Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

quietfox383 said:Looks like that other thread died out on me, so I started a new one. But I figured I’d drop the question here too, just in case. 😢

Anyway, I need some advice and some info.

So, I was dealing with some major bathroom business yesterday. I guess I tried to rush through it a bit too fast just to get it over with, and honestly, maybe that was the mistake. A few hours later, I sat down to get some work done on my laptop, and then it hit me—this sharp pain in my rear, along with some stinging and itching. It got bad enough pretty quickly that I actually had to stop sitting down altogether.

I didn't really pay much attention to it at first. It had happened a few times before after I used the bathroom, and it usually just went away on its own. I guess I figured it wasn't a big deal.

So, it didn't stop, and I couldn't help myself. Late yesterday evening, I finally checked things out, and I felt this lump near my anus. It’s probably about a third or maybe half the size of my pinky finger.

I'm not really sure what we're looking at here. Maybe it's just hemorrhoids—it feels like they might be internal, though I haven't actually treated them yet since I tried to fix things through my diet once I noticed the issues—or maybe it's perianal thrombosis. I guess it's hard to tell.

It was this bulge, sort of skin-colored or maybe a little bluish. It didn't get any bigger, though—just stayed the same size. The main thing was the itching and stinging. It hurt, too, especially when I'm sitting down. Honestly, I felt way better just lying on my stomach.

After that, I used some warm water to clean up. It hurts quite a bit. The itching and stinging mostly died down or disappeared during the night, though. It really depends on how I position myself while I'm lying down, I guess.

Still feeling some light pain today. That thickening/bulge thing hasn't gone away yet, but I guess I feel a lot better than I did yesterday.

I've already reached out to a few proctologists for a private consultation, but I haven't heard back from some of them yet. Or, they just tell me they need to run a full specialist exam first because they can't really tell what's going on without it. I guess that's how it works.

I'm out of Washington, D.C. at the moment. I should be heading back around September 7th, maybe a bit sooner, but honestly? I’m starting to panic a little. I have no idea what kind of mess I’m looking at while I wait to actually see a doctor.

Will this swelling or bulge go away in a few days, or am I stuck dealing with this pain and discomfort indefinitely?
Could that actually burst? I guess it's possible. Maybe.
Can I go to the bathroom, or is that just going to make things worse?
Should I be sitting up, or is walking okay—like, maybe hitting the mall? For now, I’m just lying in bed and resting.

I've also been looking into different hemorrhoid removal surgeries at some local clinics. I see mentions of the unknown method and the Milligan-Morgan technique... anyone here actually have experience with either of those?

Tapatalk thanks to everyone for the answers!!

Look, if you want my advice, just go grab some Nexium. Or, if you’re trying to save a few bucks, Prilosec is a cheaper option—just make sure you follow the instructions for acute hemorrhoid symptoms exactly. Get to a pharmacy and start taking it immediately; it should help either way. Maybe pick up some Faktu cream too. You really need to fix your diet. Cut out the spicy stuff and actually eat some fiber. Light walks can help, too. Just don't strain yourself, don't lift heavy weights, and stop sitting around so much. You could also try chamomile baths. All of this might help hold you over until you can get an appointment scheduled. Everyone is different, and I guess what works for one person won't work for everyone.
Look, based on what someone close to me went through, if you're dealing with hemorrhoids—especially the really bad stage 3 or 4 stuff—all those things mentioned above might help to a certain extent. But nothing is a permanent fix. I guess if these issues keep happening constantly, they could end up messing with the rest of your health, too. Maybe.
As far as surgeries go, laser methods and unknown stuff... I guess they're at least a 10 out of 10. $0.00Supposedly, they don't hurt as much as the classic Milligan-Morgan or Ferguson stuff, but I guess there's a way higher chance of it just coming back with those methods.
Morgan Miligan (the real deal) and Ferguson (just fluffing numbers) are the classic ways to go about it.
Someone close to me was supposed to head to a private clinic—not naming names here—but right before the procedure, they just canceled on us. They told us to call back in six weeks once they’re back from their trip to the coast.
So, we ended up just watching movies instead and decided to go through the public healthcare system.
I hope things turn out better for you.

jadeangler14 said:My advice, I guess, is just to grab some Nexium or maybe Prilosec if you want a cheaper option—just follow the instructions for acute hemorrhoid symptoms from the pharmacy and start taking it immediately. It should help either way. Maybe look for a prescription for some Faktu cream too. You probably need to fix your diet, cut out spicy food, and get more fiber. Light walks might help, too. Just avoid straining, heavy lifting, or sitting for too long. Chamomile baths could work. All that might help until you can set up an appointment. Everyone is different, and things don't work for everyone.
Based on what someone close to me went through, if it’s stage 3 or 4 hemorrhoids, all that stuff helps a bit, but nothing is permanent. Frequent issues can mess with the rest of your health, too.
As for surgery, laser methods and unknown options are at least 10 $0.00, supposedly they "don't hurt" as much as the classic Morgan Miligan or Ferguson procedures, but the chance of it coming back is way higher with those methods.
Morgan Miligan (no stitching) and Ferguson (stitching) are the standard ways.
Someone close to me was supposed to go to a private clinic—I won't say which one—but the day before the procedure, they canceled on us and told us to call back in a month and a half when they get back from GoTo.
We just watched a movie instead and decided to go through the public healthcare system.
Hope you feel better.

Thanks a lot!

So, do you think I could get that cream and those pills without a prescription or seeing my primary care doctor? I mean, I've basically just lived with these hemorrhoids because there weren't any major consequences yet, so I never actually saw a doctor or got logged into the medical system as someone with this issue.
I'm trying to reach a doctor online somehow...

For me, it's just one of those things where I feel better one moment and worse the next. Like yesterday, I had to go shopping, and when I got back, I suddenly had to go bad. After that, the pain and itching were worse, almost like it was inflamed.
Then I washed with lukewarm water and used cold compresses, so throughout the night and into this morning, I just felt this strange sensation, like a lump, and it's kind of sensitive/painful.

Will that cream and those pills make it go away completely, or will it just be some relief?

And you're right, standing lightly or walking makes it easier. My only fear is the sweat irritating it and making things worse...

redranger2 said:No need to freak out.
It sounds like an internal hemorrhoid, kind of like a varicose vein, so you probably just need some topical cream. Faktu is fine, I guess, but there are others with mild anesthetics to help with the pain and itching. Maybe try a chamomile soak, dry off well, and ask the pharmacist for a solid recommendation.

There’s also Nexium tablets for hemorrhoids; they worked for me, maybe.

Thanks for the reply.

What's the actual outcome with the cream and pills? Does it go back inside, or does it stay there but just stop hurting?

I'm worried about bleeding if something pops, and I'm not sure what to do then. It's a weird situation... I'm not at my own place right now, I'm looking after both my elderly parents, and I really don't want to cause a scene or scare them if I start bleeding or something.

Honestly, this whole thing hit me out of nowhere. It's pretty traumatic. I’m still kind of worried things might just snap and start bleeding, and I have no clue what I'd even do if that happened. My situation is a bit messy right now—I'm not actually at my own place, I'm away looking after both of my elderly parents. I really don't want to freak them out if something goes wrong, like a sudden bleed or whatever...

quietfox383 said:Thanks so much!

So, you think I can just grab that cream and those pills without needing a prescription or seeing my primary care doctor? To be honest, I've kind of just lived with these hemorrhoids because they hadn't caused major issues yet, so I haven't actually gone to a doctor or been officially "in the system" for this stuff.
I'm trying to reach my doctor online somehow...

For me, it’s one of those things where I feel better for part of the day and then worse again. Like yesterday, I had to go shopping, and when I got back, I suddenly had to use the bathroom really badly. After that, the pain and itching got way worse—it felt inflamed, I guess.
I washed up with lukewarm water and then used cold compresses, so through the night and even now this morning, I've just been feeling this weird sensation, like there's a lump or protrusion that's pretty sensitive and painful.

Will that cream and those pills make it go away completely, or am I just looking at temporary relief??

And you're right, standing up lightly or going for a walk helps. My only fear is that sweat might irritate it further and cause more problems...

You can definitely get the pills without a prescription. Take Prilosec—6 tablets a day for 4 days, then 4 tablets a day for another 3 days. It’ll cost you about $40
As for the cream, unfortunately, you can't get it over the counter anymore, but if you manage to talk to a doctor, I'm pretty sure they'd write you a script for something similar without even needing a full exam.
Honestly, I don't know if it'll disappear entirely. If we're talking about first or second-degree hemorrhoids, they might clear up if you change your lifestyle habits. Also, nowadays you can literally get first or second-degree issues handled in five minutes, totally painless, at private clinics (and it isn't even that expensive; honestly, it's better than letting it turn into stage three).
Someone close to me had third-degree hemorrhoids with a clot, and before surgery, they were on Fleboven (which is basically like Prilosec, just prescription-only), and that helped ease things a bit... try the tablets, try to get the cream, and maybe tweak some habits if you haven't already; there's a good chance it'll help. But you should probably schedule an appointment regardless if you're feeling uncomfortable and things aren't improving.
Are you bleeding heavily in the toilet?

jadeangler14 said:You can definitely get the tablets without a prescription. You take Prilosec for 4 days at 6 tablets a day, then another 3 days at 4 tablets daily. It'll cost you about $40
Fact is, you can't really get Faktu without a prescription anymore, but if you manage to see a doctor, I'm pretty sure they'd write it for you even without a full exam.
Honestly, I don't know if it'll disappear completely. If we're talking stage one or two hemorrhoids, maybe it'll clear up if you change your lifestyle. Also, nowadays you can basically get stage one or two handled in 5 minutes painlessly at private clinics—it isn't even expensive, and honestly, it's better than letting it hit stage three.
Someone close to me had stage three with a clot. Before surgery, they were on FleboVen (which is just like Prilosec, but requires a prescription), and that helped a bit... try the tablets, try to find Faktu, and maybe change some habits if you haven't already. It might help. But you should probably schedule an appointment anyway if you feel uncomfortable or if things don't improve.
Are you bleeding heavily in the restroom?

Well, I "injured" myself because I was rushing in the bathroom to finish up quickly. I've actually been really careful not to strain, and I've never had bleeding before. Not even now. I was in the restroom, wiped, didn't feel anything at the time, and went back to my laptop to work. After 2 or 3 hours, it started stinging and hurting. I thought it was just because I needed to go, but if it were that obvious, I would have realized sooner, cleaned up, and been fine. But this time, I realized there's a "lump" sticking out. I already changed my diet about two months ago (was diagnosed with insulin resistance), lost some weight, and I try to eat veggies, berries, stuff like that.
Since this is my first time dealing with this, I have no idea what's happening and I've been in a total panic for two days. Now I'm scared of what happens if that part sticking out bursts and starts bleeding. What should I do?
And I'm also worrying about my two elderly parents; I'm hiding this from them because it would just freak my mom out even more.
Rough situation. 😢

fadedbear43 said:I felt my first external hemorrhoid about two weeks ago. Not really sure what caused it. I've been using Hemero cream, taking chamomile baths, and changing my diet, so things are mostly better now and symptoms have pretty much cleared up. Still get some itching here and there. Should I bother with those Nexium tablets too, or is it unnecessary?

So, did the external hemorrhoid just move back inside, or...? I don't really get how things progress with the pills and creams over time.
How'd you get the cream? Was it prescribed after a checkup, or did you just grab it off the shelf at a CVS?

@quietfox383/">@@quietfox383

Don't panic; it’s pretty obvious you’re dealing with this for the first time. First things first, you should probably grab some Prilosec or, ideally, Nexium right away. Based on what you described, it sounds like internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed, so it's really just a matter of when they decide to burst. The bleeding can vary in intensity, but you definitely need to be prepared—keep some cotton pads handy to manage the spot. It would be incredibly awkward if it happened while you were out in public and you ended up looking like you're having a "period" moment.

driftingcanyon2 said:@quietfox383/">@@quietfox383

Don't panic, you clearly haven't dealt with this before. First off, go grab some Prilosec or maybe even Nexium immediately. Second, based on what you're saying, it sounds like internal hemorrhoids that have flared out, so it's probably just a matter of time before they burst. Bleeding might happen, or it might not, but you should be ready (maybe keep some cotton pads handy for when things get messy). It could be pretty awkward if it happens while you're out in public and blood starts showing through your clothes.

Oh my God... What happens if it actually bursts? What am I supposed to do? Do I disinfect it somehow? When does it stop? What comes next? And what about that lump that popped out—does it just fall off or go back in?
I feel like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown. 😢

quietfox383 said:Oh my God... what happens if it starts spraying? What am I supposed to do? Should I try to disinfect it somehow? When does the bleeding actually stop? And what about that little piece that popped out—does it just fall off or go back in?
I think I'm actually going to have a nervous breakdown 😢

If you're at home, it’s pretty easy to manage; you just rinse off in the tub and plug things up with some cotton. The real nightmare is being out in public, which has happened to me more than once, and honestly, thank God I was wearing dark pants or else the blood would have been way too obvious (it looks just like "period" 😁). Since then, I never leave the house without carrying some cotton pads just in case I don't make it. But most importantly, start taking those capsules (Nexium/Prilosec) right away; you can pick them up over the counter at any pharmacy without a prescription.

driftingcanyon2 said:If you're at home, it's easy enough—just rinse off in the tub and cauterize it with some heat. The real issue is when it happens out in public. It’s happened to me a few times, actually. Luckily I was wearing dark pants so the blood wasn't too obvious (kind of like a "period" 😁). Since then, I don't go anywhere without carrying cotton pads just in case. But honestly, the main thing is to start taking capsules (Nexium/Prilosec) right away. You can grab them over the counter at any pharmacy without a prescription.

I get it, but what happens once the bleeding stops? I mean, you're left with an open wound right there, surrounded by bacteria. What comes next? How does it heal? Do I need to head to the ER to have them fix it, or what?
Sorry to bug you :/

I can't speak for your specific situation, but I went through the exact same thing about two years ago where it just wouldn't bud back in, so I ended up heading to see my doctor, who gave me a referral to a surgical clinic, and once the doctor performed a quick procedure, everything cleared right up. Fast forward six months and it popped up again briefly before receding after a few days, but honestly, I haven't dealt with any issues since then. I really think staying on top of my digestive health made a massive difference, especially since I make sure to stay regular by tossing some chia seeds or the occasional bit of psyllium into my diet, while keeping everything else pretty standard with what I eat and drink. I did feel a little bit of discomfort recently after finishing a heavy round of antibiotics, but it all settled down just fine.

There's no reason to freak out because it's probably nothing serious

driftingcanyon2 said:In your situation, it isn't strictly necessary if you aren't experiencing bleeding. Personally, Nexium has saved me multiple times (you should opt for the larger bottle, as the smaller one isn't quite effective enough for severe cases). I used to deal with heavy bleeding—worse than a woman's period 😁—along with pain so intense I couldn't even sleep. With Nexium, I stayed symptom-free for several months. That said, if you want to feel better, you really need to cut out or significantly minimize anything risky, like heavy red wine.

Thanks, truly. I don't have any bleeding, just occasional itching, though it isn't anything serious at the moment. I still apply cream after using the restroom with Hemo-Care, and it works wonders. My diet consists of dates, bananas, and light meals. I don't drink alcohol, use nicotine or drugs, and I avoid spicy food, but things happen regardless. It was likely due to straining or perhaps poor hygiene while using a restroom at a shopping mall or somewhere similar. I exclusively use wet wipes now and have stopped using standard toilet paper. https://www.walmart.com/ip/hemo-care-60-1

quietfox383 said:So, did that external hemorrhoid move back inside? I'm not entirely sure what happened over time with the combination of tablets and creams.
How did you get the cream? Was it prescription after an exam, or did you just pick it up yourself at a pharmacy?

Yes. That external hemorrhoid, which felt like a small pea or a pimple, has disappeared as far as I can tell because I can no longer locate it.

Can I pick up Prilosec over the counter at a pharmacy?

Arthur Hall25 said:I'm not sure what's going on with you, but I went through the exact same thing about two years ago. It wouldn't go away, so I saw my doctor, who gave me a referral for a surgical clinic. The doctor just did a small incision, and that was it—it cleared up. Then, about six months later, it popped up again before receding after a few days. Haven't had issues since then. I guess keeping things regular helps, so I use chia seeds and sometimes psyllium. My diet is pretty standard otherwise. I felt it a bit recently after a heavy round of antibiotics, but it passed okay.

No need to panic, it probably isn't anything major.

Did your doctor give you a surgical referral without seeing a specialist first? Or did you see one already?

So, the surgeon just cuts it, lets it bleed, and that’s it? Just pray to God nothing comes back and you don't end up needing actual hemorrhoid surgery.

fadedbear43 said:Can I just pick up Prilosec at the pharmacy without a prescription?

Yeah, you can.

quietfox383 said:Thanks for getting back to me!

What’s the actual outcome of using the cream alongside the pills—will they just recede back inside, or will they stay external but simply stop hurting?

I’m honestly terrified of a rupture or bleeding, mostly because I wouldn't even know how to handle it. My situation is a bit complicated right now; I’m not actually at my own home, but rather staying elsewhere to care for both of my elderly parents, and the last thing I want is to cause a panic if I suddenly start bleeding or something similar..

The medication should reduce the volume of those hemorrhoids, including the internal ones. As for whether they recede or remain external, some go back in while others just shrink and stay out. You'll find relief from the pain by taking Nexium, and you can take Neofen forte when the discomfort becomes particularly intense.

Focus on maintaining good hygiene, be very gentle when wiping, apply the cream to the area, and make a concerted effort to avoid hard stools while you're in this vulnerable state. It isn't going to just burst spontaneously; I've had an external one for years and everything is perfectly fine. For managing constipation, Portalak works well.

Don't worry quite so much; nothing catastrophic is going to happen to you. :-)

quietfox383 said:I get what you're saying, but what actually happens once the bleeding stops? I mean, you're left with an open wound right where all those bacteria live. What comes next? Does it just heal on its own, or am I going to end up in the ER needing someone to fix it?
Sorry to keep bugging you :/

If there isn't any thrombosis involved, you won't even see anything in the mirror since we're talking about internal hemorrhoids. As for infection, I wouldn't worry too much—if I managed to make it through, you will too, and I’ve lost more blood than some women during their period. 😁 I'm not exactly suggesting surgery, either; I've never gone that route myself, I just managed to pull through by sticking with Nexium capsules, which were a lifesaver.

Yeah, so I gave her the whole rundown on what was going on, then the surgeon took a look and told me it was just an external thrombosed hemorrhoid, or something like that, if I recall correctly, and that was basically the end of it.

driftingcanyon2 said:If they aren't thrombosed, you won't see those wounds in the mirror because we're talking about internal hemorrhoids. As for infections, I don't think it's a big deal; if I made it through, you will too. I lost more blood than some women during their period. 😁 Not that I'd recommend surgery, though—I never went that route. I just managed with Nexium capsules; they were my lifesaver.

Yeah, but I don't have internal ones; mine popped outward. 😢 So, there's swelling sticking out. That's why I'm panicking... The doctor said she's never heard of an external one just splitting on its own. She gave me a laxative and some Hemero cream to hold me over until my exam. We'll just have to see what happens then...