Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Give me a break, you haven't just shown up out of nowhere. Your writing style gives you away—you’re clearly a seasoned veteran hiding behind a bunch of different handles, not just the seven you’ve managed to rack up under this one.
Even though I don't post constantly, you're acting like I basically live on this forum.
Well, I guess there's a grain of truth to that—when I actually decide to chime in, it's because I've spent a ton of time digging into the topic and doing my homework first... especially when it comes to giving advice on stuff as serious as health matters.
If you actually bothered to look at my posts, you'd see I didn't even touch this thread until after my surgery was done. And even then, I didn't go naming names regarding my surgeon or anything—I just mentioned the procedure happened at Mercury.
I spent an entire year lurking and reading through this specific thread before I finally felt ready to speak up.
From what I've been through, I know firsthand that those little creams and earplugs aren't going to fix anything permanently, which is why I reacted the way I did.
Look, if I stepped out of line, my bad.
Peace out!
👍

Hey everyone—as I promised, I wanted to check back in once I was out from surgery to share my experience, just in case it helps anyone else going through this.
So, the procedure went smoothly. They removed three pieces—one was 1 cm, one was 1.5 cm, and the last was 2 cm. I know the exact sizes because the pathology report came back clear,
Before I get into the details, I really want to highlight a few things that caused me some trouble, so I’ll try to walk you through it chronologically.
After completing the bowel prep—which had to be done strictly before the scheduled time—I followed all the instructions perfectly. I showed up at the hospital right on schedule; honestly, Dr. Križanović is basically a god when it comes to this stuff. My surgery was set for 1:30 PM, and by 2:30 PM, I was already up and walking around my room. The pain wasn't intense or unbearable, which was a relief compared to some of the stories I've read here on the forum. In fact, the nurse actually came in with pain meds, but I turned them down because I really didn't feel like I needed them—just to clarify, I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but it just wasn't that bad. And that was my first day.
That part wasn't the issue, though—that’s not where the trouble started. The next morning, the nurses brought breakfast, and I asked if I was allowed to eat yet. The meal was cottage cheese, some creamy spread, a cup of warm milk, margarine, and jam. The nurse said I was good to go, so naturally, being hungry as a wolf, I ate up. For lunch, I had soup and rice, and for dinner, it was pasta with fresh cheese. So, that day passed fine.
The following morning, breakfast was just some spread, a cup of tea, and margarine, and since I was feeling great, they cleared me to head home.
Once I got back home, I stuck to light stuff—soups, grits, milk, spinach, yogurt, stuff like that. I’m mentioning this specifically because there’s a reason for it, which brings me to my main point.
Thursday and Friday were okay—some minor aches, nothing serious, and I didn't even need any medication. But then, Saturday hit. I was hit with pain so intense that I was literally crawling on all fours on the floor and the bed. It was unbearable. I started taking 800mg Ibuprofen every eight hours, but even after waiting six hours, the pain would still linger, and those two hours before I could take the next dose were pure torture. This went on through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. To try and describe it to you—if I can even put it into words—it’s like that sensation when you desperately need to use the restroom, but you can't, except it's ten times more powerful. That pain radiates through every muscle in your body until you start cramping up uncontrollably. If I’ve described it even halfway accurately, I was having these waves of agony every five minutes. I couldn't sleep for days. Between the hunger and needing heavy painkillers, I have to admit, I was freaking out. I felt like if I could just finally use the bathroom and empty everything out, the pressure might subside. I even considered heading to the ER just to see if they could help clear me out, but I managed to tough it out through Monday. By Tuesday, I finally managed to use the bathroom, and after that, things started looking up. Whatever you do, don't strain; let it happen naturally. It is terrifying, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Now, here is the most important part for anyone who needs this surgery and wants to avoid what I went through. I have a few pieces of advice regarding things that tripped me up, so please try to follow these to make your recovery easier.
After the surgery, stick to soups and avoid anything dairy. I realized too late that drinking milk was causing irritation that made me constantly need to run to the bathroom. Also, whatever you do, don't eat anything that causes constipation for at least the first week. That will make emptying your system much easier, and those first 5 to 7 days are absolutely critical. After that, the pain subsides slowly, but it’s nothing compared to the nightmare I experienced.
I truly hope this helps someone ease their way through these moments. If anyone has questions about the procedure, feel free to reach out.

My bad, I totally forgot to mention that we went through Milligan Morgan—here’s the link for you

Now that everything has finally settled into place, honestly? I’d probably do it all over again just the same

Joseph Evans3 said:Hey everyone. I promised I’d check back in once I was through my surgery to share the experience, hoping it might help someone else going through this.
The procedure itself went smoothly. They removed three pieces—1 cm, 1.5 cm, and 2 cm. I know the exact sizes because the pathology report came back clean, which is a relief.
First off, I want to touch on a few things that really threw me for a loop. I'll try to lay it all out clearly.
I followed the prep instructions perfectly, doing the full bowel cleanse before the scheduled date. Everything went according to plan at the hospital. Honestly, Dr. Smith is basically a legend for this kind of thing. My surgery was set for 1:30 PM, and by 2:30 PM, I was already up and walking around my room. The pain wasn't bad at all—certainly not the intense agony some people have described here on the forum. It wasn't even unbearable. In fact, the nurse actually came in with pain meds, but I turned them down because I really didn't feel I needed them. (Just a side note: I can handle a decent amount of discomfort, but this just wasn't that bad.) And that was my day done.
But that wasn't where the trouble started. The next day, the nurses brought breakfast, and I asked if I was allowed to eat it. It was cottage cheese, cream cheese, a cup of warm milk, margarine, and jam. The nurse said yes, so being hungry as a wolf, I ate up. For lunch, it was soup and rice, and for dinner, pasta with fresh cheese. That got me through the day.
The following morning, breakfast was cream cheese, a cup of tea, and some toast with margarine. After that, since I was feeling great, they discharged me and sent me home.
Once I was back home, I stuck to soups, grits, milk, spinach, and yogurt. I'm telling you this specifically because there's a reason why it matters.
Thursday and Friday went fine. A little discomfort here and there, nothing serious, and I didn't even need painkillers. But then comes what I was dreading from day one. On Saturday, the pain hit me like a freight train. It was so intense I was crawling on the floor and the bed on all fours. These were excruciating, unbearable pains. I started taking 800mg Ibuprofen every eight hours, but even after six hours, the pain would still be there. Those two hours waiting for the next dose were pure torture. This happened Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Let me try to describe it to you—if I even can. It’s like when you desperately need to use the bathroom, but you can't, and then suddenly you *have* to, but it’s ten times more violent. The pain radiates from that spot through every muscle in your body until you start cramping uncontrollably. If I'm describing it right, I was having these attacks every five minutes. I couldn't sleep for days. Between the lack of sleep and struggling to eat because of the heavy meds, I have to admit, I panicked a little. I felt like if I could just empty my bowels, maybe everything would settle down. I even thought about heading to the ER just to get cleared out, but I managed to tough it out through Monday. By Tuesday, I finally had a successful trip to the bathroom, and after that, things finally started looking up. Whatever you do, don't strain. Whether it's the pain itself or the movement, it's terrible. God forbid anyone else has to go through that.
Now, for the most important part. For those of you facing surgery who want to avoid the nightmare I went through, I have a few tips based on what tripped me up. Please, try to follow these to make your recovery easier.
After the surgery, stick to soups and absolutely avoid dairy. I realized too late that drinking milk caused irritation that forced me to run to the bathroom. Also, whatever you do, do not eat anything that causes constipation during that first week. Staying regular will make those first 5–7 days much more manageable. After that, the pain settles down, though it's nothing compared to the hell I experienced.
I truly hope this helps at least one person navigate these moments. If anyone has questions about the procedure, feel free to reach out.

🤦 They really could have at least warned you not to eat regular food right away. Instead, those geniuses actually brought you a standard breakfast... Honestly, forget about having a top-tier surgeon if the hospital's post-op care is basically non-existent. I mentioned this a while ago: avoid dairy and milk during those first few days, and stay away from anything that causes bloating, since intestinal pressure isn't great for healing wounds. So, just skip the milk, cabbage, kale, beans, peas, or anything else that makes you bloated...

Michael Diaz4 said:🤦 Honestly, they could have at least warned you not to eat regular food right away—instead, those geniuses actually brought you a standard breakfast... I mean, forget about the hospital and even having a top-tier surgeon if the actual patient care during recovery is basically zero... I mentioned this a long time ago: avoid dairy products and milk during those first few days, and stay away from anything that causes bloating, since intestinal pressure isn't great for healing wounds.... So, just steer clear of milk, cabbage, kale, beans, peas, or anything else that makes you feel bloated...

And man, what can I say? If I told you which diet they put me on—and how I didn't exactly stick to it—I might not even be walking right now, total disaster. But I will say that apples really helped me out; I ate more apples than I have in my entire life, haha. I'm just glad that part is over, and I'm happy it won't happen again! 👏

Hi everyone, I figured it was time to jump into this discussion. I’ve been dealing with hemorrhoids since my early twenties—back in 2010—mostly because I spent way too many hours hunched over a desk at college. At first, they were painful and swollen, and honestly, I had no clue how to handle them. I just used some basic cream I had lying around, drank some angelica tea, and eventually, things settled down. Usually, I only deal with an inflammation once a year, so I don't sweat it too much; a little bit of moisturizer usually keeps things balanced. However, this year has been different. From the start of summer all the way through autumn, the flare-ups have been constant. It’s one of those frustrating cycles where I’ll feel fine for a day or two, and then suddenly it’s back—painful, uncomfortable, and making it impossible to sit still or find a decent position. I tried everything: lard, various medicated creams, even Faktu, but nothing really hit the mark, especially since I was dealing with second or third-degree issues. Later on, I tried taking honey every morning on an empty stomach. I have to admit, it helps, though not entirely. I’ve been reading through the comments and advice on this forum, and I really appreciate everyone's input. Recently, I started incorporating olive oil into my routine—one tablespoon on an empty stomach in the morning, followed by green tea and then breakfast. Of course, I also apply olive oil topically after a bowel movement. The biggest change, though, has been my diet. You really have to cut out the fried stuff, spicy foods, heavy fats, fast food, white bread, deli meats, and processed ham. Minimizing those has made a world of difference. One meal a day should be something truly nourishing. For me, this approach actually works; the pain and itching have subsided, my digestion is regular, and even the tissue seems to have "recovered" somewhat. On top of that, I found a recipe online involving olive oil and dried figs (you soak 40 dried figs in enough oil to cover them for 40 days, then eat one every morning on an empty stomach). It regulates my digestion beautifully. I’ve also become more active and started moving around more, which has definitely contributed to the improvement. I thought I'd share this in case it helps anyone else out here. 🙂

So, once you’re through the surgery and enough time has passed, can you actually go back to eating whatever you want, or am I still gonna have to watch what's on my plate?

cosmicfox2 said:Once enough time has passed after the surgery, can you go back to eating whatever you want, or do you still need to watch what you eat?

Regarding hemorrhoids—technically, you CAN eat anything. However, you should still be mindful of your diet because of other health factors, existing conditions, and general wellness...

Michael Diaz4 said:When it comes to hemorrhoids—I mean, you can technically eat whatever you want, but you really gotta watch your diet because of other stuff, underlying conditions, and just general health issues...

Yeah, that's exactly what I was wondering about, thanks a ton...

Greetings. It was back in November of 2012 when I first noticed the onset of hemorrhoids, and naturally, I sought out a specialist shortly thereafter, who confirmed the diagnosis. My grandfather actually struggled with the same issue, as did nearly half of my extended family, so there seems to be a bit of a hereditary thread here. Since that initial discovery, I have been quite disciplined; I apply ointment daily, I strictly avoid spicy foods, I ensure I clean myself thoroughly after every bowel movement, and I try to maintain a sensible diet as much as my schedule allows.
While I haven't dealt with any particularly severe inflammation, I have observed a progressive spreading of the condition. Initially, nothing would protrude—everything remained internal—but now I find myself with one persistent lump that stays external, accompanied by two thickened veins nearby. Furthermore, just recently, I experienced some pain in a vein on the opposite side, which featured a small, palpable nodule at its tip.
Lately, I have been giving serious thought to undergoing surgery to resolve this once and for all before more significant complications arise. My profession involves a great deal of office work, which necessitates a rather sedentary lifestyle, and I truly wouldn't want to find myself forced to postpone important business trips or professional commitments due to this discomfort in the future.
Naturally, my preference would be for a minimally invasive surgical method, so I am reaching out to see if anyone might offer recommendations, share their personal experiences, or perhaps provide some insight into general costs. To be perfectly honest, the financial aspect isn't my primary concern; I have made up my mind to settle this matter decisively so I don't have to keep fussing with it.
I am originally from the Midwest.

My doctor is out until after New Year's, so I’m basically turning to the internet because I am losing my mind here—maybe someone actually knows what's going on
Ever since I had my baby, these hemorrhoids have been a constant nightmare.
They just pop up out of nowhere and then vanish again.
But for the last two weeks, the skin around my anus has been itching like crazy—it’s driving me insane.
I can manage to hold myself back during the day, but once I'm asleep, I start scratching subconsciously 👎 and then everything just burns because I end up getting these tiny little cracks... which makes things sting like hell whenever I go to the bathroom.
And now, there's this stinging sensation right in that area between "front and back."
At first, I was thinking maybe it was just my stitches acting up—since I had to get sewn up after giving birth—and that's why it's burning.
So, I grabbed a mirror to take a look. Honestly? It looks pretty awful 🙄
But the thing that really has me freaking out is that the skin around my anus looks kind of whitish in certain spots.
What should I do? How am I supposed to deal with this until the New Year? And what does that white skin stuff even mean?

Jessica Hill69 said:My doctor is out until after New Year's, so I'm stuck asking here before I lose my mind... maybe someone knows something.
I've been dealing with hemorrhoids ever since I gave birth.
They show up, then they hide.
For the last two weeks, the skin around my anus has been itching like crazy... driving me insane.
I can hold myself together during the day, but at night I scratch unconsciously 👎 and then it stings because of the tiny cracks, and it burns when I go to the bathroom.
Now there's a burning sensation in that area in front and back...
At first, I thought maybe my stitches from the postpartum surgery had opened up, causing the stinging.
I grabbed a mirror to check. It looks terrible... 🙄
But what worries me most is that the skin around my anus looks whitish in some spots.
What should I do? How can I help myself until after the holidays? What does that whitish skin mean?

Could be a fungal infection. I used to get them all the time before my hemorrhoid surgery because the internal prolapse caused moisture to irritate the surrounding skin, leading to occasional infections with itching and burning.

Try not to scratch whenever you can. I’d cautiously try applying ExxonMobil cream (twice a day) until your doctor gets back from the holidays. If it gets worse, stop.

Well, here’s the thing... itching can definitely happen if you’ve been scratching at it. Generally speaking, when hemorrhoids start healing up (like those lesions), they can itch—and I mean itch like crazy. But white skin? That isn't typical for just hemorrhoids. I remember back in the day, maybe 20 years ago, I’d deal with some intense pain and suffering, and there were times afterward where the itching was pretty significant, though never totally unbearable. I recall "rubbing" the area, but that was only when things got truly desperate. You really should see a doctor, though. White patches could point toward a bacterial or fungal infection, and since I haven't dealt with anything quite like that, I can't say for sure what you're looking at. Just try not to scratch it. And be careful about what ointments you use before you get a professional opinion; you don't want to make the situation worse.

crimsongull20 said:It might be a fungal thing. I used to get those all the time before my hemorrhoid surgery—since I had internal prolapse, the moisture from the lining would irritate the skin nearby, which led to occasional infections, itching, and burning.

Just try to resist the urge to scratch whenever you can. I’d maybe try being super careful and applying some ExxonMobil cream (twice a day) until your doctor gets back from vacation. If things get worse, just stop.

Can Pavlovich help with this too?

Michael Diaz4 said:Well, now... It could be pruritus—you know, just itching because of all the scratching... And look, hemorrhoids can itch, like, seriously itch as they heal, but having white skin isn't really a normal part of the hemorrhoid process. Even I—back like 20 years ago after dealing with some massive pain and misery—used to have pretty bad itching at times, but nothing totally unbearable. I remember "scrubbing" the area, but that was only when it was absolutely driving me crazy. You should probably see a doctor because it could be a bacterial or fungal infection, and honestly, I can't say for sure since I haven't dealt with anything quite like this. Just don't scratch it. And watch what you're putting on there until you talk to a pro, because you might actually make it worse.

I read somewhere that skin turns white if you scratch it too much—like, it starts out bright red and then goes white... 🤔
I manage to hold it together during the day, but man, I end up scratching in my sleep... 🤦
Not sure if I can use Pavlovich...

Thanks, guys. And, uh, do I go to a general practitioner for this or...?
My doctor won't be back for another two weeks...

Edward Kern3, honestly, Pavlovich won't be able to do much if it's actually fungal, though it could be... You can apply it to help the skin heal a bit, but it probably won't solve the root issue.
Standard practice is for them to write you a prescription for Johnson & Johnson, ExxonMobil, or Tylenol if they suspect fungus or something else.
Waiting two weeks is way too long. Just hit up an urgent care clinic and get it sorted.

Hey everyone,
So, here’s my situation: I’m 20 years old and I’ve been dealing with hemorrhoids lately... specifically external ones.
It’s been going on for about two months now. I’ve tried everything from various ointments to products like Ultra Proct, but nothing seems to be doing the trick.
I’m being very careful with my diet, my bowel movements are regular, and I stay quite active, so honestly, I’m at a bit of a loss as to what else I can do.

There isn't any bleeding, and they aren't particularly painful most of the time; however, now that the weather has turned a bit chilly, they’re becoming much more bothersome and itchy when I wipe. Otherwise, I barely even notice they're there. :P
I really want to avoid surgery if possible, even if it means just putting up with this for a few more years.😢

Does anyone have any good advice, or perhaps suggestions for specific pills or creams that I haven't thought of yet?
Also, does anyone know if Dolocaine is still a thing? I can't remember if that cream is even available anymore.
I was browsing through some old forum threads from seven or eight years ago, and it seems like everyone used to swear by Dolocaine cream.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

jadeheron8 said:Hey everyone,
So, here's the deal. I'm 20 years old and dealing with hemorrhoids... external ones.
It's been going on for two months now. I've tried everything from various ointments to things like Preparation H and Ultra Proct, but nothing seems to work.
I watch my diet, my bowel movements are normal, I stay active... honestly, I'm at a loss.

There's no bleeding and they aren't painful most of the time, but now that the weather has turned cold, they're bothering me more. They itch when I wipe, but otherwise, I barely even notice them down there :P
I really don't want to go through any surgery if I can help it, even if it means just dealing with this for a few more years.😢

Does anyone have good advice or maybe some pills or creams I haven't tried yet?
Also, has anyone heard of Dolocaine? Does that cream even still exist?
I was reading some old threads from 7 or 8 years ago and everyone seemed to swear by Dolocaine.

Any advice is welcome! 🙂

Dolocaine is a great anesthetic. It won't actually fix the underlying issue, but it should take care of the pain and itching you're feeling. I'm not sure if you can get it over the counter without a prescription.

Last time I was in, my proctologist actually suggested using some Quest Diagnostics gel.

Hey there,

I think I’m dealing with something pretty similar.
About a week ago, I noticed bright red blood on the paper after a bowel movement... and it's been happening every single time since. It's not just a few spots, either—it's a noticeable streak. On top of that, I’ve been getting this constant false urge to go. My morning routine is totally normal (no pain or itching), but then all day long, I feel this weird "pressure," like I need to run to the bathroom when I actually don't.
Could this just be hemorrhoids, or should I be worried about something else? (I haven't noticed any weight loss, fatigue, or pain, though...)

Rebecca Edwards10 said:Hi there,

I think I’m dealing with something pretty similar.
About a week ago, I noticed bright red blood on the paper after a large bowel movement... and it’s still happening every single time. It isn't just tiny spots; it's an actual streak. On top of that, I have this constant false urge to go. In the morning, my bathroom trips are totally normal—no pain, no itching—but then for the rest of the day, I feel this constant "pressure," like I need to go when I actually don't.
Could this be hemorrhoids or something else? (I haven't noticed any weight loss, fatigue, or pain, etc...)

It’s almost certainly hemorrhoids. Doctors always say any blood in your stool is a reason to pay attention, so they usually recommend a checkup just to rule out anything more serious. You should probably try checking with a mirror to see if you can feel them.
Don't panic, though. The real trouble starts if they get inflamed. Go see a doctor so they can take a look, give you some advice, and maybe a prescription for a cream before things flare up and become incredibly painful. There are also plenty of dietary tips shared here on the forum.