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Just had the HALO haemorroids operation

Posted , 3 users are following.

Treated
Treated

I suffered with piles since 17 and now I'm 47. I had been offered the operation 10 years ago but knew from close family experience that it was a painful op. I then came across the new HALO technique at Glan clwyd hospital wales which promised fast recovery and very little pain. How wrong !

I went into theatre after having the eminia clear my bowels out. Came out of theatre and was in recovery ward from 10.30 till 2pm. I woke with immediate pain in my anus. Like a spasm pain. They tried all painkillers just help me rest. The surgeon recommended morphine as he explained the piles were very large so to expect pain. Eventually they put me on a self administer morphine machine. This help relieve the spasm pain. I was then sent to the ward 6 for overnight stay due to the morphine and the previous medication. On the ward I asked for my bag which was still on the day unit ward. 5 times I asked for my bag. I had no underwear on, blood all over my hospital gown and a pad that obviously was going to fall off once I got out of bed. I wasn't offered a jug of water or food despite asking for them. Bearing in mind I hadn't eaten since night before and it was now starving. After going up to the nurses desk I asked for something to eat. Eventually they gave me a packet of crackers and a slice of cheese. I also asked for a clean gown so I could walk down to the day unit to get my own bag. The nurse shouted across to health care assistant to go for it. Why this couldn't have happened sooner I don't know. By this time I was so upset with the lack of dignity they gave me and the combination of drugs I was in tears. I eventually was given my bag at 5.30pm! I had packed it with food, water, sanatory towels, clean pjs and underwear. All the items I needed but was denied. By this time I just wanted to go home. They removed the morphine and let me go. Said there is no doctor to sign the discharge papers but these will be faxed to my gp in morning. I asked about the dressing/packing still inside me. The health care assassistant said district nurse will visit me. Fortunately i had some tremodol from my last bout of piles to see me through a night. Next morning I went to gp no discharge papers no leaflet on aftercare nothing.gp rang the ward to no avail and said she would follow it up. Gp gave me tremadol and lactose and recommended paracetamol and ibrofine in between tremolo dosage . Once in my system they helped a lot. Day 2 I had a small poo where the foam dressing came out along with blood. Day 3 and pain is bad like a bad bout of painful piles especially when using the toilet. Its difficult to know if i need a poo or sensation is due to swollon piles. I believe it does get worse before it gets better so hoping it will settle down in a week or two. Gp gave me 2 weeks off work which I think I will need as currently having baths and painkillers during the night. I read that the Halo operation was a quick recovery and less pain but in my experience I wasn't expecting this much pain. I did have to have some external piles removed and stitched so maybe that causes the pain rather than the halo. Gp still hasn't recieved the discharge info!

I have written this as I gained a lot of info from other people's experience but I would recommend that you keep someone with you if going to the ward as otherwise safer at home. I couldn't fault the nursing staff in theatre or the surgeon. Excellent care until put on ward 6!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • donna92634
    donna92634 Treated

    Posted

    Aww hunni that's sounds awful what you have been through . Firstly I would definitely report this sort of aftercare treatment you received it may if not anything else give you some satisfaction . Secondly I'm coming up to week 6 didn't have a halo operation but did have external piles removed it is definitely a operation to give some serious thought to . I've now taken myself off all pain killers as it was all upsetting my system and I need to know where iam with the pain . But by what I've read on here it can take up to 3/4 months to fully recover .xxxx
  • eren93736
    eren93736 Treated

    Posted

    So sorry to hear of your misery. It's awful when, you are reliable on other people and at your most vulnerable moment, you get treated like this!

    Anyway, the reason I thought I should write and say something is, I had the Halo op and didn't have all the drama attached to some peoples cases - thank God! I think it's because you had to have external piles removed as well. Also, I didn't have to empty out all of my bowels neither. Yes, I had to fast, but that was it. After care could have been better (I couldn't quite understand the nurse I was asking questions to) which made me a bit aggitated, so I decided ring up to ask questions the following day when I was calmer. Yes I had discomfort, but nothing that the painkillers couldn't numb down. I didn't bleed for a while, then after about 2 weeks, I had a moment when I heavily bled on a couple of occassions (even though it wasn't whilst passing stools), then it stopped altogether! The doctor said it may just have been the build-up of bleeding which emptied out itself. I am so glad I had it done, because like you, I had suffered for may many years too (I am 54 yrs old now). I just hope it doesn't come back again.

    Give a little time - fingers crossed, you will be ok. And keep taking the painkillers because I believe they do help.

    Good luck xx

     

  • Treated
    Treated

    Posted

    Thanks for support. I am going to complain about the ward care or lack of it just as soon as I'm feeling better. I'm still taking the tramadol, ibuprofen and paracetamol. I've also just taken a voltorol. Feel some relief with medication and resting but so anxious and irritable that I get highs of energy to clean or pacing the floor. There is no comfort zone at the moment and feels like a bout of excruciating piles but at least Im hopng this will be the last bout ever!

    Been toilet twice today to open bowels or at least the sensation of it. I know I'm staying on toilet too long but bowels feel full. Bath everytime which seems to help with resting. Also a tiny bit difficult to wee. I really have to concentrate on relaxing to take a pee. Currently I'm resting on the bed in normal position on my side. Early today though i had my legs high up on the headboard spread eagle! Thankfully no one around

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