Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Michael Diaz4 said:It’s mostly caused by heavy lifting and intense physical strain. It could also be genetic stuff, low blood pressure, or even pregnancy—since the pressure from the baby messes with circulation in that area, causing the veins to swell. Think of it like a mechanical failure in a car. You can't just expect the transmission to fix itself.

hehe... luckily we aren't cars, so we actually have the ability to repair ourselves... the body's natural state is to be healthy, and it's always pushing toward that balance... thank God we have the chance for even serious illnesses to recede... the body heals itself; the real issue is that our lifestyle choices usually don't let it happen.

Alex Kim said:Hehe... luckily we aren't cars, so we can actually repair ourselves. An organism's natural state is to be healthy, and it’s always striving toward that balance. We're lucky that the human body has the potential to pull back against any illness, even something malignant. The body wants to heal itself; the real issue is that our modern lifestyle often prevents us from letting it happen.

But look, varicose veins—just like so many other physical issues—won't just vanish on their own. It's simply impossible. It's like a broken suspension or a faulty axle on a truck. Once there's a mechanical failure, you can't just wish it away. With veins, those little pockets have already formed.

Michael Diaz4 said:Look, varicose veins—just like a lot of other physical issues—aren't going to just fix themselves. It’s impossible. It’s like when a car's suspension goes out or you have a busted axle; it’s a mechanical failure, plain and simple. There's no magic cure. With veins, those little bulges...

Michael, I really need your take on this.
I've been dealing with hemorrhoids for about 10 years now, and they flare up two or three times every single year. I've actually managed to keep them under control by doing this one thing: after I go to the bathroom, I just lie down for maybe thirty minutes to an hour, and that keeps them from acting up. But if I have to rush off somewhere immediately after, they flare up right away. Basically, the straining is what triggers them, so I’ve conditioned myself to only go to the restroom when I'm at home. After reading through all the previous posts, I'm thinking I might be at stage 2 or 3. I rarely bleed, but when I do, I just use some FAKTU suppositories and the bleeding stops, though the external ones still show up. Since I can still manage them, I guess my routine is working for now, but I've finally decided I want them gone for good. My job is pretty specialized, so I can't afford to take much time off work. Reading everyone's advice, I was thinking about heading over to Indianapolis to get laser treatment. I know it isn't necessarily a permanent fix, but the speed of it appeals to me—you go in, get it done, and you're back to your life in a day. If I went that route and the hemorrhoids popped up again in a year or two, would having had that laser procedure interfere with the type of surgery you had?
If anyone else on the forum has some insight, please jump in! Cheers!

I'm back.🙂 Still alive. Everything went fine. Dr. Ivanovic handled all the internal stuff, pushed the prolapse back in, and cut out the thrombosis (turned out there were actually three spots 😳).
I spent the night at Sun City Clinic, and when the doctor checked on me this morning, he looked really happy with how things turned out.
My meds: Medazol 3 x1, Detralex 2 x1, and some Dolokain.

It hurts quite a bit—well, it’s not exactly sharp pain, more like intense pressure—so I didn't get much sleep last night. I've been popping Advil granules every 5 or 6 hours just to take the edge off.
Honestly, I'm really happy with everything at Butterfly; the nurses there are wonderful.🙏

I'm just waiting for the pain to die down. I figure I'll be feeling great in a few days, and then it'll honestly feel like I never even had surgery.

Elizabeth Price85 said:Well, here I am.🙂 Totally alive and kicking. Everything went smoothly. Dr. Ivanovic took care of all the internal stuff, pushed the prolapse back where it belongs, and even cleared out the thrombosis (which ended up being in three different spots 😳).
I stayed overnight at the Sun City Clinic, and when the doctor checked in on me this morning, he looked really pleased with how things turned out.
My meds right now: Medazol 3 x1, Detralex 2 x1, and some Dolokain.

It’s pretty uncomfortable—not exactly sharp pain, more like this heavy pressure—so I didn't get much sleep last night. But I've been popping Advil every five or six hours, which definitely takes the edge off.
I'm honestly so happy with everything at Butterfly; the nurses were absolutely wonderful.🙏

I'm just waiting for the discomfort to fade (I'm counting on feeling great in a few days), and then it'll truly feel like I never even had surgery.

I am seriously so happy to hear that everything went well! 🙂
The pain should start backing off in about two or three days, and it usually happens quite suddenly—at least that was my experience—and once it does, you're going to feel like you never even went under the knife. Wishing you a super fast and easy recovery! 🙂

fadedstag1 said:Michael Diaz4, please.
I’ve been dealing with hemorrhoids for about ten years now, and they flare up two or three times every single year. I’ve actually conditioned myself to manage them in a specific way: after I go to the bathroom, I make sure to lie down for thirty minutes to an hour. If I do that, I stay symptom-free. But if I have to rush off somewhere immediately after, they flare up right away. It’s become such a pattern due to the straining that I’ve basically trained myself to only use my own restroom at home. I’ve been reading through all the previous posts here, and in my opinion, I think I’m looking at stage 2 or 3. Bleeding is rare, but when it does happen, I just use some FAKTU suppositories and the bleeding stops, though I still end up with external ones. Since I can still keep things under control, I assume it’s because of that routine I mentioned earlier. Anyway, I’ve decided it’s time to get rid of them for good. My job is pretty demanding—I work in a specialized role where I can't really afford to take much time off. After reading everyone's experiences, I was thinking about heading over to Indianapolis to get laser treatment. I know it isn't a permanent fix, but the speed appeals to me; you go in, get it done, and you're back the same day. Even if they come back in a year or two, I don't really mind. My question is: if I went the laser route and then had to have the actual surgery you had later on, would the laser treatment interfere with that?
If anyone else on here thinks they might have some helpful advice or insight, please feel free to chime in. I'm all ears. Cheers.

I don't know exactly which stage you're dealing with. But honestly, it clearly isn't right if you have to lie down and rest after using the bathroom just because things flared up. Dealing with constant pain like that isn't sustainable; you really need to get ahead of this before things get complicated. If I were you, I’d look into the DG HAL RAR method. It’s much less invasive, and if everything goes smoothly, it can clear up second or third-degree hemorrhoids without much fuss. They basically cauterize the main vein, and the doctor can reposition what's protruding back inside. If there aren't any complications, you could be feeling better in just a few days. Personally, I wouldn't bother with those partial "quick fixes"—they tend to just come right back. Try to manage the pain for now—hopefully, it won't last too long—but please, go see a specialist first. Let a pro take a look so you actually know what you're facing. If you can manage it with medication for a few days (maybe a week or so), do that. If that doesn't work, and since it's not an emergency, maybe wait until your next vacation to get it handled? I'm not sure what kind of company you work for or how strict your leave policy is, but it's worth planning around.🙄Between the economic transition—which is really just a disgusting euphemism for the most basic, primitive kind of robbery—and this recession, things are messy. But you need to try to get organized somehow. You don't want to end up in the position I'm in right now. It’s been almost a month since my surgery; the pain isn't unbearable, but it is incredibly uncomfortable. I’ll be on medical leave for at least another three weeks. Since I work for a government agency, I'm lucky enough to have sick leave coverage, but believe me, even if it meant facing termination, I would have accepted that just to save my life. That’s how serious it got. Once you have your check-up and a clear picture of exactly what's going on, try to decide on your next move. Either take the medical leave, or if you can swing it, wait until you can use some vacation time to handle it. Good luck...🙂

Elizabeth Price85 said:So, here I am.🙂 Still kicking. Everything went smoothly. Dr. Ivanovic handled all the internal stuff, pushed the prolapse back in, and incised the thrombosis (turns out there were three spots 😳).
I spent the night at Sun City Clinic. The doctor checked on me this morning, and he seems really pleased with how it went.
My meds: Medazol 3 x1, Detralex 2 x1, and Dolokain.

It hurts quite a bit—not exactly sharp pain, more like intense pressure—so I didn't get much sleep last night. But I'm popping Advil granules every 5 or 6 hours, which helps.
I'm really happy with everything at Butterfly; the nurses were wonderful.🙏

Just waiting for the pain to subside (I'm hoping to feel great in a few days), and then it’ll honestly be like I never even had the surgery.

Congratulations. See? It wasn't that scary after all. Just be careful about what you eat now and make sure to take every single medication they prescribed. The bleeding should stop in a couple of days, and the pain will let up. Good luck...🙂

Thanks Leslie! I’ll probably head out to Boston next week since that’s where you were hanging out.

Karen Thompson10, we chatted recently, so I just wanted to reach out—you were so kind and your advice really helped.
I went in for my exam, and look, those two internal hemorrhoids are stage 2, but the one that’s absolutely killing me and keeps popping out is stage 3 (basically heading toward stage 4). I’ve also got a fissure.
The doctor has me on Detralex right now just to calm things down and help the veins relax. I’ve felt a little better the last few days; I think the bleeding has stopped and I’ve managed to soften my stool as much as possible. I’m drinking a liter of chamomile tea a day plus plenty of water, and I make sure to take a probiotic before bed. That stuff helps enough to make using the bathroom bearable. Otherwise, it feels like someone is slicing me with a knife.
The doctor walked me through everything regarding the DG HAL RAR procedure, and honestly, it still seems like my best bet. But I’m torn—do I pull the trigger now or wait until after the summer? Plus, I am terrified, plain and simple. Now that I’m feeling slightly better and the bleeding has subsided, I'm tempted to put it off... I know that's a bad move because this isn't just going to fix itself...
One thing the doctor mentioned was that he can't guarantee these hemorrhoids will vanish forever after the procedure. He was brutally honest, too—saying if I plan on having kids someday, the strain of childbirth will probably bring them right back. He told me I need to be ready for that reality...
Look, I know I need to make a call soon because this constant overthinking is driving me insane.
Anyway, how have you been feeling lately? Are you actually happy with the results? Are they totally gone?
Sending you a huge hello, stay well!

Sarah Harris29 said:Karen Thompson10, we chatted recently, so I just wanted to reach out—you were so kind and really helped me out with your advice.
I went in for my exam, and it turns out those two internal hemorrhoids are stage 2, but this one that’s bothering me most—the one that keeps protruding—is stage 3 (heading toward stage 4). I also have an anal fissure.
My doctor has me taking Detralex right now, just to try and calm things down a bit and help the veins relax. I've been feeling slightly better the last few days; I think the bleeding has stopped and I've managed to soften my stools as much as possible. I'm drinking a liter of chamomile tea daily plus plenty of water, and I make sure to take a probiotic before bed. Honestly, those things are helping make using the restroom a little less of a nightmare. Otherwise, it feels like someone is literally slicing me with a knife.
The doctor explained everything regarding the DG HAL RAR procedure, and it still seems like my best bet. But I'm torn on whether I should just get it done now or wait until after the summer. Plus, I am absolutely terrified, for goodness' sake. Now that I'm feeling a little better and the bleeding has subsided, I'm tempted to just put it off... though I know that's not wise because I can't just wish this condition away.
The doctor also mentioned that he can't guarantee the hemorrhoids will disappear forever with this procedure. He was very blunt about it, saying that if I plan on having children someday, the strain of childbirth would probably cause them to flare up again... so I need to be prepared for that.
Look, I realize I need to make a decision soon because this constant overthinking is driving me crazy.
Anyway, how have you been feeling lately? Are you actually happy with the results? Did the hemorrhoids stay gone for good?
Sending you huge hugs, and stay well, dear!

Dennis White43, I am so glad you reached out; I was actually thinking about you a couple of days ago and wondering how everything turned out for you. 🙂
It's great that you saw a doctor, because at least now you aren't flying blind! Honestly, it sounds like you're in a very similar boat to mine, unfortunately. I say "unfortunately" because of that awful fissure—I know exactly the kind of pain you're talking about. Everything your doctor told you holds water, but did he give you any specific advice on handling the fissure itself? How do we fix that part?
Because truthfully, the hemorrhoids might be your secondary issue right now; that intense pain you're describing usually stems from the fissure, so that needs to be addressed first.
If I were you, I'd recommend getting everything handled all at once, since there's really no point in undergoing two separate procedures.

Regarding the DG HAL RAR... the success rate for that method is usually cited between 90-95% (though you see different stats online). Even if the hemorrhoids do return after the first round, you can always go back for a second procedure, and then they usually stay away for good. Personally, I'd consider myself successful if they stay gone for a few years, but if they come back immediately, I'd just go back in for the follow-up.

Staying hydrated is vital, and you're doing the right thing there. In fact, you should always aim to drink as much fluid as possible.

That fissure... I really don't want to scare you, because that's the last thing I want to do, but if you don't get it sorted, things could get much worse. I endured it for so long that I eventually reached a point where I couldn't even walk properly. It was a total disaster.
That's why... if I were in your shoes, I would jump straight into both the DG HAL RAR and fixing the fissure (with a small incision), because it just doesn't make sense to deal with the downtime of two separate surgeries.
What does the doctor suggest? And which specialist did you see?

I'm incredibly anxious too, and I've always had a massive fear of doctors, but believe me, I have never once regretted stepping into the clinic. My advice is to stop waiting until summer and just deal with it now. Postponing isn't going to change the reality of the situation, so just grit your teeth, stop the endless worrying, and go do it.😉

I am feeling absolutely wonderful now! It didn't take me nearly as long to bounce back as I expected—maybe just about a week—and after that, it honestly felt like I had never even undergone surgery in the first place. There is no Hemorrhoid lingering around, my bowel movements are finally behaving themselves for the first time in my life, and there isn't a single bit of pain left...
I am truly, deeply satisfied with the results, and I wouldn't dream of exaggerating because I remember exactly how miserable I felt before this happened. 🙂
Take some time to browse through a few more posts, because plenty of others have gone through this too, and from what I can see, they aren't complaining one bit. Just try to remember that you aren't walking this path alone, and there are so many people right there in the trenches with you. 🙂

Sending big hugs your way, and please, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask!

Just checking in so you guys don't think I've gone MIA on the forum now that my surgery is behind me.😉
I'm doing alright, mostly just resting. The pain and pressure come and go, but I’m managing with two Advil tablets a day. I actually managed to get some decent sleep last night after struggling through the first two nights.
I still have this constant urge to go, but nothing is happening, and I am absolutely refusing to strain myself. The bleeding seems to be tapering off, though honestly, it hasn't been a huge deal for me.

I'm debating whether I should head back to work this Monday. It's an office job, so I'm not sure if sitting there for 8 or 9 hours is a smart move if the pain starts acting up again.

But I have to admit, since this was a real procedure (dealing with that thrombosis incision and all), I feel pretty great. Recovery is moving faster than I expected.🙏

Elizabeth Price85 said:Just wanted to check in so you guys don't think I’ve gone MIA from the forum now that my surgery is behind me.😉
I'm doing okay, just taking it easy for now. The pain and pressure come and go, but I can usually manage with just two Advil tablets a day. After two rough nights, I actually managed to get some decent sleep last night.
I'm constantly feeling that urge to go, but nothing is happening, and I really don't want to strain myself or force things. The bleeding seems to be tapering off, though it hasn't been a huge issue for me.

I'm debating whether I should head back to work this Monday. Since it's an office job, I'm torn on whether it's smart to sit in a chair for 8 or 9 hours if the discomfort starts acting up again.

But honestly, I have to admit that even though it was a major procedure—especially with that thrombosis incision—I feel pretty great, and it feels like I'm bouncing back faster than expected.🙏

It’s only my third day post-op, and I actually tried a cleansing tea because I was dealing with that same constant pressure, and it really helped me out. That very first time you have to go after surgery is definitely the hardest part, and I've been drinking an absolute ton of fluids to stay ahead of it.

To be completely honest, if I were in your shoes, I’d probably hold off on returning to work for just a little bit longer. Even though you're feeling fantastic right now, sitting through an 8-hour workday feels like it might be a bit much so soon.
Then again, if your doctor gave you the all-clear, I guess there isn't much to worry about.

It’s wonderful to hear you're recovering so quickly; that seems to be how it goes for most people! 🙂

Did you happen to ask the doctor when you might be able to get back into your regular sports or exercise routine? 😁

Elizabeth Price85 said:Just checking in so you don't think I've abandoned everyone here now that my surgery is behind me.😉
I'm doing okay, just still taking it easy. The pain and pressure come and go, but I can manage with two Advil tablets a day. I actually managed to get some decent sleep last night after struggling through the first two nights.
The urge to go is constantly there, but nothing is happening, and I really don't want to strain myself or push it. The bleeding seems to be tapering off, though it hasn't been a major issue for me.

I'm debating whether to head back to work this Monday. Since it’s an office job, I'm not sure how smart it would be to sit for 8 or 9 hours if the discomfort kicks in.

But I have to admit, since this was a significant procedure (dealing with that thrombosis incision), I feel surprisingly good. Recovery seems to be moving along quickly.🙏

Don't rush back to work just yet. What did your doctor advise? When are you cleared to sit for long periods?

Thanks for reaching out. So, here’s the deal: I went in for a checkup at Merkur. Branislav Kocman saw me. He was actually really nice and polite, answered all my questions, and walked me through how the whole thing would go down. Honestly, I was so stressed out that after he left, I had to sit there and focus just to remember everything he said and everything I’d asked. From what I gathered, he can fix the fissure at the same time he performs the DG HAL RAR procedure. That way, I wouldn't have to make two separate trips. To me, that’s just common sense. I wouldn't even bother doing them separately if they can handle it all in one shot.
Like I mentioned before, he has me taking Detralex for now. He told me once I get all my anesthesia clearances done, I should give him a call to schedule the procedure. He does his work over at Merkur. As for the wait, I'll probably be sitting on my hands for a bit. He's on vacation right now, so I'll touch base with him once he's back from his break.
You mentioned you saw Dr. Ivanovic. From what I hear, those two are top-tier surgeons and I think they're actually on the same team.
Bottom line: if I can get this done at Merkur, that's my move. My symptoms are manageable enough right now that I don't feel like throwing money away $2667 if I don't absolutely have to. I get that private clinics offer much closer, better care with the staff—that psychological comfort is definitely tempting—but honestly, why drop all that cash if I can hold out? I'll know for sure once I have my test results in hand...
Anyway, that's where my head is at. Either way, I know I'll have to face this eventually.
I'll let you know how the whole thing unfolds.
I am seriously so happy for you and that everything worked out so well! You're such a sweetheart for giving such great advice and sharing your experiences—it's been a huge help, seriously.

Thanks again, and we'll talk soon. 🙂
Take care!

Karen Thompson10 said:I was on day three after my surgery when I finally tried some detox tea. I just couldn't deal with that constant pressure, and honestly, it helped. That very first time you go after surgery is the absolute worst. I was also chugging water like there was no tomorrow.

Look, if I were you, I’d probably hold off on heading back to work for a bit longer. You might feel great right now, but sitting for 8+ hours straight this early on seems like a bad move.
Then again, if your doctor gave you the thumbs up, I guess there's no real risk.

Did you happen to ask the doc when you can get back into sports or working out? 😁

I actually had some herbal tea last night too, hoping it kicks in. This constant pressure is exhausting, and nothing seems to be moving.🙂

Oh man, I totally forgot—I can't believe it.😁 Generally, he told me to just get back to my usual routine once I feel up to it, but he expects full recovery to take about 5 weeks (which is when my follow-up is). Definitely no working out this week. Hopefully, by the end of next month, I'll be back to normal.

Michael Diaz4 said:Don't rush back to work. What did the doctor tell you? When are you actually allowed to sit down?

He didn't give me any specific instructions regarding sitting or working. But I don't think I'm going back just yet. Sitting for long periods is still rough, and until things settle down, I'm not sure it's smart.
The doctor mentioned I could get up to 21 days of medical leave for this (which feels like way too much), but I might wait until the end of this week. Or maybe even after Easter, once it's been nearly two weeks since the surgery.
I decided I won't head back until I can make it through a whole day without needing Advil (today should have been that day, theoretically), but I still don't feel quite 100%, and this pressure is killing me, so I'm still on the fence.

Thanks to both of you for the help and the info. It makes dealing with all this a little easier.🙏

Thank you so much for sharing what you went through, because honestly, anyone dealing with this stuff finally feels like they have a bit more clarity, and I think that makes a world of difference.
We finally have some solid news—they actually perform the DG HAL RAR method at Merkur, so if you aren't looking to drop a fortune at private clinics, you can head over there and get everything sorted out. I truly believe this is the best news we could have hoped for!

To be honest, I’ve received recommendations for the surgeons at Merkur from several different people. It’s actually a team effort over there involving brothers Dr. Branislav Kocman and Dr. Ivica Kocman along with Dr. Ivanovic; all three of them specialize in this specific method and are incredibly highly regarded. I have heard nothing but glowing praise for them.
You hit the nail on the head, they all work together as one cohesive team.

Look, it’s totally fine if you choose to go through with it at Merkur! If my situation had reached a point where it was becoming unbearable, I probably would have made the exact same choice. That’s why I really feel it’s vital to get those tests done right away so you can get your name on the waiting list, because you won't be seen immediately regardless. I'm not entirely sure what the timeline looks like with Dr. Kocman, but with Dr. Ivanovic, the wait was about two and a half months when I went through it, and in my opinion, that feels like an eternity when you're in intense pain.
Since you're going to have to wait anyway, there's no sense in dragging the process out even longer.

I don't know, maybe try to stop overthinking it for a moment and just take that first step. The most important thing is that you've already done the right thing by seeing a doctor. The rest isn't nearly as scary as it sounds: you go to the hospital, they perform the procedure, you stay overnight, deal with some soreness for two or three days, and then you're good to go and finally free from the pain. I really think it's worth it. 🙂

Thanks for the kind words, you are such a wonderful and sweet person yourself! Please let me know how everything turns out, and I am sending you nothing but the best wishes for a smooth, stress-free recovery! 🙂

I’m already pissed off.😠 I had some herbal tea the night before last, but absolutely nothing happened. So, I had more this morning.
I constantly feel this intense pressure like I need to go, but it just won't budge. And it hurts.😢 I can't even eat anything because I'm so on edge, and honestly, nothing else would even matter right now if I could just finally use the bathroom.😢
I haven't had a single bowel movement since Wednesday (before my surgery).

Elizabeth Price85 said:Now I’m actually getting frustrated.😠 I had some herbal tea the night before last, but absolutely nothing happened. I had more this morning.
I constantly feel this intense pressure, but nothing is moving. And it hurts.😢 I can't eat anything, my nerves are shot, and honestly, I feel like nothing else would even matter if I could just finally use the bathroom.😢
I haven't gone since Wednesday (right before my surgery).

What have you been eating? You don't want to end up with diarrhea either. Stools should be soft, almost like a puree. I was on my fifth day post-op when I got instructions to start eating normally—just be careful to avoid heavy, spicy stuff, or greasy grilled foods. Stick to light soups, juices, teas, and maybe some crackers. Once things start moving and you can eat regularly again, my doctor prescribed Align. Four times a day for four days total. Then after a three-day break, you take Align again. It worked perfectly for me. In the beginning, seeing a little bit of blood is normal, but it shouldn't be bright, fresh bleeding. Everything should normalize after a few days...

Elizabeth Price85 said:Now I’m actually getting angry.😠 I drank some herbal tea the night before last, but absolutely nothing happened. I had more this morning.
I just feel this intense pressure, like I need to go, but nothing is moving, and it hurts so much.😢 I can't even eat, my nerves are shot, and honestly, I feel like nothing else would even bother me if I could just finally use the bathroom.😢
I haven't gone since Wednesday (before my surgery).

Oh man, you should have been able to go by now! You are totally right when you say that once things start moving, the pain would probably subside—that was exactly how it felt for me. I actually went searching online just now to find the specific tea I used to show you, but I couldn't track it down.

Basically, it's called a cleansing tea, and I honestly think the pharmacists at the drugstore might have mixed it themselves. My mom went to pick it up for me because I was in no state to leave the house, and she explained everything to the pharmacist—what kind of surgery I had and all that—and the woman knew exactly what I needed.
Once you drink that tea, you just have to wait about 6 to 8 hours, and there is no way you won't be rushing to the restroom. It was a total lifesaver for me because the pain stopped within just a few hours after that, and then everything just returned to normal.
Whatever you do, please don't try to force it, because the pain will be absolutely unbearable. My doctor actually told me to apply some Dolokain about half an hour before I expect to go, just so it doesn't hurt so bad.

What did your doctor tell you? During my checkup this morning, he asked if I was feeling the urge to go and explained that I’d likely have a movement within a day or two, and that it would be a little painful, but that it's perfectly normal. And he emphasized using the Dolokain first!

Before I finally had that tea, I tried every silly thing imaginable—fruit juices, tea, sparkling water, coffee... but nothing worked. It was such a nightmare.

I really, truly recommend going to the pharmacy and explaining your situation, because the pharmacist told my mom that I shouldn't even touch certain types of laxatives.

I am so incredibly sorry you're going through this. 😢
I really should have mentioned that cleansing tea to you sooner, but when I saw you were drinking herbal tea, I honestly thought that would be enough to do the trick.

Guys, please, I need some help... So, for two months now, I’ve been seeing blood in my stool. There was one stretch where it stopped for maybe a week or two, but then it came right back. I noticed this little lump near my anus and was totally convinced it was just an external hemorrhoid. Then, one morning, I go to the bathroom and there's blood everywhere. I was scared to death and rushed straight to the doctor. They checked me out and said there aren't any external hemorrhoids, but they can't tell if there are internal ones, so they told me I need a colonoscopy. And I won't lie, the doctor didn't even look at me immediately during the consultation—I have to wait until the fifth month. I was so terrified that I called my mom, and she managed to set up an appointment with a private specialist for this Friday. Interestingly, the last two times I went, there was no blood. Is it possible that an internal hemorrhoid (if I even have one) just burst during that last time when things were so bloody? The hospital staff told me it's definitely internal hemorrhoids. Now I'm sitting here wondering if I should even bother going to that appointment... I am absolutely dreading it and I'm so scared. If it really was just a hemorrhoid bursting, maybe the exam isn't even necessary anymore... but I don't know, I'm just so confused. I'm 19, by the way. Any advice?🤷