Dealing with hemorrhoids

I finally managed to sort out my hemorrhoid issue using calendula compresses. People usually suggest sipping on calendula tea alongside them, but honestly—I just couldn't be bothered with the extra step. If you're looking for relief, I'd recommend checking your local health food store or even better, finding a local herbalist. Definitely worth a shot.

Understood. My thanks to both of you for the assistance. I shall attempt a few things; hopefully, they prove successful...

Sam Williams53 said:Feel free to just rinse off with a handheld sprayer... and you can still use toilet paper beforehand—it doesn't cause hemorrhoids, even if some people claim you should skip the paper entirely and just rinse after the fact.

Just make sure you stick to plain white toilet paper. I tried one with a peach scent once, 🤮 and it gave me a pretty painful rash right where it hurts most. 😬
To this day, the smell of peaches makes me shudder. 🤣

My husband is dealing with some external hemorrhoids right now, and they’ve started bleeding again lately, so I was wondering if it might be okay for him to go on our trip to the hot springs, or if we should probably just postpone everything for a bit. He's been pretty diligent about applying his cream regularly, though.

Can anyone provide some actual detail regarding the scope of the procedure? I’m looking specifically for someone who underwent this years ago—someone who has lived through the aftermath. Are there any long-term side effects lurking in the shadows? Thanks.

This thing flared up for the third time now... probably just hemorrhoids since nothing else fits the description. I saw some people mentioning bleeding on this thread; I haven't had much of that, just a little smudge on the toilet paper, nothing like actual drops. If I were actually bleeding, I guess that would mean it's an external thing?... Anyway, this one popped up about five days ago. At first, it was soft, but now it's hard. Maybe the blood clotted inside? It doesn't hurt too bad, just itchy and uncomfortable, but I guess you just live with it when you're sitting down and stuff... I'm wondering if I should even bother seeing a doctor. What's he gonna tell me? "Yeah, you have hemorrhoids"? I already know that, and from what I've gathered, there isn't much of a cure anyway. The last two times this happened, I just suffered through a week and a half until it went away and things went back to normal... it keeps happening in the exact same spot, so I guess it's just that one...

And another thing just crossed my mind... if there's clotted blood trapped in there, does it even make sense to try and poke it or squeeze it out? Like, is that even a thing?

Oh, and I also read somewhere that it might not even be hemorrhoids. Apparently, it could be a hematoma caused by straining, and that happens pretty often. Does anyone here actually know anything more about that?

Kenneth Lopez14 said:I was also just wondering, if there is clotted blood trapped inside, would it make any sense to try and puncture it to squeeze that blood out, almost like relieving the pressure?

Absolutely not! 🙂

Greetings. I have a question regarding a persistent issue. For about two years now, I have been experiencing occasional instances where I notice blood on the toilet paper after a bowel movement. Additionally, there is a distinct sensation of discomfort in my lower intestinal area.
The issue seems most pronounced during my first trip to the restroom; interestingly, if I end up going a second time shortly after, the bleeding doesn't occur. I am wondering if this might be hemorrhoids, given that my lifestyle involves a significant amount of sedentary behavior and very little physical activity. When I finally brought this up with my primary care physician, his diagnosis was a quick, dismissive "it's just hemorrhoids." Personally, I feel like this warrants a much more thorough investigation than a mere assumption.
Thank you.

The itching is constant. It gets so intense that you can't help but scratch, which is a nightmare because if you irritate the skin or end up with a fungal infection, things just go from bad to worse. I'm positive it's hemorrhoids. I watch my diet and hydration, which helps quite a bit, but there's this recurring issue where I wake up around 5 or 6 AM feeling an unbearable itch. Since I'm still half-asleep and groggy, I end up scratching blindly in my sleep, which just makes the irritation even worse. By the time I'm at the office—exhausted and after my first cup of coffee—I finally head to the restroom, clean up properly, and apply some Vaseline cream, and the itching finally subsides. This has been happening almost every single day lately. If anyone has any advice or knows what I should do, please let me know. Aaaaahhhh!

Kevin Lopez41 said:I deal with external hemorrhoids that flare up from time to time.
But my biggest concern right now is the bleeding during bowel movements. Has anyone here dealt with this before?

For me, drinking yarrow tea really helped stem the bleeding, though I did run into a bit of trouble when inflammation kicked in—I actually had to spend two full days just lying on my stomach to cope with the discomfort... Honestly, I’m at a total loss as to why this started happening in the first place; my digestion is fine, I eat a very clean diet, I stay active, and I can't pinpoint what the issue could be... Any advice or shared experiences would be so greatly appreciated.🙂

Charles Wells84 said:Since I couldn't track down the American version here in the States, I ended up picking up some Himalaya to test out for about $3... it seems the dosage instructions are a bit different, too; you take two tablets three times a day for the first week after meals, and then switch to two tablets twice a day for four to six weeks. Regardless, if this doesn't do the trick, I'll just hunt down the American brand when I'm visiting the US and give that a shot instead...

Does anyone know if that "Hadensa" cream—or whatever they called it—is available here in America?

...man, I’m dealing with hemorrhoids too 😠 🤷
..they actually chilled out for a bit, but now they're back with a vengeance...and I totally know why...it's because I barely move...like, at all...I'm stuck at a desk job all day, and once I finally get home, I just grab a snack and crash in my recliner 😢
..I'm planning on starting some workouts soon—and I don't mean "maybe," I mean definitely—like aerobics or something, so hopefully things start looking up...
..plus, I really need to fix my diet...I eat way too much chocolate 😁 🤷

Chloe Murphy66 said:...I'm dealing with hemorrhoid issues too 😠 🤷
..they had actually settled down for a while, but now they're making a comeback...and I know exactly why...it's because I barely move at all...almost nothing...hardly any movement during my workday (since I have a desk job), and once I get home, I just grab a bite to eat and sink right into my armchair 😢
..very soon—actually, not "maybe," but definitely—I plan to start some kind of exercise routine (like aerobics or something similar), so I'm really hoping things will improve...
..and I definitely need to overhaul my diet...I consume way too much chocolate 😁 🤷

See, I stay quite active (that’s just how my job is), I don't eat spicy food, I don't sit on cold surfaces, and I maintain good hygiene, yet they've flared up again. What truly drives me crazy is the feeling that there isn't a definitive cure for this😠Come on, they've invented countless medical miracles, yet we're powerless against this specific nuisance!? And could someone please tell me, is exercising okay when they are acting up?😕I mean, I finally lose the extra weight and I'm starting to see those beautiful abs, and then suddenly, I'm hit with hemorrhoids😠So, I'm waiting for this flare-up to calm down, but once it does, can I go ahead and resume my workout routine?

Goodness gracious, people, I can't believe it... surely you haven't all actually managed to cure your hemorrhoids 😲

Karen Adams2 said:Good heavens, people, surely you haven't all managed to cure your hemorrhoids overnight.😲

I actually just got back from the hospital yesterday following my surgery.👋
I figured I’d write a more detailed account of my experience once about half a month has passed and the wounds have healed up a bit more properly...........

I’m dealing with the exact same issue... lol... though mine are internal... and they are being incredibly stubborn! It’s quite a cycle, isn't it? I’ll spend an entire month eating perfectly healthy, everything is fine, and then—bam!—I indulge in a little chocolate, maybe a sandwich or a banana, my digestion shifts slightly, and suddenly they're back to plague me again. It's truly relentless! I was wondering, does anyone have any insight into what the process looks like for surgery on internal hemorrhoids? Does it actually hurt? How long is the recovery period? What kind of tests are required, and are they particularly uncomfortable? I really need to know if I'm destined to give up all the delicious foods that I constantly crave! If anyone here has gone through this, could you please share your experience? THANK YOU!

Hi everyone,

I’m dealing with pretty much the same issues as most of you on here. About six years ago, I was diagnosed with grade 1 and 2 internal hemorrhoids. There isn't actually a "cure" for them; it's all about managing your diet—adding more fiber like eating two apples a day, having some muesli, staying hydrated, and so on. For me, everything was fine until I let my guard down. I thought I was totally cured, so I started indulging in greasy fast food, pizza, and stuff like that. Well, six months ago, a really painful lump flared up again, and it was so bad I couldn't even make it to work for a few days. My GP helped me out with a cream, though you shouldn't use it for more than a week because it contains corticosteroids. It’s great for calming inflammation and making the pain bearable while it settles down, but it's important to remember that these creams only mask the symptoms. They don't make the hemorrhoids disappear, and using them too long can actually cause side effects by thinning the mucosal lining, which leads to other complications later on. This time, the lump didn't subside until it actually ruptured... I was relieved thinking it was finally over, but of course, it wasn't. Since then, I’ve noticed blood on the paper every time I have a hard stool. This has been going on for almost six months now, and I finally started panicking, so I went to get a referral for a specialist...

Yesterday, I had my exam at the Mayo Clinic. I knew what to expect since I’d been there six years ago, but it was still pretty unpleasant. Honestly, the doctor was really nice; he talked a mile a minute just to distract me, but the exam itself was still a bit painful... I guess it depends on the person, and since my pain tolerance isn't exactly high, I might not be the best judge, but he was very considerate and wouldn't force the procedure (a rectoscopy, I think) if you couldn't handle it. It lasts about ten minutes or so. After the rectoscopy, my wonderful doctor decided to take care of the problem right then and there, so he performed a quick little procedure (a rubber band ligation) on the internal hemorrhoid. They place a tiny band around the artery supplying blood to the hemorrhoid, and after a few days, that part is supposed to just fall off naturally during a bowel movement... that specific part doesn't hurt at all! It's done without anesthesia and takes maybe a minute. After everything was finished, the doctor told me I could head back to work. I stayed home anyway, mostly just to wrap my head around everything because I'd been spiraling with anxiety for days, rather than from actual physical pain. It started hurting a little in the afternoon, so I took some Ketorolac and it settled down. I was able to go to work this morning just like normal... as for what happens next... I have no idea... I'll keep you posted, but I hope my little medical saga helps some of you out. Regardless, I'd advise anyone to just go get an exam and get a professional diagnosis... there are plenty of other conditions that aren't hemorrhoids, and if you let fear and unrealistic ideas about these things get to you, you might end up with unnecessary complications.

My main issue is just being prone to hard stools, so I really need to learn how to live with that by constantly managing my digestion...

Ethan Miller34 said:I have hemorrhoids too... lol... but they're internal... and they really plague me. If I eat healthy for a month, they disappear, but then I'll have a chocolate sandwich and a banana, my stool hardens, and bam—there they are again. I'm wondering how the surgery for internal ones works. Does it hurt? How long does it take? What kind of tests are required, and are they unpleasant? I need to know if I'm doomed to avoid delicious food that always makes me hungry... if anyone has experience with this, please let me know. THANKS

First off—have you actually seen a specialist proctologist yet?!
Are you bleeding, or are the hemorrhoids just painful?
A proctologist will tell you what the next steps are—whether you actually need surgery or if there's another way to handle it.
If surgery is indeed necessary, you’ll likely have to undergo a colonoscopy first. It’s a relatively uncomfortable (painful) procedure, but it doesn't last very long.
Once the colonoscopy results come back clear, you can start discussing the surgical schedule.
Before the operation, you'll need to complete some basic screenings—blood work, an EKG, an X-ray, and confirming your blood type if you don't have it on hand (like from a military record or a donor card). You'll take all those results to a consultation with the anesthesiologist.
Then comes the surgery itself, which is usually performed under general anesthesia (some people mentioned it can be done under local or spinal anesthesia, but I'm not entirely sure).
Afterward, you'll stay in the hospital for two or three days so they can ensure everything is healing properly before discharging you.

Now, for the part you actually care about—the PAIN. 😲🙂😱🙂

Here's the deal—my pain tolerance is basically zero; I simply cannot stand being in pain. 😢
But once you start coming around, if you haven't already received pain medication, ask for it immediately. I did, and I was given something three times a day—that made the discomfort much more manageable.

I had my surgery this past Monday, February 2nd, and I was discharged by Wednesday. 👍
Today—five days post-op—the pain is minimal (though I am still taking pain medication 😍).
I can sit normally (carefully, mind you), walk fine—just a little slower—and even drive a car. Generally, everything is just slow and cautious. 😉

Regarding diet—you have to stick to light, high-fiber foods to keep things soft, mainly to protect the surgical site during healing...

Right now, the most uncomfortable part is having to go to the restroom; it hurts a bit where the incision is, but it's definitely bearable.

Honestly, everyone I know who went through this surgery had a similar experience to mine. They struggled a little at first, but today, they're all telling me they feel great and don't have any more issues with hemorrhoids. 👍

So, step one: see a proctologist. 😉

I went through my own nightmare with hemorrhoids 😠, especially after my first pregnancy. They flared up because of straining—it was awful. They were painful, they burned, there was a little bleeding... honestly, I had to sit on chairs like a "proper lady," tilting myself to one side just to find some relief. Between the itching and the discomfort, sleep was basically impossible. It was miserable. I tried various compresses and creams, but nothing really worked except for giving it some time. After a brief period of peace, though, they decided to show up again. I was losing my mind. I started experimenting with different ways to get rid of them until I finally stumbled upon a solution. Two tablespoons of olive oil mixed with a tablespoon of plain water—you just make that mixture and apply it as a compress. It doesn't matter how many times a day you do it; in fact, the more frequent, the better. On the first day, the burning was so intense that I couldn't even bring myself to apply the compress immediately—I just soaked some cotton in it and held it against the area. By the second day, things improved, and by the third? I barely even noticed they were there. They were still present, but it felt as if the swelling had gone down and the pain had vanished right along with it.
Now, this worked for me and a few people I know, but obviously, everyone reacts differently. It's always better to try something rather than just suffering through it. GOOD LUCK! 👍