Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

What happens when the issues are caused by diarrhea instead of constipation? Honestly, I’m pretty convinced my stomach only flips out when I’m under massive stress, since I can't find any real link to specific foods I eat. One week I’m totally fine, then suddenly it’s one bout of diarrhea, then another, and before you know it, everything just gets inflamed—and then I'm stuck dealing with bleeding on top of all that. I mean, you can try using some suppositories or creams and stuff, but it all clears out so fast anyway (sorry for being so graphic) and the whole mess drags on forever. I eventually "fix" it, but...

I ended up going under the knife for my hemorrhoids—full surgical procedure. Probably the most intense route you can take, but honestly, they were Stage IV, so I wasn't about to mess around with some private clinic quick fix. Long story short: the first week or two was rough, and I was living on painkillers. By the second two-week stretch, things calmed down significantly, and here I am today—hemorrhoids finally gone. It’s such a massive relief to live without that constant pain and worry hanging over me.
So, if anyone else is staring down this kind of surgery, my advice is simple: grit your teeth and push through. It’ll hurt for a couple of weeks (try to take some sick leave or use your vacation time if you can), but once you're through it... pure bliss.🙂 My survival kit for that period included: heavy-duty pain meds (I even doubled up on the dose occasionally), and an absolute MUST: a stool softener! Also, get yourself an orthopedic seat cushion.
That’s all from me. Good luck. Just go for it and get rid of the misery.
Best,

I’ve been lurking on this forum for a few days now, and I finally decided it was time to officially register. Like many of you here, I’ve been dealing with a variety of health issues lately that have honestly started to take over my entire life.
It all kicked off six years ago during my first pregnancy when hemorrhoids first became an issue. Since then, I’ve had three more children—four births in total—and with every single one, things just seemed to get progressively worse. Shortly after my second baby, I dealt with a perianal abscess, and following the third, rectal polyps entered the picture. Having four kids was really the breaking point; during the very last delivery, I developed such severe hemorrhoids that I couldn't manage them myself, which led to a thrombosis the very next day. I ended up in surgery just twenty-four hours after giving birth, where they had to reduce them while I was under general anesthesia.
It’s been nine months since that ordeal, and honestly, even thinking back to those days is terrifying...
That brings me to my current quest to fix everything once and for all. After doing some research online, I decided to go through with a surgical procedure using the DG HAL + RAR method, combined with simultaneous polyp ablation, which I actually underwent just a few days ago. The surgery itself went fine, but the very next day, an abscess flared up and started draining pus, and I also developed some vaginal inflammation, so I was prescribed an antibiotic.
Today marks the sixth day post-op, and I feel absolutely terrible—both physically and mentally. I’m still struggling to get by on three doses of Advil a day. Yesterday, I thought I was finally turning a corner, but my trip to the bathroom this morning felt like a massive setback, sending me right back to how I felt five days ago.
I have to ask: is it normal to still be experiencing this much burning? And is that constant, intense pressure on my bowel supposed to be this heavy?
Also, what should my next steps be? Should I be staying in bed? Should I be moving around? Am I even allowed to sit down yet?
There wasn't much information available about this specific recovery, and every website I looked at claimed you could get back to your normal routine after just two or three days...

Like I said, it kept me going for a few weeks. Honestly, going to the bathroom felt like walking into a firing squad because of the stinging and pain, but I pushed through. I’m not quite sure how your method differs from my old way—just getting surgery—but I think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves with all the excitement 🙂 personally, I was on double doses of pills for 2-3 weeks, took stool softeners for over a month, and used a donut cushion for about two months. So, just give it some time; you'll be fine. Just take it easy, stay mostly lying down, and try not to sit too much. After you use the restroom, a quick rinse with lukewarm water really helped ease the pain for me, so just give yourself some grace. It’s way too early to expect everything to feel totally normal in just a couple of days. Rest up, lie down, take your meds—that's the winning combo 🙂 as for those extra issues, I don't know much about that 🙂

Thanks for the reply! I’m currently on day 13 following my surgery, and I’m feeling quite a bit better. I've actually moved past needing pain meds, though I have to admit that trips to the bathroom are still pretty uncomfortable and painful. The abscess is slowly clearing up now that I'm on my second round of antibiotics, but I’ll be heading back in for fistula surgery soon. It seems like every time my immune system takes a dip, it flares right back up and starts causing trouble again.

Since I’ve always been big on alternative medicine—mostly because my own health issues forced my hand—
I decided to tackle my hemorrhoid problem head-on. I started with a basic recipe I found online, but since it wasn't quite cutting it, I spent three or four years layering in different
herbal remedies like oils and salves. Eventually, just like Professor Balthazar, I managed to whip up a custom ointment that cleared up years of misery in just one week. It’s been two years now and I haven't had a single flare-up. Encouraged by how well it worked, I let some family members and close friends try it out too (basically acting as guinea pigs), and surprisingly, it worked for them as well. For some, the issues have stayed away for ages. So, it's tested, 100% effective, and completely natural. The only catch is that making it depends on the season (June and July), so knock on wood, I need to make a little stockpile because there's always someone new looking for help—clearly, this isn't just my problem. Most importantly, many herbal remedies don't have the nasty side effects you get from pharmaceutical stuff, they're way cheaper, and easy to find, so it's definitely worth the effort.

I've got an anal fissure and grade 3 hemorrhoids, so life is just great... honestly, every time I hit the bathroom, it feels like I'm heading straight into a war zone. I'm just praying everything goes okay!! I've been dealing with this fissure since 2013; it heals up a little and then just pops right back up again. Does anyone know a good proctologist working at a hospital? I don't want to go to a private clinic because if things go south or some shit happens, they'll just dump you at a hospital anyway..lp

Hopefully this helps someone out:

https://www.logicno.com/life-and-sty...-lijekova.html

I've been reading through here and noticing a lot of different experiences regarding hemorrhoids. I'm a long-haul trucker—which means I'm stuck in a seat for up to 10 hours at a time—and after doing this job for years, I've unfortunately ended up dealing with them myself. To be honest, I’ve found real relief using Hemosens capsules and their ointment; I take the pills twice a day and use the cream whenever it's needed. It goes without saying that I never hit the road without my Hemosens ointment handy. I'd genuinely recommend it to anyone facing similar issues.

Jeremy Gonzalez88 said:I’ve been reading through all this, and it seems like everyone has a different story when it comes to hemorrhoids. Personally, I drive a semi—sometimes sitting behind the wheel for ten hours straight. After years of doing this job, I’ve unfortunately ended up dealing with hemorrhoids myself. To be perfectly honest, I am quite satisfied with Hemosens capsules and the ointment; I take the capsules twice a day and apply the cream whenever necessary. It goes without saying that I never head out on a long haul without that Hemosens ointment in my kit. I’d honestly recommend it to anyone facing similar issues.

Dear Jeremy, are you truly satisfied with Hemosens? I have been struggling with this issue for a very long time and would love to finally find some relief. Also, did you order it through this website or somewhere else?

Hi there.

Has anyone here dealt with the Mak clinic? Apparently, they perform LHP—laser hemorrhoidoplasty—but when I called them up, they mentioned it's done under general anesthesia and recovery depends on how extensive the procedure is, requiring just one visit. When I spoke with the folks at Egypt, they told me you have to come back multiple times and can sit and work immediately right after, even with the laser method. Looking at it closely, the description of LHP seems identical to what the people in the other clinic described. What confuses me most is why the guys at Egypt require multiple visits (though I guess that depends on the severity of the hemorrhoids). Are there actually two different types of this laser surgery?

Greetings. I intend to recount my experience over the course of two posts. I have dealt with internal hemorrhoids for about ten years without significant issue, save for occasional bleeding. However, two years ago, bleeding occurred after every bowel movement, leading to rapid anemia—despite my regular blood donations being fine until then. Following this, I underwent all necessary examinations, including colonoscopy and endoscopy; all results were clear, confirming the hemorrhoids as the sole cause of the anemia. I attempted various creams and pills, essentially throwing money away, though perhaps the delay in treatment rendered them ineffective. I suspect surgery was inevitable. A year ago, I consulted with Dr. Ivanovic, who diagnosed me with third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids. Surgery was scheduled for eighteen months from that date. 😢 The procedure took place two days ago. While recovering in the ward, I realized why the wait times are so extensive; the facility is overwhelmed because the doctors are considered the best in the business. The doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, technicians, and even the cleaning staff were exceptionally kind; they deserve nothing but praise. The surgery went smoothly. I opted for a spinal block rather than general anesthesia, which was also offered. In my next post, I will detail the recovery process.

Post-op, once the anesthesia wore off about three or four hours later, the pain and complications began. Initially, I couldn't urinate, which created extra pressure on the surgical site. They gave me something to help stimulate things, and I finally managed to go about ten hours after the procedure. The pain was unbearable; they provided painkillers, but nothing seemed to touch it. During that first night, I only managed two 20-minute naps. After a morning checkup, I was discharged around 10 AM. It was a grueling two-hour drive home, spent constantly shifting in the seat just to find relief. Once home, I started taking Advil and Tylenol, though they barely helped. The pain remained constant and indescribable all day long. On the second night, I managed a few hours of sleep in short bursts. By the second morning—exactly 36 hours post-op—I had my first bowel movement. It wasn't too bad since I stuck to light foods like toast, grits, and potatoes. No bleeding, just a tiny bit of blood from the incision itself. The pain persisted, heavy and unrelenting. Finally, around 10 AM today, the intensity subsided enough for me to actually smile again. I slept for two hours, had a light lunch, and shortly after, had a second bowel movement. It was liquid, small in volume, and without pain or bleeding. I’m still taking painkillers; the pain has lessened, but hasn't vanished entirely. It has only been 50 hours since the surgery, so it stands to reason that discomfort remains.

To reiterate: I am extremely satisfied with the surgery so far. Everything looks perfect down there, as if I’ve been reborn.🙂

The doctor and the entire staff were impeccable—attentive and kind. I recommend them to everyone. For those with the means who don't want to wait, going private is the way to go. A few days of pain will change your life for the better.

I will provide further updates on my recovery in due course... unless anyone has specific questions.

My thanks to the individuals here who have contributed advice, motivation, and guidance to this thread.

Paul Lewis8 said:I went through the Home Depot method about three days ago... Ask me whatever you need to know.

I'm considering going under for the Home Depot method. Could you walk me through how the surgery went and what recovery was like? Is there much pain involved, and are you happy with how things turned out? Thanks in advance!

Joseph Adams4 said:I'm considering surgery using the Home Depot method. Could you please describe how the procedure and recovery went? Is there pain, and are you satisfied with the results? Thanks in advance!

Greetings. I had my procedure this Wednesday using the unknown method. From what I understand about the unknown and Home Depot, they are essentially the same thing. A quick search should confirm it; the principle seems identical.
The surgery is straightforward enough that there is no reason to worry. There was no pain at all.

It is now day five post-op, and relief has finally arrived. For the first 35 to 40 hours, nothing touched the pain; it was right at the edge of my endurance—and I am certainly no lightweight when it comes to pain tolerance. I was dealing with grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids; perhaps the pain would have been more manageable without the grade 4 issues. Ultimately, pain is subjective. Does one person feel more than another? Naturally.

Once the pain subsided and the medication took hold, I felt a sudden surge of pure relief.
The discomfort is negligible compared to the benefits. One forgets it quickly.

I would advise proceeding as soon as possible. Even before fully recovering, the wisdom of this decision is clear. To be blunt, I barely recognize myself down there; everything settled back into place immediately after the procedure, and everything looks exactly as it should.

If you require further details, feel free to ask.

Paul Campbell10 said:There isn't any pain at all.

How can you say there's no pain when you just mentioned you were dying from it after surgery? 🙂 There definitely is pain involved. I assume if there was no pain, it would mean nothing felt like anything even after the procedure.👍

Benjamin Fox6 said:How can you claim there's no pain when you just wrote about nearly dying from it after surgery? 🙂 The pain is certainly present. One would assume that if there were no pain now, there wouldn't be any after the surgery either, right? 👍

Are you pulling my leg, or did you simply miss what I actually wrote? I'm confused as to why you chose to quote only my last three words when I clearly stated the following:
The procedure is simple enough that there is nothing to fear; there is absolutely no pain involved.

As I stated, there is no pain during the actual procedure. This was my first surgery, and frankly, I had no idea the anesthesia injections would hurt. I wasn't even sure if I would feel anything at all, given that it was regional anesthesia.

As you pointed out yourself later, I did state that the pain following my surgery was quite intense. The pain was pushing me to my absolute limit—and I’m certainly no hypochondriac, nor do I have an unusually high pain tolerance.

I was simply trying to offer some helpful insight based on my own experience. If you have any actual experience to contribute, please share it—rather than just twisting my words out of context.

I had no idea those procedures were essentially the same thing... I mean, how can they claim you're back to your normal routine within 2 to 5 days after the Home Depot method with almost zero pain? It doesn't add up.
I have a pretty low pain tolerance, so I was specifically hunting for the "painless" option. Now that you've pointed out that the DG HAL and Home Depot methods are basically identical, I've been reading through your experiences and some others, and honestly, just thinking about that level of pain makes me feel sick.
First step is getting a consultation, so I'm curious—for anyone who’s had an exam recently, which proctologist in Washington, D.C. would you actually recommend?

So, I basically "earned" some internal hemorrhoids during my pregnancy four years ago. They were absolutely brutal back then—constant bleeding, and every single trip to the bathroom felt like a total nightmare. Things calmed down after I gave birth, and since then, I haven't really dealt with actual pain or bleeding, but I know they’re still there. They don't hurt, they don't itch, and they don't bleed, but when I'm having a bowel movement, I get this sensation like part of the stool is getting stuck or struggling to pass through them. Every now and then, I'll feel a bit of pulsing, too. I'm not sure if there's a direct link between hemorrhoids and being bloated with gas, but I figured I should mention that as part of the whole situation. Since this has been going on for so long, it's starting to mess with my head; I'm constantly thinking about it and worrying that something might have become more serious or could get worse. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I have a pretty low pain tolerance and a genuine fear of exams and the possibility of surgery. That said, I think it's finally time to do something about it. I'm asking all the active users here if you can share any experiences regarding proctologists, what the exams are actually like, or the surgery itself. Thanks.

Joseph Adams4 There is an undeniable link between hemorrhoids and bloating accompanied by gas. Everyone deals with hemorrhoids; they are part of how the body regulates bowel movements and gas. Unfortunately, you, I, and many others suffer from hemorrhoidal disease. I have lived with that constant sensation too—specifically that feeling of incomplete evacuation. Once I recover, I hope this will be one more thing left in my past.

The idea of recovering in just 2 to 5 days seems suspicious to me; I’ve read about it too. Perhaps that applies to stage one or two. Sadly, I progressed to stages three and four, and things looked quite dire after a major bowel movement. I had surgery this past Wednesday. It has been five days now, yet there is no way I can return to my normal routine. Walking is fine—it actually helps—but nothing else. Then again, perhaps recovery time depends on the severity of the condition.

Regarding a proctologist, I saw Dr. Domagoj Ivanović. He practices at Mercury and also privately at a clinic, so you can choose whichever is more convenient. I would certainly recommend him. As for others, I cannot say, but there are plenty of recommendations in this thread if you scroll back through the posts.

I strongly advise getting an exam; it is practically painless, and then you can decide your next move. You really should take this step, and the sooner, the better.

I would also suggest considering surgery. For me, the first 36 hours of recovery were quite painful, but it passes. You just have to grit your teeth.