Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Christian Smith2 said:Check out this great video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05FuzfakqmI

I really have to hand it to you—with the way you write these posts, you could honestly pass for a doctor! 🙂
I was actually just about to step in and try to "correct" you regarding the THD method, but then you went and dropped that video on us!
I was actually planning to head over to THD to get things sorted, so I gave them a ring to book an appointment. The woman on the line told me it wasn't a problem at all, though she did mention that their specialist only flies in from Israel once a month, so I'll just have to be patient and wait for that window to open up.
So, when I finally sat down and walked her through everything—explaining that I'm actually dealing with an external hemorrhoid—she just shook her head and told me that THD is strictly for internal issues. She was adamant that if you're dealing with prolapse, that procedure isn't going to do a thing for you, almost like suggesting you'd use a specialized indoor paint to fix a massive crack in your home's exterior foundation.
After that whole ordeal, I decided to seek out a second opinion from a specialist elsewhere, hoping they might see things differently. I honestly asked him straight up if I still stood a chance at qualifying for THD because, truth be told, that’s exactly where I’d rather be, but he just gave me the bad news—he said I really should have stepped up much earlier in the process, and because of the prolapse issues, it’s just not looking like an option anymore.
So, I’m sitting here thinking about how you’re posting this... look, I am genuinely thrilled with my DG HAL results and I don't regret a single thing, but it honestly blows my mind—is it actually possible to get totally wrong information from two different sources at the same time? 😲
I’ve actually gone as far as telling people straight to their faces that there's absolutely no point in even attempting the THD method if they're still dealing with external issues.

It’s actually pretty surprising when you look at all the medical clinics around the city, because out of everything available here in the States, only two places like Leptir and Arithera are actually running DG HAL RAR.
I happened to catch somewhere that a doctor over in a clinic near Zelina is actually using that same method, so if you're still out there digging for details, it might be worth looking into!

I honestly walked away thinking that THD and DG HAL were just two different labels for the exact same procedure, almost like calling a touchdown a field goal when you're talking about scoring, but after sitting down and really picking the brains of my doctors, I’ve realized there’s a subtle distinction there because they were incredibly firm about treating them as two entirely separate approaches. Now, here's the thing... 🤷

I called the clinic, and they told me I need to show up in person so they can decide whether to proceed with surgery. Some of the info on clinic websites doesn't sit right with me. For instance, one site claims they handle hemorrhoids using the classic Morgan Milligan method under local anesthesia with a quick recovery. That sounds questionable to say the least. But let's talk about newer methods.
It was developed by Morinaga, and initially, it was just referred to as either DG HAL or THD—essentially the same thing under different names. It involves ligating the arteries. Later, in 2005, the method was modified to include tissue reconstruction. Hemorrhoids (the blue parts in the diagrams) are enlarged vessels held in place by connective tissue. If that tissue becomes too loose, it has to be fixed or stabilized. If a surgeon only performs arterial ligation without being able to handle the reconstruction, then in my view, it’s a half-finished job. It's like opening a tire shop where you change the rubber but skip the balancing. The name doesn't matter; what matters is the actual work performed. One should ask the doctor specifically about this before any procedure. Does it make sense to perform ligation alone if reconstruction is required?
Reading through these posts, it seems people are confusing things, particularly the difference between external and internal hemorrhoids. We all have them; otherwise, the rectum wouldn't close properly. Problems arise when they enlarge, stretch, the supporting tissue weakens, or surface damage occurs from hard stools. The distinction between external and internal is purely anatomical. External ones are at the anal edge, while internal ones are further inside. Internal ones are larger and usually cause bleeding. Pain kicks in when they become inflamed or swollen, or when a thrombosis develops. Once they rupture, the pain subsides. Looking at the diagrams, you can see the arteries supplying the internal hemorrhoids are targeted for ligation. From what I can gather, the arteries feeding external hemorrhoids aren't even positioned where this method could reach them. But that's just my layperson's take based on the images. My wife has had external hemorrhoids for ten years since giving birth, and they haven't been an issue. What causes the most confusion is this: staging only applies to internal hemorrhoids. As I mentioned, they are larger and thus more problematic. Plus, they face higher pressure during bowel movements. They are cramped and have nowhere to go when pressure increases or stools are hard. External ones are right at the opening and can bulge out easily. If they get inflamed, creams and sitz baths should handle it. Only internal hemorrhoids are graded into four stages. Stage 4 is when they prolapse and won't go back in. That is the core issue. These are internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed outward; they aren't "external" just because they are visible—they are internal ones that have moved out. Don't confuse anatomy with clinical manifestation. When internal hemorrhoids prolapse that far, simple ligation won't pull them back in because the tissue is too stretched. That's why reconstruction is necessary. Call it whatever you want, but the actual procedure is what counts.

Here is another link. This seems to be the best explanation available. It's long, but detailed. The only downside is it was written in 2008, so it lacks recent study results.

http://www.pelviperineology.org/dece...morrhoids.html

And that’s how a blood vessel deep within the body gets constricted, the one responsible for supplying blood to the hemorrhoids if we’re being precise...

Karen Thompson10 said:This sounds like a textbook anal fissure! They usually come with high fevers and massive pain. Plus, you mentioned a little cut. Meds aren't gonna fix this; you need actual treatment. If you ignore fissures, they just spread, which is why they're dangerous—you could end up with something way worse, like a fistula. Do some Googling. You said you saw a doctor, but did you see a proctologist? If nobody gave you a real exam, you're basically just guessing at a cure. Go see a specialist.

And yeah, a fissure is almost always accompanied by what's called a sentinel hemorrhoid right next to it, so people totally mistake the pain for hemorrhoids. Sometimes that little cut is super hard to spot, which is why you need the pros.

Thanks Karen Thompson10, I'm totally with you on that.
I did a little digging on fissures online and found a few more symptoms I've been dealing with,
like cramps, irritation, and even those high platelet counts...
I haven't seen a proctologist yet, just my regular gastroenterologist who's been managing my
UC-s... if things don't start looking up, I'm definitely hitting up a proctologist.

thanks again

stetoskop.info Anal Fissures

visitor comments:

http://www.stetoskop.info/Analna-fis...1-comments.htm

Hi everyone!

I’ve read through most of this thread and done some digging online, but I could still really use your input.
About a week ago, I noticed some bleeding during bowel movements. It was likely triggered by infrequent movements followed by constipation (since I've been stuck at home for four weeks dealing with mono). There’s also been some itching. For a couple of years now, I've had a small growth near my anus—clearly a hemorrhoid. It never caused any pain or discomfort until five days ago. "It" isn't hard; it's just a pinkish bump that fluctuates in size.
There’s no pain when I go, just a bit of a "tugging" sensation.
For the last four days, I've been using an Ultraproct suppository once a day, but it hasn't helped yet.

Just to be clear, I know I need to see a doctor, but I'm honestly dreading it. I can't figure out if I have internal or external hemorrhoids. Usually, external ones hurt, but mine doesn't. Is it possible an internal one "prolapsed" outward two years ago and nothing else has changed since? Again, it isn't hard, it's a normal pink color, and it doesn't bother me.

Sorry to bother you all, I just feel awkward asking anyone else. Thanks!

PS Can someone explain what a swollen anal papilla actually is? Out of all the images I've seen online, mine looks the most like a swollen anal papilla.

silentharbor5 said:Hey everyone!

I’ve read through most of this thread and scoured the web, but I still really need some advice.
About a week ago, I noticed some bleeding during bowel movements. It was likely triggered by being constipated—I've been stuck at home for four weeks dealing with mono. There's also been some itching. For a couple of years now, I’ve had something near my anus that is clearly a hemorrhoid. It hasn't caused any pain or discomfort until about five days ago. "It" isn't hard; it's just a pinkish bump that fluctuates in size.
There isn't any pain when I go, just a bit of a "tugging" sensation.
For the last four days, I've been using an Ultraproct suppository once a day, but so far, nothing is helping.

Just to be clear, I know I need to see a doctor, but I honestly dread the idea. And I can't figure out if they are internal or external. Usually, external ones hurt, but mine don't. Is it possible an internal one "popped out" two years ago and nothing else has changed since? Again, it’s not hard, it's just a normal pink color, and it doesn't bother me much.

Sorry to bother you all, I just feel awkward asking anyone. Thanks!

PS Can someone explain what a swollen anal papilla actually is? Out of everything I've seen online, mine looks the most like those pictures.

After nearly twenty years of messing around with hemorrhoids, I consider myself pretty well-informed—almost an expert in the field.😁 If you've been following my posts, you know I had surgery and I feel like a brand new person. I can't speak on anal papillae because I'm not a doctor, but please, go get checked out whenever you can. External hemorrhoids don't always have to hurt. Nor do internal ones. You won't truly know what you're dealing with until a professional looks at it. It’s probably just hemorrhoids. They can definitely itch. Why? Well, when they swell up and irritate the skin or mucous membrane, it itches just like any other healing lesion. And man, can it itch. When it itches, that's usually okay—it means things are healing. As for what happens down the road, who knows, but for now, try using a soothing cream. It should help with the irritation and definitely dial back the itching. God, just thinking about how bad it used to itch for me...☕

Hey there! Honestly, after reading through all these posts, I feel completely lost in the weeds—one person says this, another claims that, and I’m just sitting here wondering what anyone should actually believe. If you ask me, the best move is always to just trust a doctor and follow their lead.
So, here's my situation: I've dealt with hemorrhoids maybe once or twice before. I think they were external ones because they felt like little little balls during cleaning, and man, they were painful, though they never actually bled. They usually cleared up after a few days, but now I'm dealing with some small ones that aren't quite as intense, yet I'm definitely seeing some blood when I wipe. 😲
I can't help but wonder if it's possible they've cracked or started bleeding because of all the cycling I do. I've been riding a bike for about 22 miles years now on this high-performance racing saddle that is incredibly hard. About a year ago, I had some really bad pain but no bleeding, but now... is it actually possible they've ruptured from all the cycling? It’s a pretty grueling route I take, and honestly, I'm not exactly in peak physical condition right now, which makes me wonder since I noticed the blood immediately after my first ride back.

Walter Stewart19 said:Hey everyone. Honestly, after reading through all these posts, I’m completely lost. It’s just one person bashing another this, someone else arguing that, and I have no idea what to believe anymore. At this point, I’m leaning toward thinking the doctor is actually our best bet.
I think I have hemorrhoids. Maybe once or twice before—I assume they were external because they felt like little lumps while I was washing up, and they really stung. They never actually bled back then, and the pain cleared up after a few days. But now, I’ve got some small ones that aren't quite as painful, though I am seeing some blood on the toilet paper. 😲
I'm not entirely sure if it’s actually possible that they burst or started bleeding just because I've been out riding my bike lately. 22 miles So, I’ve got this issue with my hemorrhoids. They feel really hard right now. About a year ago, I had some intense pain once, but there wasn't any bleeding back then. Now... things are different. Is it actually possible that they burst because of cycling? I’ve been riding a pretty grueling route lately, and honestly, I'm not exactly in peak physical condition. I noticed blood immediately right after finishing my first ride.

Why aren't you reading my posts? I’ve already laid everything out for you—I'm probably the most qualified person here to be giving this advice. Look, pushing yourself too hard isn't worth it if you're dealing with hemorrhoids. You really need to go see a doctor and have them take a look. There are permanent ways to handle this, just like I explained before. Other people have mentioned this here as well. Good luck. 🙂

Michael Diaz4
I was just sitting here thinking about it, but let’s be honest—we all live for that little bit of validation, don't we?
Thanks so much for the response!

Some cyclists on this forum were discussing how nettle can help out. Specifically, they mentioned making a tea by boiling the leaves... I suppose that logic would apply to just about anyone, not just the cycling crowd. So, maybe give it a shot; you don't exactly have anything to lose.

Hey everyone!
Back in May, I started noticing bleeding from my anus. I went to see a doctor, they did a digital rectal exam and told me everything looked fine. After I cleaned up my diet, the bleeding stopped and stayed gone until today. I was absolutely terrified!!! I’ve recently slipped back into eating junk food, so I suppose this is just the logical consequence of my choices. But if things weren't bad enough, I’ve also developed this blistery rash on my arms. When I saw a dermatologist, they basically told me it's some kind of internal signal—like a warning light flashing on a dashboard—but even they didn't know what the actual cause was. At the time, my blood work came back normal, though I was told I needed to redo the tests.

I'm wondering, just how deep can hemorrhoids be located for them to cause bleeding that wouldn't be felt during a standard digital rectal exam? I'm bracing myself for the worst here; at twenty-one years old, all I need now is colon cancer...

help me please 😢(((

edit: nothing actually hurts or stings around the area, but I've been dealing with some mild nausea in my stomach and throat for a while now—nothing involving vomiting, though. I'm hoping it's just the summer heat... hmmm

Sophia Garcia41 said:Hey everyone!
Back in May, I noticed some rectal bleeding. I went to see my doctor, they did a digital rectal exam, and everything seemed perfectly fine. After I cleaned up my diet, the bleeding stopped completely, and I didn't see any more until today. Honestly, I was terrified. I've gone back to eating junk food lately, so this probably makes sense, but it's still scary. To make matters worse, I've developed this blistery rash on my arms. My dermatologist told me it’s like a signal from the inside—a sort of internal warning light—but he wasn't sure what was causing it. At the time, my blood work came back normal, though I was told I needed to retest.

I'm wondering how deep hemorrhoids would have to be to cause bleeding that wouldn't show up during a standard digital exam. I'm bracing for the worst here. I really don't want to be facing colon issues when I'm only 21...

help me please 😢(((

edit: There's no pain or stinging around the area. I have been feeling a bit nauseous in my stomach and throat for a while now, but nothing like actual vomiting. I'm hoping it's just the heat... hmmm

Hmm, if that's the case, it might not be hemorrhoids. A doctor would typically catch those during an exam. Don't panic just yet; it doesn't necessarily mean something catastrophic is happening, but you definitely need to keep investigating. I don't think this is directly related to this specific thread either, and there are plenty of other reasons why bleeding can occur. You should go see a specialist immediately—I'm not sure which one specifically, but you need a thorough evaluation. In my opinion, it likely isn't hemorrhoids. Good luck...🙂

Five days ago, right after a night out drinking, I woke up to find a massive hemorrhoid popped up out of nowhere on my left side. It’s thick, inflamed, and honestly a nightmare. In the past, I’ve had tiny pea-sized ones in the same spot that would just disappear within a day, but this is different. For the last five days, I've been treating it constantly by doing multiple chamomile rinses a day, using Faktu ointment mixed with calendula, and applying oil a few times daily. The first couple of days were absolute hell whenever I had to use the restroom because the pain was unbearable, but days three, four, and today have been fine in that regard. The issue is that the swelling hasn't gone down at all; it's still just as thick as when it started. Even though the pain has subsided and I've switched to a healthy diet, upped my water intake, and started taking magnesium supplements, the lump remains. Can anyone tell me how long I actually need to keep treating this before it vanishes, or if it's already too far gone and I just need to head straight to the doctor for cauterization or whatever surgery they do? This is seriously the worst possible timing for this to happen.

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have. About 10 months ago, I noticed blood in my stool for the first time after returning from a trip to India. Since then, the same thing has happened a few times. Most recently, a few days ago, I had some hard stools and pain during bowel movements, and there was a significant amount of blood coating everything. Also, about six months ago, I felt some protrusion in the anal area after going to the bathroom. What really worries me are the pains on the left side of my abdomen and the fact that my bowel movements are inconsistent—mostly loose, occasionally formed, and rarely hard. I am 26 years old, and I honestly don't know if this is just hemorrhoids or something much worse. I guess I am just afraid to go for an exam because I am scared of hearing bad news.

Timothy Jones4 said:Five days ago, after a night out drinking, I suddenly ended up with a hemorrhoid on my left side. It popped up out of nowhere—thick, inflamed, the whole deal. I’d had tiny ones before, maybe pea-sized, in that same spot, and they’d vanish in a day. But this is different. For five days now, I’ve been doing multiple chamomile soaks a day, using Faktu ointment, some calendula, and even some oil a few times daily. The first couple of days were absolute chaos every time I hit the restroom; the pain was intense. By day three and four, things smoothed out, and today isn't bad at all. The catch? It's still thick. It hasn't shrunk yet. The pain is gone, and I’ve switched to a cleaner diet, drinking way more water and taking magnesium supplements. Can anyone tell me how long treatment usually takes for this to actually go away? Or if it's already too swollen, am I looking at a doctor visit and some kind of cauterization or surgery? This is honestly the worst possible timing for this to happen. Just awful.

At least the pain has subsided. Now, just be very careful about what you eat.

Rebecca Thomas3 said:Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate any thoughts here. About ten months ago, right after I got back from a trip to India, I noticed blood in my stool for the first time. Since then, it's happened a few more times. Most recently, a couple of days ago, I had some pretty bad pain and hard stools, and there was quite a bit of blood involved. Also, about six months back, I felt something protruding near my anus after a bowel movement. What's really worrying me is the pain on the left side of my abdomen and how much my stool consistency changes—it’s mostly soft, sometimes formed, and rarely hard. I'm 26 years old, and I honestly can't tell if this is just hemorrhoids or something much worse. To be truthful, I'm terrified of seeing a doctor because I'm scared of hearing bad news.

Watch what you eat. Avoid spicy food. And you absolutely cannot afford to have diarrhea. You really need to see a doctor to get this checked out. If you're dealing with hemorrhoids, you have to avoid both diarrhea and constipation at all costs...

There is plenty of discussion regarding hemorrhoids on this forum, but one point must be reiterated: stool consistency is vital. Michael Diaz4 correctly notes that it shouldn't be hard, yet diarrhea isn't ideal either. Hard stool simply causes mechanical damage to the mucosal lining. This heat is particularly detrimental to the condition. If fluids aren't replaced, stool becomes hard, and problems follow. Many people suffer from hemorrhoids without any genetic predisposition. The reason is banal. They read on the toilet. With that habit, even the most resilient will find themselves searching this forum in a few years. Blood in the stool is the most common sign of internal hemorrhoid bleeding. Naturally, a diagnosis requires a medical exam. Some fear what they might hear after an exam more than the exam itself. Let them take comfort in knowing hemorrhoids are common; there is no reason to fear seeing a doctor. If hemorrhoids are confirmed, they can find peace. If it is something more serious, early diagnosis is better than later. Do not be afraid. Many people suffer from hemorrhoids.

Rebecca Thomas3 said:Hey everyone,

If anyone has some insight, I’d really appreciate it. About ten months ago, right after I got back from a trip to India, I noticed blood in my stool for the first time. Since then, it's happened a few more times. The most recent episode was just a couple of days ago—I had some pretty bad pain during a bowel movement because things were quite hard, and there was a significant amount of blood. About six months back, I also felt some protrusion in the anal area after going to the bathroom. What’s really starting to worry me are these pains on the left side of my abdomen and the fact that my bowel movements have changed; they're mostly loose, sometimes formed, and rarely hard. I'm only 26. I can't tell if this is just hemorrhoids or something much worse. To be honest, I'm terrified to actually go see a doctor because I'm scared of hearing bad news.

The explanation here is actually quite solid. If you head back to the previous page, you can find the full breakdown of how the procedure works step-by-step. If you’re looking for some clarity on hemorrhoidal disease, check out this page from Arithera. It covers everything from symptoms to treatment options. Honestly, it’s one of those topics people tend to avoid talking about, but having clear information makes a huge difference when you're trying to figure out what's actually going on. It's worth a read if you want to understand the medical side of things without all the usual fluff.

A little while back, I was really torn about whether I should go through the hassle of trying to get an emergency referral for surgery—specifically that laser procedure I’ve been eyeing, which runs about $4000 at a private clinic, plus the consultation costs around $267, money I just don't have right now—or if I should just give Pilex another shot. Michael Diaz4 was the one who suggested I just bite the bullet and go for the surgery. But, honestly, I ended up buying those tablets anyway (I mean, what else was I supposed to do? It felt like my absolute last resort...), went through a 14-day course that cost me nearly $200, and I have to say, after what feels like a lifetime of misery, I feel amazing. The bleeding has stopped entirely, and while the pain actually spiked quite intensely at first, it eventually just subsided. I’m under no illusions that this is a permanent fix; the instructions mention taking a half dose every six months just as a preventative measure. It might not be the ultimate solution, but it’s such a massive relief. (And hey, once my little troublemakers grow up a bit, maybe I'll finally be ready for something more permanent, both financially and in terms of my schedule...).