Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Do I actually need a prescription to get some Pfizer, or can I just swing by a CVS and grab it myself?🤷

It’s been six days since my surgery. It’s painful, I suppose, but manageable... things seem to be getting better every single day. The pain is quite intense, but I try to tell myself it's temporary. I look at it this way: a few days of discomfort is much better than a lifetime of suffering. As for whether the issue will return after the procedure, I really don't want to dwell on that right now. There’s no sense in torturing myself with "what if" scenarios. People deal with heavy illnesses like cancer, where after a long fight, it might go away or it might come back; at that point, you just have to accept what happens. For now, I feel somewhat happy. I can’t quite put the feeling into words. I never realized the pelvic area was essentially the center of everything, haha. Since I just had surgery, I want to laugh, but then it hurts down there. If I cough, it hurts. God forbid I sneeze. If I try to sit down, I can't. Even using the restroom or trying to enjoy a nice meal is difficult because of digestion issues. And sex—pardon me, hehe—is definitely off the table. It truly is the center of existence. From today onward, I think the heart and brain come second to the pelvic region. Hehe. Overall, it’s bearable, and if I were asked again, I would absolutely do it all over. In fact, I regret not doing it much sooner. Regarding returning to my office job, I think I’ll need more time. I won't be working for at least the first two weeks. So, if you are considering the traditional surgical method, I’d suggest planning for at least two weeks of recovery time. I didn't undergo any extensive testing before the operation; it was just standard blood work, a routine checkup with the doctor, and a consultation with the anesthesiologist. That was it. Have a pleasant day, everyone.

Robert Green93 said:Do you actually need a prescription for Factu Mast, or can I just walk into a CVS and pick some up off the shelf?🤷

You can just pick it up off the shelf without a prescription...

Sandra Watson33 said:It’s day six after surgery. It hurts, but I can manage... every single day feels a little better. The pain is intense, sure, but I try to view it as temporary. I tell myself: a few days of pain is better than a lifetime of suffering. As for whether things will come back after the procedure? I don't want to dwell on that right now. There's no sense in torturing myself with "what ifs." People face massive battles like cancer; sometimes they win, sometimes the disease returns. At some point, you just have to accept what is. Honestly, I feel kind of happy right now. I can't quite put the feeling into words. I never realized the pelvic region was the center of the universe, haha. Since I had the surgery, everything affects it. If I laugh, it hurts down there. If I cough—ouch. God forbid I sneeze. I can't sit comfortably, I can't go to the bathroom easily, I can't even enjoy a good meal because my digestion is a mess, and I certainly can't have sex (pardon my French, haha). It really is the epicenter of everything. From today on, I think the heart and brain come second to the pelvis... hehe. Overall, it's bearable, and if I had to do it all over again, I would. In fact, I regret not doing it sooner. Regarding getting back to my office job, I think I need more time. I won't be working for at least the first two weeks. So, if you're deciding on the old method of surgery... definitely budget two weeks of downtime. I didn't undergo any crazy specialized testing beforehand; just standard blood work, a routine checkup with my doctor, and a talk with the anesthesiologist. That was it. Have a lovely day, everyone.

And why didn't you just take medical leave?😕

Well, that’s exactly what I was thinking. I ended up taking two weeks of sick leave... hehe, though I'm sure it certainly didn't feel much like a vacation...🙂

Is there anything specific regarding the Faktu ointment that I should be aware of? I didn't really get much information from the pharmacist, and the package insert is pretty thin on details...
Hi

Day seven post-op—I’m feeling pretty great... I wouldn't say there's significant pain, though I am still relying on painkillers for now. Last night was actually decent; I managed to sleep through the entire night for the first time since the procedure. Things seem to be looking up, and I think the worst part is finally behind me. I've been sticking to a light diet and taking slow, gentle walks, which feels good. I have my follow-up appointment today, so I'll head in to see what the doctor has to say about everything. Best to everyone

Michael Diaz4 said:Avoid any heavy lifting. And just a side note, sitting isn't even the main culprit—honestly, standing all day is probably worse. Humans were evolutionarily wired for different positions way before we became modern humans, so the people most at risk are actually retail workers, barbers, or surgeons (though they claim they don't get them, but let's be real, most of them have dealt with hemorrhoids at some point)...

First time I'm hearing this... everyone always claims hemorrhoids are just a "sitting disease."🤷

Robert Green93 said:I haven't heard that before. Everyone seems to claim hemorrhoids are just a "sitting disease."🤷

Actually, that's not quite right. There are plenty of articles out there explaining this... Often, the actual cause remains a mystery. It can be many things: genetic predisposition plays a role, where those vein pockets just give way for various reasons. Then you have standing for too long, straining, hard stools—even those long, violent coughing fits can act as a trigger when combined with other factors. Even pregnancy plays a part due to the pressure from the baby slowing down circulation...

So, anyone here actually tried calendula ointment?
Heading to the pharmacy tomorrow and I'm totally lost on what to grab to replace this Hemoprobin stuff.
Was leaning towards either Facto or maybe some calendula...

Greetings. Does anyone have experience with the DG HAL method? I’m looking for clinic recommendations in Chicago. I've finally decided to deal with this nuisance, but I haven't picked a location yet. My diagnosis is second-degree internal hemorrhoids, and I've heard the DG HAL method is quite effective for this.

Jesse Castillo9 said:Hey everyone. Does anyone have any experience with the DG HAL method? I’m also looking for recommendations for a good clinic in Chicago. I've finally decided to deal with this nuisance once and for all, but I haven't picked a place yet. My diagnosis is second-degree internal hemorrhoids, and I've heard that the DG HAL method works pretty well for that.

Just take a look back at my posts from nearly two years ago—specifically from March 2011...😉

Jesse Castillo9 said:Hey everyone, does anyone have any experience with the DG HAL method? Also, maybe someone could recommend a good clinic in Chicago... I've finally decided to just deal with this nightmare once and for all. I just don't know where to go yet. My diagnosis is second-degree internal hemorrhoids, and I heard that the DG HAL method works pretty well for that kind of thing.

Look, you've got KB Merkur, Arithera, and butterfly. Those two are outpatient clinics. Might be others out there, but those are the only ones I know. You're looking at roughly 9-$3.25 privately.

Greetings, everyone.
I am a new member here. After following the discussions on this forum, I decided to undergo hemorrhoid removal at a private clinic using the DG HAL method.
My diagnosis was third-degree internal hemorrhoids and a fissure. The procedure cost me 373 miles.
It has been seven days since the surgery, and my symptoms have almost entirely subsided—specifically the bleeding and the dull pain during and after bowel movements. It was quite an ordeal; there were many sleepless nights. 😢
I spent about six days in strict recovery. Yesterday, driven by restlessness, I decided to step out for a coffee with friends. As someone who is physically active and works regularly, staying bedridden is quite unnatural for me. Unfortunately, genetics played a role here; I am only 24.
However, I have encountered a new issue: I woke up this morning with moderate discomfort, and it appears an external hemorrhoid has developed. Can this truly be happening?
Could those who have undergone the DG HAL procedure explain what occurs following the vein ligation? How long does it typically take for the hemorrhoids to disappear completely? Has anyone else experienced a similar setback? Thank you.

Have any of you experimented with natural remedies to manage hemorrhoids? At their core, we're talking about swollen veins. In my view, if a person manages to address the underlying root cause that led to those veins dilating in the first place, they’ve truly taken a proactive step toward their health. Opting for surgery often feels like merely treating a symptom rather than solving the problem. To really make progress, I believe one needs to focus on improving vascular health—essentially nourishing the blood vessels to restore their elasticity and overall strength.

Matthew Lopez9 said:Have you guys ever tried using natural remedies for hemorrhoids? At the end of the day, we’re talking about swollen veins. If you actually address the root cause—the reason those veins dilated in the first place—then you've truly done something for your health. Surgery just removes the symptom; it doesn't fix the underlying issue. You really need to focus on improving your vascular health, giving your vessels the nutrients they need to stay elastic, and strengthening them from the inside out.

Once those small vessels fail, they're gone, and that's the consequence of the underlying problem. It means you've been off track...

Michael Diaz4 said:Just grab it over the counter...

Hit up three different pharmacies today and they all told me the same thing... I need a prescription.
Or at least some kind of doctor's recommendation.

Just a heads up for everyone else out there.

Robert Green93 said:I hit up three different pharmacies today and they all gave me the same line: I need a prescription.
Or at least some kind of doctor's recommendation.

Just wanted to give you guys a heads-up.

It’s not required in Canada, and I honestly thought things worked the same way here in America...

cosmicmoose2 said:From what I understand, an anal fissure should hurt when you go to the bathroom, feel like it's burning, or cause bleeding and stuff like that.

But I don't have any of those symptoms at all; I just have this constant pressure or dull ache lasting all day long, regardless of whether I've used the restroom or not.

Is it even possible that this could be a fissure if I'm not experiencing the classic signs? If it isn't, then I'm right back to worrying about potential prostate issues.

And how do you even treat a fissure anyway? To be honest, my thought was to just leave it alone for now and focus on the prostate issue, then if things start hurting or bleeding, maybe deal with the fissure through some kind of surgery—I don't even know anymore. It’s honestly terrifying to think about seeing a doctor; I feel lost and don't know who to turn to, it's just overwhelming...

After everything that happened, I am genuinely scared of undergoing any kind of rectal exam...
Is there anyone out there who performs fissure diagnoses under local anesthesia, so I can be 100% sure that's actually what we're dealing with?

I don't have any of the typical symptoms of an anal fissure, but my specialist told me I have a small wound near the colon. Could that actually be a fissure, and if it is, how is it handled? Is there a doctor who can perform the exam painlessly using local anesthesia?

cosmicmoose2, check your inbox! 😉

For everyone else who might be wondering about this:

- In its early stages, a fissure usually hurts during bowel movements, but after a while, that pain can become much more frequent and last for hours (sometimes even entire days) and becomes absolutely unbearable; people often describe it as a sharp, stabbing sensation, almost like someone is slicing them "down there" with a razor blade.

- It is entirely possible to have a fissure even if you only feel a dull ache, which is often just the beginning stage; however, ONLY a doctor can give you a REAL diagnosis; please don't try to diagnose yourself or self-treat because you might actually be dealing with something completely different than what you've imagined, so definitely GO to a doctor.

- Speaking from my own experience (I've been examined by two different doctors), I can tell you that examining a fissure DOES NOT hurt, and the doctor won't even need to touch you because the fissure is visible as soon as you get positioned, so there's no need for physical contact (examining hemorrhoids is a totally different story though!!!).

- If you aren't confident in the first doctor's diagnosis or they just don't seem trustworthy, you absolutely must seek a second opinion, a third, a fourth, and so on...

- A fissure MUST be treated, and if it hasn't cleared up after about six weeks, the chances of it healing on its own are minimal or nonexistent.

- There are two surgical options: dilation and a standard operation (where a tiny incision is made above the fissure); dilation isn't a permanent fix and in most cases, the actual surgery is the more effective route.

- And one more thing: don't ignore fissures, because while we can mostly manage hemorrhoids in their early stages, the pain from a fissure can absolutely break you; those pains are incredibly intense and sharp, so please make sure you get it taken care of!

Good luck to everyone! 😉

I feel like I’ve said this a thousand times already, but for me personally... applying cream helps for a little while, things feel okay, and then everything just crawls back to where it started. So now I'm actually considering just getting it surgically removed. Does anyone have a recommendation for a specific method or maybe a specialist who handles this kind of thing? Just looking for someone to at least start with a solid diagnosis...