Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Amanda Bennett41 said:What should I do if a tiny little hole opens up on an external hemorrhoid and it just keeps bleeding quite heavily?

Should you see a doctor? 🙂

I mean, honestly, it sounds like it might have burst, and now all that blood is just draining out—it’s probably not life-threatening, much like a small scrape, but it has to be incredibly uncomfortable and painful, so it would be a really smart move to go get checked out by a physician.

Karen Thompson10 said:See a doctor? 🙂

I guess maybe it just burst, so all the blood is draining out now; it probably isn't life-threatening, though I imagine it’s pretty uncomfortable and painful, so it might be a good idea to actually go see a physician.

It doesn't really hurt, it's just a bit scary thinking a larger amount of blood might come out at any moment, forcing me to wear a pad constantly. 😕 I've been using Fact ointment for three days and the pain is gone (no itching or discomfort), just the bleeding remains.

Look, any time you're dealing with heavy bleeding, it’s never a good sign; honestly, seeing that much blood was enough to send me into a total panic (and thank God for that little scare!), which is exactly what pushed me to finally go see a doctor.
I really don't want to freak you out here, because it is incredibly rare for things to get that intense, but when you're dealing with hemorrhoids, you can lose a lot of blood, and you never know how quickly things might spiral.

It’s most likely nothing to worry about, but if I were in your shoes, I’d head straight to the clinic just to get some peace of mind and clear up any doubt.

Karen Thompson10 said:And honestly, heavy bleeding is never a good sign. I mean, my own bleeding actually triggered a bit of a panic attack (thank God for that, really!), which is exactly what pushed me to finally call the doctor.
I don't want to freak you out, because this is incredibly rare, but with hemorrhoids, you can end up losing quite a bit of blood, and things can get complicated.

It probably isn't anything major, but if I were in your shoes, I’d probably head to the clinic just to clear my head and stop worrying.

I've noticed the bleeding only happens when there's pressure on the area—like certain sitting positions. It started happening yesterday, but my doctor can't see me until Friday.
If you don't mind me asking, what did your doctor end up saying, and what does the procedure usually look like once you actually go in for the exam?

Amanda Bennett41 said:I noticed the bleeding only happens when there's pressure on that area—like when I'm sitting in certain positions. It started happening yesterday, and I can't even get to my doctor until Friday.
Can I ask what your doctor told you or what the actual procedure is like once you go in for the exam?

Just hang in there until Friday so you can finally get a real diagnosis.
Everything became such a huge ordeal for me; you can actually read all about it in my very first posts here. My doctor ended up giving me a completely different diagnosis than the one I had built up in my head just by scouring the internet, which honestly left me feeling pretty shaken.

As for the procedure?
First, you have a little chat with the doctor, then they perform the exam, and yeah, it can feel a bit awkward because... well, let's just say it's not the most comfortable thing ever (though it doesn't hurt), then you talk things through again, and finally, they tell you exactly what's going on and prescribe any necessary meds or creams.
Overall, it’s nothing to fear; it might be a little embarrassing if you're shy, but you'll forget all about it the second you walk out of the office. Plus, it's such a relief to actually know what you're dealing with.
Good luck! 🙂

Karen Thompson10 said:Maybe just head in this Friday, if only to get an actual diagnosis.
Everything got pretty complicated for me, which you can probably see from my earlier posts here. My doctor actually gave me a totally different diagnosis than the one I had worked up myself based on everything I read online, so I was a bit shaken by that.

The procedure?
First, you have a quick chat with the doctor, then they perform the exam—which might feel a little awkward since, well, the exam is... awkward (not painful, though)—then you talk again, and they finally give you the real deal and maybe prescribe some meds or creams.
It’s nothing too intense overall; it might be slightly uncomfortable if you're shy, but you'll likely forget about it the moment you walk out of the office. Plus, it’s easier once you actually know what's going on.
Good luck! 🙂

Thanks 😉

On Friday, Oct 14th, I went in for a THD procedure with Dr. Krpan, and I’m gonna try my best to give you guys a real, honest breakdown of how it all went down. If there are any typos, blame the meds.

The actual surgery was performed by this doctor who flew in from Israel—supposedly one of the top experts in the field (he even told me he was looking at one of the toughest cases he's ever seen).

I've been dealing with hemorrhoid issues for about 20 years now. For 13 or 14 of those, it’s been constant pain, bleeding, and basically being sidelined for a few hours after every single bathroom trip. No exceptions.

Just from a quick visual exam, the doc decided I was definitely a candidate for surgery and put me straight under general anesthesia. Usually, these things take maybe 10-15 minutes, but mine dragged on for 35 (my wife was losing her mind waiting). The doctor tied off five hemorrhoids, but he didn't even dare touch the sixth one. Maybe he'll deal with that at the 6-week follow-up. DO NOT GO TO THIS PROCEDURE ALONE!!!!!!! You need someone with you because the disorientation lasts for at least 24 hours after the procedure (maybe longer).

The meds they recommended at the clinic barely did squat (I couldn't sleep a wink after 20 mg of Sanval, and I was popping Nurofen like peanuts). After a weekend of pure misery and nights spent in the ER, here is my survival guide:

- Ketonal Retard 150mg twice a day along with 10 mg Normabal (Apaurin).
- Constantly apply lidocaine gel externally and use an applicator to go inside (the most comfortable applicators are the ones from J&J).
- Right after a bowel movement or even just passing gas, push the hemorrhoids back inside as deep as you can with your finger. Pro tip: wear surgical gloves so you don't scratch yourself with your nails, and grease everything up well with lidocaine. A warm bath helps a lot too.
- Grab some PILEX capsules (they're pricey but worth every penny—they're hard to find outside the US right now) in the 28-count pack and take them half an hour before breakfast. If your stomach can handle it, feel free to go double dose (4 capsules). I felt a massive difference after just the second dose.
- As for food, stick to stuff like Chokollino (cookies, Medolino, etc.), thick soups, and basically eat like you're a 6-month-old baby.
- Taking a tablespoon of petroleum-based oil daily works wonders, but I recommend taking it in the morning rather than at night. If it hits you in the middle of the night, it can get really unpleasant, and you might not make it to the bathroom in time.
- When you're on the toilet, just relax and let things happen naturally. Straining only makes everything worse.

Just hang in there, because the pain definitely eases up over time. It’s only been 3 days since the procedure and I can already sit up without doubling over in pain, and sometimes I can even hold a semi-normal conversation with people (not that I'm great at that anyway... 🙂 )

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you have questions. I'm happy to share what I know, because I truly believe this is the path back to a normal life.
_________________

Oh, and I can't forget—huge shoutout to the crew at the K-Center clinic. The whole experience felt like something out of a movie; they were seriously kind, compassionate, and professional.

wearyorca26 said:- Mineral oil (just one big tablespoon a day) works wonders, but I’d suggest taking it in the morning rather than at night, otherwise it might keep you up all night

It's not Petroleum, it's MINERAL oil. SORRY!

I mean, what kind of doctor fails to fix everything right then and there? The standard procedure is to use a Doppler to pinpoint the exact blood vessels supplying those hemorrhoids and shut them down. If you’re still dealing with lingering issues or if they start popping back out after surgery, then the procedure was clearly botched. Honestly, you should steer clear of whatever crew handled your case. And 35 minutes? That isn't even a long time for this sort of thing; some surgeries run closer to two hours. What you described is definitely not a glowing review for that clinic. I’m truly sorry to hear this—it really sucks. You’ve got an uphill battle ahead until you can get this fixed properly with another surgery. Good luck...

Sophia Brooks50 said:Is that fissure still bothering you? Did the chamomile ointment help, or did you end up having surgery?

Hi everyone...
It’s still there, unfortunately...
After my last checkup, I just... lost it...
I was completely overwhelmed. The doctors, the endless appointments...
I needed some time to myself... to clear my head... find my strength... and then start the whole process over again...
In fact, I just went to pick up a referral for Digestive (Abdominal) Surgery yesterday...
I can't afford private specialists or those other high-end procedures right now, so I have to go where I can. I have all my tests ready... heading in next week...
I don't even know what to say...
Just hoping for better news...
I won't let them mess with me if they can't guarantee a full recovery. I don't want anything invasive... I'd rather just leave it as is... until I can save enough to handle this properly...
I've tried Fisuranal with 0.2% nitroglycerin... a bit of chamomile... various other ointments...
The bleeding hasn't stopped... sometimes it's just drops, sometimes nothing, and sometimes... God help me...
I'm dreading the exam next week... I just don't know what to expect...
🙂

steelangler7, don't worry, nobody is going to butcher you at the hospital. The surgeons over at the Rijeka University Hospital Center are actually some of the best in the field, and they perform lateral sphincterotomies too, because sometimes that incision is just medically necessary.
You should really reach out to Jason Vaughn482; I’ve talked to her extensively, and she’s done a ton of research and has some great data that could really help you out.
The bottom line is this: if you're dealing with a chronic fissure that's been hanging around for years, surgery isn't just an option—it's the only real way forward, because any other method is just a temporary fix that'll likely come crawling back in six months.
It's not about choosing private clinics versus public ones, and it's definitely not about how much money you have. Just get it handled at the hospital so you can stop living in constant pain, because honestly, life is too short to suffer like this. 😢

Karen Thompson10 said:steelangler7, nobody is going to butcher you at the hospital. The surgeons at the Rijeka University Hospital Center are among the best in the field, and they also perform lateral sphincterotomy when that specific incision is truly necessary.
Reach out to Jason Vaughn482; I've talked to her extensively, she's done a lot of research, and she has data that will be useful to you.
The bottom line is that if your fissure is chronic and you've dealt with it for years, surgery is your only real option... other methods just won't hold, and it'll be back within six months.
It isn't about private clinics or money. Just get it handled at the hospital so you can stop suffering... this isn't how you should be living. 😢

That really isn't living...
And yes... my goal is to get this resolved...
Okay... thanks for the info...

We'll see what happens next week...
In any case... I'll post updates...

Sophia Brooks50 said:Hrvoje, I was told you might be the right person to ask for advice. Briefly, what’s the best and least painful way to deal with two shallow anal fissures that have been bothering me for 8 months now? Should I try a nitroglycerin ointment, even though I heard it can cause intense headaches? I'm weighing my options... ointments, anal dilation in Boston, or maybe just the classic surgical procedure at the local hospital where I live... I'm not sure if you're a GP or a surgeon, but people pointed me your way, so please help... thanks in advance

Yes... I can confirm that nitroglycerin definitely causes headaches...
it hit me pretty hard for about 2 weeks... and then later... the headaches stopped...
Another thing is that... the nitroglycerin does help with bowel movements...
It felt like... almost as if the wound was healing... but it doesn't last long... after a while, it just cracks again...
Maybe there was a bit less bleeding... but I'm not sure if that was from the nitroglycerin or not... I can't say for certain...
So, what did you end up deciding on... which method did you go with?
Since we're both going through this same struggle...🤣

I haven't actually taken any steps toward a solution yet... though I fully intend to. Honestly, if someone could just give me the straight truth—is a rectoscopy absolutely mandatory when dealing with a fissure? And does it actually hurt? How long does the whole ordeal take? I'll admit, I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about the entire process. Do you just lie down on the table, get sedated, and call it a day? Karen Thompson10, you’re the expert here; you’ll be able to tell me exactly what to expect. By the way, you’ve already moved past all that misery, haven't you? Must be nice to finally have that weight off your shoulders.

Sophia Brooks50 said:I haven't decided on anything yet... but I plan to. If only someone could tell me if a rectoscopy is mandatory for a fissure, if it hurts, or how long it lasts... that's what I'm a little nervous about. Or do you just go on the table, they sedate you, and that's it? Karen Thompson10, you'd know best. By the way... you've already forgotten all those struggles, lucky you...

Look, I’ve been through it. I am certain that I had the absolute worst experience with hemorrhoids out of everyone here on this forum. In your case, it isn't even hemorrhoids—it's a fissure—but if I told you that after everything is over, I'm not afraid of anything anymore, maybe that would make you feel better. Trust me, as terrible as things felt right after the actual treatment, you will only feel better, never worse. They have to give you some kind of anesthesia, and once the treatment is done, you'll definitely feel relief. Honestly, if things are this bad, why suffer through it?...

Michael Diaz4 said:Look, I’m telling you from experience—and I am certain of this—that I endured the single most harrowing ordeal with hemorrhoids out of anyone on this entire forum. Now, in your specific case, it sounds more like an anal fissure than actual hemorrhoids, but if it gives you even a shred of comfort to know that after everything I went through, I lost my fear of just about anything, then take heart. No matter how horrific the immediate aftermath of the procedure feels, things can only trend upward; it simply cannot get worse than that initial shock. They ought to administer some form of anesthesia, and once the treatment is finally behind you, relief is inevitable. Besides, when the pain is this agonizing, why on earth would anyone choose to endure it?

I hear you, I really do, but please tell me—is a sigmoidoscopy going to be excruciating if I end up having to undergo it? I’m praying I can avoid it entirely, or at least be sedated so I don't have to suffer through those miserable few days of recovery afterward...

Sophia Brooks50 said:I haven't made any decisions yet... but I plan to... if only someone could tell me whether a rectoscopy is mandatory for a fissure, if it hurts, and how long it takes... that part scares me a little... or do you just go on the table, they sedate you, and that's it? Karen Thompson10, you'll know best. By the way... you've already forgotten all those struggles, lucky you...

Jason Vaughn482, you know I've seen two different doctors and neither one even asked for a rectoscopy, so in my opinion, it's not strictly necessary. I truly believe it's your right to refuse if they ask for it, though from what I understand, it shouldn't really hurt when it's done purely for preventative screening.
But, looking at the situation with a fissure... I’d say it isn't exactly a pleasant procedure, because even a standard exam was painful for me. Honestly, when I think back to the intensity of the pain I felt then, there is absolutely no way I would agree to a rectoscopy BEFORE surgery; once the anesthesia wears off, I think I'd be rolling on the floor in agony. I would wait until AFTER the surgery, once everything has healed, if the surgeon insists on it, because by then it wouldn't hurt at all.
I'm telling you this because I can see how much you're worrying, and I'm terrified that you might talk yourself out of the surgery entirely just because of the rectoscopy. If you have to, just wait and do it later.... 😉

I notice so many people here are scared (especially you two, Jason Vaughn482 and steelangler7 😛, as well as everyone else who reaches out to me via private message), but please believe me, you will lift an enormous weight off your shoulders and your quality of life will skyrocket.
We were all terrified—even I felt like running home right before my surgery 😁—but if you let that fear paralyze you, you're only hurting yourself.
Like Michael Diaz4 said, once you've gone through this, the fear is gone... if anything happened to me now, I'd be heading straight to the hospital without a second thought, no more waiting around.....
Just go through with the procedure (whatever it may be) and you'll feel reborn, not just physically, but most importantly, mentally.

p.s. I haven't forgotten those struggles (honestly, I doubt I ever will), but I'm looking at things through a completely different lens now. None of us had it easy during the recovery process, but we knew that period had to come to an end eventually. And once it does, you're finally free from the pain and you realize it was worth every single bit of it.

Jason Vaughn482, you might want to try approaching them from that angle to see if they'll agree.
It’s almost like how when you go in for a quick checkup, they just perform a rectoscopy right there on the exam table immediately before the procedure starts, and just like that, it's done.
But honestly, I really don't think they're actually asking for that specific type of examination when it comes to treating fissures.

Sophia Brooks50 said:I get it, but tell me—does a rectoscopy actually hurt if I end up needing one? Honestly, I’d love to skip it. I wish they could just sedate me, get it over with, and save me from suffering through those few days afterward...

I honestly have no idea. I’ve never had a rectoscopy in my life. Since I have an appointment coming up soon to check on those leftover polyps that weren't removed during my hemorrhoid surgery, I'm not sure what to expect. I doubt it'll be a full rectoscopy; I suspect it'll just be the usual rectal exam by hand...🤷

Karen Thompson10 said:Jason Vaughn482, you could always try negotiating it that way.
They might just perform a rectoscopy right before the surgery once they have you positioned on the table, and that'll be the end of it.
But honestly, I don't think they’re actually requesting that specific procedure for fissures.

Hey, I’m not entirely sure why I had the impression you were undergoing a rectoscopy specifically for hemorrhoids? Though, if I recall correctly, a surgeon did insist I get a rectoscopy during my initial consultation. I was absolutely terrified, so I ended up seeing a private specialist instead, who performed an anoscopy under local anesthesia—those injections were pure agony, truly maddening.. He mentioned he wouldn't bother with a rectoscopy when a fissure is already causing such intense pain, yet the hospital doctor kept pushing for it; after performing a digital rectal exam, which was painful enough, he recommended the rectoscopy... anyway, I actually scheduled an appointment last month with the specific surgeon I wanted to handle my operation, but I fell ill and had to cancel.. now I have to go through the whole process of rescheduling again... by the way, I suffer terribly from constipation, were you dealing with that back then too? And does that have anything to do with the fissure? I’ve been relying on laxatives constantly (even before this started).