Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

rapiddrifter12 Asks:
I was just asking a gentleman who had his surgery done in Chicago about how his experience went. That’s all. And look, I'm just telling you what my doctor and his son told me before the procedure; now I realize they weren't being honest with me. I see you hanging around those online forums trying to promote your professor, but I never said there was anything wrong with that. I should have the right to share my own experience, shouldn't I? Isn't that the whole point of this forum? I'm sorry you don't believe me, but what can I do? You don't need to call me a liar just because I'm sharing a negative experience. Anyway, I am glad to hear you at least got rid of your hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, I haven't had that luck. Best wishes to you.

I'm really hoping Timothy Sanchez7 finally gets back to me. 😕

😂You’re lying again. I am not on any other forums. I haven't been active elsewhere, and I certainly haven't written about this topic anywhere else...😛 And here you go again. I’m telling you, for the very last time, you are lying—especially regarding the postoperative recovery period following an anal area reconstruction (specifically the HAL RAR procedure). It’s just not possible. Lasting only five days? No way. It takes at least six weeks, and honestly, no doctor can give you a definitive timeline like that. That’s exactly why I know what you're saying isn't true. I was completely past all my issues just 42 days after my surgery. On top of that, I was out on medical leave for an extra ten days, and they even offered to extend it if I wanted more time. Just let it go, man. You’ve said your piece, I’ve said mine, and here is the proof that you aren't telling the truth... Over.

Since this comes from my own personal experience, I thought it might be helpful to someone else out there.

My hemorrhoids used to flare up roughly every 18 months, but this most recent bout was by far the worst one yet. Last November, I dealt with a nasty stomach virus for about a week, and once that passed, the hemorrhoids showed up. For two and a half months, I suffered through intense pain every single time I had to use the restroom. I actually tried to delay my bathroom trips until late at night because I could apply a cream afterward and just go straight to sleep, hoping to wake up without the pain.

About ten days ago, I was honestly at my breaking point. Every time I had to go, it felt like walking into a firing squad; the suffering was truly immense. Finally, last week, I started searching online for surgical solutions. I came across a clinic that lists its pricing on their website. Based on the diagnostic descriptions they provide online, I realized I have second-stage hemorrhoids, which can be treated with a specific method. Including all the necessary exams, it costs a bit less than $150.

However, before committing to surgery, I decided to visit my primary care physician to get a second opinion. I figured I might not have exhausted all my options yet. My doctor provided me with a list of recommendations—various medications I could pick up at a local pharmacy. Unfortunately, in general practice, hemorrhoids aren't always treated as a serious issue, so nothing is available via prescription; you pretty much have to buy everything over the counter. One thing my doctor suggested really caught my interest, though: a syrup designed to soften stools. I’ve frequently struggled with constipation, which made everything so much more painful. I decided to pick up some Duphalac. You take two large tablespoons once a day, ideally before your first meal, and then just wait for your system to kick in. This syrup is completely safe and works as a mild laxative. Alongside that, I took some tablets to help reduce inflammation and pain, specifically Detralex 500 mg, taken twice daily. The syrup costs about $13, though I can't quite recall the price of the tablets. To top it off, I applied HemeroProtekt cream after every bathroom visit.

Within just two days, things improved drastically. I could finally go to the bathroom without agony! After a week, people around me were actually asking, "Why are you in such a great mood?" It was an incredible transformation. This week, I decided to start tapering off the medication—I'm taking the syrup every other day now, and just one tablet per day.

I don't want to sound like I'm exaggerating, but this helped me immensely. The change has been nothing short of amazing. I don't even feel pain anymore when I have to sit for long periods at work.

So, if anyone hasn't tried this approach yet, please give it a shot. I say this as someone who has tested just about every cream on the market.

I'm wondering if Hemero protect is actually a solid solution for hemorrhoids?
I know Pilex is an option too, but since they're both more than $100 it's honestly a bit tough to decide which one to go with...

rapiddrifter12 said:Timothy Sanchez7, I’m also from Canada. I already went through one hemorrhoid surgery back in 2009, but they've come crawling back 😢. That surgery was brutal, so now I'm looking into these less invasive options. Could you give me some more details about yours? How long did it take to recover? I mean, when could you get back to your normal routine—working, walking longer distances, stuff like that? You mentioned the procedure was done under general anesthesia until 12:30, and then you were out of the hospital by 3:00 PM? Are you sure it was general anesthesia? It sounds way too fast to me... Did they use a catheter? And what about that first bowel movement—was it incredibly painful? How long after the surgery did you deal with that weird, uncomfortable sensation in the area every time you had to go?

It was uncomfortable and painful for the first 4 or 5 days. I had a bowel movement the very next morning, and again that evening, and that continued for about 10 days. That first one, and all the others during those first few days, were uncomfortable and painful, but manageable. Once you feel the urge, you just sit down, do your business without straining, and you're up in about 20 seconds. Then you wash up with a gentle shower, dry off, and apply some Hemero protect. My doctor told me to apply it using gauze...
As for regular activities, it took about 15 days. Yeah, I'm certain the DG HAL + DG RAR procedure was performed under general anesthesia.
No catheter for me, and they didn't use a scalpel either. It's a method where they tie off the arteries supplying blood to the hemorrhoids.

Gary Garcia10 said:I was wondering if Hemopropin ointment is actually an effective solution for hemorrhoids?
I know Pilex is also an option, but since there's such a gap between them regarding $100 it’s honestly a bit tough to decide which one to go with...

I've given Hemopropin a shot myself. It does help dull the pain somewhat, but in the end, it doesn't really provide much significant relief.

Timothy Sanchez7 said:The first 4 or 5 days were pretty rough and painful. I was hitting the bathroom both morning and night immediately after, and that continued for about 10 days. Those initial bowel movements—and honestly, most of them during that first week—were uncomfortable and painful, though they stayed solid. Now, once the urge hits, I just sit down, get it done without any straining, and I'm up in maybe 20 seconds. Then it's just a quick rinse with some gentle water, pat dry, and apply some Hemero protect using gauze, which is how my doctor suggested I handle it. Before the procedure, I used to sit on the toilet for 10 minutes at a time; now, it’s more like a 30-second pit stop. It took about 15 days before I felt back to my normal routine.
I'm positive the DG HAL + DG RAR procedure was done under general anesthesia.
No catheter was inserted and no scalpel was used, since this method focuses on tying off the arteries supplying blood to the hemorrhoids.

Thanks for getting back to me. So, you don't regret it? Everything's smooth sailing now, and you're happy with the clinic and how the surgery turned out?

rapiddrifter12 said:Thanks for getting back to me. So you don't regret it? Everything turned out fine and you're happy with the clinic and the surgical results?

Yeah, no regrets here. If I’d known how much easier it would be, I would've handled this way sooner. Honestly, if you're dealing with hemorrhoids, just go see a proctologist. Get checked out and get the procedure done if you need it...
From what I experienced, the clinic, the doctor, and the whole medical team were top-notch. Best of luck.

What are you guys eating to help soften things up?
Or maybe there are some specific (natural) supplements you swear by to keep things moving smoothly?

At the end of the day, dealing with hard stools is usually the root cause behind all those issues—especially when it comes to how hemorrhoids start or get worse.
And honestly, irregular bathroom habits don't help matters either.

I have spent my entire life struggling with digestive issues and chronic constipation, which became especially agonizing during pregnancy when I developed hemorrhoids, and naturally, the trouble continued postpartum. For me, the only thing that provided any real relief was using Faktu ointment combined with Duphalac tablets, as they soften the stool and make the process much less painful... though the downside is you aren't supposed to use them for more than five days at a time. I have tried everything under the sun—Duphalac, flaxseeds, dried prunes, magnesium, even various supplements—but nothing seemed to touch the problem. The most recent breakthrough for me was finding psyllium husk powder, which you can pick up at stores like Whole Foods; it truly has been a lifesaver, ensuring I have a regular daily movement and keeping things soft enough for an easy evacuation. I wanted to share this in case it helps someone else out there.

Psyllium husk from the Himalayas can really help soften things up (

Duphalac was a lifesaver for mellowsurfer59 (

I actually got a private message saying that even eating grits helps soften their stool.

It seems like for some people, stuff like grits or cornmeal—whatever you want to call it—works wonders too.

And then there's the "aloe vera Esi regulator probave tablete," which helps others stay regular.
The big question is, though—how long are you actually allowed to use these?
Does anyone happen to know?

Hi everyone, I’ve been scrolling through this forum for ages, but I haven't been able to find an answer to my specific question. I had a DG HAL procedure and a RAR surgery about 12 days ago, and honestly, I can't even begin to describe how brutal the recovery has been—not that I'm actually done recovering yet. To make a long story short, things seemed to be looking up after the ten-day mark, but then this new formation popped up. I'm pretty sure it's thrombosis; I've dealt with plenty of those before. So now I'm wondering, has anyone else gone through this following a DG HAL? And if so, what's the next move? It's not even the thrombosis itself that worries me—I figure that'll pass, even if it is painful—but it feels like it means the chemicals have migrated back to where they started, right at the "exit," otherwise there wouldn't be this edema out here.
The thought of going in for a follow-up exam is absolutely terrifying because everything still hurts so much, and the idea of having to undergo another procedure is even worse.
I would truly appreciate hearing about your experiences. Also, please excuse any typos; English isn't my first language.

Melissa Garcia71 said:Hey everyone, I’ve been scrolling through this forum forever, trying to find some clarity, but I still haven't found an answer to what's happening with me. I had a DG HAL procedure and a rare surgical intervention about 12 days ago—honestly, describing how brutal the recovery has been is almost impossible, and frankly, I'm not even done recovering yet. To make matters worse, things actually seemed to be looking up after the ten-day mark, only for a new lump to pop up. I’m pretty sure it’s thrombosis; I’ve dealt with plenty of those before. What I really want to know is if anyone else has dealt with this popping back up after a DG HAL, and more importantly, what the next move is. It’s not even the thrombosis itself that scares me—I figure that'll clear up eventually, painful as it is—but it feels like a sign that everything just migrated right back to the "exit," otherwise there's no way this edema would be surfacing like this.
The thought of heading back in for a checkup is terrifying because I'm still in so much pain, and the idea of having to go under the knife again is even worse.
I'm really hoping to hear about your experiences. Also, please excuse any typos; American isn't my first language.

It sounds like you might fall into that unlucky 5% where the surgery doesn't quite stick. I went through the exact same thing back in December 2012. Because of a recurrence, I had to have a follow-up procedure in February 2013, and since then, I've been totally fine. Basically, if things start showing up again, there's no sense in waiting around. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. In the meantime, I went in to see my doctor, and he told me it isn't thrombosis, just edema. He was actually pretty happy with how things look; he just couldn't check everything thoroughly 🙂 because it’s still way too early to tell. My follow-up appointment is in about a month.
The thing is, this edema just won't budge. It makes me wonder—if a follow-up procedure is needed, would you have to pay for that out of pocket, or is it more like a "warranty service" type of deal? And what does it actually mean when people say a procedure "failed"—like, did the stitches burst or something?

Dennis Brooks Asks:
Thanks for the reply. In the meantime, I went in for a checkup with my doctor, and he told me it isn't thrombosis after all—just edema. He seemed pretty satisfied with the results otherwise, though he couldn't quite get a deep enough look at everything.🙂I think it's still a bit too early to say. My follow-up appointment isn't for another month.
I just can't seem to get rid of this swelling. It’s still there. It makes me wonder—if I have to go back in for another procedure, am I going to be footing the bill myself? Is it more like a "warranty service" where they fix it for free, or am I looking at another charge? And honestly, what does it even mean when people say a procedure "failed"? Does it mean the stitches popped or something else entirely?

I didn't want to jump in earlier, but I wanted to reach out and tell you that you really shouldn't worry so much. That swelling likely happened because of some trauma during the procedure or even just the exam itself, which honestly isn't too unusual. Do you remember if you were tensing up while they were doing the digital exam? Did the doctor mention anything about trying to relax or warn you not to resist? You really have to experience some level of physical roughness for that kind of swelling to kick in. Don't stress out, though. HAL works in practically 100% of cases. As long as things haven't become so complicated that it turns into a medical mystery—where it becomes difficult to map out all the veins feeding the hemorrhoids—you should be fine. Seriously, don't sweat it. Just follow your doctor's advice and everything will turn out okay. Good luck...🙂

Michael Diaz4 said:I didn't want to jump in too early and bother you, but I really wanted to reach out and tell you that you’re worrying yourself over nothing. Honestly, this swelling happened because of some trauma during the procedure or the exam itself—it's actually pretty common for that to happen. Do you remember if you were tensing up while the doctor was doing the finger exam? Did they give you any pointers on how to relax or warn you about clenching? You really have to be physically "rough" or tense for that kind of swelling to kick in. So, please, don't stress. HAL works practically 100% of the time. As long as things haven't gotten so complicated that it becomes a massive medical mystery where they can't even locate all the veins feeding the hemorrhoids, you'll be fine. Seriously, don't sweat it. Just follow whatever your doctor says and everything will turn out okay. Good luck!🙂

Thanks for checking in on me. I’ve been catching up on your previous posts, so I knew going into this that things wouldn't be quite as simple as I hoped. Still, even with that mental prep, recovery is dragging on—I'm heading into my third week now. I can finally manage to sit up for a little bit, but there is absolutely no way I'm ready to head back to work yet. You hit the nail on the head regarding the cause of the edema. I had one of those incredibly hard bouts of constipation where I had to strain really badly, and that’s when the swelling kicked in. It hasn't fully cleared up yet—it's been a week already—but I think I'm finally starting to turn a corner. To be honest, though, I’m more worried that all that straining caused some internal damage. The pain was intense for several days, actually much worse than what I've dealt with before, and there was some light bleeding too. I guess I won't know for sure until my follow-up appointment at the end of the month.

Melissa Garcia71 said:Thanks for checking in on me. I’d been reading through your previous posts, so I knew things wouldn't be easy, but man, this recovery is dragging on. It's been three weeks now and I can finally sit up for a bit, but I am nowhere near ready to head back to work. You hit the nail on the head regarding the cause of the edem. I had one really hard bowel movement—I had to strain quite a bit—and that’s when the edem showed up. It hasn't cleared up yet, even after a week, though I think it's finally starting to turn a corner. Honestly, my bigger worry is that I might have caused some internal damage while straining. It was hurting significantly more than usual for several days, and there was some light bleeding. I suppose I won't know for sure until my follow-up appointment at the end of the month..

You really need to keep things moving; having hard stools is bad because you shouldn't be straining at all... It probably isn't anything major, maybe you just irritated some wounds... A little bit of bleeding is possible... Hang in there...🙂

This time, the hemorrhoids were hurting worse than ever. By day 5, the bleeding started. I was using three different types of ointments from the drugstore, but nothing worked... the pain just kept getting more intense! I spent those first five days basically stuck in bed. On the 6th day, I actually had to leave work early because the pain made it impossible to sit down. Then I remembered reading somewhere that unsalted lard can actually help. After applying it, I felt so much better within just a few hours. Twenty-four hours later, the pain is totally gone and everything is slowly healing up!! Highly recommend! 🙂

Honestly, Pilex was the only thing that actually did the trick for me. I dealt with external hemorrhoids for over 15 years—they’d flare up every few months, sometimes just a dull ache, but other times the pain was so brutal I couldn't even sleep at night. It felt like every single muscle down there was throbbing; the pain was honestly terrifying, enough to make me cry. Getting out of bed was a whole ordeal; it would take me several minutes just to find the strength to stand up. Yeah, it’s pricey, but for me, it was worth every penny.

Robin Chavez6 said:The hemorrhoids were actually more painful this time than ever before. By day five, they started bleeding. I tried three different kinds of ointments from the pharmacy, but nothing worked—the pain just kept getting worse! I was basically bedridden for those five days. On the sixth day, I had to leave work early because the pain made it impossible to sit down. Then I remembered reading somewhere that unsalted lard can help. Within a few hours of applying it, I felt so much better. Twenty-four hours later, the pain is completely gone and things are slowly healing!! I highly recommend it! 🙂

The inflammation has gone down... 🙂

After reading what Timothy Sanchez7 had to say, I finally pulled the trigger and went through with hemorrhoid surgery at the Arithera clinic. I called them up the very same day and managed to snag an appointment just a week later—they scheduled everything for one single visit: the initial exam, the rectoscopy, and the actual procedure itself. I had the operation last Tuesday, February 25th, using the HAL-RAR method to deal with some grade 2-3 hemorrhoids. Everything played out exactly how Timothy Sanchez7 described it; the clinic is top-tier, and the doctor was absolutely stellar. I was able to head out the same day and just crashed at a hotel in Washington, D.C. for the night. Today marks nine days since the surgery, and I’m already back at work—though, granted, I have a desk job, so it's not like I'm running marathons. There was zero talk about being out of commission for weeks; my doctor told me it would be two weeks at most. Honestly, I feel great—I couldn't have imagined it turning out this well. It’s been exactly as the doctor warned: you get this incredibly uncomfortable sensation for about 4 or 5 days, almost like you need to run to the bathroom every five minutes, but the pain meds definitely take the edge off. I saw a little extra blood after my second or third bowel movement, but by day five, things leveled out. Now, everything is moving along without any issues at all. If you're dealing with this kind of stuff, I’d highly recommend seeing a proctologist just to see where you stand. The exam is practically painless and takes maybe two minutes. That's my two cents. 🙂