Should I Be Sure This Is Hemmies?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I'll start by saying I had a clear colonoscopy 2 years ago and have been diagnosed with IBS.

Recently Ive been experiencing the following, all of which come and go:

Itchy rectum

Burning sensation

Bleeding off and on when I wipe, as in one day I'll wipe and see blood, and the next day I wont. When I do bleed, it usually is not throughout the whole day.

Im concerned because these havent gone away. I thought hemmies go away on their own. I do stand on my feet a lot which is supposed to be a cause, but still. I talked to my doc a month ago and he said it sounds exactly like hemmies, but the fact that they havent gone away for good has me freaked out.

Does this sound like hemmies to you guys?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    In short, Definitely!

    Haemorrhoids never really go away unless you have surgery. Even the creams and suppositories available will only shrink them, but they will come back. I've tried numerous treatments and it may subdue the bleeding for a few weeks or so, but they'll come back. Like you I have been diagnosed with IBS and unfortunately this condition means our bowels are frequently being overworked if we have IBS-D, which I believe can aggravate haemorrhoids, or become irritated from having IBS-C due to the effort and strain needed to pass stools.

    Hope that helps.

  • Posted

    Makes sense, they're hems. Drink plenty of water, eat enough fiber, and don't get constipated are the first remedies that I'd suggest. Moisturize the skin after a BM, sit on a warm pad for comfort. Mine are 40+ years partially from carrying and delivering through 3 very weighty pregnancies.

     

  • Posted

    Yes .., this sounds like hemorrhoids!

    But , to be certain , see a doctor for excavation diagnosis .

    Good luck !

  • Posted

    Hey Josh,

    Sounds like hemi's to me as well. There are ways you can eliminate or decrease your hemi's, of course that will depend on the size, location and what grade they are.

    We all have hemorrhoids, it's actually a design in the body to prevent anal leakage etc. However over a period of time, after a lot of strain, through constipation, excessive diarrhea or adding a lot of pressure by running or weight lifting, a long with a poor diet, it will worsen.

    Some people only experience level one, meaning it can swell or bleed slightly, but nothing too significant. Others level two, they will swell and bleed, come out during a bm, but return back inside naturally. Level three, you will experience swelling, bleeding and they will protrude, to which you have to manually push them back in. Or worst case, level four, they are so enlarged, they are painful, they bleed and never return, even if you try to push them back in.

    Level one and two can be helped without srrious surgery. First change your dietary habits, drink more water, increase your fiber and avoid constipation, diarrhea or extreme workouts, running and heavy lifting. Straining makes it worse... adds a lot of pressure on the area. So if you are lifting weights, breathe properly... don't hold your breath.

    If you are at a level two, there are ways to remove them, it's called banding ligation. This can be performed in the doctors office. It'll hurt a little, you may want to rest for the day and avoid any serious exercises for a week or so. However there is a possibility of then returning, so review my advice on diet and exercise.

    Level three and four, this is where serious surgery will be necessary.... and believe me, you do not want this surgery. The recovery is excruciatingly painful and could be 4-6 weeks. Two of which will be a hell on earth you will ever experience in your life.

    So first things first, change your dietary habits immediately, less salt, more fluids, increase your veggie intake, avoid eating a lot of red meat (takes too long to digest and can cause constipation). Increase your fiber intake. Take a fiber gummie, or add restoralax to a cup of water, or eat a fiber one bar, or cereal. If you find its causing diarrhea, just cut back.

    Avoid serious exercises and straining at the gym or while lifting weights. Trust me a lot of people have this issue and they ignore it or don't want to talk about it, because they are embarrassed. Especially guys, because they are homophobic and think the worst.

    Essentially, as mentioned, we all have hemorrhoids... it aids as a function to prevent leakage. However what happens over time, the veins within the rectum burst or become inflamed, causing itching and swelling etc... and if it's left unattended, it will worsen with time.

    If it does grow to a level three or four, a person will experience a lot of blood loss, which can lead to anemia.

    My advice is, follow the above... if you find you are a level one or two, you can still reverse it by doing as I mentioned. You can also take a warm bath with Epsom Salts or Witch Hazel, after you have a bm... and as lame as this will sound, avoid regular toilet paper, use unscented, all natural baby wipes. Trust me, irritating the skin in that area is the last thing you want to do.

    Of course the above isn't always doable, because you'll be out at work or a restaurant etc. But do it at home as often as possible.

    Hell just the bath with Epsom Salts and Witch Hazel alone will help, whether you had a bm or not. They both help with swelling and itching.

    One thing I've learned from experience is, most people won't understand or will laugh at you. So going to friends and family may not help. Even some doctors are useless. Unless you see a proctologist... because most doctors have zero clue how to handle this issue.

    Sorry for the lengthy message, but I hope it helped answer some of your questions.

    Best of luck

    Z

  • Posted

    Hey Josh,

    Sounds like hemi's to me as well. There are ways you can eliminate or decrease your hemi's, of course that will depend on the size, location and what grade they are.

    We all have hemorrhoids, it's actually a design in the body to prevent anal leakage etc. However over a period of time, after a lot of strain, through constipation, excessive diarrhea or adding a lot of pressure by running or weight lifting, a long with a poor diet, it will worsen.

    Some people only experience level one, meaning it can swell or bleed slightly, but nothing too significant. Others level two, they will swell and bleed, come out during a bm, but return back inside naturally. Level three, you will experience swelling, bleeding and they will protrude, to which you have to manually push them back in. Or worst case, level four, they are so enlarged, they are painful, they bleed and never return, even if you try to push them back in.

    Level one and two can be helped without srrious surgery. First change your dietary habits, drink more water, increase your fiber and avoid constipation, diarrhea or extreme workouts, running and heavy lifting. Straining makes it worse... adds a lot of pressure on the area. So if you are lifting weights, breathe properly... don't hold your breath.

    If you are at a level two, there are ways to remove them, it's called banding ligation. This can be performed in the doctors office. It'll hurt a little, you may want to rest for the day and avoid any serious exercises for a week or so. However there is a possibility of then returning, so review my advice on diet and exercise.

    Level three and four, this is where serious surgery will be necessary.... and believe me, you do not want this surgery. The recovery is excruciatingly painful and could be 4-6 weeks. Two of which will be a hell on earth you will ever experience in your life.

    So first things first, change your dietary habits immediately, less salt, more fluids, increase your veggie intake, avoid eating a lot of red meat (takes too long to digest and can cause constipation). Increase your fiber intake. Take a fiber gummie, or add restoralax to a cup of water, or eat a fiber one bar, or cereal. If you find its causing diarrhea, just cut back.

    Avoid serious exercises and straining at the gym or while lifting weights. Trust me a lot of people have this issue and they ignore it or don't want to talk about it, because they are embarrassed. Especially guys, because they are homophobic and think the worst.

    Essentially, as mentioned, we all have hemorrhoids... it aids as a function to prevent leakage. However what happens over time, the veins within the rectum burst or become inflamed, causing itching and swelling etc... and if it's left unattended, it will worsen with time.

    If it does grow to a level three or four, a person will experience a lot of blood loss, which can lead to anemia.

    My advice is, follow the above... if you find you are a level one or two, you can still reverse it by doing as I mentioned. You can also take a warm bath with Epsom Salts or Witch Hazel, after you have a bm... and as lame as this will sound, avoid regular toilet paper, use unscented, all natural baby wipes. Trust me, irritating the skin in that area is the last thing you want to do.

    Of course the above isn't always doable, because you'll be out at work or a restaurant etc. But do it at home as often as possible.

    Hell just the bath with Epsom Salts and Witch Hazel alone will help, whether you had a bm or not. They both help with swelling and itching.

    One thing I've learned from experience is, most people won't understand or will laugh at you. So going to friends and family may not help. Even some doctors are useless. Unless you see a proctologist... because most doctors have zero clue how to handle this issue.

    Sorry for the lengthy message, but I hope it helped answer some of your questions.

    Best of luck

    Z

    • Posted

      Thank you zeek. What are your thoughts on alcohol exacerbating symptoms? Do you think this can cause them to bleed indirectly?
    • Posted

      Hey Josh, 

      Alcohol can absolutely add to the bleeding. Two things, alcohol will dehydrate the body, draining it of all it's natural fluids...   hence the hangover, and possibly increase the chance of constipation. It also thins the blood, and if you are already bleeding in that area, it will definitely lead to even more bleeding. 

      If you really want these things to go away naturally and lesson the chances of them returning, you will definitely have to switch your dietary habits....   and that will include limiting alcohol consumption.

      Since you have already been diagnosed with IBS, you may want to discuss the causes of your IBS with a professional. See what is actually causing this....    it could be wheat, it could be processed foods, meat etc. Might even be cream in your coffee, or the coffee itself. 

      Sadly food these days is chalked full of chemicals that the body will find a way to reject...   hence the reason why so many people are discovering syptoms society never had 25 plus years ago. 

      All the same, if you have IBS, one of two things is likely happening to you...  you're finding yourself very constipated, or you are experiencing diarrhea...   two major causes of hemorrhoid flare ups and bleeding. 

      Again, my advice, seek professional assistance...   or do yuor own experimenting. Take into account what you had eaten and had to drink within the last 24 hours....   process of elimination. 

      I'm no professional, but these are all the things I have discovered since my own experience...   I just wish I was given or found this much advice 6 years ago...   could have likely corrected the issue then, and I wouldn't have had to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy. 

      If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. 

      Hope you find this helpful 

  • Posted

    Sorry, just a few more thoughts. Avoid drinking pop or any other carbonated drinks, avoid red sauces and eat foods low in sodium.

    Also as mentioned drink more water. Of course most say 'how much?'... I'd suggest 6-8 glasses of water a day, dehydration is killer and increases constipation.

    Oh and try to drink water before you eat...

    If you have to carry a water bottle with you... I do and it helps tremendously.

    Good luck

    Z

  • Posted

    I've had hemmies since June of this year. At the beginning they were terrible painful and caused so many issues, but now they're not so bad. Occasionally I'll have a bad bowel movement which will cause pain with the hemmies. 

    If they are constantly painful for you, you're best to see a doctor to discuss your options. If not, then you could try changing your diet and eating more fibre, drinking plenty of water and exercising more - this is what I've been doing and it has helped so much! They're still there but not hurting.

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