Hemerroids

[Jeff D.]

Does anyone have any magic cure for hemmies. I've got a bad case right now and may go to the er tomorrow if I can't get some relief. It it mostly fine during the day but after I poop my butt has a slight throbbing sensation and tongith I'm getting major throbbing. Thanks guys

 

[BWS1982]

I've had issues, and just use prep H and in a few days they have subsided. My worst were either when I was flaring REALLY bad, like in the winter this year, or when I am exiting a flare (my reasoning being my body starts producing more formed/larger stool and my "area" isn't used to passing such large "items" as was flaring for 8 months and only passing slop and liquids).

They suck. Good luck. I've heard a hot bath helps, soaking in it....tried it myself but not sure what good it had in the grand scheme.

 

[Jeff D.]

Thanks I'll try that. I've been soaking. I hemmies from riding my bike. I haven't ridden in a while and the pressure must not have been a good thing. Thanks

 

[Kev]

Roid Rage, huh? OK, couple of ideas off the top of my head (wait, that's the wrong direction! Or is it, in my case?).. OTC remedies are 'crap'. A smart doc will prescribe prescription strength relief - while a not so smart one will be to scared to do that - afraid of adding to the chemical soup you are already taking. Smart doc wil take that into consideration; AND will profer something that really works as an 'interim' measure. If it remains a long term chronic issue IT will have to be dealt with. there are some things you can do for yourself. If these are external; hot sitz baths will help. When in the b/r, don't strain/force the issue (theres' a double entendre if ever I typed one). Try to relax. I know you have a.) a hectic schedule b.) are probably sick N tired of spending time in the john... BUT... take your time. Straining/forcing only makes them worse. It would also help to modify your diet and eating habitls. Avoid any big meals and switch to a softer or semi liquid diet WHILE these things are flaring. Sitting for prolonged periods isn't so good either, esp. on hard surfaces. Get a gel pack seat cover for your bike (if it's too embarrassing, cut back on the biking, OK?).
Hot baths instead of showers (if that's possible, are you still living in a dorm?)
Reasoning? A hot bath allows/forces you to take the time to sit and relax, but a quick shower ONLY gets you clean in a hurry. It's not a permanent lifestyle change, just a switch during a rough patch. Hope some of those help you, OK?

 

[D Bergy]

Epsom salts in bath water seem to help. Although just soaking in the tub helps also.

Dan

 

[Jeff D.]

Thanks guys. I think part of my troubles came from my bike ride, which reminds me that I haven't ridden my bike in a long time excluding this I also was not supposed to sit on the type of bike I have which I did anyways. Then since I have been trying to gain weight and seem to be extremely hungry at all times I have been eating about five very large meals a day, most of them are meats and rice instead of fiber which I need right now.

I have been taking a shower and then immediately soaking right after so I am clean and can wash my hair and then sit and relax. Right now I'm not in college and have nothing to do so I really need to relax more instead of trying to hurry things along in the bathroom. Thanks for all the advice. I also started drinking cranberry juice.

 

[BWS1982]

Hey Kev, was I incorrect to use the prep H? Or by "crap" do you just mean they tend not to work. Seemed to help me, and I still use it preventatively and havent' gotten any in a couple months. Just wondering....

 

[Jeff D.]

I used prep today twice and my throbbing has decreased significantly but I don't know if that has to do with my twice a day soaks in aveeno. I have heard similar things though but prep with zinc normally works pretty well at least for me. My problem has been that when I moved a few weeks ago I either threw all of it away or I have misplaced it and can't find it although my mom bought me some today.

 

[BWS1982]

Prep H is so horrible to buy, at least with the Depends, it appears it's "obviously" for someone elderly that I am being sweet for. Prep H and Anti gas and AntiDiarrheal, oh the horrors of check out time....my face gets as red as my colon.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Well, you're looking for a magic cure - and this seems like it actually.
I use Calmoseptine for all my pain in that area. It's just another cream, but it's a zinc/calamine/menthol combination that really works well. I haven't used it for hemmies, but "diaper rash" as I call it. I don't wear diapers, but that's what I call all that irritation from going too much or leakage or wiping etc. I've had a really bad irritation from cheeks rubbing together, and it was gone by morning with the Calmoseptine. It was about $6 for a tube, and it's over the counter in the pharmacy area. You may have to ask them to order it for you. I think there are several different types. Get the 4 oz. tube. You can go to www.calmoseptineointment.com to check it out. The best part is that the menthol is cooling, and gives some instant relief. Again, I don't know if it'll help your hemmies or not, but it might be worth a try. Prep H and Anusol never helped me, just made it more irritated.

Your mom ROCKS for buying you the Prep H!

 

[Kev]

welll, from what the docs and pharmas I've asked have told me, the typical OTC remedy is essentially a little 'shark oil', with a very mild topical anesthetic, and little ability to do any long term good. I mean, you'll probably get a litte shorterm relief... but for serious roids, your best bet is to ask your doc for a script strength med.. Thing of it is, pain from them is, wellll, a pain in the proverbial... but if they are bleeding, it can mask other serious issues AND it gives an open pathway into the bloodstream, just begging for complications. I dunno if this is applicable, could depend on your type of med ins. coverage, but another consideration is this... you can spend $$$ buying (albeit not big bucks) tube upon tube of this mostly ineffective crap, or get a script and have your ins company pay for it.

 

[Jeff D.]

My problem going to doctors right now is I don't have insurance in Alabama unless I go to the ER. I'm only insured in Connecticut so going to a doctor is pretty much out for the time being. I also rarely get hemmies but when I do they are pretty bad. My hemmies aren't bleeding or anything they are just inflammed and red and painful. Although right now I'm suffering very little paon now compared to a few days ago where I walked with a limp now I'm walking normally although that could also be from the morning. I thank you all for your suggestions.

 

[Kev]

Welll, that complicates things now, don't it? ;-) Ain't it wonderful how some little item like that can mess you up? Is that peculiar to your particular situation? Like, in Canada, if one travels from province to province, health care (gov't provided) is a case of ...you pay for it, and submit the bills to your gov't agency, then you get reimbursed... as opposed to in your home province, it's all automatically covered.

Now, if you've got private insurance up here, then regardless of where you go, the private insurance covers it all up front, THEN they bill the gov't agency for the base essentials covered by the gov't plan. Clear as mud, right? Here's how it breaksdown... Like, one of the things that private plans provides up here is a room upgrade... w/o private insurance, person gets tossed in multi bed ward. With it, you get a 'semi-private'... you and 1 other patient in 2 bed room with a common bathroom... The private insurance pays for that, BUT collects from the government the value of a ward bed... Part of the expense of the 'Canadian' system is that private insurance companies get reimbursed for the 'essential' or 'elemental' portion of the health care provided. It's totally messed up in that regard. The other benefit of private insurance is that it covers things that we don't normally get coverage for from the gov't.. Eye exams, dentist appts or dental work, drugs, physio therapy, rehabilitation, chiro visits, those sorts of things. And, like I said, if you travel... then everything is covered by private insurance SO a person doesn't have to pay out for themselves & collect later.

I ASSumed that in the US, if one has insurance, that it covered the 50 states and any territories... I take it from your post that my ASSumption was wrong.
Go figure. Another loophole these private insurance companies squirm thru.

 

[Jeff D.]

Yep, I have insurance only if I go to the ER since you can be anywhere and have a problem. This happens with pretty much everyone unless maybe you get an insurance company based in every state. I hate insurance it's just another scam of the world. I'm trying to set up an apointment with a GI here but I have to pay for everything until I get insurance here.

 

[Keara07]

Bummer on the insurance. I was prescribed a cortisteroid based product and it worked great both in Jan and after the surgery when things move a bit too much...quick immidiate relief and it was $10 per tube - I got a prescription for two but have only had to use the first one about 1/0th as it worked that well for me. Good luck!

 

[Jeff D.]

Thanks. I think the prep has worked pretty well for me so far. Well see how it goes tomorrow, I have had a few bowel movements today and have not had any pain or blood so I think I should be okay.