Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Elizabeth Price85 said:Karen Thompson10, I eat tons of veggies and stay super hydrated with water and green tea, but things still feel sluggish.😠 Because of that, I’m honestly terrified that my hemorrhoids are going to make a comeback. :Paranoid: 😁

Personally, I’m not even worried about hemorrhoids returning because if they ever did—like during a pregnancy, for instance—I’d just head straight back for another NASA procedure without a second thought.
But man, I have this massive, overwhelming fear that my fissure will come back, which absolutely terrifies me because I never want to go through that kind of pain again, so sometimes I get totally obsessed with making sure my digestion is perfect. 🙄

I really think you shouldn't lose sleep over the hemorrhoids, because from what I've gathered, if the surgery wasn't successful, they usually show up almost immediately, within a month or two, by which point we'll already be well on our way to recovery. 😁

Karen Thompson10 said:I’m honestly not even worried about hemorrhoids coming back, because if they do—say, during a pregnancy—I’ll just jump straight back under the NASA procedure.
But I have this absolutely massive phobia regarding anal fissures returning. It terrifies me because I never want to endure that specific agony ever again; it makes me borderline obsessed with my digestion at times. 🙄

In my view, one shouldn't lose sleep over hemorrhoids; from what I've gathered, if the surgery hasn't truly taken, they reappear almost immediately within a month or two, by which point we've already made significant progress in recovery. 😁

Oh, please, Karen, don't let it get to you... they won't come back, really. Don't worry. Right now, steelangler7 and I are both dealing with our own issues; that doctor basically wiped us out completely. I actually went to schedule an appointment today, though I'm booking through an online portal and I've already canceled twice. Believe me, I am genuinely terrified just thinking about the exam, let alone being admitted to the hospital. And that's assuming he doesn't tell me I need a rectoscopy... I absolutely loathe those scopes. I had a gastroscopy done twice before; I was utterly shaken up during the process, yet once it was finally over, I felt such an immense sense of pride that I was bragging to everyone about how painless it was—and truthfully, it wasn't bad—but I couldn't convince my friend, so she ended up going under anesthesia. Now, believe me, even after a few years have passed, I wouldn't want to go through it again; the memory has faded, but the fear remains just as potent.

Sophia Brooks50 said:And honestly, I can't stand those hospital visits. I've had two gastroscopies done myself. I was terrified both times, but once they were over, I felt so proud of myself that I kept telling everyone how it didn't even hurt. It really doesn't, but I couldn't convince my friend—she ended up going under anesthesia... and now, believe me, even though years have passed, if it came up again, I wouldn't go back. I've totally forgotten the feeling, but the fear is still right there...

If I remember correctly, I had to have a rectoscopy (up to the sigma, mind you) a few times after ending up in the hospital, and I don't recall it being a traumatic experience at all.🤷
Don't let it scare you; you'll get through it. Dealing with actual pain or, say, sudden bleeding that makes you collapse (which actually happened to me) is way worse. Just stay brave.

Look, I know this sounds like a ridiculous question to ask online, but I’m genuinely spiraling a bit wondering if I’m dealing with hemorrhoids. Basically, almost every single time I finish up in the bathroom, I notice this little red smudge on the toilet paper. It’s not like a full-on bleed or anything—nothing is actually dripping or anything dramatic like that—just a small spot of blood. Occasionally, there's a bit of a stinging sensation while I'm actually on the toilet, but that’s about it. I don't have any other symptoms, like intense pain or anything physically obvious that I can feel. Could this be internal hemorrhoids at play?

Oh, and one more thing: during anal sex, sometimes it feels totally fine, but other times, once things get moving, there's this intense burning sensation that's so bad my partner actually has to stop and pull out.

darkhound18 said:I know this might sound stupid, but I'm not sure if I actually have hemorrhoids. Almost every time I go to the bathroom, I notice a little red spot on the toilet paper. It’s not like it's dripping or anything, just a small smudge. Sometimes there's a bit of stinging during the actual movement, but that's it. No other symptoms—nothing excruciatingly painful or anything visible. Could these be internal hemorrhoids?

And yeah, during anal sex, sometimes it feels fine, but other times when things are being inserted, it burns so badly that they have to stop and pull out.

It could be hemorrhoids, sure, but honestly? It sounds more like you've just irritated or torn the skin around the anus.

Thanks for getting back to me so fast. If we're talking about some damage to the skin, what can I actually do to "fix" it?

darkhound18 said:Thanks for the quick reply. If this is just damage to the skin, what can I actually do to "fix" it?

The same logic applies here. Even if you’re dealing with hemorrhoids, you could just slather on some Calendula ointment or Pavlovic's cream and call it a day.

guys help me.... my mom has been dealing with hemorrhoids for 17 years, ever since she had me. honestly, this latest flare-up is just brutal. she tried everything—even Vim, which is crazy—but nothing worked. she went to a private doctor, but all he gave her was a strict diet and some Portalak syrup that basically drained her, and she lost a ton of weight. people scream about all sorts of meds, and she’s tried them all, but zilch. finally, a doctor told her that what she's got is actually what they call "FIGURES"—it's like a thrombosis that constricts the bowel and leads to ruptures. the doc said the pain feels like being cut with a knife. it settles down a bit at night, but then the second she hits the bathroom the next morning, it all starts up again. she had to go under the knife immediately. she had surgery 18 days ago, and while it hurt a little, she thought she was making progress. but for the last 5 days, the pain after using the bathroom has been unbearable. she’s crying constantly; says the pain is driving her insane. guys, please, if you know any meds or anything, let me know. thanks in advance and please reply ASAP.

Lawrence Baker39 said:Guys, please help me... my mom has been struggling with hemorrhoids for 17 years, ever since she had me. This latest flare-up is just absolute torture. She tried everything—even cleaning with Vim and god knows what else—but nothing worked. She saw a private doctor who put her on a strict diet and Portalak syrup, which basically drained her; she lost a significant amount of weight. People, I swear, she’s tried every remedy and medication under the sun, but nothing helps. Finally, she went to a specialist who told her that what she’s dealing with isn't just standard hemorrhoids; they call it "FIGURES," essentially like a thrombosis that constricts the bowel and leads to ruptures. The doctor said the pain feels like being cut with a knife. It seems to settle down as night approaches, but then the moment she uses the bathroom the next morning, it all triggers again. She had to go into surgery immediately. The procedure was 18 days ago, and while there was some lingering discomfort, she thought she was making progress. However, for the last 5 days, she’s been in unbearable agony after bowel movements. She is constantly in tears; she says the pain is driving her insane. Please, if anyone knows of any medicine or relief, let me know. Thank you in advance, and please respond as soon as possible.

1. She needs to see a proctologist immediately. Honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea to follow the recommendation of GE and undergo a rectosigmoidoscopy to get a much clearer picture of what's happening internally.

Well, back at it—didn't expect much. READ THIS AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT.

Hey everyone, just checking in to share my experience after following your threads for the last two months. Today marks day 10 since I had my hemorrhoidal pads operated on (removed all three) using the Milligan - Morgen method. To be fair, I didn't have "classic" hemorrhoids, but the symptoms were basically the same. It started last winter when I wiped out on my snowboard—hit my backside hard, not my tailbone, but the pain almost knocked me unconscious. Something must have popped during the fall because the next morning on the toilet, I noticed some swelling. My buddies told me they were just hemorrhoids, nothing to worry about, and that I should just let it settle. Anyway, things haven't improved since then, despite me taking Pilex, using various ointments, and popping probiotics
(which honestly just messed up my digestion; wouldn't recommend them to anyone).
I wasn't bleeding or in actual pain, but I had this constant, nagging urge to go to the bathroom, and that discomfort was driving me crazy. I finally decided to just get it over with surgically. During my consultation, the doctor actually told me I wasn't even a candidate for surgery and that 70% of people have it way worse than me. Still, I was dead set on getting rid of it. I went through with it at the Rijeka University Hospital Center, handled by the phenomenal Dr. Bacic under the watchful eye of an incredible anesthesiologist, Dr. Boris Reinic, who went out of his way to make sure I didn't deal with any pre-op mental trauma. I really have to shout out the entire staff and the nurses, especially nurse Jadranka from Digestive 2, who truly take great care of their patients. I’m posting this because I’m incredibly happy with how everything turned out. If you're dealing with hemorrhoids and have tried everything without success, don't fear the surgery. I felt miserable until I pulled the trigger, and once you do, you just let them handle it and they take care of everything.
There are methods available for those who are terrified of surgery. At this stage, I have zero regrets; I'm just glad it's behind me. When I hear people struggling with this for years because they can't bring themselves to choose surgery, I honestly can't believe they're willing to suffer that long. My only real issue
was that I couldn't urinate right after the procedure, so I had to use a urinary catheter, and bowel movements are a bit of a struggle since they hurt afterward. That lasted maybe 2-3 days, but the actual surgical pain is quite manageable.
As for bleeding, I guess I got lucky because it's been minimal. I credit the Bacic - Reinic team for that. In my next post, I might dive into more details, but if anyone has questions, feel free to ask.

Hey everyone, I’m short on time so I’ll just give you the rundown of my hospital experience.
I checked into the ward in the morning and met a doctor who immediately threw me into a bit of a dilemma
with a question like—so, you've actually decided to go through with it? Look, 90% of the people on this floor have much bigger issues than you, yet nobody is stepping up for surgery. I’ll admit, that gave me pause
but I stood my ground and said I was doing it, so he told me if that was the plan, we’d make it happen. After the procedure, he actually confessed that he didn't realize it needed to be operated on until he was right in the middle of it. Anyway, I got settled in, grabbed a bed and a shared locker for my stuff, changed, and waited for the schedule. They ran all the tests: blood work, blood pressure, EKG, temperature, and about a hundred "this or that" questions.
Finally, they ask for a signature, and then I'm getting poked in both hands with needles for meds and IVs. I've always had a bit of a phobia regarding needles. As soon as that was done, I suddenly felt sick—it's weird, because an hour ago I felt perfectly fine, and now I feel like one of those older patients around them, mostly folks over 60. It's PSYCHOLOGY. Regarding the prep, I just used two suppositories the day before, which I did at home. I wasn't actually that terrified, which surprised me; the doctor basically told me, "Just show up, we'll handle the rest." And honestly, they did.
Around 2:30 PM, a nurse showed up and said, "Time for shaving, you're scheduled for 3:00."
We headed to an outpatient clinic within the unit that was buzzing with activity—all female staff. The next thing I heard was, "Get on the table and strip down." I'm like, excuse me...? "Come on, you heard me," they said. At that point, nobody cares about my backside; they see much worse things every day. We got that out of the way, and while we were at it, I was handed half of a small blue "magic pill." Five minutes later, they wrapped both my legs up to above the knee to prevent thrombosis—if I understood correctly, and they stay wrapped for 24 hours. After that, they picked me up and took me to the pre-op room, where I pretty much lost consciousness thanks to that magic pill. In fragments, I remember them giving me an epidural and inserting a small catheter into my spine so they could manage my pain meds over the next few days.
The surgery lasted about an hour, and I slept through the whole thing thanks to the anesthesiologist—shout out to Dr. Reinic. I was taken back to my room, though I only have hazy memories of the aftermath. That evening, I had trouble urinating. Women would definitely be spared that particular hassle. I couldn't really relax because it hurt, though not nearly as much as I expected. I had a catheter inserted, which wasn't exactly a painless process. I had a rough night because any movement hurt, but I managed to get some sleep. The next morning, a slight fever, some mild aches, and then
the catheter removal—which was tolerable. However, by the afternoon, the urinary issues returned because of the irritation from the previous day. They had to insert the catheter again, and this time it was way more painful than the first time, though it feels great once you get relief. There was some blood—ugh.
A quiet night followed by the usual morning rounds and doctor visit. No fever, just light pain—can't believe it. By that afternoon, I was being discharged, and honestly, I was walking around yesterday like nothing happened. Once I got home, the painful urination started, and that pain persists today—not agonizing, but definitely there. The next day came the first bowel movement, which is what everyone dreads because it can be almost unbearable. No blood, just a tiny bit. Every subsequent movement gets easier. This lasts about 10 days, but it's manageable. You see improvement every single day. The doctor said the discomfort lasts 14 days, but I'm already sitting comfortably without issues.
That's the gist of it. Don't let fear hold you back from getting relief; it's worth it.
One more important thing: about 2% of people can't control gas or soft stools after surgery. Luckily, I'm not in that group, and my doctor confirmed that as long as he's the one managing it, I shouldn't worry. Kudos to DR. BACIC. After the operation, using the Milligan-Morgan system, there's no need for follow-up procedures, whereas a friend of mine in a major US city went via the Doppler or HAL method and has already had to go back for treatment four times in 20 years.
Just think about it. This is the cold, hard truth. Cheers to everyone!!!👍

Raymond Smith3 said:Hey everyone, I'm a bit pressed for time here, so I'll just give you a quick rundown of my recent hospital experience...

I am truly relieved to hear that everything went smoothly for you, and frankly, even more pleased to see your glowing recommendation for Dr. Bacic—he is actually the surgeon I’m planning to see for an anal fissure procedure myself. I was scheduled for a consultation with him yesterday, though I ended up pulling back at the last minute since things have been feeling a bit more manageable lately; regardless, when the situation inevitably takes a turn for the worse, he will be my first call. Tell me, does he possess a personable bedside manner? Does he take the time to walk you through the entire process and answer your questions thoroughly, specifically regarding the pre-operative testing, like the rectoscopy, that he performed?

Sophia Brooks50 said:I'm glad everything went smoothly, and I'm especially happy you had such a good experience with Dr. Bacic. I'm actually planning to have my anal fissure surgery with him. I was supposed to go in for an exam yesterday, but I decided against it since I've been feeling a bit better lately. Regardless, if things take a turn for the worse, he's my guy. Is his bedside manner okay? Does he actually take the time to explain things when you ask, and what kind of tests did he run before the surgery—like a rectoscopy?

The guy is top-tier. He lets you talk first, explaining exactly what's bothering you, and he actually listens without cutting you off. I didn't undergo any rectoscopy or anything fancy; just the standard procedure—lie on your side and the ring. Honestly, it wasn't painful at all, which is a relief given how awkward these exams can be. If you go to him, you're in good hands.

Raymond Smith3 said:The man is an absolute saint; first off, he actually lets you vent and explain exactly what’s bothering you, listening intently without cutting you off once. I didn't undergo any intense rectoscopy or anything fancy—just the standard procedure where you lie on your side for the ring exam. Honestly, despite how unpleasant these things can be, it was remarkably painless and quite bearable. If you decide to see him, rest assured you’ll be in excellent hands.

Thank you so much; I'll definitely be heading his way, especially since I've already received a recommendation from another doctor. That said, my symptoms have improved slightly, so I'm not in a desperate rush just yet. Dealing with this anal fissure feels like a bit of a different beast altogether... oh, I am just so incredibly relieved to hear he doesn't insist on a rectoscopy!🙏>

Sophia Brooks50 said:Thanks. I’ll definitely go with him; I actually already got a recommendation from another doctor. That said, things are looking better right now, so I'm in no rush. Dealing with an anal fissure involves a slightly different procedure anyway. Honestly, I'm just relieved he isn't asking for a sigmoidoscopy.🙏

I didn't say he wasn't looking for a rectoscopy; I just meant he hasn't actually performed one on me. But since we aren't dealing with the exact same issue here, it could easily be something else entirely.
Look, don't sweat the checkup. I was terrified myself, but once I actually went through with it? It was nothing—total breeze (sorry, bluntness). That’s how it works with everything. Just don't lie to yourself and pretend you're fine when you aren't. If you do that, you just end up having to deal with it later when the problem gets too massive to ignore. Make a mental click, make a firm decision to fix the issue, and then you'll finally feel "free." Once you actually start taking action, your brain adjusts to the new reality and does its job to help you get through it with as little pain as possible.
Just doing a little thinking here, but honestly, it’s the truth. The worst part is getting stuck in your own head, spiraling with fears and scaring yourself half to death. Once you actually get started and hand things over to the professionals, you know they'll take care of you—they're literally trained to handle that exact mess.☕

Checking in after quite a while. I dealt with hemorrhoid issues for a long period, and back in July, I finally decided to go through with the DG NASA surgery. My symptoms involved frequent bleeding. The hemorrhoids would prolapse occasionally, though they always retreated on their own. Pain wasn't intense, just intermittent. Most likely, I have Stage III hemorrhoids. I completely overhauled my diet and bathroom habits. I tried various creams and teas, but nothing normalized things until I fixed my bowel movements. Every morning, immediately upon waking, I prepare a large bowl of muesli mixed with water. I microwave it, let it cool, and allow the grains to swell and soften. I add a bit more water. I eat this every single day. I must say, the situation has improved. No more bleeding, no more pain. The hemorrhoids haven't vanished—I can't make them disappear—but they no longer prolapse, bleed, or hurt. I am not claiming diet is a cure, but with this regimen, my bowel movements are regular, occurring every evening before bed. The consistency is perfect—neither too soft nor too hard. I have also perfected my bathroom technique. I go easily, without any straining whatsoever. I no longer sit on the toilet for more than 30 to 60 seconds. That is all. Perhaps this helps someone. However, this is for milder cases and good for prevention. If I were to return to my old lifestyle—skipping breakfast and lacking fiber—everything would revert. This watery muesli isn't tasty, but it is edible. One should be careful if they have sensitive stomachs. For me, combined with plenty of vegetables, my movements have stabilized (daily and ideal consistency), and so far, there are no issues.

Hi everyone. I'm new here and wanted to ask about anyone's experience with the DG HAL method. I've been dealing with second-degree internal hemorrhoids for four years now.

Jesse Castillo9 said:Hey everyone, I'm new here. I was wondering if anyone has experience with the DG HAL method? I've been dealing with grade two internal hemorrhoids for about 4 years now.

All I can tell you is what I mentioned the other day: a friend of mine had that surgery, and they came back four times over twenty years. Then there was a girl on this forum who said hers returned after just a month or two. The method is easier to stomach since there’s no cutting involved, but in many cases, they just come back—it is what it is.🙂.

Raymond Smith3 said:All I can tell you—and I mentioned this the other day—is that a friend of mine went through surgery using that method, and they came back on him four times over a twenty-year span. I also saw a girl on the forum mention hers flared up again after just a month or two. Sure, the procedure is easier to stomach since there aren't any incisions, but in many cases, they just come right back. That's just how it goes. 🙂.

Look, let's not talk nonsense. This is the only permanent solution. If people actually understood how effective this is—we're talking 100% success here—they wouldn't waste a single second waiting to get rid of hemorrhoids FOREVER. Your so-called friend couldn't have even had the NASA method done twenty years ago because it wasn't being performed back then. When it's done correctly, it works perfectly, and honestly, the method leaves almost zero room for surgical error. Let me repeat myself: stop spreading misinformation and don't lead anyone down the wrong path by blaming the NASA method for your friend's experience, because that method simply didn't exist twenty years ago. Not in America, anyway. Period. End of story.