Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

rapiddrifter12 said:After reading Timothy Sanchez7's post, I decided to pull the trigger on hemorrhoid surgery at the Arithera clinic. I called them up the same day and they got me in within a week—they scheduled the exam, the rectoscopy, and the actual procedure all for the same visit. I had the HAL-RAR procedure done last Tuesday, February 25th, for grade 2-3 hemorrhoids. Everything went exactly how Timothy Sanchez7 described; the clinic is top-tier, especially the doctor. I was discharged the same day and just spent the night at a hotel in Washington, D.C. Today marks nine days since the surgery, and I’m already back at work—though, granted, I have an office job. There’s no such thing as being out for weeks; my doctor told me two weeks max. Honestly, I feel great. I couldn't have imagined this. It’s exactly what the doctor warned me about: you deal with a pretty uncomfortable sensation for about 4 or 5 days, almost like you need to use the restroom every five minutes, but the pain meds really take the edge off. I saw a bit more blood after my second or third bowel movement, but things stabilized by day five. Now, everything is moving along without any issues. If you're struggling with this, I'd highly recommend seeing a proctologist just to see where you stand. The exam is nearly painless and lasts maybe two minutes. That's my two cents. 🙂

Right, but that applies to grades one and two, not stage four when you're looking at full rectal reconstruction... Anyone who just does a clean HAL without the RAR can head straight home and skip the sick leave entirely... So let's not get ahead of ourselves. For minor surgical interventions, you can recover fairly well in 15 days, but if it's an advanced case, there's no way. Man, I remember how many days I had to spend on antibiotics...

Michael Diaz4 said:Right, but you’re talking about stages one and two, not stage four when they’re doing full-blown reconstruction in the anal area... If someone does a clean HAL without the RAR part, they might as well just head home immediately—no sick leave needed. So, let's skip the fairy tales. With minor surgical stuff, you can recover pretty well in 15 days, but once things have been neglected for a long time? No chance. I remember how many antibiotics I had to chug back in the day...

Sir,

The reason you were on antibiotics for so long was because you had thrombosis, which required cutting it out of the artery, and that’s why your recovery took forever. And yeah, I had the HAL-RAR procedure done; it’s right there in my discharge papers. I was actually discharged from the hospital the very same day, walking out on my own two feet 🙂. If you don't believe me, just check their website or read what Timothy Sanchez7 wrote. My experience was identical to his, except my paperwork specifies it was grade 2-3 hemorrhoids. I don't get why you're being so skeptical. Did I ever say I'd let things get bad? I noticed them acting up again just a month ago and reacted immediately, thank God 😉

Robin Chavez6 said:This time, the hemorrhoids were more painful than ever before. Around day five, they started bleeding—it was scary. I tried using three different kinds of ointments from the pharmacy, but nothing seemed to touch it; if anything, the pain just kept ramping up. I spent those first five days basically bedridden. By the sixth day, I actually had to leave work early because sitting down became impossible. Then, I remembered reading somewhere that plain, unrefined lard can help. Honestly, within a few hours of applying it, I felt so much better. Twenty-four hours later, the pain is completely gone and things are finally starting to subside!! Highly recommend! 🙂

Does the lard actually shrink the hemorrhoids themselves, or does it just reduce the swelling while the hemorrhoids stay put?
There's a huge difference there!

Hi everyone,
I had surgery yesterday at KB Merkur to remove some polyps from my colon, and they also performed a DG HAL procedure... honestly, the pain is pretty intense right now, though the nurses were absolutely wonderful and made sure I was set up with everything I might need to manage the discomfort. I’m feeling a bit anxious about having a bowel movement, though, and could really use some advice on strength... has anyone here used specific tablets or medications to help soften things up? I’m genuinely dreading the bathroom right now, especially since even just passing gas causes such sharp pain, so I can only imagine what a full bowel movement will feel like... thanks in advance for any help you can give!

So, here’s my deal. A couple of months back, I dealt with some hemorrhoids; they weren't exactly a joy, but they weren't too painful either and eventually cleared up, thank God. Fast forward to a few days ago, and a new one has popped up—about the size of a grape, I guess—and the pain is just brutal. I can barely sit down, so I’ve pretty much been stuck in bed for the last two days. There’s this little red spot on it that bleeds a bit; it’s not a constant flow, but it looks raw, probably from the friction of walking around. I can't really afford to see a private doctor right now since my finances are a total disaster, and even if I could, they'd probably just tell me to stay in bed and rest. I've been using HemeroProtect for two days now, but honestly, I’m not seeing much of an improvement. I was wondering if sitting actually makes things worse, like if it increases the swelling or just slows down the healing process? Also, does anyone know what might help dull the pain for just a few hours? Sitting in a bath isn't really an option because I don't have the setup at my job.
Thanks in advance

rapiddrifter12 said:After reading Timothy Sanchez7's post, I finally pulled the trigger on hemorrhoid surgery at the Arithera clinic. I called them the same day and they squeezed me in for a week later—they scheduled everything for one go: the exam, the rectoscopy, and the actual procedure. I had my surgery last Tuesday, Feb 25th, using the HAL-RAR method for grade 2-3 hemorrhoids. It went exactly how Timothy Sanchez7 described... top-tier clinic, especially the doctor. I was out of there the same day and just slept it off at a hotel in Washington, D.C. Today marks nine days since the operation, and I’m already back at work, though thankfully it's just a desk job. There was never any talk of being out for weeks; my doctor said two weeks max. Honestly, I feel great... I couldn't have imagined this. It plays out just like the doctor warned: you deal with a pretty uncomfortable sensation for about 4 or 5 days, like you need to run to the bathroom every five minutes, but the painkillers make it manageable. I saw a bit more blood after my second or third bowel movement, but things stabilized by day five. Now, everything is back to normal. If you're struggling with this, just go see a proctologist for an exam first. It's almost painless and takes maybe two minutes. That's all from me 🙂

Congrats. My advice to anyone else dealing with this is that it is curable. Don't just sit there in pain. Go see a specialist and do whatever they recommend. Reading this forum is actually what gave me the push to finally book my own appointment. Best,

rapiddrifter12 said:Sir,

You were on those antibiotics for such a long stretch because of that thrombosis issue—having to go in and clear out the artery really drags the whole recovery process out. And yeah, my discharge papers confirm they performed the HAL-RAR procedure on me. I actually got sent home the very same day; I walked right out of the hospital on my own two feet. 🙂 If you don't believe me, just take a quick look at their website or read what Timothy Sanchez7 wrote. My experience was exactly the same as his, except my discharge papers specifically noted grade 2 or 3 hemorrhoids. I honestly don't get why everyone is being so skeptical. Did I say I let things slide? About a month ago, I realized they were coming back, and I jumped on it immediately. Thank God I did. 😉

Look, you can see I made my point clearly. When you’re dealing with a Grade 4 reconstruction—specifically involving HAL-RAR—you just can't sit down that quickly. It's simply not possible. If we were talking about Grade 2 or even early Grade 3, the recovery is a different story; you're usually looking at about 20 to 30 days before things settle down. It isn't about thrombosis, either. It comes down to the sheer scale of the surgical site and the extent of the tissue damage. People always seem to forget to mention which stage the condition was actually in, and then they jump to these blanket conclusions that don't hold any water. For minor surgical procedures, the recovery is much smoother and faster, which is exactly why I keep stressing that this isn't a one-size-fits-all situation.

Scott Martin51 said:When you use lard, does it actually shrink the hemorrhoids themselves, or is it just reducing the swelling while the hemorrhoids stay put?
There's a huge difference there!

The inflammation went down. But the hemorrhoids themselves are still there... Honestly, as long as the pain subsides and the swelling settles, I'll take it.

I've got some mild hemorrhoids going on. To be honest, I have no clue exactly what stage I'm at since I’ve never actually sat down for a doctor's exam.
I’m trying my best to live "correctly" to keep the issues to a minimum. I eat three or four times a day—making sure two of those are warm meals packed with all the stuff they tell you to eat. I drink plenty of water and generally try to stick to a healthy diet. The only real kicker is my job; lately, I’ve been stuck sitting in a chair way too long.
My bowel movements are totally fine—regular, predictable, and zero pain there.
But lately, I’ve been dealing with this unbearable itching and an occasional stinging sensation. It’s gotten so bad it’s actually woken me up in the middle of the night!
The HemeroProtect cream I’ve been using isn't doing much for me. I even tried a smaller pack of Pilex once, but honestly? Didn't feel a single bit of difference.
Does anyone have any advice? Whether it's old-school home remedies or actual pharmaceutical stuff, I just need to know how to kill this itching.

Karen Thompson10 said:I wasn't very precise in my wording. I meant that surgery is the only PERMANENT solution, since everything else just manages the symptoms.

I completely agree that there are alternatives and that one can manage hemorrhoids successfully for a lifetime (I functioned normally on my own for a few years). However, managing them successfully shouldn't mean someone has to endure excruciating pain several times a year or struggle to live a normal life. I was referring to a specific situation. Even I wouldn't risk surgery if things hadn't become unbearable.

Doctors told me that patients usually show up in the final stages once complications arise. What Leslie is describing suggests exactly that. It isn't exactly "normal" or under control if someone can't leave their house for three weeks and falls into depression, right?

Of course, if someone has mild cases and handles them well, they don't need to head straight for the operating table. If everything is under control, great. But if it isn't—see a doctor immediately.

Please, let me know via email salkokarahodjic@yahoo.com what kind of issues forced you to undergo surgery. I have been suffering for 54 years. When I was younger (I am 79 now), I used to bleed heavily for months at a time, but I could somehow deal with it. Back then, I was a professional driver, and my diet was terrible—lots of alcohol, salty and spicy foods, and excessive sexual activity. I managed to get by, but for the last month, I’ve been losing about 70 ml of pure arterial blood during every bowel movement. I am seriously considering seeing a surgeon, but I have heard horror stories about people who had surgery and are now permanently disabled. Please tell me if you went through this privately or at a public hospital.

velvetharbor10 said:Please, reach out to me at my email salkokarahodjic@yahoo.com and tell me what kind of issues forced you into surgery. I've been struggling with this for 54 years. Back when I was younger (I'm 79 now), I'd go months with heavy bleeding, but I could manage somehow. I was a professional driver back then—my diet was a mess, lots of alcohol, salty and spicy foods, and way too much sexual activity. It all just seemed fine at the time. But lately, for about a month now, I've been losing nearly 70 ml of bright red arterial blood with every bowel movement. I'm seriously considering seeing a surgeon, but I've seen people after their operations who have to wear bags and are permanently disabled. Please let me know if you went through a private specialist or used a public hospital.

Friend, please look back through my previous posts and go see a doctor immediately... I don't know where you're located, but I highly recommend the surgeon who handled my procedure...

Karen Adams2 said:I just don't understand why this can't be fixed once and for all.😕Even much more severe illnesses get treated, yet this remains stubborn.😠Personally, I feel slightly better now, but I still experience...🙄I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor this month. I am hoping to receive some actual clarity on why this keeps happening.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so please take a look at what might be the best solution here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz3FcTNMs1I I don't mean to alarm you, but since I am personally going through a difficult time myself, I feel compelled to share this. I want others to see there is a bright future for everyone suffering from hemorrhoids. Best regards from <St. Louis🙂🙂

David Hernandez6 said:come on people, 😢

Well, here is my take. I have tried everything—every cream and ointment imaginable. I can tell you that some offer slight relief while others do absolutely nothing. The last one I picked up from Bishop's place in Miami, called Starplanetary Balm, seems to be the most effective so far. Since last night, I have also been taking 75 miles Pilex capsules, though they are quite pricey at $14 per capsule. You take two every morning with yogurt, and then you have to wait at least 45 minutes before having breakfast. I am not sure if they will help, but your situation sounds better than mine. I am dealing with heavy bleeding, and I am getting on in years. Surgery is the alternative, but it looks quite daunting to me. Anyway, take a look at this YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz3FcTNMs1I🙂

I wrote this on April 29, 2012.
Ten days ago, I underwent surgery using the HAL-RAR method... moving from the second to the third stage...
I went home the day after the procedure. Immediately following the surgery and my return home, I dealt with unbearable pressure and pain, though everything has stabilized since then.
When I have bowel movements, I occasionally experience quite intense burning.
Is this simply because my skin is sensitive and slightly damaged following the surgery, or is it something else?
Today, after using the restroom, I feel a pulsing sensation in my rectal area, much like what I experienced before the operation, and it feels as though my hemorrhoids are still "working" or pulsing internally just as they did before.
It is somewhat frightening to me... is this considered normal?
Additionally, after my last bowel movement, I felt a small protrusion near the anus that wasn't there a few days ago. Looking in a mirror, it appears as though a small lump has emerged; the area simply looks different than it did two days ago.
What have your postoperative experiences been like for those of you who underwent the HAL-RAR method?
Did anything similar happen to you? Did your hemorrhoids truly disappear for good after the surgery?

They vanished forever. Though, I will note that the physical configuration of the area has changed...
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I originally wrote the post above on April 29, 2012. It has now been exactly two years since my surgery. My colleague Michael Diaz4 responded to me stating that they were gone for good, but I fear that isn't the case. Last summer, during the fall and winter, my hemorrhoids used to bleed sporadically. While they aren't bleeding now, I frequently notice traces of blood on the stool and the toilet paper. Furthermore, my left hemorrhoid used to retract immediately after a bowel movement, but now it takes much longer to go back in, and it is no longer as small as it once was—though it is about half the size it was prior to the operation. The pain isn't nearly as excruciating as it was before the surgery, but there is still discomfort after a bowel movement, even if it no longer reaches that unbearable level. Worst of all, it feels as though they are returning, and the mere thought of undergoing another surgery is terrifying.
For the last two months, I have frequently felt a sense of pressure in my rectum, as if I need to have a bowel movement, yet when I go, nothing happens other than passing some white discharge. Additionally, my stools have been quite thin lately, which is very unsettling. The most difficult part is that this rectal pressure and the post-defecation pain have become increasingly frequent.
The constant pressure and pain are taking a significant toll on my mental well-being. I am at a loss as to what to do next.
Should I continue taking Detralex, even though my doctor told me it wouldn't be necessary anymore?
Should I consult a doctor, whether it be my current one or someone else?
I've considered hemorrhoidal ligation where they eventually fall off; what are people's experiences with that?
Should I attempt any natural remedies, even if I don't know which ones might actually work?
My diet is generally quite solid, avoiding spicy or heavily seasoned foods.
Do I need to increase my intake of fruit and fiber?
Am I contributing to the problem by spending too much time sitting on the toilet or straining when necessary?

At this point, I don't know anything other than the fact that I feel like I might lose my mind if I have to go through this all over again. This rectal pressure is debilitating and uncomfortable, and it is seriously affecting my psyche. On top of that, it is becoming more frequent.

Michael, or anyone else, do you have any good advice or suggestions?

I just finished in the bathroom, rushing through it so quickly that the hemorrhoids didn't even have time to emerge. The stool was thin; there was no pain, but I can still feel them, along with a slight sense of pressure.

It’s been a while since I checked in here to see what’s going on, and I see there's a question here that hits home for me too... Man, I can see you've bundled a bunch of different thoughts and questions together in one go...

I really only wrote this:

They're gone for good. And yeah, things down there have definitely changed...

Seriously, go see a doctor—that's the best advice I can give you. That whole thing about them just falling off on their own isn't how the procedure works... Also, white stools usually mean there's a lack of bile being released through your system...

I went under the knife using the HAL-RAR method about two months ago. Everything seemed perfectly fine at first, but over the last month, I’ve been noticing a bit of blood every single time I go to the bathroom.
Aside from that, I haven't dealt with any other symptoms or actual pain.
Has anyone else gone through something similar?
My doctor mentioned that anything can happen within three months of the procedure, but I can't help feeling anxious—it's hard not to worry when the issue just won't clear up.

I’ve been catching up on a lot of the posts here lately. I’m looking for some solid recommendations for a private specialist in Washington, D.C. I’ve read about Dr. Phil, who is clearly an expert, but I’ve also seen quite a few comments suggesting his bedside manner can be pretty "rough." If you have a private doctor you’d personally trust for both a consultation and surgery, please let me know. Help a person out!

I’m reaching out to anyone who might have some advice or shared experience to help me navigate this...
About a month and a half ago, I underwent a hemorrhoidectomy at KB Merkur, performed by Dr. Ivanovic. Regarding the actual surgery and the initial recovery, I honestly couldn't have asked for more; everything went flawlessly. A full month after the procedure, there wasn't even a trace of the hemorrhoids left. To be honest, after dealing with them for seven years—ever since they flared up during childbirth—it felt surreal to finally live like a normal person without any issues whatsoever. However, almost exactly one month post-op, for absolutely no apparent reason (I haven't been straining or doing anything unusual), a vein suddenly bulged out, feeling as thick as a finger... Does anyone have any idea what might be happening? My hemorrhoids were only second-degree, and they were never even that large during my worst flare-ups, so I'm just lost as to what could have caused this. My follow-up appointment isn't for another fifteen days, but I really, really hope I don't end up needing another surgery. Has anyone else gone through something similar like this...
Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

Douglas Nguyen7 said:I underwent the HAL-RAR procedure about two months ago, and things seemed perfectly fine at first, but over this last month, I’ve noticed a little blood every time I have a bowel movement.
Aside from that, I haven't had any other issues or pain...
Has anyone else gone through something similar?
The doctor mentioned that anything can happen within three months of the surgery, but I can't help feeling anxious since the issue just isn't clearing up...

I had the HAL-RAR method done myself, and everything was smooth sailing for the first month, but then a vein popped out that was as thick as a finger... I haven't had my follow-up yet—that's scheduled for two weeks from now—but besides that, I don't have any other symptoms, though if it stays like this, I'm worried I might need to go back under the knife again...

velvetharbor10 said:So, look, I’ve pretty much cycled through everything out there—every cream and ointment imaginable—and I can tell you that while some offer a tiny bit of relief, most don't do a thing. The last one I picked up at the Bishop clinic in Boston, called Starplaninski Balm, actually feels like the most effective so far. Since last night, I've also been taking those Pilex capsules, though they are incredibly pricey... 75 miles 14 capsules per pack, and you have to take two every morning with yogurt, then wait at least 45 minutes before having breakfast. I'm not entirely sure if they'll end up helping, but your situation sounds a bit more manageable than mine, since I'm dealing with heavy bleeding and, well, I'm getting on in years. The alternative is surgery, which honestly sounds terrifying to me, but anyway, take a look at this YouTube link if you want to see what I mean... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz3FcTNMs1I🙂

I feel like I've tried every single remedy available for hemorrhoids. For me, Pilex didn't help at all, and it certainly wasn't worth the money... the only thing that actually worked was when I took corticosteroids; I was originally prescribed Medrol for an entirely different issue, and suddenly my hemorrhoids just vanished as if they had never existed, but the moment I stopped the medication, everything came right back...