Embarrassing Problem

There is a vitamin called Rutin. It works wonders. It got rid of mine in about a week or two. Try it!

Definitely get a regular doctor. Where do you live? I have a great place I go to called focus internal medicine. They are great! Maryanne and Dr. C is the best! The location is on Randall in elgin but we live in Geneva. She has done great work with my thyroid and past experiences with my Hemi's I fondly call them!
Good luck!

I agree - this is an embarrassing problem - which is why I probably haven't spoke to anyone about my hemorroids issue either...........glad you brought it up. I am anxious to hear what other people have to say.............

I was just planning on trying TUCKS (over the counter)....

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!

There are many more people with this problem that you realize! Probably most of us who have given birth! My neighbor recently had her hemorrhoids "banded" at Northwestern in Chicago. It's supposedly a painless procedure and your hemorrhoids eventually shrink from lack of circulation and go away. Hers were so bad she felt she couldn't even keep herself clean anymore, and she finally went and had this done. I also had some problems last year with a recurring hemorrhoid and went to the Center for Colorectal Health in Wheaton -- Dr. Thomas Drost. Mine wasn't bad and he advised it would go away and also that over-the-counter creams do not help hemorrhoids -- they just irritate the surrounding skin, which is what I had happen. Anyhow, if you're having problems, don't suffer with it. I really liked my doctor -- www.crhcenter.com

There is a drug store in Roselle called Mark Drugs that sells Hem-B-Gone. They are natural suppositories (3 total). I got them after my first child was born and never used them, but now, after my 2nd, I really need to call them and get more. I don't think you need a prescription, and they will ship them to you if you don't live close.

I hear that they are great.

I have known of 2 people who were ready for surgery but remedied the problem by using VICK'S vaporub.

I asked the same question several months ago and tried, unsuccessfully, all the alternative treatments offered. I have since visited the Center for Colorectal Health (on the advise of a Mamasource member---thank you!) Whether you have internal (prolapsed, if they are now protruding) or external hemorrhoids will determine your treatment options. I was told that internal can be resolved with banding (in office) and would resolve in a matter of days. Unfortunately external require cutting and can take up to several weeks to resolve depending on the extent of your situation and whether you can have in office treatment or would require a full hemmorhoidectomy (SP?). I'm going for the in office external removal on Friday and will be happy to let you know how it goes. Good luck!

Hi D J

There is noyhing to be embarrassed about. I have the same problem because I have IBS the gastro doctor tolld me that. I haven't found a permanent cure but you should get relief if you buy some preperation H.

I hope this is not too intrusive, but are you constipated? Do you feel that you are "force" pushing when having a bowel movement? How is your diet? Lots of fiber can help and now there are supplements that you can sprinkle on food or in your drink that are tasteless. I think it is called Benefiber or something like that. It funny,but I am a birth instructor and have worked with pregnant moms who have that problem and do not after learning certain easy techiques. If you are interested please contact me for further help.

No need to be embarrassed...it's sooo common as I'm sure you're realizing. I suffered with them for years. When I was just newly pregnant, I ended up with a fissure also(torn tissue on your sphincter...ouch). It was unbelievable painful. It was caused from being so constipated from the pregnancy that going to the bathroom was very difficult for me.

I went to a gastoenterologist. He was able to prescibe me a topical ointment. I took daily sitz baths (I actually bought a plastic sitz bath thing at Walgreens that you can just sit on your toilet, instead of having to get my big pregnant body into the tiny bath tub we have) and started taking a stool softener and a Benefiber pill everyday. Unbelievable that it all worked without having surgery. Even after my pregnancy I continue to take the Benefiber and stool softener. It has kept me "normal" and prevented me from having any further issues with either the fissure or the hemmoroids. Good luck!

After I had my son, I had the same thing!! I went to my regular MD and he gave me some cream- it healed over time.

You are not alone. I had cluster hemorids when I was pregnant with child #3. The pain was so horrible I could not sit. That is the reason they induced me. Luckily my OBGYN took care of them right after birth when I was still under the epiduril.
I used alot of Tucks pads before I gave birth and cream. If they are that big, they wont go away on thier own.

Good Luck, we've all been there!

My husband had hemorroids for 5 years and it just got worse and worse until finally one day he couldn't do anything and we ended up in the ER and he had surgery that day. Being a doctor himself, he was too embarrassed to do anything but over the counter treatment. Let me just tell you it was a long and frustrating 5 years for me and him.

It's been almost 2 years and he's doing great. No complications from surgery and he's all better. He saw a specialist here in Peoria. Good Luck!

I had them when I was pregnant and nursing... however, nothing was worse then when i had them last month (6mths after nursing). After being in CONSTANT pain.. I went to my General Dr who told me she couldnt help me as I had blood clots and had to go to a surgen ASAP, who then gave me the option of lancing them and draining the blood or removing the entire hemroid completely through surgery. I chose lancing.. they gave me a shot to numb the area, after which it took a full two weeks to heal.. but sooo worth it!!!!!!!! (I didnt notice any pain after the 3rd day). Before treatment, I tell you, I couldn't tolerate that constant and intense pain. I couldn't do anything, lay down, sit, stand, walk without wanting to scream. I went to the Midwest Surgical Group at the physicans tower at christ hospital in oak lawn, but they have a location in tinley as well.
ol ###-###-#### tin ###-###-####
good luck. I was sooo afraid too.. glad it's done!

Hi there. I experienced similar issues after having my first as well. The OTC creams/such did not work well.
The only thing that really worked wonders and shrunk them down was ice. It is a little painful and you have to do it for a few seconds at a time - but hold ice on it for 10 seconds and then take a break and then again. Repeat this over and over. It really shrinks them down.
Horrible but it works!
Good luck

Dear DJ, I have the same problem and by baby is 9 years old. I have flare ups I guess you can call them when my hemmorids really bother me. Watch what you eat and try to stay as regular as possible. I think that helps. When you are constipated that aggravates the hemmorrids even more. Warm baths and good old Prep H helps. Good Luck, hope you feel better soon. Watch the spicy food too.

Have you tried TUCKS I hear they are good. Why don't you call the pharmacy and talk to a pharmacist and ask for a recommendation of over the counter products. Or, why not call the doctor that you had and ask him for a RX. You could call the clinic at the hospital that delivered your baby and ask them. also, takle a sitz bath that might help. Ask someone instead of being in so much pain especially during the holidays. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year anyway.

I had them too! My OB gave me Proctofoam, and it really helped. It is like a mousse foam and I'd spray a bit on to a tucks pad and apply. After a few days I felt so much better. I had them really bad for a bit and even needed, Darvocet too. But I haven't had them return except during pregnancies! Hope that helps!

My daughter was two in October and I have the same problem. I know you said "aside from getting something from the drug store"; for immediate relief, I would purchase the Tucks pads at the drug store and then talk to your OBGYN in January. That will take care of the immediate as well as the longterm.

So sorry that you are experiencing this!

Good luck
J.

Oh you poor thing. Hemmerhoids are awful. I had them terribly after having my second baby for about six months. I'd go a GI doctor after havinng had them so long so he can better asses the situation. Perhaps fiber therapy to help things pass more easilt without straining would help? Give them time to heal? Hope this helps and feel well soon.

DJ-

Nothing to be embarassed about. I, too, got my first hemorrhoid after the birth of my first child. I would have flare ups where they hurt periodically, but most of the time, they were just there. After 19 or so years of living with it, the flare ups got worse and more often. I was referred to a surgeon who told me my options. I went ahead with the surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery took care of the internal ones and two external ones, but three new external ones developed shortly after the surgery. (There are a total of 5 possible veins that can develop hemorrhoids.) So, I probably won't wait 19 years to get the other ones removed. It wasn't that big of a deal to have them removed. There are alternatives, depending on the type of hemorrhoid you have, but some are painful, require more than one treatment and are not as final as removing them. The scar tissue that develops from the surgery keeps them from coming back (in that vein) permanently.

Good luck.

You should see a gastroenterologist - that is a doctor that specializes in the intestinal system (including the rectum where hemorrhoids occur). I see Dr. Mark Fesenmyer - he has offices in Naperville and Lombard with DuPage Medical Group (not for hemorrhoids - but for another problem, but I am sure he can help you with this. If not - they can refer you to someone). My husband had his "rubber banded" - long term it removes them, but it is a very uncomfortable procedure he says. They basically tie a tiny rubber band around the vein and it shrivels up and dies and falls off. It hurts for several days, but afterwards you are hemorrhoid free! There are probably other ways to fix them and maybe other doctors give anesthetic for this, but my husband didn't have any. Just go see a doctor and stop suffering!! It may seem embarrassing, but that is what these doctors do day in/day out. Good luck!

Have you tried hot baths? I've had them off and on for a few years (mine tend to be stress related)and went I went to a specialist, they told me to take hot baths. You only need a couple inches of the hottest water you can handle. Do this a couple times a day. It takes time, but it does help them to shrink, often faster than the creams, etc. If you want a cream, my OB recommended cortizone rather than the other OTCs.

Hi d j,
the only solution to my hemorroids to get rid of the pain was to do sits baths. I went out and bought a donut and put it in the bathtub and i would do sits baths every night for about 1/2 an hr to 45 min. I had twins girls, naturally, and both were 5lbs 5 ounces. Within a 2 week period, i was completely healed with not only the hemorroids, but a fisher tear on my anus area.
I know it's embarrassing to talk about, but seriously try it, because it helped me alot!!!!
Good luck.

I just talked to my OB about this last week. She said after giving birth it is a problem for the rest of your life. She also prescribed a suppository that she says you take for an entire week regardless of symptoms and that seriously reduces the occurrences, and then you can take them for 3 days whenever they appear again. She also said to take special care never to force. She said that will almost always reduce the pain and how often you get them.

You really need to get a referral to see a specialist if it's that bad...they will probably prescribe prescription strength creams to try first.

I had them for 5 years after my two children (didn't even deliver vaginally!) and had tried prescription creams and suppositories and it wasn't caused by poor diet or straining...the doctor I saw did a procedure called PPH, it's a surgery that is meant for folks who've tried everything else, the banding wasn't going to work for me...but it was surgery, under a general and although not too painful (sorry if TMI, but they pull things back up to where they belong and staple, but the staples go where there aren't pain receptors).....So yes, it's embarrassing but you gotta get it looked at, I got to the point where I could barely walk, sit or do anything!

For now, buy some flushable wipes instead of using toilet paper and get the strongest Prep H they have over the counter.

B.

Hi DJ
I had the same problem after my kids were born. My youngest is 8 1/2 yrs. old. I had the banding done. It was a little uncomfortable, less then menstrual cramps, for a couple of hours after it was done. Then it was fine. I haven't had any problems since I had it done. I had it done about 7 years ago. My doctor said not to use the over the counter medicines as they do more harm then good. He suggested to use regular vaseline when/if they bother me. Good luck