Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Sophia Brooks50 said:Hey, I’m not quite sure why I thought you were getting a rectoscopy because of hemorrhoids? But I actually had a surgeon push for a rectoscopy during my own exam. Honestly, I got spooked and went to a private specialist instead. He just did an anoscopy under local anesthesia—those injections were absolutely brutal, they drove me crazy. He mentioned he wouldn't even touch a rectoscopy since the fissure itself is painful enough, but the guy at the hospital insisted after a digital rectal exam hurt so much. Anyway, I had already booked an appointment last month with the specific doctor I wanted for the procedure, but I ended up getting sick and had to cancel. Now I have to reschedule everything... I really struggle with constipation, did you deal with that back then too? Does it have anything to do with the fissure? I've been taking laxatives constantly (well, even before this).

Of course it does. Constipation is a major cause of fissures. Good luck...

Sophia Brooks50 said:Hey, I’m not quite sure why you thought I was the one who had a rectoscopy for hemorrhoids? For me, a surgeon actually insisted on a rectoscopy during my exam, but I honestly got so spooked that I went to a private specialist instead. He ended up performing an anoscopy under local anesthesia—those injections were absolutely brutal, they hurt like crazy. He told me he wouldn't even touch a rectoscopy while a fissure is already causing this much pain, whereas the hospital doctor pushed for it after a digital rectal exam made me wince. Anyway, I actually scheduled an appointment last month with the specific surgeon I wanted for the procedure, but I ended up getting sick and had to cancel, so now I’m back to square one trying to reschedule. To make matters worse, I struggle really badly with constipation; were you dealing with that too back then? And does that play into the fissure issue? I’ve been relying on laxatives constantly, though it's been a habit for a while now.

I think you might have me confused with someone else because I didn't go through a rectoscopy—just an anoscopy, and let me tell you, that was painful enough on its own.
Just be honest with the hospital doctor and tell them you aren't ready for that right now, but that you're totally willing to follow through once the surgery is done and the fissure has finally healed.
Regarding the constipation, it can definitely trigger a fissure, though I personally didn't deal with it until the fissure showed up; once it happened, I struggled with it constantly, but a lot of that is psychological. It becomes this vicious cycle where people avoid using the bathroom because the pain is just unbearable, and then when they finally do go, it’s even more agonizing.

Using laxatives every single day isn't a great long-term solution; you really need to focus on regulating your system through a healthy diet.
Unfortunately, even if you start eating perfectly starting today, that little wound isn't just going to vanish into thin air on its own without medical intervention.

Karen Thompson10 said:You must have confused me with someone else; I wasn't the one doing that, I only had an anoscopy, and even that was quite painful.
Well, you should simply inform the staff at the hospital that you aren't willing to undergo that specific procedure right now, but emphasize that you are prepared to do so later, once the fissure has healed following your surgery.
Constipation is certainly one of the primary culprits behind fissures, though I didn't suffer from it until this issue arose... once the fissure manifested, I dealt with constant constipation, but much of that is psychologically conditioned. So many people facing a fissure end up delaying their trips to the bathroom because the pain is simply unbearable, and by the time they finally go, the situation has worsened—it becomes this vicious, self-perpetuating cycle.

Laxatives aren't a sustainable solution for daily use; you really need to regulate your bowel movements through a healthy diet.
Unfortunately, even if you were to start eating perfectly healthy starting this very second, I don't know if that tiny wound will just vanish on its own...

Yeah, I went back and checked our previous messages and saw that you hadn't done it—I have no idea where I got that impression, but it doesn't matter; I won't be going under if I can avoid it either... I've struggled with constipation for years, and I suppose with a fissure, it involves that anal canal area, which might be why. When I don't go to the bathroom, the burning sensation intensifies, so that's why I use them. I'm thinking maybe I should start taking those probiotic capsules; perhaps they'll help regulate things alongside my diet... but honestly, it doesn't actually hurt while I'm having a bowel movement, nothing at all. It's just that afterward, the stinging starts. I wouldn't say I'm in agony, but Dr. is chronic, although it's more of a shallow fissure—actually two, I think. In any case, it's incredibly irritating and I just want it resolved. And God, I am such a coward; it's not the anesthesia I fear—that's actually the best part, being tucked away under sedation—it's the aftermath. I'm terrified of whether the recovery goes smoothly and just how much it's going to hurt...

Uffff! This is way too much to read through. It looks like some of you are dealing with some seriously intense issues. I really feel for you guys.
I'm actually going through something similar.
Even when I was a kid, my bowel movements were always a struggle. These days, while things have leveled out a bit, I’m dealing with major discomfort around the anal area. I get these sharp pains that can last for up to thirty minutes straight. I've even experienced them after sexual intercourse. Nowadays, there's a stinging sensation every single time I go to the bathroom, and I have this little sore right in the fold between the anal canal and my scrotum that just burns. Even when I wash with just water, it stings, and the itching around the opening is absolutely unbearable. I've tried all sorts of creams and ointments (right now I'm using Hemeroprotect), but nothing seems to work. I read somewhere that CANDIDA might be the culprit behind all this, so I've started a regimen of Sodium Bicarbonate tablets. What do you all think about any of this!?
Thanks!

Jesse Green13 said:Uffff! This is way too much to read through. It looks like some of you are dealing with some really intense issues. I truly feel for you guys.
I'm going through something similar.
Ever since I was a kid, my bowel movements have been a struggle. While that part isn't as bad now, I’m dealing with serious issues around the anus. I get pains that can linger for up to half an hour, and I've even felt them after sex. These days, there's a stinging sensation after every bathroom trip, and I have this little wound in the fold between the anal canal and my scrotum that just burns constantly. Even washing with just water causes a stinging feeling, and the itching around the area is unbearable. I've tried all sorts of creams and ointments—right now I'm using Hemeroprotect—but nothing seems to work. I read somewhere that CANDIDA might be the culprit behind all this, so I've started a regimen of baking soda tablets. What do you all think about this approach!?
Thanks!

That sounds like a textbook fissure! If you search that specific term right here in this thread, you'll find a ton of posts from people dealing with the exact same thing.
You really need to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and a real treatment plan, but in the meantime, try using Pavlovic's cream—you can pick it up at any local pharmacy—just to take the edge off that itching.
A fissure usually won't just clear up on its own, so you'll likely need to look into a minor procedure to fix it (definitely read through the other posts on the forum to get a better idea of what to expect).

Good luck! 🙂

Greetings, everyone...
Just finished my checkup...

That’s how it went...
First... I waited three hours just to get to the front of the line...
Another thing... men and women are being brought into the same room together... separated by nothing but a single sheet... So much for those EU standards...
The exam lasted... only about a minute... and I spent maybe three minutes total out in the waiting room...
The doctor wasn't in the mood at all for me to explain what happened, how things stand, or even my current situation...
I've started explaining what happened and how... including everything else... because the doctor didn't tell me anything... he just said, "Fine, let's see how you handle it..." So I said okay... maybe later he'll actually say something useful... Aha... yeah... you can just think about that...
I understand, okay... there was a crowd, but that way of doing things...
The saga continues...
You have hard stools... stool regulation should fix it... that's all there is to it...
I suppose... I haven't even had a bowel movement today or yesterday... because with all this stress and everything else, my entire metabolism and digestion have just completely stalled... and even when there was something to pass, nothing would come out... it just dried up...
..
I barely even managed to get one sentence out to him... because he was in such a massive rush...
I've been struggling with this for three years now...
As for me... if you're asking whether I want to go through with the procedure—the one Karen Thompson10 had—I wouldn't quite put it that way. If I hadn't been reading the forums, or if she hadn't explained it clearly, I wouldn't have understood what he meant at all... No... Avoiding unnecessary complications....."
I honestly don't know what else to do or how to handle this... that's why I'm here, asking for help and guidance... (I mean, seriously... if I actually knew what to do, I wouldn't be asking. Instead of helping, you're just shouting at me and making me feel like an idiot...)
And that's just how it stands...
Stool regulation and... some fat on the test results...

I will find my way out of this situation eventually... I have no desire to deal with these incompetent, arrogant, and conceited people anymore...
And trust those kinds of people with my life... Please... No way...

steelangler7, this is just appalling. Honestly, hats off to the good doctors out there, but this kind of behavior is downright inhumane and disrespectful. It’s painfully obvious that he views his patients as nothing more than entries on a spreadsheet.
I honestly don't even know what to say... if I were in those shoes, I probably would have stormed right out of that exam room on the spot.
And you hit the nail on the head—you should NEVER, under any circumstances, see a doctor you can't trust or someone who just doesn't click with you.

I can't quite recall where you're located, but please, do some digging and ask around until someone can recommend a solid surgeon. I just can't wrap my head around it—what kind of person tells a patient to just keep applying creams when they KNOW the condition isn't going to clear up on its own, especially knowing the person has been struggling with it for years? It's absolutely revolting!
His entire job is to provide care, not to dismiss sick people and send them home while acting all high and mighty by throwing around medical jargon.

Sorry to go off on a tangent here, but I know how much courage it takes just to walk into a doctor's office and put your health in their hands, only to be met with something like this. Even my dog gets better treatment from the vet than that. 😠

p.s. I'm not an expert, but one doctor once told me to stay far away from using Fact on a fissure (that's what I used to use), and both doctors ended up recommending just a basic baby cream and nothing too aggressive.

steelangler7 said:Greetings, everyone...
So, I finally went in for my exam..

Here is how the whole ordeal unfolded..
First off.. I sat there waiting for three agonizing hours just to be seen.
Secondly... men and women are ushered into the exact same room.. separated by nothing more than a thin curtain.. if that’s what passes for "modern standards" in the US today.
And then... the actual examination lasted maybe a single minute.. and within three minutes total, I was already back out in the waiting room...
The doctor wasn't even remotely interested in listening to me explain my symptoms, the history, or the specific circumstances I'm facing..
.. As soon as I attempted to walk him through my situation, he shut me down immediately... because unless the good doctor decided to tell me, "Fine, just go suffer and let's see how that goes," there was no point. So I thought.. alright.. maybe later he'll find some utility in actually being helpful. Ha! As if.. you can certainly think that.
I get it, okay, it was busy.. but that kind of attitude is just unacceptable..
The saga continues..
His grand diagnosis? You have hard stools.. regulate your bowel movements and that's that..
Well, excuse me for thinking.. I haven't had a regular movement since yesterday, let alone recently, because between the stress and everything else, my entire metabolism and digestive tract have essentially ground to a halt.. and even when I feel like there is something to pass, nothing happens.. everything just dries up..
..
Because of his frantic, desperate rush to finish, I could barely squeeze out a single sentence...
"I have been struggling with this for three years..."
And his response to me? "Do you want me to perform surgery?" (he was referring to that procedure mentioned by Karen Thompson10; had I not read the forums and understood what she meant—since the girl didn't explain it clearly—I would have misunderstood him entirely—NO)unnecessary complications.."
"I don't know what else to do or how to handle this.. that's why I am here, for you to explain things and help me.." (honestly, I thought to myself.. you idiot.. if I knew what to do, I wouldn't be sitting here; instead of helping, you're literally snapping at me and making me look like a fool).
And that is where it ended..
Just "regulate bowel movements" and, according to the report, some fat content.

I will find my own way out of this mess eventually.. I have absolutely no desire to deal with such incompetent, arrogant, and condescending individuals ever again.
As if I would ever put my health in hands like those. Give me a break!!

God, that sounds awful. And here I am about to order food, feeling a bit nauseous myself, so please tell me where this was, which hospital, and which doctor, so people can be warned. Are you from a big city like Chicago or somewhere near Seattle? I spoke to a specialist over the phone once regarding a rib issue, and he told me to use nitroglycerin ointment rather than undergoing surgery due to the risks of complications (I'm usually based near the coast, but I called him because he works privately/elsewhere). Did he at least give you a specific brand or name? Because one person told me to use baby ointments, another suggested Factu or other hemorrhoid creams, and while Hemeroprotect helps me a little, I'd love to try nitroglycerin, but you didn't mention where you bought it or who recommended it to you?

Karen Thompson10 said:steelangler7, this is just terrible. Kudos to the good doctors out there, but this approach is inhumane and downright rude. It's glaringly obvious he treats patients like mere numbers.
I don't even know what to say... I probably would have stormed out of that clinic immediately.
And you're right, you should NEVER go to a doctor you don't trust or who doesn't resonate with you.

I forgot where you're located, but please ask around and see if someone can recommend a solid surgeon. I honestly don't get it—how can a doctor tell a patient to just keep using creams when they KNOW the condition won't resolve itself, especially knowing the patient has been struggling for years? It's disgusting!
His job is to heal, not to send sick people home while arrogantly throwing around medical jargon.

Sorry for going off-topic, but I know how much courage it takes just to walk into a doctor's office and put your health in their hands, only to be met with this... Even my dog gets better care from the vet. 😠

p.s. I'm not sure if this is accurate, but one doctor told me never to use Factu on a fissure (that's what I was applying myself), and both recommended just a simple baby cream and nothing aggressive.

Inhumane is an understatement for what happened today... Looking at others, it seems only those with an envelope or a side gift actually get treated well.. Exceptions exist on both sides, I suppose!!
That's what I heard too.. Factu on a fissure... awful.. then why on earth would he say that..?!?!
... And now what am I supposed to do..?! Especially when their opinions are so conflicting.. One says one thing, another says something else.. A disaster!!
.. Based on everything.. I'll likely have to head toward Boston.
Save up the money and go if nothing else provides a second opinion..
Lucky are those who stumble upon good doctors.... because when you're already miserable.. you shouldn't have to struggle with them too.. The luckiest ones are those who don't have to visit a doctor at all..

Sophia Brooks50 said:Oh man, that sounds awful. I was just about to order some, and now I'm feeling nauseous. Could you tell me where this happened? Which hospital and which doctor, so people actually know... are you from a big city like Chicago or maybe somewhere near Boston? I spoke to a specialist on the phone once regarding a fissure, and he told me whether or not to use nitroglycerin ointment based on potential complications. I'm usually around the East Coast, but I called him because he works privately. Did he at least give you a Doppler scan? And which one specifically? One guy told me to use basic creams, another suggested Factu or other hemorrhoid treatments. Hemeroprotect helps me a little, but I’d love to get some nitroglycerin... you didn't mention where you bought yours or who recommended it.

I picked up the nitroglycerin in Belgrade... at the Ivancic pharmacy. It's for fisural issues... cost is about $23... because as far as I know, they're the only ones who have it. You can't just order it from them because it has to stay cold during transit. I usually buy a few cans of cold soda... then put the ointment in a bag with the cans. Or freeze a water bottle... honestly, just call the pharmacy. They have a website and everything. If I recall correctly, they make it with 0.4% nitroglycerin... so I ended up taking a stronger version than what was prescribed...
The shelf life for that ointment is only two months...
I was told it's only available in Germany... but they don't manufacture or sell it in pharmacies there anymore. I checked. I'm sure of it.
It isn't available in Canada either. If you're buying in America, pharmacies usually have to order it from overseas... price is roughly $400...

steelangler7 said:I actually picked up some nitroglycerin back in Belgrade... at the Ivancic pharmacy... specifically for fissures... the price was roughly $23... because from what I understand, they’re one of the only places that carries it. You can't just have them mail it to you normally because it requires strict cold-chain transport to stay stable. My little trick is to buy a few cans of chilled soda and tuck the ointment into a bag with the cans to keep it cool. Or, you could just freeze a water bottle. Honestly, your best bet is to call the pharmacy directly; they should have a website with all their info. They prepare it using 0.4% nitroglycerin... if my memory serves me right. So, I ended up using a slightly stronger concentration than what was officially prescribed.
That ointment only stays good for about two months before it expires...
I was told that this stuff is only available in Germany now... though apparently, they don't manufacture or sell it through pharmacies there anymore. I know this because I checked.
It's nowhere to be found in Canada either. If you're looking to buy it in the States, the local pharmacies usually have to order it from overseas... the cost is about $400..

I tracked down a pharmacy over in Boston near the old market and gave them a ring; they have it for $20. They didn't mention anything about needing special refrigerated shipping, but I think I'll give them another call just to be safe. They mentioned they could ship it to me, though I believe it’s only a 0.2% nitroglycerin concentration. Were you just applying this on your own initiative, or did a doctor recommend it after an exam? Are you based in the Boston area? If so, you might want to check with that specific pharmacy... and by the way, what did you end up deciding regarding the Krej?😕

steelangler7 said:Calling this experience "inhumane" is actually an understatement... Looking at everyone else, it seems like the only people who get decent treatment are the ones sliding envelopes under the table or bringing extra gifts. It’s like the whole cast is just a collection of outliers on both sides!!
That’s exactly what I’ve heard too... taking Fact for a fissure... it's just evil... so why on earth would anyone suggest it..?!?!
... And now what am I supposed to do..?! Especially when their opinions are totally clashing. One doctor says one thing, another says something completely different.. It's a total disaster!!
.. Based on everything I'm hearing.. I'll probably have to head over to a big city like Chicago.
I guess I'll just scrape the money together and go if I can't get a straight answer from anyone else..
Lucky are those who stumble upon good doctors by chance.... because if you're already feeling miserable and then you end up struggling with them too.. it's just awful. Honestly, the luckiest people are the ones who don't even need to see a doctor at all..

Listen, I didn't bring any gifts or cash, and I was actually blown away by how patient and kind they were to me. Not everyone is corrupt, and honestly, I think the best way to learn is just through verbal communication—you pick up so much more just by talking.

And hey, why not make the trip to a major clinic like Mercury? You won't necessarily need a ton of money just to get a solid diagnosis. You don't even have to go to my specific doctor; you could check out someone like Kocman—there was a girl on this forum before who gave him a glowing review.
What really struck me was that while I was at Mercury (just twice), the patients (mostly older women and a few men) were singing the doctors' praises, which is something you almost never hear in a waiting room.

As for those conflicting opinions... well, doctors will always disagree, but you should just choose the one you personally click with—the one who treats you like a human being rather than just another medical case.
I don't know how to put it, but there's a certain intuition involved, a gut feeling. With my doctor, I felt safe and like I was in capable hands; it doesn't matter specifically which doctor it ends up being for you, as long as you find your person as soon as possible....

Regarding Fact... I wouldn't take it if I were you... stick to things like fruit, veggies, grains, and keeping your meals really light and easy on the stomach.... I'm not sure what else I can tell you.... 😢

Here I am again, just scrolling through all your posts.🙂
By the way, my bathroom situation is still a mess—constipation is still hitting me hard, and everything is just too firm. I’m being super careful about what I eat (back on that anti-candida diet again) and I’m slamming water constantly, but honestly, nothing is working.🙂

On a better note, my blood work finally looks decent. I've actually managed to put on about 10-13 pounds in the six months since I got discharged from the hospital. I think I’m finally starting to feel like myself again. It feels normal.
And I've completely pushed that whole hemorrhoid episode out of my mind.😁

Jeremy Kern, I am seriously so happy to hear you're feeling better! 🙂
I'm not sure if you've already given this a shot, but when it comes to dealing with really hard stools, I've found that eating plenty of nuts can actually make a huge difference... 🤷

Karen Thompson10 said:Listen, I didn't bring any gifts or extra envelopes, so I was actually blown away by how patient and respectful they were to me. Not everyone is corrupt; I honestly think verbal communication is key, you learn so much more that way.

And look, why not just head over to Mercury in Boston? You don't even need much cash, and you'll get a diagnosis. You don't necessarily have to see my doctor—try seeing Kocman instead; a girl from the forum gave him a glowing review once.
What really struck me was during my time at Mercury (only twice), the patients—mostly older women and a few men—were constantly praising the doctors. That's something I almost never hear in a waiting room...

As for differing medical opinions... they’ll always disagree. Just pick the one you connect with, someone who treats you like a human being rather than just an object.
I can't quite put a name to it, but there's a sense of intuition involved, just a good feeling. I felt safe and in good hands with my doctor. It doesn't matter which one ends up being yours, as long as you find them soon....

Regarding Fact... I wouldn't take it... stick to pastries, fruit, vegetables, grains, and really light meals.... I'm not sure what else to tell you.... 😢

Thanks again for all the info and advice..
Just gotta save up some money... for travel... nothing else left in the budget.. hehehe 🙂

Sophia Brooks50 said:I heard about a pharmacy in downtown Boston near the market and gave them a call. They have it for $20, though they didn't mention anything about cold chain shipping. I might try calling them one more time... they just said they could ship it. I think it has 0.2% nitroglycerin. Did you buy this on your own, or did a doctor recommend it after an exam? Are you based in the city? If so, maybe check that pharmacy... and what did you decide regarding the cream?😕

I had no idea they carried those ointments at that pharmacy in downtown Boston...
That would be wonderful...

🙂

Karen Thompson10, which nuts are we talking about—almonds, walnuts, or cashews? I’m obsessed with cashews; I lived on them all last year while I was dieting, but man, they are pricey.😁
I'll give those a shot too, thanks.

I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I had a colonoscopy back in July. Everything came back totally normal ("thin, long, and winding intestines"). So, it looks like all that stuff was just my imagination playing tricks on me.🙂 🙂

Elizabeth Price85 said:Karen Thompson10, which nuts are we talking about—almonds, walnuts, cashews? I absolutely adore cashews; I practically lived on them last year while I was dieting, though they are frankly quite pricey.😁
I’ll give those a shot as well, thank you.

I can't recall if I mentioned this, but I actually underwent a colonoscopy back in July, and the results were perfectly normal (just "thin, long, and winding intestines"). So, it appears all that discomfort was nothing more than a phantom nuisance.🙂 🙂

Did the colonoscopy hurt? I had mine done under anesthesia, and the doctor noted that my intestines are extremely convoluted, suggesting it would have been agonizing if I hadn't been out.

Elizabeth Price85 said:Karen Thompson10, which kind of nuts are we talking about—almonds, walnuts, or cashews? I absolutely live for cashews; I was snacking on them constantly last year while I was dieting, but man, they can really break the bank.😁
I'll give those a shot too, thanks!

I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I actually had a colonoscopy back in July, and everything came back totally normal (just "thin, long, and winding intestines"). So, it looks like all that discomfort was honestly just a big nothingburger.🙂 🙂

I'm always mixing things up; every single day I'll have a little cup of, say, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, or pistachios, and I have to admit, it's made a massive difference for me. And now, chestnuts are finally in season! 😁
I'm not much of a vegetable person and don't eat them nearly enough, but I make sure to have carrots on my plate every day. I also go through quite a few apples and sip on peppermint tea (which people swear is amazing for digestion).
These are just some small tweaks I've made to my diet since that whole ordeal... I know I could be eating way healthier, but even with these little changes, I've definitely noticed some progress...

Sophia Brooks50 said:Did the colonoscopy hurt? I had mine under anesthesia. My doctor told me my intestines are super twisted, so he said doing it while awake would have been brutal.

Same here. I went under general anesthesia too. The doc actually praised me for insisting on it because of how tangled up my guts are—he said the pain would've been unbearable if I were conscious. Honestly, it was a breeze this way.

Karen Thompson10, I eat tons of veggies, drink plenty of water and green tea, but things are still just... sluggish. 😠Naturally, now I’m terrified I’m going to end up with more hemorrhoids. :Paranoik: 😁