Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Alexander Thompson5 said:Thanks for getting back to me. I know it’s probably a bit silly to be asking stuff like this on a forum, but I’m seeing my doctor next week anyway. I’ve been diagnosed with internal hemorrhoids—they sting and burn sometimes, but they’ve never actually prolapsed before, so I haven't really done any deep diving on Google until now. Now that I am looking, everything I read says it's Stage 4 and surgery is the only way out, which honestly freaked me out a bit. I've been resting all day yesterday and today, applying some Fact, and I was wondering—is it even possible for them to shrink back inside? (Not necessarily asking about my specific situation right now since nobody can see what's going on with me, just asking generally). I'm terrified of surgery, but what's even worse is that I start a new job this Monday after a massive struggle to find work, and there's no way I can afford to take medical leave. From what I've been reading, the recovery time for these procedures is pretty brutal.

Look, let's be real: you're basically making things worse for yourself when you already know the drill. You admitted you've had the diagnosis for a while, you've got a poor diet, and you're dealing with hard stools.
So, did it "go back in," or is it still sticking out?

vividsailor7 said:Look, if you follow that kind of lifestyle, you’re basically making things worse for yourself—especially since you mentioned you've been dealing with this for a while now due to poor diet and hard stools.
So, did it "go back inside," or is it still sticking out?

It hasn't gone back in; I actually checked a few hours ago. The discomfort really started the day before yesterday right after I used the bathroom. I took a look yesterday morning and everything seemed calm. Today is about the same, though the pain feels a little less intense. It's nothing excruciating, honestly—more like a nagging, uncomfortable sensation that flares up depending on how I move or what position I'm in. When I'm just sitting still, there's no pain at all.

I honestly have no clue who this Faktu guy has actually helped. Mark, just grab some Prokten ointment and Detralex tablets. You can take them 2x1 or even 3 times a day. They don't require a prescription, so you can just pick them up off the shelf. But seriously, go see a proctologist.

vividsailor7 said:Look, if you follow that kind of lifestyle, you're basically making things worse for yourself—especially when you admit you've been dealing with this for a while now and your diet isn't helping with those hard stools.
So, what’s the deal? Has everything finally settled back down where it belongs, or is there still something... poking out?

You're spot on about the lifestyle part. Honestly, I haven't had any major issues over the last year, aside from some occasional spotting of blood, so I unfortunately let things slide.

Eric Martinez53 said:Dear Kirst, I was just at Arither during my D-hal&RAR coverage, which costs $3.25 by the way. I should mention that last year, within a four-month span, I underwent three classic hemorrhoid surgeries using the Morgan-Milligan method (which tells you everything about how bad things were for me). I don't want to scare you, but for that kind of money, I feel they act a bit irresponsibly toward patients. It’s easy for me since I’ve already been through three surgeries—I know exactly how to handle myself before and after. But for someone going in for the first time who is scared... nobody will explain anything to you unless you ask. I actually emailed my surgeon today because I am incredibly dissatisfied with how my rectum looks; the mucosa was originally protruding everywhere, and they promised to fix it, yet it looks exactly the same. Not to mention, I haven't had a bowel movement in five days even though I've tried everything they permitted (castor oil, dried prunes...). I even wrote to him that I don't even feel like I had surgery because there's no pain. I'm probably just frustrated and desperate after all this misery, but my advice to everyone is: whatever procedure you choose—DO YOUR RESEARCH AND ASK PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN THROUGH IT. I realize there are no guarantees these days, but still... cheers to everyone.

Auuu, what is that?😲 How is it possible that it's protruding? That sounds like the surgery wasn't done correctly... It seems illogical when you say there's no pain, almost as if you weren't even operated on.😕 I had my surgery nearly 11 months ago and everything is great. No more issues ever. However, the postoperative period following a full reconstruction of the anal area was tough and long—no sitting for 45 days. As for why the Morgan-Milligan method failed, it's clear to me. That's a inferior method where hemorrhoids just keep coming back...

Melissa Morris68 said:I figured I’d jump in and share my own experience with this topic! I’ve been dealing with some really heavy issues lately—hemorrhoids, prolapse, bleeding, and all those other miserable symptoms that just come along for the ride with hemorrhoids. Two days ago, I finally went under the knife at Merkur Hospital with Dr. Ivanovic. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about him and the entire medical staff there; they were truly wonderful. The pain was absolutely brutal on that first day, almost like hitting a wall, but since I was getting plenty of injections, I’m actually feeling okay now that I’m two days post-op. To make matters even more intense, I actually traveled from Washington, D.C. to Miami the very next day after the surgery—which, let me tell you, is something I wouldn't recommend to anyone unless they have nerves of steel! I haven't had my first bowel movement yet, so I can't really comment on that part of the recovery process just yet. If anyone needs any specific details or info, please feel free to ask! Best wishes to everyone!

That's fantastic news! I am honestly just so thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with Dr. Ivanovic and the rest of the medical team up there! 🙂
Maybe you could also mention how long you actually had to wait in line for your surgery, because honestly, quite a few people have been hitting me up in my private messages asking about it, and I’m just sitting here without an answer. It’s like trying to navigate a fog without a map, you know? Just last year, the wait time was roughly two months, but things always seem to shift.

Eric Martinez53 said:Hey Kirst, I actually just headed over to Arither for that D-hal & RAR coverage this past Tuesday, which, by the way, definitely comes with a price tag. $3.25I just want to add that last year, within a mere four months, I had to undergo three separate classic surgeries following the Morgan-Milligan method—which, if that doesn't paint a clear enough picture of the nightmare I was living through, I don't know what will. I really don't want to scare anyone, but honestly, for the amount of money they charge, I feel like they act incredibly irresponsible toward their patients. It’s easy for me to say because I’ve already been through the wringer three times now; I practically have the pre-op and post-op protocols memorized by heart. But for someone facing this for the first time, feeling terrified and vulnerable? No one is going to walk you through the process unless you practically beg them for answers. I actually ended up emailing my surgeon today because I am beyond frustrated with how things look down there; my rectal mucosa was essentially protruding before, and even though they promised me it would be fixed, it looks exactly the same as it did before. To make matters worse, I haven't had a single bowel movement in five days, even after trying everything they suggested, like castor oil and dried prunes. I even wrote to him telling him that I don't even feel like I actually had surgery because there's zero pain, which isn't exactly the "success" you'd hope for. I’m probably just venting because I'm exhausted and desperate after all this struggle, but my honest advice to everyone is this: whatever procedure you decide on, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Research everything and talk to people who have actually survived the experience to hear how it really went. I realize nobody can give you a 100% guarantee in medicine, but you owe it to yourself to be prepared. Wishing you all the best.

That honestly sounds absolutely terrible. 😢
At the local butterfly shop, Kate Allen35 is selling D-hal for 8 bucks. $0.00It’s honestly like hitting the jackpot because the doctor actually performs two procedures at once for the price of one, which is just incredible value. On top of that, the staff is so incredibly kind and attentive that it feels surreal; they truly wrap you in care and look after you every single second you're there. Plus, the doctor doesn't just rush through things—he takes the time to walk you through every little detail you could possibly ask about, and he stays completely available to everyone throughout the entire recovery process if anyone needs him.
So, if you happen to be living in Washington, D.C., I truly believe your absolute best bet would be either the Merkur Basketball Club—specifically looking for Dr. Ivanovic or Dr. Kocman—or perhaps heading over to the Leptir clinic to see Dr. Ivanovic.
Listen, I’m telling you once more—trust your gut during that first consultation with a doctor. If you walk out of their office feeling unsettled, anxious, or just plain uneasy about how they treated you, then run; honestly, that physician isn't the right fit for you, and I say that because I've been exactly where you are.
Honestly, you should just go for as many consultations as it takes until you finally find a doctor who actually earns your trust—someone who genuinely puts in the effort to walk you through everything. Thank God there are still people like that out there. 👍

Laura Booth3, if I were in your shoes, I’d at least head out for a second opinion with a different physician; because if this current one actually messed things up, believe me, there is a huge chance they'll never admit it, and they might just drag their feet to keep you in the dark indefinitely.
Unfortunately, we've seen plenty of stories like that pop up on this forum before. 😢

Honestly, these hemorrhoids are getting to be a real pain in the neck. I've been trying to deal with them by using Fact ointment and Prokten cream, but absolutely nothing is working... Now, whenever I go to the bathroom, I’m seeing blood and the itching is just constant. What am I supposed to do now? Should I go see a regular doctor? Or maybe a proctologist?

Alexander Thompson5 said:It didn't go back inside—I checked just a few hours ago. This whole thing started hurting the day before yesterday right after I had a bowel movement. I took a look yesterday morning and it was just sitting there. Today is the same deal; I'm resting, and the pain isn't quite as bad. Look, the pain I'm talking about isn't intense, it’s more of an uncomfortable sensation that shifts depending on how I move or how I'm positioned. When I'm staying still, it doesn't hurt much.

You really need to get this looked at. Honestly, your best bet is seeing a proctologist.

Karen Garcia6 said:These hemorrhoids have become a total nightmare. I've been applying Fact ointment and some Protect cream, but absolutely nothing is working. Now, whenever I go to the bathroom, I notice blood and it's incredibly itchy. What am I supposed to do? See a regular doctor? Go to a proctologist?

Yes. Go to a proctologist.

vividsailor7 said:You really need to have a specialist take a look at this... preferably a proctologist.

Yeah... definitely a proctologist.

Surgery? 😢

Does anyone know who the top surgeon in Washington, D.C. is for hemorrhoid surgery using the most modern method, the D-hal procedure?

Karen Garcia6 said:Surgery? 😢

First things first: what’s your diet looking like? You need to fix your nutrition before anything else. Second—keep the area clean. That info is already in the main thread; you just need to put in some actual effort and scroll back through it.
That Fact guy is talking total garbage. Get some Prokten ointment. Pick up some Detralex tablets. But honestly? You absolutely need to see a proctologist. If you're dealing with grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids, surgery is on the table. Don't be afraid to get an exam.

Karen Garcia6 said:These hemorrhoids are getting exhausting. I've tried applying Fact ointment and Procten cream, but nothing works. I notice blood during bowel movements and there's this itching. What now? Should I see a doctor? A proctologist?

Try using Preparation H. And you really should make an appointment with a doctor, no question about it. Keeping things clean is a given, but honestly, it's a good sign that they're just itching rather than causing actual pain...

I’m curious—has anyone here actually gone through sclerotherapy, and what was your experience like? Also, does anyone know what kind of chemical substance they actually inject?

Alexander Thompson5 said:So, I've been dealing with internal hemorrhoids for a few years now. Up until recently, the main issues were just some occasional bleeding and a bit of a burning sensation whenever I had to go. But over the last six months, my diet has been pretty terrible and I’ve been dealing with really hard stools, plus I tend to sit on the toilet for like thirty minutes or more at a time. Yesterday, after using the bathroom, I felt this pain near my anus, but I didn't really think much of it. Today, though, it hurt again so I actually took a look—and yeah, Fact. I can see from the side that a hemorrhoid has popped out and it's hurting. I tried to push it back in, but it just won't budge. The pain isn't intense, per se, but it's super uncomfortable, and honestly, I'm kind of freaking out about what's going to happen when I really have to go. I haven't seen a doctor yet; a nurse looked at me and told me it doesn't seem like it's fully prolapsed since it's right at the edge, and she said it's not a huge deal because it happens to her all the time???
So, right now I'm just applying some Fact and trying not to move too much, just like she suggested.
BUT—I've been reading stuff online saying that if an internal one pops out, I might need surgery?
I was wondering if there's any chance I can heal it (or at least get it to go back inside) if I fix my diet or start using some medication? (I haven't really used anything before because it wasn't that bad, aside from the bleeding, which usually doesn't even hurt).
I'm asking anyone with more experience for some advice please.

Honestly, the only real, smart advice anyone on a forum like this can give you is to just go get checked out by a professional! An exam is way more awkward because of the position and everything, rather than being painful! Even when your hemorrhoids are inflamed, it shouldn't be that bad. And hey, recovering from surgery isn't a massive ordeal either! I was feeling totally fine after a week, and you can usually get back to work after two weeks!

Karen Garcia6 said:these hemorrhoids are seriously starting to get on my nerves. I’ve been trying to use Fact ointment and Procten cream, but honestly, nothing is working. Every time I go to the bathroom, I notice blood and this constant itching. What am I supposed to do now? Should I see a regular doctor? Or maybe a proctologist?

Ugh, girl, I have been through that exact same nightmare! I totally feel you. Those ointments are really just a temporary fix, you know? Like, they might take the edge off the symptoms for a bit, but they aren't actually going to make the hemorrhoids disappear. Hygiene was huge for me—I swear I was jumping in the shower twice a day just to make sure I stayed clean after every single trip to the bathroom! And the bleeding... oh man, it felt like a faucet was turned on in there. Honestly, just go see a surgeon for a rectoscopy! It really isn't as scary as it sounds, I promise. I think I might actually be the biggest hypochondriac out there, so if I'm telling you it's not a big deal, then it truly isn't! I mean, yeah, it's super awkward because, well, it's *that* part of your body, but... you can just push through the embarrassment for like ten seconds while the exam is happening, right? You'll survive!

So, basically, I went in for my checkup right around mid-December. I had all my tests done down in Miami and then faxed everything over to Merkur Hospital, and they gave me an appointment for January 31st! On the actual day, you just show up at the hospital, they give you the prep for the surgery, the nurses walk you through how and when to take all the stuff they hand you, and then you just head home! You end up having the surgery the next day, stay overnight at the hospital, and then you’re out of there the following morning! Honestly, I think the hardest part of the whole ordeal was probably the pre-op preparation. And man, the pain after the surgery was definitely more intense than I expected! But since you're in the hospital, they give you injections every five hours—or really, whenever you ask for them! If you guys need any more details, just let me know!

Melissa Morris68 said:The only piece of sensible advice anyone on a forum can actually give you is to go get an exam! An exam isn't really painful because of the procedure itself; it’s more just uncomfortable due to the positioning and all that. Even when things are inflamed, there shouldn't be pain! Recovery from surgery isn't long either. I was doing fine after a week, and after two weeks, I was back at work!

Saying it doesn't hurt when things are inflamed isn't quite right. When there is inflammation, you can barely even reach the area, let alone have it examined. And just because everything is fine after two weeks doesn't mean that's always the case. That's usually for the milder cases...

Michael Diaz4 said:Saying it doesn't hurt when things are inflamed just isn't really true. When everything is flared up, you can't even get close enough to take a look, let alone get a proper exam. And honestly, just because someone is all set after two weeks doesn't mean that's how it works for everyone. That might be true for the super mild cases, I guess...

Well, I actually went in for a rectoscopy twice while my hemorrhoids were totally flared up, and both times, right before the procedure in the morning, they bled on me! But I guess we're all different individuals! And what you're saying about the surgery using the Kate Allen35 method just isn't quite right either! A colleague of mine was actually driving himself from Washington, D.C. to Miami the very morning after his surgery, and he was already back at work by day five! Personally, I had to deal with injections for a day and a half, but after that, the pain just vanished! I don't know what you consider a "mild case," but I had stage 3 hemorrhoids! So, yeah... everyone reacts differently, the level of pain is different, and the condition itself varies too!

Melissa Morris68 said:I went in for two rectoscopies while my hemorrhoids were flared up, and both times they bled right before the procedure in the morning! But we're all different individuals. And what you're saying about the Kate Allen35 method isn't quite right either. A colleague of mine actually drove himself from Washington, D.C. to Miami the morning after his surgery! And five days later, he was already back at work. Personally, I was on injections for a day and a half, and after that, the pain just vanished. I don't know what you consider an "easy" case, but I had stage 3 hemorrhoids operated on! Everyone experiences things differently—the level of pain and the severity of the condition vary for everyone.

Hajde, take a step back and look at what I've actually written here. The DG HAL RAR method itself is painless if the hemorrhoids are caught in the early stages. Even stage 3 isn't the end of the world because things can still be reversed. But once you hit stage 4, surgery is mandatory, and you're looking at the old-school surgical approach. Anal reconstruction is anything but trivial or painless. If everything is caught early, there’s practically no recovery time needed. As for the driving part, look, one guy I knew had a surgery just as intense as mine. He drove his car all the way from out of town. After the operation, he just hopped right into the driver's seat. The staff at the hospital were practically crossing themselves when they saw him doing that. Meanwhile, I wasn't allowed to sit down for six weeks following my stage 4 surgery. You can't just brush it off and say it's easy based on your experience or your friend's situation. You have to see the whole picture...

Michael Diaz4 said:Hajde, just go back and read what I actually wrote here. Look, if you're talking about the HAL-RAR method, it's pretty much painless if you catch the hemorrhoids while they're still in the early stages. Even stage three isn't quite as scary because things can be reversed. But once you hit stage four, surgery is basically a given, and you're looking at the old-school surgical way. Anus reconstruction is definitely not some minor, breezy thing, let me tell you. If everything is caught in those initial phases, there’s practically no recovery needed. And as for driving—look, I knew someone who had a surgery just as intense as mine. This guy drove his car in from out of state, and right after the operation, he just sat down in the driver's seat. The staff at the hospital were practically crossing themselves when they saw him doing that! Meanwhile, I wasn't even allowed to sit down for six whole weeks after my stage four surgery. You can't just brush it off and say it was easy for you and your friend and then act like... well, you know.

Wait, hold on a second... First off, I didn't come here to get into a petty argument with you, or to downplay the pain this causes, or to try and bravely sugarcoat the whole ordeal because, honestly, I was terrified myself and it hurt like crazy. But I really do believe people shouldn't live in constant fear! I don't quite get why you're trying to scare people who are already stressed out just by dealing with the illness itself. I mean, two days of intense pain and a few weeks of recovery is nothing compared to the daily agony of inflamed hemorrhoids and fissures, where you're staring at a toilet bowl full of blood every single day. And secondly, I can see you had the old-school surgery! I'm specifically talking about the HAL-RAR method, which is obviously way easier!
Reading through all the posts on this forum, I just didn't know what to expect anymore! Everyone has their own story and their own experience, I guess. So, yeah...