Haemorrhoidectomy issues really getting me down!
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I have followed these boards on and off for a year or two since suffering with internal hems that would prolapse during BMs or during sports.
I've had bandings and HALO in the past with limited success and on 24 July I underwent the dreaded haemorrhoidectomy! I had 3 internal hems removed with 2 I didn't even know I had, left in due to the surgeons concern for narrowing of canal. My view was as long as the prolapse was resolved I would be happy. I was given laxido and tramadol and sent on the road to recovery.
Day 1 and 2
Mostly OK due to residual effects of the anaesthetic but certainly uncomfortable! By the end of day 2, the laxido had done its job and the first BM arrived around 6pm. It wasn't very impressive but was definitely uncomfortable.
Day 3 to 7
Laxido definitely works and on day 3, I had 5 BMs which was not fun at all so I have reduced the intake of this and BMs have reduced to 2 per day, 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. These are becoming more painful as time passes and as soon as the deed is done, a stinging, throbbing and itchy painful feeling ensues which can last for a few hours. This is also accompanied by a bloody discharge throughout the day which requires me to wear a gauze pad throughout the day.
Now for the most depressing part. There was nothing to see externally prior to the surgery, the main issues were prolapse which could be manually reduced. However, since the surgery, there seems to be a new lump on the opposite side to which the prolapse would occur, which is probably pea sized but can vary in size throughout the day which is tremendously demoralising! Today, which marks 1 week since the surgery, I thought I would try and get outside for the first time so I walked maybe half a km and felt an immense itchiness so turned back and when I got home I felt the urge to wipe and felt another lump where the prolapse used to occur.
I have read these can be swellings from the op or that "skin tags" can develop but my fear is that they are hems!
I am so down about all of this. I had my hopes pinned on a successful surgery that would resolve my issues but it looks unlikely at this stage. I just feel lost and worried that I will have to live with this for the rest of my life and I am only 33.
Can anyone offer advice before I go back to my surgeon/gp?
0 likes, 6 replies
Bidgy 123gone
Posted
I had my op on 28th July and can see similar lumps - am assuming they are the skin that encased the hems and am now deciding to be patient. (after initial panic) You are early on in your recovery but quite understand your need to walk a bit. I'm 67 walking is my favourite activities and this inactivity is driving me nuts. Try to remain calm but if it will allay your fears, ask your gp by phone perhaps initially for reassurance. It's your body and you deserve more info - don't we all. You can blame me if you like, say Bidgy feels the same and would like answers too! Have a bath and breath, thinking of you.
123gone Bidgy
Posted
Thanks for the reply and solidarity through this awful experience. Like you say, there is an element of panic when you initially discover hem looking lumps after going through this horrendous surgery to remove that very thing.
I am usually very active too so sitting around the house has me on a knife edge.
Did you have internal or external removed?
Take care.
Bidgy 123gone
Posted
Definitely some external and old skintag removed but to be honest I'm not entirely certain and I feel poorly informed! My bad for not grilling the surgeon. Just prior to the op I also developed a bowel prolapse while 'senior' exercising (surgeon said minor) and I have to get that checked next. Gynaecology next then ho hum, but TMI for you! Please look after yourself and pester for answers if you need to. I now need to heed my own advice!
pete27421 123gone
Posted
I had surgery to cut and remove 4 external and internal (3 large, 1 smaller) on June 23. After a few days i noticed my first tag which was quite large and very tender. Then around day 11 I had a setback and noticed 2 more tags and I began getting very worried. I'm a 29 year old male in very good shape, so this process has really been getting me down as well. Im now 5 weeks and 4 days post op and I'm far from healed, but the swelling on the tags are down significantly. It took about a month for the tags to noticeably go down, but I still have pain (far less than in the beginning) and a ton of swelling after my bowl movements and sometimes feel like i havent completely emptied, but nothing else comes out and i dont want to strain. I usually have 2-3 movements per day all within a 5 hr time frame, which is why i believe my healing is going so poorly. Im still not ready to sit and if I walk around "normally" for too long i feel a sharp pain at 1 or 2 of the removal sites.
This recovery has been a total roller coaster of emotions. Everyone heals differently so I pray that when i go for a follow up in a month and half that my doctor says everything is healed, but until then all I can do is try and eat right, soak in a hot bath, take my stool softeners and try not to do too much. It is hard not too assume the worse when youve dealt with something for so long, with other failed attempts at a cure (i had 5 bandings done and failed over the past year). Your not alone in this! The swelling I believe is to be expected and normal. As long as you feel you are making progress with healing and the pain is decreasing overall from week to week then you should be ok!
123gone pete27421
Posted
Thanks for the reply, appreciate your input. It certainly sounds like a tough time you've had. I agree it is hard to stay positive after previously failed attempts at a cure. I have changed my whole diet to try and alleviate the symptoms but when they get to a certain stage, nothing but the knife will do unfortunately.
I think I panicked when I felt the lumps and just thought it had all been for nothing but like you say it is only 1 week out. I need to work on being more patient.
Do you think your tags are from the internal or external excision sites?
Are you still taking any pain meds? What stool softner do you use as I feel the laxido is too harsh for me.
I intend to return to work on 10th August (office based) and am not looking forward to sitting all day plus the idea of potentially needing a BM at work fills me with dread. With being 5 weeks out, are you managing to return to normal activities like work, driving etc?
Thanks and take care.
pete27421 123gone
Posted
I am using docusate sodium 100mg 1 per day plus 1 tsp of metamucil to keep everything flowing along with a good amount of fiber and 80-90% clean eating. This combo works pretty well for me. I stopped the pain meds after day 4-5 because I didnt want anything that would make me constipated. I believe the tags are from external that extended internal.. so I had either 2 or 3 veins that produced both external & internal hems as well.
I wish I had better news for you but I havent even been able to sit yet because the pain gets so bad it sets my recovery back 5 days when I try. Fortunately I work for myself but I have not driven at all since the operation. I believe im in the minority with how terrible and lengthy my recovery has been, so I wouldnt base your expectations on how my recovery has gone. I really hope yours goes much better, but in case it doesnt feel free to message me if you need to vent or talk. It helps to talk to someone who understands the pain and frustration of this nightmare. Ive heard some people being able to go back to work after 2 weeks with no issues, while others say they needed 8 weeks and couldve used an extra month. It just goes to show this recovery is not a one size fits all. Wishing you a healthy & speedy recovery!