, magazines, or books in there with you. The sooner you finish without pushing, the better. Watch what you eat, obviously, and make sure hygiene is your top priority. Don't just rely on toilet paper; make sure to wash up, and things should settle down. Once everything is under control, maybe ask your doctor about non-invasive ways to fix this for good if they keep bothering you. Good luck, and try not to stress. You just convinced yourself it was cancer. Bye, and good luck again.🙂

It’s possible that has been happening for a while too, but I honestly hadn't noticed. What really spooked me, though, was the fact that it was bloody mucus. From what I've been reading, that isn't exactly common with hemorrhoids, even if it does happen occasionally.

I’m originally from the US, but I developed hemorrhoids back in '92 when I was at the Manjaca camp. After getting out of Manjaca, the issues started mild, then just kept spiraling. By 2013, every single bathroom trip was pure agony. It made working impossible... I had to wait until late at night just to go, hoping the pain would subside by morning so I could actually function during the day. I tried everything—creams, pills, strict diets—but nothing worked. My quality of life was non-existent. Reading through this thread, I finally decided to take action. On October 1st, 2013, I called the Arithera clinic. We had a very pleasant conversation, and they arranged for me to see a proctologist that same day. They told me if I needed surgery—either HAL or RAR—they could get me in by October 14th. I arrived at the clinic at 7:30 AM. After handling the paperwork, they sent me for an EKG and blood work. While waiting for the results, they took me to a hospital room where I changed into a gown. This was actually my first time ever seeing a doctor... Around 10:00 AM, the doctor arrived and introduced himself as Dr. Velnic. He was very friendly, explaining that he’d perform the exam and proceed with the procedure if everything looked okay. At noon, I went into the operating room. The surgery was done under general anesthesia. I woke up in the recovery room at 12:30 PM and stayed there until 3:00 PM. The doctor told me I was at stage 3 or 4, so he performed the HAL + RAR method, involving 8 ligations and 4 lifts since the hemorrhoids were external. Follow-up was set for a month later. I paid $3667. That day, I slept at a hotel, and the next day I headed back home to the US. The pain lasted for about 4 or 5 days; they prescribed me Ketonal forte 100 mg. When I went back for my check-up a month later, everything was fine. Now, four months after the procedure, I am a healthy man. This
is my experience, and I wanted to share it with anyone else struggling with hemorrhoids. If you have questions, feel free to ask... I'll do my best to answer. Greetings from the US.

Timothy Sanchez7, thanks for sharing what you went through. Best of luck... 👍

Timothy Sanchez7 said:I’m originally from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, and I first dealt with hemorrhoids back when I was stationed at the Manjaca camp in '92. After leaving Manjaca, the issues started out mild, but they just kept getting progressively worse. By 2013, every single bathroom trip was pure agony—to the point where I couldn't hold down any kind of job. I ended up forced to go late at night, just hoping the pain would dull enough by morning so I could actually function during the day. I tried everything: different creams, pills, strict diets... nothing worked. My quality of life was basically zero. Reading through this thread on this forum finally gave me the push to fix it. On October 1st, 2013, I called the Arithera clinic. We had a really pleasant chat, and we set it up so I’d get an exam from a proctologist that same day. They told me if I needed surgery—either HAL or RAR—they could fit me in by October 14th. I showed up at the clinic at 7:30 AM. Besides the usual paperwork, they had me do an EKG and some blood work. While waiting for those results, they took me to a hospital room to change out of my clothes and into one of their gowns. This was actually my first time ever seeing a doctor. Around 10:00 AM, the doctor arrived and introduced himself as Dr. Velnic. He was very friendly and explained that he’d perform the exam and, if everything looked right, proceed with the procedure. At noon, I went into the OR. It was done under general anesthesia. I woke up in the recovery room at 12:30 PM and stayed there until 3:00 PM. The doctor told me I was at stage 3 or 4, so he performed the HAL + RAR method, involving 8 ligations and 4 lifts since the hemorrhoids were external. I have a follow-up in a month. Paid $3667. That day, I slept it off at a hotel and headed back home to the States the next day. The pain lasted about 4 or 5 days, and they prescribed me Ketonal forte 100 mg. When I went back for my check-up a month later, everything was fine. It’s been four months since the surgery now, and I’m a healthy man. That
is my experience, and I wanted to share it with anyone else struggling with this stuff. If you have questions, just ask—I'm happy to help. Greetings from the US.

Timothy Sanchez7, I'm also from the States. I actually already had one hemorrhoid surgery back in 2009, but they’ve come crawling back 😢. That first surgery was brutal, so now I’m looking into these less invasive options. Could you give me a few more specifics about yours? How long did the recovery actually take before you felt like you could get back to your normal routine—working, walking long distances, etc.? You mentioned being under general anesthesia and then being out of the hospital by 3:00 PM—are you sure it was general anesthesia? That seems incredibly fast. Did they insert a catheter? Also, how was that first bowel movement? Was it excruciating? And how long after the surgery did you feel that weird, uncomfortable sensation in the area every time you had to go?

rapiddrifter12 said:Timothy Sanchez7, I’m also from Canada. I actually had one hemorrhoid surgery back in 2009, but they've come crawling back again 😢. That first operation was brutal, so now I'm looking into these less invasive options. Could you please share a few more details about your procedure? How long did it take you to recover? I mean, when could you get back to your normal routine—working, walking long distances, stuff like that? You mentioned the surgery was under general anesthesia and finished by 12:30, then you were out of the hospital by 3:00 PM? Are you sure it was general anesthesia? It all sounds incredibly fast to me. Did they insert a catheter? And how was that first bowel movement? Was it extremely painful? How long after the surgery did you deal with that weird or uncomfortable sensation at the site after using the restroom?

There is a private clinic in Sarajevo that performs this. It’s run by a top-tier university professor... If you want the specifics, just shoot me a PM... Yes, it was done under anesthesia and they did use a catheter... Or, if you prefer, just look through my previous posts—everything is laid out there. Just search for my username and you'll find where the whole story begins...

Michael Diaz4 said:There’s actually a private clinic in Sarajevo that handles this. It’s run by a top-tier university professor... If you want the specifics, shoot me a PM. Yeah, they did it under anesthesia and used a catheter... Or just dig through my old posts—everything is laid out there. Just search my username and you’ll find where the whole story starts.

I went through your posts. Turns out, I actually had my surgery done by that "top-tier" Professor Dr. Kandic back in 2009, and honestly? My hemorrhoids came right back. I spent two months in absolute misery after the procedure, and don't even get me started on the empty promises they fed me beforehand—all that talk about being back at work in four or five days. The bedside manner was also pretty terrible; very cold and blunt. They operated on me at 10:00 PM, and frankly, I doubt even the younger doctors can stay focused that late after a grueling shift. As for why I'm asking about the catheter—I have a massive phobia of them, and the only way I dealt with it was having it pulled out immediately. All in all, it was pretty unprofessional. Personally, I'd rather drive all the way to Chicago than go under his knife again. Thanks for the interest, but I was actually asking Timothy Sanchez7 about his experience at the ARITHERA clinic. Feel free to keep playing the hype man for your Professor Doctor if you want. Cheers.🤷

I’m looking for some advice. I’ve been putting off dealing with my digestive issues—which have been a mess ever since my time in the military due to poor diet, stress, and all that... I’m not sure how severe things are internally, but I haven't made it to the doctor yet. Honestly, between the healthcare system being in total disarray and constantly getting hit with ten different new tests or follow-ups, I spend most of my life just navigating referrals, hospitals, doctors, and endless waiting rooms. Since the war, my digestion has been terrible. I know my diet isn't great, and I've noticed the medications prescribed for it actually seem to dehydrate me further. I can go a week without even needing to use the bathroom, and I suspect I might have an enlarged colon—maybe megacolon. The real issue is the sheer terror I feel when I finally have to go. It feels like my heart might jump out of my chest from the strain; I struggle to breathe. It honestly feels more painful than childbirth... like an hour of pure torture🤣. Does anyone know how to help? Are there any herbal remedies or perhaps something over-the-counter at a pharmacy that actually works?
I've heard that laser treatments can now handle this benignly and without much pain?
What’s the actual process? Do I start with a referral from my primary care physician to an internist or someone else? And what does the full examination involve?

rapiddrifter12 Asks:
I’ve been reading through your posts. I actually had my surgery back in 2009 with that top-tier Professor, Dr. Kandic, and honestly? My hemorrhoids are back in full force. I went through two months of pure misery after the procedure. And don't even get me started on the promises made beforehand—they told me I’d be back at work in four or five days like it was nothing. The patient care was also pretty disappointing; they were cold and frankly quite rude. They didn't even operate on me until 10:00 PM. I can't help but think that even the younger doctors probably lose their focus that late after such an exhausting day. As for why I’m asking about catheters—look, I have a genuine phobia of them, and the only way I could deal with it was having the catheter removed immediately. All in all, it felt very unprofessional. At this point, I’d much rather make the trip to Chicago than go under his knife again. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I reached out to Timothy Sanchez7 to ask about his experience at the ARITHERA clinic. You’re more than welcome to keep playing the Professor's PR agent if you want, though. Cheers. 🤷

Look, I’m not trying to sell you on anything. I’m just telling you that it’s a better option for you, and it’s more convenient, too. But hey, do whatever you want. In the meantime, I know another guy who had his surgery done by him... he hasn't had a single issue and was already back behind the wheel driving. 311 miles All at once...😁 The worst part is dealing with irresponsible patients. They go and screw themselves over by ignoring their doctor's orders, and then they have the nerve to claim the procedure was done poorly. Maybe it wasn't even bad. Maybe you just became a "scientific anomaly" because you neglected your health for too long—though that’s so rare it’s statistically negligible, and I don't personally buy into it. Look, using a catheter isn't exactly a walk in the park. If you've been following my posts, you already know how brutal things can get post-op. These are real struggles, real pain, but they do fade with time. Anyone promising you a 4-5 day recovery is selling you something. That kind of timeline only applies if you're dealing with first-degree hemorrhoids where there's no actual cutting involved and everything is handled minimally. HAL.When you have HAL... I honestly can't wrap my head around how some people handle these things. It’s just... wow. Sometimes you have to step back and look at the bigger picture, you know? Everything feels so interconnected. I was thinking about what someone mentioned earlier—it really puts things into perspective. You can't just rush through life without stopping to breathe. It's important to stay grounded. Just my two cents.Look, RAR implies an anal reconstruction too, and we’ve covered that extensively here. Back then, absolutely no one could have promised you a recovery window of just four or five days. Honestly, with that kind of attitude and the way you're writing, nobody is going to take you seriously. You really need to go back and read through this thread; there is a wealth of information, diagrams, animations, and links available. It seems to me like you either didn't fully grasp the procedure or you messed something up during the process. Good luck—try to use some common sense next time. Regardless of who you talk to, just listen to what your doctor says.Otherwise, you should probably head over to that thread instead. I honestly think you'll find much more useful information waiting for you there.. ☕

John Martin18 said:I’m looking for some advice. I’ve been putting off dealing with this digestive issue—something I've been dragging around since my time in the service (bad diet, stress, you name it...). I don't know if the problem is entirely me, but I haven't seen a doctor yet because there's always a mountain of new tests to run. Between the healthcare system being in total collapse and never having enough time to get everything done within the window they give you, I'm constantly stuck in a loop of doctors, hospitals, and waiting rooms. Ever since the war, digestion has been a nightmare. My diet definitely isn't great, and I've noticed the meds prescribed for it actually seem to dehydrate me even more. I can go seven days without a bowel movement. I suspect I might have an enlarged colon (maybe megacolon?), but honestly, the thought of trying to go terrifies me. It feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest from the strain. I lose my breath. It’s worse than childbirth; it feels like an hour of "Nazi torture."🤣 How can I help myself? Is there a herbal remedy or something ready-made at a pharmacy?
I’ve heard they can use lasers now to fix benign issues painlessly?
What's the process? Do I start with a referral from my primary care physician, an internist, or someone else? And what does the actual exam involve?

Until a professional actually examines you, nobody can give you real advice. The only thing I can tell you regarding digestion is to watch what you eat. Avoid anything that causes constipation and make sure you're staying hydrated. Going seven days without a movement and straining that hard is definitely not normal... Seriously, go see a doctor immediately. They will be the ones to give you the referral to a specialist...

Lesli, thanks if that's all there is to it. I'm just wondering if there are any substances besides water or similar things that might help improve my digestion? I'm drinking plenty of water, but because of the long-term effects of the war, I'm on quite a variety of pills...
pos.

John Martin18 said:Michael Diaz4—thanks if that’s all there is. I’m just asking because I don't want any other substances besides water or similar things messing with my system while trying to improve my digestion. I take plenty of fluids, but because of the aftermath of the war, I'm on quite a variety of pills.
You're welcome.

Friend, just eat plenty of greens—spinach, chard, lettuce... It would also do you some good to have a little jam, then maybe some fruit compote or something along those lines. Try using those to get things moving regularly; it'll make life easier. Good luck...

Michael Diaz4 said:Look, I’m not out here running an ad campaign for him. I’m just telling you that his place is closer and better for you, but hey, it’s your call... In the meantime, I know another guy who had surgery with him... zero issues, drove 311 miles all in one go... 😁 Honestly, the worst part is irresponsible patients who screw themselves over and then blame the surgeon for not following orders when they didn't follow them in the first place... Or maybe it actually was bad, and maybe you ended up being a statistical outlier because you let things get too far gone—though that’s rare enough to be statistically negligible, so I doubt it... A catheter isn't exactly a walk in the park, and if you've read my posts, you know how much of a mess things can get after surgery. It is pain, plain and simple, though it does fade eventually. If someone promised you a 4-5 day recovery, they were probably talking about stage one hemorrhoids where there's no cutting involved and they're ONLY doing dg hal... Once you're looking at dg hal RAR, well, RAR implies reconstruction of the anal area, which we've talked about plenty. No one could honestly promise a 4-5 day turnaround for that. With that attitude, nobody is going to take you seriously. Just browse the thread; there’s tons of info, photos, animations, and links... It seems like you either missed something or messed something up on your end... Good luck, and try to use some common sense; whoever you end up seeing, just listen to what your doctor tells you... Otherwise, stick to this thread because you'll find actual useful info here.. ☕

Why would I lie? I followed everything to a T; I’m not an idiot, this is my health we're talking about. I'm not saying the guy isn't an expert, and I'm not disputing that he helped others, but unfortunately, he didn't help me. I even know a guy whose wife had two surgeries with a certain specialist and she's still dealing with the fallout. I’ve had two other surgeries unrelated to hemorrhoids before, so the catheter thing wasn't the issue for me. And look, I have no intention of naming names or where I went—just look at my first post, I'm not trying to drag anyone's reputation through the mud. I don't want to spend hours bickering with you here, and frankly, I wasn't even addressing you, but I do have one question. My question is: if you don't have any more issues, why are you still hanging around forums five years after your surgery, practically waiting for a chance to tell people to visit your professor? Is this a promotion? You say you're helping people, right? I politely said thanks for the advice, but explained I'm not interested in your doctor for various reasons, and suddenly you're insulting me, calling me clueless and lazy. I think you're overthinking this, and please, just leave me alone. 🤷

rapiddrifter12 said:Why would I lie? I followed everything to a T. I’m not an idiot; my health is on the line here. Look, I’m not saying people aren't experts, and I’m not disputing that certain methods have helped others—it just didn't work for me. I know someone through a friend whose wife had two surgeries with a certain specialist and she’s still dealing with all this misery. I actually had two other surgeries back in the day unrelated to hemorrhoids, so I wasn't exactly struggling with catheters. I never intended to drop the doctor's name or the hospital where I was treated—just look at my first post, I have zero interest in dragging anyone's reputation through the mud. I don't want to spend hours arguing with you, and frankly, I wasn't even talking to you, but I do have one question. If you don't have any issues anymore, why are you hanging out on forums five years after your surgery, just waiting for a chance to tell people they need to see your professor? Is this about helping folks, or is it just promotion? I can say "thanks for the advice" politely, but if I tell you I'm not interested in your doctor for various reasons, you start insulting me, acting like I don't know anything about life or how things work. Honestly, you seem a bit overzealous. Please, just leave me alone. 🤷

Wtf...😕 The only reason I pop into this thread occasionally is for advice. And for the record, it hasn't been five years—I dealt with this for good almost three years ago... Plus, a good friend of mine finally got rid of his issues late last year. As for what you're claiming, it's pretty obvious you're lying. If you're undergoing HAL and RAR, that involves anal area reconstruction. No doctor in the US is going to promise a five-day recovery because it takes at least six weeks to heal properly. Since you claim your hemorrhoids were severe, it’s a total contradiction to say you were promised a five-day turnaround. Use some logic: if there is cutting involved, it CANNOT all heal in five days. If it's just HAL, fine, but you're contradicting yourself, which means you aren't telling the truth. Besides, I haven't heard of anyone seeing this doctor and having their problems return. And I never publicly pushed a doctor on you; I offered to send info via PM. Since you're clearly just trolling, there's no point. Go read my two comments on that other PDF about why people lose faith in doctors; maybe you'll find yourself in there. I'm not interested in debating people like you. I wasn't calling you out, yet here you are questioning me. Here's your answer. Don't bother responding. ☕

Michael Diaz4 said:What the hell...😕 The only reason I ever pop up in this thread is to offer actual advice. And just to set the record straight, it wasn't some five-year struggle—I permanently cleared my issues nearly three years ago. Even a buddy of mine managed to get rid of his problems late last year. As for what you're claiming? It’s pretty obvious you're lying. If you're undergoing surgery involving HAL and RAR, we're talking about reconstructive work on the anal area. No doctor in the country is going to promise a five-day recovery; it takes at least six weeks to fully heal. Given that you described your hemorrhoids as being in a neglected state, your claim about a five-day turnaround is a total contradiction. Use some logic: if there’s an incision involved, things don't just knit back together in five days. If it were just the HAL procedure, maybe, but you can't have it both ways. You're contradicting yourself, which leads me to conclude you aren't telling the truth. Besides, I haven't heard of a single person who went to this doctor and ended up with complications or had their symptoms return. I didn't even publicly recommend him to you; I offered to send the details via DM. But since you're clearly just here to troll, I guess that's unnecessary. Honestly, you should go read my two comments on that other PDF regarding why people lose faith in doctors—you'll probably find yourself in there. I have zero interest in debating someone like you. I wasn't attacking you; you're the one turning this on me and throwing questions my way. There's your answer. Don't bother reaching out to me again. ☕

Look, I was just asking a guy who had his surgery done in Chicago about how it went for him. That’s all. Nothing more. And as for you, I’m just repeating exactly what my doctor and his son told me before the procedure—though now I realize they were totally feeding me lines. I see you hanging around the local forums trying to plug your professor’s reputation, but hey, I never said there was anything wrong with that. I figured I had the right to share my own story; isn't that basically the whole point of this forum? It’s a bummer you don't believe me, but honestly, what am I supposed to do? You don't have to go calling me a liar just because I'm sharing a negative experience. If it bothers you that much that I'm telling my side of things, that's on you. Anyway, glad to hear you finally got rid of those hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, I'm still stuck dealing with mine. Take care and all the best.

I'm really hoping Timothy Sanchez7 actually gets back to me on this one. 😕