Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Karen Garcia6 said:Like I've said more times than I can count—personally, using creams gives me some relief for a little while, but then everything just comes right back to square one. That's why I'm seriously considering just getting this fixed surgically once and for all. Does anyone have a specific method they’d recommend, or perhaps a specialist who could at least step in to give me a solid diagnosis to start with?

Karen Garcia6, I'm not sure where you're located, but since I'm based in Chicago, I can personally vouch for Dr. Ivanovic and Dr. Kocman (they both practice at Mercy Hospital), though Dr. Ivanovic also sees patients over at the Arthur clinic.
Both of them are truly top-tier doctors; from my own experience, and hearing from plenty of others, they are incredibly skilled and genuinely care about their patients.

When it comes to hemorrhoids, the DG HAL (RAR) procedure is hands-down the best way to go, and honestly, it's the only method that offers a permanent fix. You just can't compare it to those old-school surgeries or even laser treatments. Sure, in a tiny handful of cases, things might recur, but if you undergo the procedure again, they are gone for good.
For over 90% of patients, a single procedure does the trick.

In the Chicago area, the clinics performing this specific method are Arithera, Arthur, and Mercy Hospital!

If you're dealing with a fissure instead, those same doctors can handle that with a much smaller surgical intervention.

There has been so much discussion about DG HAL RAR on this thread that you really need to scroll through the previous posts to get a real sense of how effective it is.

I also feel like I need to mention something... I don't want to call anyone out specifically, but there are certain names in Chicago that carry a lot of weight as "experts" in this field, yet they still cling exclusively to outdated methods that have left many patients feeling disappointed. When you sit down with a proctologist, ask questions; if the doctor doesn't take you seriously or fails to show they are up-to-speed on modern techniques, you should probably steer clear.
Standard hemorrhoid surgery and ligation are just old-fashioned ways of doing things that offer no guarantee that your symptoms won't return. Plus, the recovery time for those traditional surgeries is notoriously long and painful.
Fissure dilation... if you're dealing with a really tight sphincter, that method simply isn't going to work for you; the fissure might heal temporarily, but a new one will likely pop up down the road!

Just read what other people are saying... it's not rocket science. You essentially have a few reliable, permanent options versus a whole bunch of temporary fixes that come with a high risk of the problem coming back.
Creams are only useful if you're in the very early stages; if you've been struggling for a while, they aren't going to do anything for you.

I know most people feel terrified when facing these kinds of issues (believe me, I've been there myself), but that's exactly why it is so vital to choose a method that allows you to move on with your life without looking over your shoulder.
Personally, I would much rather undergo one successful DG HAL (RAR) procedure and have peace of mind than deal with a surgery that leaves the door open for the problem to return. It just doesn't make sense to do otherwise.

I used one pack for about seven days, and all my symptoms—even the hemorrhoids themselves—cleared up after ten. However, the old hemorrhoid that’s still there (which doesn't cause any pain) hasn't gone away. It wasn't actually promised on the box, but I was hoping for a miracle. Maybe I should have grabbed a larger supply next time.

Just checking in here. I went to a private clinic for an exam and was diagnosed with stage two internal issues. The doctor recommended the HAL method. He claims it’s painless—you just sleep through it, go home the next day, and take a few days off work. Sounds good on paper. If anyone has been through something similar, please share your experience. I’ve been reading some older posts and it seems like it might not be as painless as he says.

I went through the second stage of the DG HAL procedure myself. Honestly, from what I went through, the first two or three days sting a bit, but it’s nothing you can't handle... you can always just grab some painkillers. For my part, I was taking Advil 600mg granules three times a day for those first three days. Combine that with just staying off your feet and I barely even felt it.

After about a week, you'll feel like you weren't even there. Just a heads up though—that first trip to the bathroom is going to be a little rough. I'd suggest sticking to light, soft stuff... maybe some oatmeal, mashed potatoes, or grits. And drink tons of water. If you want a little extra help, you could try sipping on about a few ounces of warm Donat mg about 30 minutes before you head to the restroom; it helps soften things up.

Bottom line? It's nothing to freak out about. These aren't the kind of pains that should have you worried.

cosmicmoose2 said:I also underwent the DG HAL procedure at stage two. In my experience, it hurts for the first two or three days, but it isn't unbearable. You can always take painkillers. For those first three days, I took 600mg Ibuprofen granules three times a day. Combined with rest, I barely felt anything.

After about a week, you'll feel like you never even had the procedure. Your first bowel movement will be a bit painful, so I recommend sticking to soft foods like oatmeal, mashed potatoes, or grits. Drink plenty of fluids. If you want, you can drink about 8 ounces of warm Donat mg roughly 30 minutes before that first trip to the bathroom to help soften things up.

Regardless, these aren't pains that should worry you.

So, is everything fine now? Did they subside like they were never there?

Jesse Castillo9 said:Oh, so everything's fine now? They just backed off? Like they were never even there...

Yeah, once they retreated, they stayed away (for now). I was right on the edge of getting hit by them last year around September...

And they won't even bother coming back...

Hey guys, I could use a little help here. Dealing with some internal hemorrhoids, and look, I get it—there’s no magic fix. But can anyone suggest what actually works to dial down the pain? It’s pretty much constant whenever I move. I’m thinking about trying some pilex and maybe sitting in warm baths... but honestly, what else can I do just to take the edge off for a bit?

Thanks

nimbleheron said:Hey everyone, can I get some quick advice? I'm dealing with internal hemorrhoids. I know there isn't a magic fix, but could someone suggest what works best to dial down the pain? It hurts just moving around. I'll try using pilex and maybe some warm baths... but honestly, what can I do right now just to take the edge off?

Thanks

Maybe give Doliproct a shot—make sure you use the applicator to get it inside where it counts. Also, focus on keeping things soft. The best move is to drink plenty of fluids and stick to stuff like prune juice. Avoid straining, and don't spend forever sitting on the toilet...

My experience with hemorrhoids
I dealt with bleeding from hemorrhoids—sometimes heavy, though never painful. I lived out in the suburbs where they tried tying off the vessels twice to dry them out. Neither procedure worked. I tried various creams, but nothing helped. Every trip to the bathroom was filled with dread and anxiety. Then I took a course of pilex tablets—about 14 of them—and the bleeding stopped, but the hemorrhoids became incredibly painful. Following my doctor's advice, I started using Factum suppositories daily after bowel movements for a year. Suppositories are much better because you get an exact dose and easy application; with creams, you never really know how much you've applied... there's no control. Previously, I would rinse the area in the shower and manually push the tissue back inside. If it stayed external, it caused pain. It isn't pleasant, but it helps. I don't follow a strict diet, but I've noticed spicy food triggers flare-ups, while mild food keeps things stable. My routine is pilex, Factum suppositories, water rinsing, and manual repositioning.
Hopefully, this helps someone. It helped me quite a bit...

Olivia Mitchell90 said:I know someone who had/still has...
I know they avoid pepper...

But I don't think you have hemorrhoids yet; it sounds more like fissures...
Maybe you have some small tears in the anal area causing that minor bleeding every time you use the restroom.
That usually heals on its own... just don't eat dry foods!
Eat more soup, vegetables, fruit, whole grain bread, and yogurt.
Apply some Penaten cream and it should clear up in about a week.
And if you think it's actually hemorrhoids, see a doctor as soon as possible!

😛

So, I was talking to this guy who just got back from a three-month trek through South America—he basically lived off the land and skipped the traditional restroom entirely, opting for those outdoor "nature calls" instead—and he claims his hemorrhoids completely cleared up. He mentioned he used to deal with some minor issues, just a few small bumps here and there, nothing major to worry about

But honestly, once he got back home and started using a regular toilet again, they popped right back up

Could it be because of the diet? Maybe all that light, mushy food he was eating while traveling made a difference?

Scott Martin51 said:Coming from someone who spent three months backpacking through South America—where I used squats instead of standard toilets—I can tell you my hemorrhoids completely cleared up. Before the trip, I had some minor issues, just a few small bumps, nothing major.

When I got back home and started using regular toilets again, they flared right back up.

Maybe it was even because the food there was lighter and more consistent?

There are a few factors at play here. Walking a lot definitely adds strain, which isn't great for hemorrhoids, but I don't think that's what caused them to flare up. Diet is huge, too. But here’s the real kicker: when you're squatting, you aren't sitting there straining for ages because you simply can't hold that position for long. That’s why they didn't act up. You really shouldn't spend a lot of time sitting on a toilet and pushing hard like that...

Michael Diaz4 said:There are actually several factors at play here... Walking involves more physical strain, which isn't great for hemorrhoids, though apparently, that wasn't what caused them to swell up. Diet is also a huge factor—definitely something to watch. But here’s the real kicker—with a squatty potty, you aren't spending ages straining or sitting there, since you can't really stay in that position forever anyway, so nothing gets pushed out... That seems to be the main reason. Sitting on the toilet for too long and straining like that just isn't good for you...

His hemorrhoids actually came back after using the toilet for a few months, though it wasn't an immediate thing.

So, it's not really about whether they were protruding or not—he's adamant that they had completely receded.

The human body is actually quite capable of returning to its "original state"—it just needs the right conditions to make that happen.

Scott Martin51 said:His hemorrhoids actually came back after using the restroom for a few months—it wasn't an instant thing.

So it’s not just about whether they popped out or not; he’s claiming they had completely receded.

The human body really does have the capacity to return to its "original state." You just have to give it the chance.

That’s not quite right. They can't fully recede forever. But they won't immediately return in an extreme way either. Honestly, it only takes ONE moment of straining on the toilet—even just a heavy cough combined with muscle relaxation—and boom, you've got a prolapse again. And that can happen at any given moment...

Gotta cut back on the meat as much as possible.
More fruit, veggies, and stews instead.

Robert Green93 said:Cut back on meat as much as possible.
Focus more on fruits, veggies, and legumes.

The meat isn't even the main issue here... It's about digestion and making sure you're staying hydrated enough...

I'm 19. I play sports, but honestly, I spend a massive chunk of my life glued to my computer. About a month ago, I noticed some blood—it wasn't just tiny spots like before; it lasted a day or two and there was a decent amount of it. Hopefully, I didn't miss the right thread 🙂

granitesailor17 said:I'm 19. I play sports and spend a good amount of time at my computer. About a month ago, I noticed some bleeding. It lasted a day or two, and there was quite a bit of it. Before this, I would only notice tiny little spots. I hope I didn't miss the mark on the topic here.🙂

You didn't miss the mark...😁 That’s exactly how it started for me, though I was a few years older. Then it goes from okay to mediocre, then to a total disaster over the years, and eventually, you end up in surgery...😁

Michael Diaz4 said:You didn't spill it...😁 Same thing happened to me, and I was a bit older when it started. Then it just went downhill—from "meh" to straight-up catastrophic over the years—until I finally had to go under the knife.😁

I’m really hoping this isn't as bad as it sounds. Since we're only at the beginning of this whole thing, I'm crossing my fingers that some basic cream or something will just fix everything right up. Thanks!

Hey there, everyone! I wanted to jump in here and share my recent experience with you all. A few days ago, I finally went under the knife for some internal hemorrhoids using the DG HAL method. Overall, the procedure itself went pretty smoothly; I barely felt any pain, just some general discomfort whenever I had to head to the bathroom. However, things took a bit of an unexpected turn today. Just one day after the surgery, I ended up developing an anal fissure. I’ve actually never dealt with one before, and honestly, it’s driving me crazy—this fissure is hurting way more than those hemorrhoids ever did.