Dealing with hemorrhoids

You could probably engineer some kind of seat cooling system for when the car's parked and the engine is off, and make a decent profit doing it.
Honestly, I haven't figured out the smart way to pull it off. A Freon-based setup would overcool everything and drain the battery since it wouldn't have the engine running to compensate, plus retrofitting seats like that would be ridiculously expensive. Maybe just toss a small cooler in the back with those gel ice packs and slide them under a thick cushion right before you sit down?

I have a small gel pack available for sale via DM. It’s a little plastic cushion filled with some kind of gel, and it comes with a cloth pouch. Usually, people use them to soothe aches in places like the knee, elbow, ankle, or lower back...
I was thinking it might even work as a cushion for sitting on a bike saddle, just to take the chill off...

I first dealt with hemorrhoids back when I was 27... A buddy suggested switching from red to white wine, claiming the red was the culprit. So, I took the advice, and honestly, they just kept coming back periodically over the next decade. Nothing major, though. Ever since I started training for triathlons about eight years ago, the issue has completely vanished. Staying active means staying on top of my diet and weight, and believe me—whether you're talking about chemistry or most other health issues—it just makes everything disappear.

rapidmaker10 said:they just vanish...

Look, let's not go spreading false hope here. In 99% of cases, they stay—because, quite frankly, there just isn't a cure for this yet. If we're talking about minor issues, I don't know, but when you're dealing with the serious stuff involving bleeding? It's a different story.

I simply laid out my own experience and suggested a healthy lifestyle—proper diet and regular exercise...
I say this because I personally know a massive crowd of people who constantly complain about various ailments or their weight, yet they aren't willing to lift a single finger to follow any advice. Nobody wants to put in the effort to help themselves in the long run; everyone just wants to eat junk and sit on the couch, hoping for some magic ointment or a pill to make the problem vanish overnight...
but unfortunately, that’s not how life works...

I think Dennis Bennett43 makes a pretty fair point here; anyone dealing with hemorrhoids needs to be incredibly disciplined about their diet and staying active. If I’d been a bit more proactive and looked after myself sooner, I probably wouldn't have ended up needing surgery, but hindsight is always twenty-twenty. I know exactly what you meant when you said there’s no real fix for those heavy-bleeding cases. Honestly, there isn't much choice—you either endure the pain or go under the knife, which is exactly what I ended up doing. These days, I’m strictly following the rules: a clean diet, plenty of fruit, lots of fiber, and making sure I get out for walks and stay moving. My digestion is finally running like clockwork, the wound is almost completely healed, and I feel great 🙂. Today was actually my first day back at work after being out on medical leave, and honestly, it feels like a total rebirth. My doctor even went out of his way to tell me that standing on my feet all day isn't nearly as bad for hemorrhoids as sitting for long stretches. It’s funny how true that old saying is—a healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person only has one 👍.

Olivia Doyle85 said:

I have to disagree there... Honestly, I know exactly how mine flared up. It happened because I was sitting on this vinyl-covered chair during the peak of summer—basically sitting in a heat trap. By the time I actually realized what was happening, it was already too late. I was in my early twenties back then, barely 155 lbs at 6 feet tall, and I used to sleep whenever I could get the chance... But, to be honest, I deal with them just fine today. I’ll say it again: I always use various creams along with a little bit of vein gel! (Herbalife, etc.) It keeps everything firm enough that they behave themselves and there’s no bleeding—they just kind of exist there. Anyway, I don't dwell on it anymore, let's just move on!

After dealing with digestive issues for about three or four months now, I’ve noticed a little lump (about 5-10mm) on the outside of my anus.😢
I'm guessing it's a hemorrhoid... just to give some context, I'm 24 and a full-time student, so you can probably guess how much sitting and studying I do.
On top of that, I spend way too much time glued to my computer; I'm not exactly hitting the gym. My only real movement is the commute from my house to the garage to hop in my car or onto my motorcycle, which I ride quite a bit during the year.
When I am working, I've been doing heavy manual labor for the last few months. My diet is decent—plenty of fruit and I drink about 2L of water a day—but clearly, years of being a couch potato have caught up with me.
I picked up some Fact ointment and have been using it for two days, but nothing's happening.😢I tried cold compresses too, but honestly, it feels like they might be making things worse.
I already requested a referral for a specialist, and I'm waiting until next week to schedule an appointment.
I really hope I can get rid of this growth, though from what I've gathered, once you deal with these things, they just keep coming back in even worse forms.
I have no idea how I'm going to give up burgers, pizza, or the occasional beer, even though I know it's terrible for me.
But the worst part is that I can't even ride my bike right now, and there is absolutely nothing I love more than riding. At the moment, the pain is just too intense to sit on the seat.

So, here I am, clearing my throat for a second because I’ve got a bit of a situation on my hands, and honestly, it’s starting to bug me since it’s the second time in just the last month that I’ve noticed a few drops of blood on my underwear right around the rear area, clearly after passing some gas. 🙂 I’ve got maybe two hemorrhoids going on, but I usually don't give them a second thought because they don't actually cause me any pain or anything—except for this little mess right now.
Anyway, I wanted to pick the brains of the experts here—does anyone have a solid recommendation for a good cream or something similar that actually works?
Thanks!

Give Fact a shot, though it hasn’t done a thing for my skin irritation. I've been slathering it on for three or four days now and still haven't seen any progress!

I FOUND SOMETHING THAT WORKS!!!!

Alright, maybe calling it a "cure" is an exaggeration, but it works miracles. I’ve been dealing with this chemical irritation for a few days now, and the pain reached a point where I actually couldn't walk—and that isn't hyperbole. That is a flat fact. Since everything I read on various forums suggested there wasn't a specific remedy that actually worked, I reached a level of desperation where I decided to try just about anything on my poor, aching junk...

Fortunately, the first thing I tried did the trick. It was some Horse ointment meant for stiff muscles and stuff like that, and it brought a smile back to my face once I felt that cooling, soothing sensation. Look, it’s not a miracle cure, but I know plenty of people out there are dealing with the same misery, and I figured this post might offer some relief.

The product is officially called Horses balm and comes in a white jar with a horse on it, though I suspect Deep Heat or maybe even Deep Freeze would do the job too. I'll report back with more long-term results, but for now, it's 👍

urbanranger20 said:I FINALLY FOUND SOMETHING!!!!!

Hi, hi, hi... just a guy in a bad spot looking for any kind of relief! I haven't gone the extreme route yet, but honestly, if you try any decent hemorrhoid cream—you know, the higher-quality stuff—they usually have enough anesthetic in them to dull the pain pretty quickly. But for anyone dealing with something that isn't just starting out... please, just forget about those swollen capillaries ever going back to normal on their own. It’s just not happening—you're going to need some actual medical help for that.
So, after using that Italian "Proctolyn" cream, I went ahead and asked my doctor what else he might suggest for a change. He told me that Hades is actually the best option. It's also an import, but you can pick it up at any pharmacy without a prescription quite easily. Look, I'm not expecting a miracle cure here, but if things aren't getting worse, I guess that's a win in my book.

I figured I’d jump in with a few questions of my own. After reading through everything here, I’ve honestly lost track of what was said at the start. To give some context, I dealt with hemorrhoids during my pregnancy. They cleared up on their own after the first bout, but the second time around, they just won't budge. I've adjusted my diet and occasionally use some Fact, but since I'm breastfeeding, I'm hesitant about taking any medication—probably best to avoid it. I haven't seen much change, though maybe a slight improvement. There's been minimal spotting, nothing heavy. Since there isn't intense pain, I assume they aren't inflamed; it only hurts when I'm using the restroom. What actually causes inflammation? And at what point should I schedule an exam (besides the obvious)? Due to a previous surgery, I still have stitches at the vaginal opening, so I'd prefer to delay an exam for a few months if possible. I'm also curious about creams and meds. I've learned not to sit on cold surfaces (or hot ones), but what's the most common cause of inflammation?
By the way, I have one external one, and I'm not sure how many internal ones are present.

Also, is it actually possible for an external one to shrink on its own without surgery? Just purely for aesthetic reasons, even if that sounds silly to some.

😠Let’s just clear a few things up regarding why and how these issues actually arise. Honestly, reading some of these posts makes my blood pressure spike to 200!!! How many times do I really need to emphasize MY specific situation? About ten years ago, I dealt with a serious case of meningitis, and ever since then, I have been incredibly cautious; the thought of sitting on something cold has never even crossed my mind. So, we can definitely rule that out.
Regarding my diet, I eat very healthily—plenty of fruit, vegetables, and almost every single day I stick to cooked meals. I don't eat bread, except for the occasional whole grain. My bowel movements are perfectly regular, and I don't suffer from constipation at all. Therefore, that is also out of the question.
My job requires me to be on the move for eight hours straight; I am constantly WALKING, never sitting or standing still. So, that cannot be a potential cause for any leakage.
I was also consistently, and I mean REGULARLY, active with sports—rollerblading, swimming, fitness training, gym sessions, yoga, tennis, and so on and so forth... Which means, it isn't that either!
When I was a little girl, my mother would help me clean up, and after that, I took care of myself because the idea of not washing after "relieving myself" is simply unthinkable to me.😉So, I can cross that off the list too. And is it truly necessary to point out that I have never engaged in anal sex?
For crying out loud, I'm still dealing with this despite everything, so these nonsensical theories make absolutely no sense to me. You either have it or you don't; you just live with it if you can, or if you can't, you go under the knife and that's the end of the story. In a few days, I'm heading in for another ablation procedure, and then🙂🙂🎉🙂👋

Look, I know exactly which medications I was on during my pregnancy, but after reading through everyone else's experiences, I started thinking there might be ways to manage things more effectively. Or maybe I totally misread the situation.

So, what’s the point of the creams and pills if they don't actually work?
I also wanted to ask: at what stage do you typically see a doctor? Is it even necessary to make an appointment if there isn't any active inflammation? It’s honestly not a huge deal to live with. Or am I just in that early phase where nothing like surgery or specialized treatment is even required yet?

Sorry if I'm rambling on with all this nonsense. None of us are medical experts here; I'm really just looking for some quick advice, 🙂.

Oh, goodness, no, everything is perfectly fine... I just get so incredibly frustrated when people constantly insist on emphasizing all those things I’ve been following for ages, you know? It's like, I was already doing all of that long before I even dealt with this in the first place, and I honestly have no idea why they feel the need to lecture me about it...🤷
Regarding your question about when to actually go see a doctor, I think you're the best judge of your own body. If the bleeding is rare and minimal—if it just pops up occasionally and disappears just as quickly without making your life a total misery—I don't see any urgent reason to rush to the clinic. Perhaps the only reason to go would be for your own peace of mind, just to confirm that it's simply a matter of hormones.
I experienced them for the first time a few years back, and someone suggested I just apply some basic ointment, which seemed to clear things right up. After that, they popped up a couple more times, but they vanished so rapidly that I truly couldn't understand why everyone makes such a massive fuss over it...🤣But now, it has become crystal clear to me... It's about that sheer, overwhelming pain that completely paralyzes your ability to think, leaves you feeling so on edge, and becomes the only thing occupying your mind. If yours isn't like that, then please, just enjoy life...🙂
As for the different creams, I'd say just give them a try and see which one works best for you, because we aren't all built the same way... what helps one person might do absolutely nothing for another.

Chloe Gomez6 said:

Honestly, you guys are just being punished—you give everything to raise those kids, and then one day they just move on because you've become predictable or nagging... meanwhile, the issues they caused stay behind, and the men involved probably won't even realize what happened...

All jokes aside, I really need to reiterate this: even after thirty-some years, I haven't had a major flare-up. They're internal and external—basically, they're just *there*. To be honest, they usually show up right after I use the bathroom. I don't follow any crazy hygiene routine, just the basics, but I always make sure to apply something afterward—sometimes more than once. I use a decent cream (my doctor recently suggested "Hades") along with a little vein gel (like Herbalife or something similar). I'm pretty convinced this combo has kept things stable for about 15 years now. They're present, sure—but they're quiet! Bleeding is extremely rare, usually only triggered by intense physical exertion or if my stomach gets out of whack. So... we just live with it!

Went to see the specialist at the Mayo Clinic yesterday.
I explained my situation, and I have to admit, they were perfectly polite right up until the moment you realize you have to get all puffed up and strip down—the exam was pretty painful, even for someone with my high pain tolerance!
He noted a 0.5cm nodule at the 5 o'clock position; no special treatments required, just eat more fruit and veggies, take some magnesium, and maybe Sensio—basically, cut back on the dry food so things stay soft!
On top of that, my engine has basically handed itself over to my biggest enemy: hemorrhoids. I need to scale back there too.
Cycling is out of the question, but I definitely need to make running or swimming a mandatory part of my daily routine!

It’s not like I’m living under a glass dome or anything, but following those guidelines is probably a good idea.
The doctor didn't recommend any creams because he said they’ll just trigger intense itching after a while; instead, he suggested chamomile baths and a follow-up in a month.

*He also mentioned not expecting this to vanish in a week or two—it’ll likely take a month or two, maybe three, before it clears up.
I really hope so; I'm way too young to be dealing with this crap for the rest of my life.

Back again with the same old issues.

I’m hoping to finally get that pilonidal sinus surgery scheduled soon—using a specialist my friend recommended.
I can't pull the trigger on the surgery just yet because I'm dealing with some lung stuff, so I have to get a lung CT before I can move forward with the sinus procedure. But I'll be heading in for that damn surgery eventually... hopefully everything turns out fine.

In the meantime, somewhere between the lung issues and the backside drama, a new problem has cropped up.

On my glutes—specifically the surface area—these little lumps are appearing. When I run my hand over them, they feel about as raised as a mole would. They're worrying me because they feel like "foreign objects," plus they occasionally itch UNNORMALLY much. No bleeding, but I have no clue what they are.

I also scrolled through this entire thread and saw someone mention seeing red spots on the toilet paper, which people usually link to hemorrhoids. That’s also an issue for me, and honestly, I’m praying I haven't inherited that particular nuisance. I don't have massive bowel movements constantly, but I do go twice a day fairly often. Because of that frequency, I figured those red spots might just be skin irritation from wiping—basically just "scraping" the skin 🙄. Is that a reasonable assumption?
As I mentioned in a previous post, I've seen significant amounts of blood on the paper before, but I'm pretty sure that's just the pilonidalis acting up.

One more thing: hygiene is perfectly fine. Showering in the morning, after work, whenever needed, and at night. The sinus isn't being as wild as it was a month ago, but I’m almost looking forward to getting it dealt with.
Anyway... focus on the lumps and the four red dots on the white paper 🤣

It’s an intense, overwhelming pain. It makes it impossible to think straight; it just leaves you feeling on edge, with nothing else on your mind.

Honestly, reading this makes my own issues feel manageable, and the daily discomfort I deal with seems almost trivial by comparison. But the thought that this might be a lifelong struggle? That’s terrifying.

What really gets to me, though, are the people who sound so resigned—as if they've just accepted that chemical imbalances are something you simply live with forever.