Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

So, I finally went in today for my follow-up after that surgical procedure, and the doctor was actually really happy with how everything healed—he even told me I shouldn't have any more issues moving forward! Phew, if only I could be certain...

On another note, they mentioned that their specialized diagnostic equipment broke down and they don't expect the repairs to be finished for about two months. Anyone who signs up for the waiting list now probably won't get seen until September. Just thought I'd mention it for anyone thinking about heading over to Chase... just so you know.

Guys, I seriously need some help here!!!
It feels like this happened literally overnight—I’ve woken up with external hemorrhoids. They're this deep purple color; there's one larger one and then two smaller ones plus a few little spots. This is all brand new to me. I'm really curious if there's a way to clear this up just by changing what I eat. Like, would drinking two liters of water a day actually make a difference? Just tell me what works! I'm honestly considering heading to a specialist because the stinging and pain are getting pretty intense, and frankly, I'm terrified :O. Can anyone share what your experience was like seeing a doctor? What does the exam actually involve? Is it just a quick look, or do they actually have to insert something? Please tell me fast, this is just gross.

Michael Martinez8 said:Guys, please help me!!!
It’s like they just appeared overnight—external hemorrhoids, obviously. They're this deep purple color; one is quite large, and then I have two smaller ones plus a few little spots. This is my first time ever dealing with this kind of thing. I’m really curious about how I can manage this through my diet—like, if I drank two liters of Gatorade a day, would that actually make a difference? Just tell me what works! I’m seriously considering seeing a proctologist because the stinging and pain are intense, and honestly, I'm pretty terrified :O. Can someone please describe what the exam is actually like? Does the doctor just look, or do they actually insert something into the anus? Please be quick, this is just awful.

To start off, you should grab some Fact ointment to try and soothe the inflammation (or whatever other cream or ointment the pharmacist recommends). You really need to cut out all heavy foods entirely, drink tons of water, and load up on fiber and whole grains; as for meat, just keep it light, like poached or boiled... the goal is to make sure your bowel movements stay soft.

There's really no reason to be scared; you "only" have hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, the pain is usually the biggest hurdle. When things were at their absolute worst for me, my primary care physician prescribed Advil granules, which worked wonders for the pain, though you shouldn't rely on them too frequently.

And please, go see a doctor; that truly is your best move. Don't sit around wasting time with various over-the-counter remedies because they might only touch the symptoms without fixing the root issue.
The exam isn't nearly as scary as you think—anyone who has actually gone through it will tell you the same thing. Sure, it’s a bit uncomfortable, but you’re going to the doctor specifically so they can help you feel better, so you just have to push through it.
First, the doctor will just perform a visual exam, then they'll do a digital exam with a finger, and maybe use an anoscope after that. So, yes, they do slide a small device into the anus, but it only lasts for a few seconds. It doesn't actually hurt; it's just a very strange sensation.

Just try to hang in there until the weekend is over, then head straight to the doctor, but for now, just get something to help calm down that inflammation a little bit.

Karen Thompson10 said:So, I had my final checkup today following the DG HAL RAR procedure. The doctor is happy with everything and told me I shouldn't have any more issues! Phew. If only it were that simple...

On another note, they mentioned their equipment for the DG HAL RAR broke down. They aren't expecting repairs for about two months, which means anyone signing up for the waiting list now won't be seen until September. Just a heads-up regarding Chase... in case anyone is wondering.

I went in for my follow-up yesterday. Everything looks good, and I can finally sit up after 45 days. I have another checkup in a month to monitor some external skin thickening that should fade away over time...🙂

Michael Martinez8 said:Guys, please help me!!!
It happened literally overnight—external hemorrhoids just popped out. They're purple, one is pretty big, and I have two smaller ones plus some little spots. This is my first time dealing with this. I’m wondering how I can use diet to get rid of them. Even if I have to drink 2 liters of milk a day, just tell me what to do. I'm thinking about seeing a specialist because it stings and hurts, and honestly, I'm terrified :O. Can someone describe their experience with an exam? Does the doctor just look, or do they actually insert something? Please answer quickly, this is gross.

That purple color suggests it could be a thrombosis. You really need to see a doctor immediately...

So, I picked up some cream and started overhauling my diet, but honestly, I’ve got an appointment at the doctor's this Tuesday. Still, I can't stop stressing out about this thrombosis thing... what even is that exactly?

Michael Martinez8 said:So I picked up some cream and I'm changing my diet, too. I have an appointment at the doctor's this Tuesday, but honestly, I'm freaking out about this thrombosis thing. What even is that?

Look, it doesn't necessarily mean you're dealing with a blood clot, but if you want to be absolutely sure, go see the doctor. That color could suggest a clot, but it isn't a guarantee. Thrombosis is never a good sign—it can be pretty dangerous. If a clot starts moving, it can head straight toward one of your vital organs. That’s how you end up with a heart attack. However, it might not be all doom and gloom. It's rare for things to go that way with hemorrhoids because the circulation in that area is already poor anyway, so it doesn't always mean a piece of a clot is going to break off. Bottom line: see your doctor. I won't play guessing games or claim for certain that it's a thrombosis. It's just that blue color that looks suspicious to me...😉

Hello to everyone on this forum.
Dealing with hemorrhoids has been my absolute nightmare for the last few years...
I just need to vent to someone, or I’m going to lose it dealing with this enemy that simply won't leave me alone... Today is one of those days where I feel mentally broken because of it all. I've been fighting them for so long. Maybe it sounds pathetic... they are only Grade 1 hemorrhoids... but they have completely drained me. I'm bleeding every other day... sometimes a little, and sometimes... well... you know... It hasn't changed anything about my diet... nothing works... My doctor recently prescribed some nitroglycerin ointment because it's the fissure that's actually torturing me more than the hemorrhoids itself... She finally found it... all the way in New York City (at the Ivanovic pharmacy—Fisuranal)... she practically searched half of Europe... and there she was. So happy, thinking it was the answer... the savior... Yeah... right... I apply it every single day... and yet it feels worse rather than better. Regarding my diet... I try to eat everything listed to soften things up... but honestly... I can't live on just bran. I drink plenty of fluids now, much more than I ever did before... Every night I have to get up because it feels like my bladder might burst... During college... I spent literally 90% of my time either sitting at a desk or in bed... zero percent exercise... so I think this "royal disease" came from all that sitting... Now that I'm unemployed... I try to stay active (running for job interviews and such🙂) as much as possible... I work out three times a week for two or three hours... and still, nothing has changed.... I'm losing my mind... If I can't drive this nuisance away now, while I actually have control over my schedule... what's going to happen when I start working again? Sitting for 10+ hours a day, not being able to clean up and apply ointment every single time after using the bathroom...🙂
I have another check-up next week... And of course... things always get worse after the exam... whatever heals seems to just tear open again because of how they probe... Sigh... it's so hard... is there any hope left...?? It's not just me suffering, my partner is at his wit's end trying to help me... He gets so anxious whenever he hears me screaming from the bathroom... NOOOOOOOOOOOO... and everything else...
😢🙂
Any words of comfort... sigh...

Oh right... I forgot to ask... and just a heads up, my internal chemistry is a bit off lately...
I see someone mentioned a certain herbal mountain tea...??
So, here's the deal. I make sure to go every single day, which my doctor says is great... though ideally, it would be twice a day... The issue is that sometimes things get quite hard. I tried this herbal tea once (bought from a local herbalist)... I can't recall the name... but it caused me so much trouble, stomach pains... and diarrhea. It completely threw off my routine of going every morning because then nothing would happen for a while. Is there anything I could take to soften things up...? I eat plenty of fruit and grains... I even make myself little porridges, sort of like baby food... hehe... Maybe a tea? But nothing too aggressive. I've tried olive oil... well, sipping it... my doctor told me to take a tablespoon of olive oil on an empty stomach... Ugh, drinking it straight didn't sit well with my stomach. Now I'm going to try mixing that tablespoon into my food instead, following the doctor's advice.
People, help me out...😕
Hi...

How long have you been dealing with this fissure? If it’s been dragging on for more than a month, it means an acute fissure has likely turned chronic, and at that stage, creams and medications basically become useless—you’re looking at surgery or injections to actually fix it.
Here is a link that covers all the basics:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-fissure/symptoms-causes

You really need to get this sorted out ASAP because things can only get worse, and I know that from firsthand experience. Both of my doctors told me that nitroglycerin ointment only works in a tiny handful of cases, and even then, it’s only if you catch it in the absolute earliest stages. That’s why knowing how long this has been going on is so critical. Honestly, it might be a smart move to seek out a second opinion.

Regarding the hemorrhoids, I don't want to type everything all over again, so just scroll back through the last ten pages; there's a ton of info there. There are two permanent methods out there—THD and DG-HAL-RAR—which are non-invasive, lasting, and have a pretty quick recovery time.
In your case, they could probably tackle both the hemorrhoids and the fissure in one single procedure. Just please, make sure you address that fissure, because it can spread and turn into a fistula, which leads to much nastier complications.

As for diet... well, based on what you're saying, it sounds like you're eating quite healthily. Nuts can be great for keeping things soft, but I wouldn't recommend them given what you're going through (unless you chew them until they're practically liquid), because any little pieces could make passing a stool feel even more painful.
Maybe someone else can offer some more specific advice.

It’s also definitely not a good idea to constantly rely on herbal teas or various laxatives; if you use them too often, your bowels basically get lazy and stop working properly without them. You really should only save those for "special" occasions.

If I were in your shoes, I would look into one of those permanent methods to wipe out the hemorrhoids for good, especially since you mentioned how much this is ruining your quality of life.

Good luck! 🙂

Hi there!
Thanks for the heads-up... Man... I've been dealing with this fissure for a long, long time... Diagnosed about two years ago... It's still there, maybe 5-6mm, pretty shallow... and it really takes its toll on me..
I have an appointment with my doctor next week.. we'll see how it goes..
So, I went out and stocked up on all kinds of fruit.. I've got this mix in mind.. hoping it helps kickstart things... and makes everything a bit easier to pass.. heheheh...
Thanks again...
Every bit of advice helps..👋

steelangler7 said:Hi there!
Thanks for the heads-up... Ugh... I've been dealing with this fissure for a looooong time now... It was officially diagnosed over two years ago... and it's still right there, about 5-6mm long and pretty shallow... but man, it really takes a toll on me..
I'm heading to the doctor next week.. we'll see what happens..
I actually went out and grabbed all kinds of fruit today.. I've got this whole mental list of everything I should eat... I'm just praying it kicks in... and that things finally start moving a bit more smoothly... heheheh...
Thank you again...
Honestly, any advice at all is a lifesaver..👋

Two whole years?? 😲 Either you have an incredibly high pain tolerance or the last two years have been a total nightmare for you. Seriously, how hasn't your doctor suggested surgery yet? Unfortunately, no amount of ointments is going to fix this properly.
Man, I was absolutely spiraling after only a month and a half of dealing with that misery, so two years sounds brutal... my best advice is to just get it taken care of; I haven't regretted getting it fixed for even one second! 😉

Karen Thompson10 said:Two years?? 😲 Either you have an incredibly high pain tolerance or the last two years have been a total nightmare. How hasn't your doctor suggested surgery yet? Honestly, no topical cream is going to fix this.
Goodness, I was a complete wreck after just a month of dealing with that hell, but two years... my advice is to get it handled. I haven't regretted it for a single second. 😉

It really is a nightmare... and I'm honestly just done with it. My doctor mentioned the inflammation needs to go down... basically, we need to manage things. First, getting my digestion under control, then trying all sorts of creams... nothing worked. I spent six months searching for that last specific ointment... using chamomile in the meantime... just struggling. Yeah... you're right... something has to be done... I can't take any more.
Could you tell me where you went for your surgery, what the cost was, and how long recovery took? Any experiences post-op...
Thank you...

steelangler7 said:It’s been an absolute nightmare... and honestly, I am just completely drained by all of this. My doctor told me the inflammation really needs to go down—sort of like we need to get everything back on track—so first we tried regulating my digestion, then we experimented with all sorts of ointments, but nothing seemed to touch it. I spent six months hunting down that last specific cream; in the meantime, I was just applying calendula and suffering through it. Yeah... you're right... something has to be done because I just can't live like this anymore.
Where did you go for your surgery? How much did it cost, and how long was the recovery? What was the experience actually like once it was over?
Thanks...

Whereabouts are you located? And which doctor are you seeing?
Honestly, it might be best if you go back and read through my previous posts because I laid out every single detail there (especially those early ones); I feel like I'm just repeating myself constantly, and I'm starting to bore even myself! 😁

To give you the short version... I ended up at Butterfly Clinic with Dr. Ivanovic (honestly, I'm thinking about sending them a bill for the free advertising 😛!) and I couldn't be happier with the results. I went in for the DG HAL-RAR method to take care of both my hemorrhoids and the fissure. The total came to $8 $0.00. At another clinic I checked, the price for just the DG HAL-RAR procedure alone was actually higher, and from what I could tell, the doctor didn't even charge me extra for fixing the fissure.
Just for comparison, I saw another doctor who wanted to treat the fissure using Botox injections—please, whatever you do, don't fall for that, because the whole issue just comes right back after 6 to 8 months—and he wanted to do the hemorrhoids with a laser, and the price was a staggering $22 $0.00.

If you've already decided to go through with surgery, I'd really recommend taking care of the hemorrhoids at the same time; in my opinion, THD and DG HAL-RAR are definitely your best bets for that.

As for the fissure, you should be able to get that handled at any hospital, so you shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for that part.

My recovery was surprisingly easy. I was in quite a bit of pain about three days after the procedure (mostly because of the fissure), but after that, it was like the surgery had never even happened.

In all honesty, I find it hard to believe that your doctor hasn't suggested a permanent fix over the last two years. I mean, we're talking about massive amounts of pain here. After a month and a half, even my doctors were looking at me in disbelief, wondering how I had managed to hold out for so long.
Don't wait any longer... it's truly not worth the struggle...

And yeah, you hit the nail on the head when you said things felt even worse after the exam because it feels like everything just tears open after the doctor performs the anoscopy. That is exactly how it felt for me, too. And I'm not even sure if you should be exercising or straining yourself yet, because it feels like everything down there is just "splitting" slightly. That little wound really needs time to heal up first.

Karen Thompson10 said:Where are you located? Which doctor are you seeing?
I think it would be best if you read my previous posts, because I’ve described everything in detail there (especially the first ones)... I feel like I’m just repeating myself constantly, and I'm starting to bore myself... 😁

In short... I ended up at the Butterfly Clinic with Dr. Ivanovic (honestly, I'm considering sending them an invoice for the free advertising 😛), and I couldn't be happier. I went in for the DG HAL-RAR method to handle both hemorrhoids and a fissure. The total came to 8 $0.00. At another clinic, the price for the DG HAL-RAR procedure alone was actually higher, and from what I could tell, the doctor didn't even charge me for fixing the fissure...
For comparison, I saw another doctor who wanted to treat the fissure with Botox injections—please don't do that by accident, because the condition just comes back after 6-8 months—and he wanted to do the hemorrhoids via laser, and the price was as much as 22 $0.00.

If you're already heading in for surgery, I'd recommend getting rid of the hemorrhoids at the same time. There are really only two best methods for that: THD and DG HAL-RAR.

You should be able to get the fissure treated at any hospital, so you shouldn't have to pay anything for that part...

Recovery was honestly quite easy for me. Three days after the surgery, it hurt quite a bit (mostly because of the fissure), but after that, it was like I'd never even had the operation...

Honestly, I find it unbelievable that your doctor hasn't suggested a permanent fix over the last two years. Those are intense pains. After a month and a half, people were asking me how I even managed to endure it for so long...
Don't wait any longer... it's really not worth it...

And yes, regarding what you wrote about feeling even worse after the exam because it feels like everything is tearing after the doctor performs the anoscopy... that is exactly right. It felt the same way for me. And I'm not sure if you should be exercising or straining yourself, because everything down there "tears" a little bit. That wound needs to heal first...

Ah... New York City.
I go to the Vineyard Clinic... I can't say for sure... everyone there is kind and the doctor is very approachable... and he clearly knew how to solve this his way... I don't know much about how things work there... And yes... surgery was mentioned, but since it's been two years now... it's time for me to change things and take action... Everyone says something different... As for exercise... I've really thrown myself into it now... full on... It's doing my body good, both mentally and physically...
Anyway, a new doctor just started there, so we'll see what he thinks...
It's a lot of money... ugh... I mean, okay... you can't put a price on health... But when you're unemployed, that number hits a little harder...
Thank you again for the advice...
I'll let you know either way... whether things get better or not...
Best regards...

steelangler7 said:Ah, you mean New York City.
I'm actually seeing someone at the Vineyard clinic... Honestly, I can't quite put my finger on it, but everyone there is incredibly kind and the doctor is so approachable. He clearly understands why I'm trying to tackle this issue the way I am, though I'm still figuring out how everything is going to unfold. And yeah, surgery was mentioned, but once you settle down after a situation like that... it’s been two years now, so I feel like it's finally time to change things up and take action. It feels like everyone is giving me different advice, one person says this and another says that. As for working out—wow, I have really thrown myself into it lately! I've gone full throttle with exercise, and I can tell it's doing wonders for me, both mentally and physically.
Anyway, a new doctor just started there, so we'll wait and see what his take is.
It's such a massive amount of money... ugh. I mean, obviously, you shouldn't put a price tag on your health, but when you're currently unemployed, those numbers tend to ring a little louder in your head.

Fixing just the fissure without dealing with the hemorrhoids would cost you significantly less, and if money is the main hurdle, honestly, just go to the hospital. At the end of the day, the procedure is basically identical whether you're at a private clinic or a public hospital. A fissure is handled either through injections or a minor incision; there isn't much complicated theory behind it.
It's a different story with hemorrhoids because there are several different methods to choose from. Your top priority should be fixing that fissure, because all that intense pain is stemming from that, and if you want to deal with the hemorrhoids later, just leave them for another time (especially if you're worried about the budget).
Also, make sure to check ahead because not every outpatient clinic performs fissure repairs, so get the info first. Otherwise, with a fissure, there's no inflammation to wait out... nothing to delay.

Regarding exercise... maybe ask the doctor about it directly. There have been others on this forum who dealt with a fissure and were told they shouldn't strain themselves, which makes total sense to me. Just be careful not to make the situation worse.

Just checking in quickly. After all that bleeding over Easter, I had another episode on Monday, passed out, and ended up at Mount Sinai. They couldn't even pin down the exact cause of the bleeding. They kept me under observation, and I actually collapsed again while I was in the hospital. I lost a massive amount of blood—my counts were terrible. They had to pump liters upon liters of fluids and two units of blood into me.
Thankfully, there hasn't been any more bleeding since Tuesday night, thank God. They finally let me head home today.

Honestly, I’m just fed up with Dr. Ivanovic, the whole medical staff, the hospital, everything. It's exhausting. But the main thing is that I'm okay.
I'll write up the full story tomorrow.

Karen Thompson10 said:Treating just the fissure without dealing with hemorrhoids would be much cheaper, and if money is the main issue, you should just go to the hospital. The procedure is basically the same whether it's at a hospital or a private clinic. A fissure is handled either through injections or a small incision; there isn't much complexity there.
It’s different with hemorrhoids because there are several different methods. Your priority should be fixing the fissure since all that pain is coming from it, and if you want to deal with the hemorrhoids later, leave them for another time (especially if finances are an issue).
Also, be careful because not all private clinics perform fissure repairs, so check with them first. Regardless, there is no inflammation with a fissure, so there is nothing to wait for...

Exercise... you should just ask the doctor about that directly. There have been others on this forum who had a fissure and couldn't push themselves too hard, which makes sense to me. Just be careful not to make things worse.

Okay.. That's what I'll do.. I was already thinking along those lines..
Ask openly.. put everything on the table.. It's just one of those things.. you think you're doing everything right and staying informed.. I don't know what to say...
Like you said... if it's not working, I'll move on.. If I need to go to New York City to get it sorted out, I will..
I admit my own negligence played a part, I didn't look into it early enough.. or read enough about it.. I just trusted the doctor.. Thinking, since I'm paying for the service, they must be doing it right.. Why bother overthinking it.. but clearly, that approach doesn't work anymore.. It's an embarrassing illness..
I just hope they weren't stalling me if they aren't actually repairing the fissure😠.. because if they aren't.. it won't end well...!!!😠
Sigh.. I see there are many worse cases here, unfortunately..

Elizabeth Price85 said:Just checking in quickly. After bleeding during Easter, it happened again this past Monday, and I actually collapsed and ended up at Vineyard Hospital. They couldn't pinpoint the exact cause of the bleeding, so they kept me under observation, though I even passed out while I was there in the hospital. I lost a massive amount of blood—my counts were terrible—so they had to pump me full of liters upon liters of IV fluids and two units of blood.
Since Tuesday evening, the bleeding has finally stopped, thank God. They cleared me to go home today.

I’m honestly just feeling completely overwhelmed by everything—Dr. Ivanovic, the whole hospital experience, it’s all just hitting me hard. But the most important thing is that I'm okay.
I'll write a longer update tomorrow.

Jeremy, I honestly can't tell you how sorry I am about everything you've been through. I feel a heavy weight of responsibility because I was the one who recommended that doctor and the clinic to you in the first place. Deep down, I had this nagging intuition that something terrible was happening since you'd been gone for so long, but I kept trying to convince myself you had just decided not to go through with it.
I'm truly at a loss for words... 😢
I would never dream of suggesting a doctor to anyone unless I had personally trusted them through similar struggles. From everything I've heard from various people, Dr. Ivanovic comes nothing but glowing praise.
If the hospital hasn't flagged it as medical malpractice, then maybe it isn't his fault after all, right?

Oh my goodness... I am so invested in hearing the full story when you're ready. I would be absolutely devastated too, but I'm just holding onto the hope that the doctor didn't act in an inhumane way during all this. Regardless, I am just so, so incredibly sorry for everything... I really can't put it into words. 😢

steelangler7 said:Okay... I think I'll go ahead and do exactly that. That was actually my plan all along...
Just being totally upfront and laying all my cards on the table. It’s funny, you really think you're doing everything by the book and staying informed, but then you realize how much you didn't know... I honestly don't even know what to say...
If what you're saying is true and this isn't working, I'll just move on. If I have to travel all the way to New York City to get this sorted out, then that's what I'll do...
I have to admit, I played a part in this too because I wasn't careful enough; I didn't look into things early on or read up enough, I just blindly trusted the doctor. I figured, hey, since I'm paying for a professional service, they'll do their job right, so why should I have to stress over the details? But clearly, that approach doesn't work anymore. This illness is just so incredibly uncomfortable.
I'm just praying they haven't been stalling me if they aren't actually going to fix the fissure😠... because if they don't, nothing is going to get better...!!!😠
Sigh... I can see from the posts here that plenty of people are dealing with much worse situations, unfortunately...

It is always such a smart move to seek out a second or third opinion, especially when you're dealing with private practices where, let's face it, the bottom line is often the priority. Honestly, I had one doctor promise me that a series of injections would completely heal my fissure for a massive amount of money, but in reality, I almost certainly would have recovered on my own within six months anyway.
Don't jump to conclusions just yet; it's possible your doctors truly meant well, you just really have to be proactive about asking questions and getting the facts.

Yeah, I really feel like Michael Diaz4 and now Nestlé have already gone through the absolute worst of this nightmare. I actually recommended that specific doctor to her because my experience was completely painless, so seeing her go through this makes me speechless... but the Fact is, there are just no guarantees in medicine, unfortunately. Just take everything with a grain of salt... whether it's advice from an online forum or from someone in person.