I wonder if anyone here would have some experience with this and would be willing to share how they deal with it.
I've had IBS since my teenage years, and I'm now nearly 50. I've had diarrhoea (who on earth invented that word and decided to spell it like that??) every week of my life, several times a week mostly, ever since. It does tend to give me cramping and makes me 'strain' when going to the loo as I empty my bowels. My diet is pretty good, I'm a pescatarian and eat plenty of veg and fish, eggs, etc, though I am limiting carbs at the moment in an attempt to lose a bit of weight.
I've had problems with piles before, sore and bleeding piles, but they'd go away after a few days or a couple of weeks.
I've got issues with this again, but it's not going away. It's been around for months now, and I am in a lot of pain every day, for many hours, though it very rarely bleeds. Whenever it does bleed, the pain gets better. The only time it doesn't hurt right now is at night when I'm asleep. I can't get a doctor's appointment for a few weeks, and the pain is driving me nuts. The usual over the counter remedies don't make any difference, I've tried a different thing from a 'natural remedies' company and it doesn't help, pain killers make no difference at all. I'm finding it exhausting, going to the bathroom is mostly a terrifying experience, as is sitting in the car for any length of time.
Has anyone else dealt with long-lasting piles and found something that helped?
Would be grateful to hear from anyone with any tips!
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Nikon1972
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I have both internal and external haemmharoids (sp?) and like you have had chronic GI symptoms since childhood (I'm in my 40s now). I also remember being told by my parents not to strain on the toilet or I'd get piles, but it was kind of impossible for me not to strain because then I wouldn't be able to empty my bowels (as it is even with straining I have incomplete evacuation most of the time).
I'm not sure when my haemmharoids first developed but I suspect they've been there at least since my late 20s and have become bigger over time. I also notice that there are times when they are not swollen and then they don't bleed and don't bother me, whereas when I'm having a flare-up with more acute diarrhoea, bloating and pain is when they also get swollen and bleed and it gets to the point where I dread having a BM because it is so sore and I I have to wet the toilet tissue with hot or cold water in order to wipe because dry toilet paper hurts too much. A couple of years ago, I did have an unusual flare-up in which my haemmharoids were much more constantly sore (not just when I went to the toilet, but all the time, and sitting down was even more uncomfortable). It was like a stabbing pain and it lasted for maybe a month and a half - then one day I had a BM and there was a lot of bleeding, much more than usual (normally it is just blood on the toilet paper) and the whole toilet bowl was red. It was like that for about 2 days, and then afterwards it felt a lot better and my haemmharoids were not swollen anymore. It was almost like the blood had been pooling in my haemmharoids and stretching them to the point that they eventually burst from the pressure.
Not sure if this helps at all, because I have no idea what causes this or what to do about it other than wait till they burst (if that's what happened). My haemmharoids were confirmed on a colonoscopy I had a few months ago, but to date I have not yet received any advice about how to manage them. From reading around, it seems that they used to be removed, but now this is not done any more as removal can cause problems of its own depending on how it is done. I also read that haemmharoids can have an increasing role in preventing incontinence when the sphincter muscle gets more lax with age. Irrespective of that, I think there should be some way of managing or treating them to prevent them from getting swollen because that is when they seem to cause problems (at least for me).
Oooh! I feel your pain believe me. I have IBS d and stupidly thought you could only get piles with conspitation🤔 As this happened about 10 years ago I was able to get into see my GP within a few days couldn't sit down in the surgery so painful. I was given prescription suppositories which my hubby had to administer as it was too painful 🤭also invested in a rubber ring to sit on when I eventually went back to work. GP suggested using a foot stool to change position so it's easier when having a BM. You really need to see your GP if a cancellation comes up can you ask your GP to give you 1st refusal? If you really can't wait could you afford a half an hour consultation with private GP services? Good Luck🌹
Hi nikon1972, You say you’ve tried over the counter stuff so you may have anusol but try anusol hc it’s stronger with a bit of steroid but I believe you can get it over the counter , you’ve tried pain relief but try anti inflammatories .
I guess everyone's experiences are different, but I have had haemorrhoids for many years too. Mine have prolapsed - they are external - and I was offered surgery for them to be removed a couple of years ago but I haven't plucked up the courage to do this yet. Years ago I had some internal ones removed by the banding process, but I would not go through that again and I think it was also a waste of time, as they returned.
I also had a 'thrombosed haemorrhoid' some years ago and this was very painful indeed. You could look it up online. You may be suffering from this and it might explain why you get some relief when it bleeds. I was prescribed some special cream which helped to numb the area until the thrombosis went.
Hi Jackie, I would like to reassure you and anyone else considering it that in my experience you need to take things easy after heamoroidectomy and do your best to make sure your not constipated or have diarrhoea for that matter at the time, as the first bowel movement is a scary experience but for me it was totally worth it .
Just make sure to be very proactive after healing (as far as you can) that you use something like anusol hc at first sign of heamoroids and try your best not to strain maybe get further input through dietician or colorectal/Gastro specialist but sometimes just self education.
I say all this whilst still struggling with my Bowles but heamoroids controlled for the most part. Hope this helps someone🙂
Hi I have IBSD and I’m suffering at the moment with piles, like many people I thought it only happened with constipation and straining.A few years ago I had inflammation and terrible itching due to what seemed to be external piles. Eventually saw my GP who on examination told me there was only one small pile to continue using Anusol HC or to try Sudacrem. After 10 days it improved.
Unfortunately last week the severe inflammation and irritation started again, I started self treatment with Anusol cream (not HC) first but that made the inflammation/irritation worse so then switched to Sudacrem, it did take away the inflammation but not the itching. On examination with a magnifying mirror (not easy) I can see not one but a number of external purple piles. Pharmacist suggested Anusol HC but I was a little concerned that may irritate as the cream had, so purchased Germoloid ointment, to apply internally and externally, it has taken away the severe itching but definitely not all and continue with discomfort after 3 days of use. I now dread going to the toilet and use damped toilet paper.
Before administering the ointment I sit in a LARGE BOWL of warm/tepid salted water to try to relieve the irritation, but this only helps for a short time. I’m going to try the Anusol HC next and keep going for a few more days if no improvement then contact my GP in the hope I can get something better to help.
Try warmer water (almost hot) with no salt. Feet up on a stool. Soak for about 20 min. Do this 3 times a day. And definitely use the Anussl HC after you soak. Hopefully it has 5% lidocaine. The biggest problem I’ve had using the cream is using too much and my whole anus becomes numb. Can’t even feel if I have a BM. So try a little less at first.
Thank you for the advice, purchased the Anusol Plus HC today, but haven’t started to use yet, it doesn’t have lidocaine but has Hydrocortisone. Still using the Germoloid ointment (zinc oxide, Lidocaine Hydrochloride) today, think it’s slightly more comfortable. There seems to be multiple external piles, which are not shrinking yet, not sure how long to keep going with OTC treatments before contacting GP?
I will try sitting in warmer water for a longer time.
Bene Pura Yarrow Ointment is the only that works for me. Available from Amazon. Takes away all the soreness and pain. I wouldn't be without it now.Vivien
I've got it and it does help a tiny bit, but not miraculous. It feels like a mix of vaseline (colour and substance wise) and vaporub (smell wise) and it does have a menthol cooling effect. There was an oil I read about too but it was 26 pounds for a tiny bottle and I'm not willing to pay that kind of money when the reviews for the product are very mixed.Thank you Vefa!
Are your piles internal or external? If external they would be painful with movement and sitting. I had external piles a few years ago and one became thrombos. I had to have this cut and removed in A &E This is not life threatening just very painful.
I find that using micellar water on toilet paper is kind and also cleansing. Bought a large bottle of it to keep in the bathroom. Worth a try? It’s not always possible to find a loo with available water when out. I try to use the disabled facilities but as I can’t wait a small bottle of the water in my bag is essential.
I had mine treated with injections which shrink them. I paid to go private. Got treated very quickly. It only too 30mins and was not painful, just uncomfortable and worked very quickly. I wish I had gone sooner as it was well worth it.You could go through nhs but would probably be ages to get appointment.
Hi Nikon1972, I too suffer internal haemorrhoids. I always have bleeding which can last a week. It is not just on toilet paper. I have used anusol suppositories which work for me. Before I just used the cream, which worked but took much longer. I have just had a colonoscopy which confirmed the haemorrhoids. I suffer constipation which doesn’t help. I think it’s dreadful you cannot get a doctors appt for a few weeks. Do you have online consultation. With ours I find requesting a doctor and explaining my condition a doctor will call me the next day. Otherwise like you it is a three week wait for a telephone consult. I hope you find something that will help. Do you suffer anxiety, which I do, this can make pain and conditions worse. Sometimes I am never sure what is real pain and is my anxiety.
Have had IBS-D for almost 40 years. Developed hemorrhoids after kids 20 yrs ago. Used creams, ointments, sprays, foams, OTC and rx, bum wipes, you name it. Then I switched from toilet paper to a bidet bottle and my life changed. After a couple of months the pain and intense itching were gone and I haven’t looked back. I do use toilet paper, but only to blot, check, and dry. I also use a spray called Pristine on toilet paper instead of water if additional cleaning is necessary, which it normally is not. The bottle I use is actually a travel bidet which means I can take it with me and fill from a faucet if out and about. Ditch the paper and switch to water cleaning. Your bum will thank you.
Thank you so much everyone! It really touches me that you all are willing to share your experience. I did manage to get a doctor's appointment for later today, but now also have either flu or tonsillitis or something like that and feel utterly awful, but will make sure I address the hemorrhoids issue first as it's been such a 'pain in the bum' for so long (the person who coined that phrase had similar issues, obviously). Some of you mentioned anusol 'hc'?? what is it?
I've just seen the gp. She said 'you're not bad enough for the nhs to do anything', I got mad.... years and months of absolute pain and it's not bad enough. She said 'adapt your diet'. My diet is fine. I'm done with this. Many months of agony and tons of ibuprofen doesn't make a difference, but hey, I'm not relevant to the nhs when I can't sit in the car to take my kid to school. I'm furious. I'm so,so, so hurting. I'm so done. Going to break something now.
Hi nikon1972, I’ve only just seen ur replies and questions , anusol is a topical cream and anusol hc is an ointment they can be used internally and externally but be sure not to overuse hc as the active ingredients can cause thinning of the skin. As far as the dr telling you to improve diet gps , I’ve heard it so much in my lifetime , I know how you feel !
I can only speak from personal experience but I’ve been using the yarrow less than a week and the external piles are almost gone. I’ve also had a 2 day flare up this week which generally means bigger issues, I’m happy I bought it but to each their own 😊
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