Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

lonefalcon41 said:Milk is loaded with antibiotics, so you really should look into whether that's actually helping you out or just wrecking your system.

Are you totally sure meat has fewer antibiotics than milk, though? I mean, milk is basically nature's perfect food for kids.

If you're aiming for a vegetarian lifestyle, it’s not a bad move for dealing with Hemero, even if it does end up being more expensive and requires a lot more prep work.

I still eat a little red meat myself, even though all the health gurus claim even tiny amounts can spike your risk for certain diseases, and honestly, my Hemero definitely didn't appreciate it when my digestion got wonky after eating too much of it.

Then again, I know this one vegetarian who ended up having such a rough time with it that they eventually gave up on the whole thing entirely.

Wouldn't the smartest middle ground just be eating a little meat, but mostly sticking to poultry or fish instead of hitting the red meat too hard? 😢

feralsurfer172 said:Yeah, I actually use that property to prevent hard stools, since mine tend to be way too liquid right now, which is its own kind of nightmare. I’m sure there are other, better ways to get the same result.

Mr. "vividsailor7," what would you recommend? Am I doing any indirect damage to my body by having milk once a day at my age (49)? (I know that in certain parts of the world where people live incredibly long lives and have great living conditions, milk and dairy are consumed in massive amounts).

I just think it's common knowledge—I wanted to emphasize this specifically for the middle-aged and older generations, which is the group I fall into. 🙂

You aren't doing any damage to your organs by consuming milk, unless you're on dialysis or dealing with some serious parotid gland issues.
The classic advice is simple: drink plenty of fluids, eat something that acts as a natural laxative—like a fresh fig, for instance—keep your diet loaded with fruits and vegetables, and if things get really backed up, just use a mild laxative for a short period.

vividsailor7 said:Honestly, drinking milk isn't going to wreck your system unless you're dealing with kidney dialysis or some serious issues with your salivary glands.
If you're looking for actual advice, just stick to the classics: stay super hydrated, eat things like fresh figs, load up on fruits and veggies, or if things are really backed up, maybe just use a mild laxative for a little bit.

Thanks for the heads up. 🙂

feralsurfer172 said:Hygiene alone wasn't enough for me—I kept up with it religiously, but that was before the extra complications started cropping up.

Surgery isn't always a foolproof fix, either. It can be incredibly painful, and I guess there's always the chance that the symptoms just end up coming back.

One way or another, a change in lifestyle probably wouldn't hurt. ☕

I suppose I should quote that old saying from the forum: "The older I get, the more I know, and the less I can actually do."😍

I suppose eating seed bread—something loaded with almonds, sunflower seeds, or hazelnuts—might help reduce hemorrhoid intensity. I guess you just have to be careful not to overdo it, because excessive amounts can irritate the intestinal lining, which might actually make things worse. A light, balanced diet seems best, meaning sticking to mild, non-spicy foods. If you combine that with intense cycling for about an hour a day, that might be the key. Honestly, I suspect the cycling part is what actually solves the problem.

I’ll be giving my brother this advice, and hopefully, his hemorrhoids will finally be a thing of the past. He’s tried everything—creams, surgeries, whatever the doctors threw at him—but in the end, he was diagnosed with cancer. After his surgery, he started riding his bike, made some adjustments to his diet, and began eating seeds occasionally. I guess that's when the hemorrhoids finally receded.

Diet matters a lot, obviously... you gotta watch what you eat. But sometimes food alone just won't cut it when things go wrong. Curious about what you guys think of Plex. I've seen some people hating on it, but honestly, all I've heard is good stuff... caught me a little off guard

Donna Gray81 said:I really believe diet plays a massive role and it’s definitely something we should all focus on. But let's be honest—sometimes a health issue just won't budge no matter how clean you eat. I'm curious what you all think about Plex. I see some people aren't fans, which surprised me because everything I've heard has been glowing.

That's just plain old misinformation. Trust me, I've been there. I ended up needing surgery in the end...

Michael Diaz4 said:That’s just plain old nonsense. I've seen enough to know.

Are you guys actually sure about that?

I’m no medical expert or anything, but it feels to me like hemorrhoids are mostly a physical issue that gets way worse as we get older and maybe don't take such great care of ourselves, so I figure things like what we eat and how we live our daily lives really drive up the risk of them showing up in the first place.

I'm totally with you that if things have already gotten pretty bad, you're probably looking at more aggressive treatments, because honestly, those topical creams aren't going to fix the root cause, they're just masking the symptoms.

If you've got a genetic predisposition toward something, there's always going to be a chance it hits you no matter what, but personally, I'm not about to go out of my way to increase my risks for stuff like that, so the real question is whether we actually want to know what we're prone to and if we're willing to stop doing the things that might mess us up down the road.
We don't always get to choose... 😢

It’s funny how much "expert" advice is basically useless while regular folks are out here sharing what actually works for them, and even though everyone's body reacts differently, that doesn't mean a treatment won't work wonders for someone else.

Boomer 🙂

feralsurfer172 said:Are you actually certain about that?

I'm no medical expert, but it seems to me like hemorrhoids are partly a mechanical issue that gets worse with age and poor lifestyle choices. It feels like diet and daily habits really drive the risk of them developing.

I agree with you—once things progress, you have to move toward more aggressive treatments. Creams aren't going to cut it because they don't fix the root cause; they just mask the symptoms.

If we have a genetic predisposition to a disease, there’s a chance we'll get it regardless of what we do. Personally, I refuse to do anything that increases my risk. The real question is whether we actually want to know our vulnerabilities and if we're willing to stop doing the things that hurt us in the long run.
We don't always have a choice... 😢

It's funny how many useless methods exist where experts offer theories while regular people offer actual experience. My body might react differently than someone else's, but that doesn't mean what worked for them won't work for others too.

Boomer 🙂

I am absolutely certain. I know way too much about hemorrhoids due to sheer circumstance. My doctor only recommended two specific creams to use after my surgery. Everything else was just ineffective...

Michael Diaz4 said:I'm totally sure about this, mostly because I've had my fair share of dealing with hemorrhoids. My doctor just pointed me toward two specific creams to use while I was recovering from surgery, since nothing else really seemed to do the trick much effectively...

Man, I can only imagine how rough that recovery period was for you.

I guess we're just looking at this from two different angles, since you ended up needing surgery while I'm out here trying everything I can to avoid ever reaching that point.

Based on what you're saying, it almost sounds like prevention isn't worth the effort because surgery isn't life-threatening anyway, or like we should just lean on meds since they're the only thing with proven results—basically waiting until things get desperate before acting.

If medication actually fixed the root cause, like how antibiotics kill off bacteria, there wouldn't even be a debate, but a surgeon just fixes the immediate problem, and if we don't address all those underlying risk factors, I worry the whole issue might just flare up somewhere else down the road, which is something neither of us wants to deal with.

Before jumping into anything too extreme, I'm going to try focusing on preventative stuff, which doesn't really cost a dime, just takes a little extra discipline and paying attention to myself.

Is it actually logical to think these lifestyle tweaks will work?
I mean, who knows, but I honestly feel like changing my habits could really back up the more traditional medical approaches. 🙂

feralsurfer172 said:I imagine recovering from surgery wasn't exactly a walk in the park.

We’re looking at this from two different angles. You were forced into having the surgery, whereas I’m just trying my best to prevent it or push it back as long as possible.

Looking at how some of you are thinking, it almost sounds like you believe prevention is pointless since we aren't facing immediate death anyway—or that we should just jump straight to heavy-duty chemo because nothing else seems to have a measurable impact. I guess people prefer to wait until they're truly underwater before they actually start swimming.

If medicine actually tackled the root cause—think how antibiotics go after the bacteria itself—we wouldn't be stuck in this endless debate. A knife might fix the immediate problem at the site of the weakness, sure, but if you keep feeding the body all those other risk factors, isn't there just going to be another issue popping up somewhere else? I certainly wouldn't wish that on myself, and I wouldn't wish it on any of you, either.

Before I take any drastic measures, I’m going to try a preventative approach. It won't cost me anything, really—just a little extra discipline and some focused attention.

Is it actually rational to put any faith in attempts like these?
I don’t know, but I truly believe that by changing how we carry ourselves, we can actually support other scientifically proven medical treatments. 🙂

I think I’ve touched on this before, maybe even shared some articles written by the specialist who performed my surgery. Here’s the thing: hemorrhoids aren't just going to vanish on their own. When it comes to health, you have to be proactive—and I don't just mean with this specific issue. Why am I so adamant that surgery is often the only real fix? I actually didn't realize it myself until right before my procedure, but it's a mechanical failure. It’s a physical malfunction in our body's mechanism. You can't fix a structural issue with just creams or topical ointments, much like how varicose veins in your legs won't disappear just because you rub some lotion on them. Modern surgical methods are what provide a permanent solution. Now, look, I’m not saying everyone needs surgery immediately. As I’ve mentioned before, most people can manage their lives with varying degrees of discomfort without ever stepping into an operating room. But for some, it’s not an option. In the past, these procedures were brutal—if you check my old posts, I explained why those older methods could really mess with your control and sensation. Thankfully, things have changed. In my case, it was more complex; I needed a full reconstruction of the area, which I've detailed elsewhere. But generally speaking, to get rid of hemorrhoids for good, you have to cauterize the blood vessel deep inside. Using the Doppler effect makes this possible. If you're dealing with advanced Stage 4 issues, you're looking at more intensive procedures like DG HAL RAR. My surgeon pointed out that if people truly understood the benefits of Doppler technology, they’d jump on it at the first sign of trouble. It allows you to destroy the vein supplying the blood to the hemorrhoids. If you just go the "classic" route and leave the underlying supply intact, the body eventually bypasses the removed veins, and the problem just comes right back. That’s why catching it early with these less invasive methods is so vital. I’m obviously not a doctor or a medical professional here. This is just how it was explained to me as a layman, and this is my simplified take on it. I actually wrote a piece about this for a newspaper recently—you should give it a read. I'll try to dig up more articles from that same author, too. It’s incredibly educational and worth sharing with family. Ultimately, it’s about showing people what their options are so they can stop suffering unnecessarily.

Reading through your description of the pain you're going through, I’ve come to the conclusion that you're dealing with an advanced stage of this condition—one that's clearly taking a massive toll on your quality of life. Please, listen to me: go see a proven specialist. Find someone who actually deals with this stuff and get it sorted once and for all. If you wait, it’s only going to get harder. In the most complex cases, it eventually becomes a scientific nightmare where even the best doctors in the country can't fix it. They end up putting themselves and the patient in a terrible position because, at that point, resolving issues like hemorrhoids can become incredibly difficult, if not impossible. It's rare, sure, but it happens. Don't wait until the situation reaches a breaking point.

Michael Diaz4 said:After reading through how much you're struggling with this condition, it honestly sounds like things have reached a pretty advanced stage where it's seriously messing with your day-to-day life.

I haven't dealt with any issues all spring because I actually made some lifestyle tweaks based on what worked for me personally.
I'm not saying it's a permanent fix, but for now—we're talking several months here—the hemorrhoids have stayed away.

If I had been dealing with an advanced case, I doubt just being proactive would have been enough to save me.

But if they do decide to make a comeback despite my best efforts, then yeah, I'll obviously take your advice and just go with the only real option left on the table.

From what I can tell, people who don't have massive issues usually manage to avoid ending up under the knife, so I'm really hoping I can stay in that group...

Take it easy, feralsurfer172. 🙂

I’ve run into a bit of a medical issue and could really use some advice. A few days ago, I noticed a swelling on the right side near the anal opening, right where the skin transitions to the usual area. It’s become quite hard and swollen over the last day or two, though it feels like it might have peaked and isn't getting any larger now. It feels like a small, firm lump protruding slightly. There hasn't been any bleeding, but the area is pretty tender and causes significant discomfort when I'm having a bowel movement.

Morgan Brown2 said:I’ve run into a bit of an issue and could really use some advice. Right by the edge of my anus, where the skin starts to transition, things have started swelling up. It feels hard and bumpy. It actually looks more swollen today than it did a day or two ago, though I don't think it'll get much worse than this. It feels like a little ball protruding from the area. There isn't any bleeding, but the spot is pretty sensitive and gets quite painful when I have to use the bathroom.

Well, there you have it. Looks like you've got hemorrhoids. Watch your diet, use some ointment, and honestly—just stay calm and go see a doctor. Basically, it started... Just keep it under control, look back through some of our previous posts here, and you should be fine... Good luck...

Got a question... I was dealing with constipation for a few days—about four, give or take—but things finally went back to normal after that. The problem is, yesterday this hemorrhoid popped up. Well, maybe it isn't even a standard hemorrhoid since those are usually internal; it feels more like some kind of thrombosis, though I don't know the technical term. Anyway... it hurt a little the first day, but today it only aches slightly when I sit down. It doesn't even bother me when I'm using the bathroom. So, I'm wondering if there's any way to speed up the process of getting this thing to disappear. I'd rather not deal with it, even if it doesn't hurt much right now. If anyone has advice that doesn't involve just telling me to go see a doctor, let me know. Thanks.

Timothy Wright2 said:I have a question... I was dealing with some constipation for a few days (about four, give or take), and things finally went back to normal. However, yesterday I noticed a hemorrhoid popped up—well, an external one. Actually, it might not even be a standard hemorrhoid because those can just be internal, so maybe it’s some kind of thrombosis? I don't know the exact medical term... anyway... the first day was a little painful, but today it only hurts a bit when I sit down. It doesn't hurt at all when I go to the bathroom, so I'm wondering how I can speed up the healing process for this thing. It's not exactly a huge deal, but I'd rather get rid of it. Since there's no major pain, if anyone has any advice besides "just see a doctor," please let me know... thanks.

Watch your stool consistency. You don't want it too hard, but you shouldn't be dealing with diarrhea either. Use some over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream, and honestly, you should still check in with a doctor. They'll give you specific dietary advice. Stick to plenty of vegetables and leafy greens...

Michael Diaz4 said:It’s all just a load of crap. Trust me. Ended up on the operating table because of it...

I don't know, I've just heard so many people say it actually worked for them. Guess it's one of those things where everyone reacts differently...🤷

Donna Gray81 said:I mean, I’m just thinking out loud here. I’ve heard so many people swear by it, honestly. Maybe it really does just come down to the individual. Everyone is different, right?🤷

I can’t say I have much experience with it to give a glowing review. I only tried it when things had already gone south—when I was facing emergency surgery just to save my life because the inflammation had gotten so bad. My throat was in absolute agony. When I mentioned the symptoms to my specialist, he actually flinched. He frowned, took one look at my throat, and told me I needed an IV drip immediately. I also know that people around here don't usually brag about seeing results. In fact, I know plenty of folks for whom it didn't help at all. It might be useful in the very early stages, perhaps, but that’s about it. It’s telling that even my professor only ever recommends two specific creams. I’m not saying there aren't other good options out there, but honestly? You go to a decent doctor, they take a look, and they’ll lay out a real treatment plan for you right then and there.

Donna Gray81 said:I mean, I honestly feel like that, mostly because I’ve heard so many people swear by it, though I guess at the end of the day, everyone's body reacts a little differently to everything, you know?🤷

Hey there, Paul Evans56.

I mean, everyone’s probably gonna tell you the same thing, but honestly, it's best to just head to the doctor, listen to what they have to say, and really try to get things back on track.

So, if you're dealing with hemorrhoids—and we're not talking about pregnancy issues here—is it actually realistic to think they'll just vanish for good if you keep using that magic XY medication while sticking to all your usual, questionable lifestyle habits?

Maybe this cream helps with circulation too? That’d be pretty great, but honestly, you're probably going to see way better results if you just get moving and throw in some actual exercise.

How am I supposed to expect any healing if we’re dealing with constipation or basically straining against hard stools every single week right on that sensitive area? Honestly, we can definitely manage things by staying on top of our hydration and being more intentional about what we eat!

I mean, let's be real—just tweaking a few daily habits probably isn't going to magically fix a brutal case of hemorrhoids, though I guess it might help a little if you pair those small changes with some much more aggressive treatment.

It really just comes down to a personal choice whether we want to sit around twiddling our thumbs or actually try to do something about our health, though I guess the real question is whether that’s actually doable or if we're all just kidding ourselves with wishful thinking. As far as my own habits go, changing things up has actually helped me get my hemorrhoids under control for now (if you check out my earlier posts, you'll see what I mean).

I’m really not trying to preach here, but honestly, shifting your lifestyle around is just what you gotta do once your body starts sending those little signals that things aren't running quite as smooth as they used to. 🙂

Look, it’s perfectly normal to go through ups and downs—we all deal with it. But thinking they just vanished on their own? 🙄
I don't buy it for a second.

analogbison13 said:Look, we all go through those ups and downs—it’s just part of being human—but thinking they just magically vanished on their own? Yeah, I'm not buying that for a second. 🙄

I'm right there with you on that one.
Back on post #2346 over on page 118, I shared my own little journey through six different treatments, and honestly, looking back at how much better things have been lately, I managed to stay in that sweet spot for about three months straight compared to how I used to feel.

Nothing too groundbreaking here, just some food for thought on how tweaking your daily routine might actually help deal with those pesky hemorrhoids.
Look, I mean this in the best way possible, but if things end up looking a little ridiculous, hey—making someone laugh is a pretty solid goal too, right? 😁
I'm just really hoping we can all find a way to deal with hemorrhoids so they don't keep messing with our lives.😁