Hemorrhoids
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Hemorrhoids
Oct 2008
Sorry to introduce this icky topic, but I'm seeking advice
about how to treat hemorrhoids. Physicians I've talked to are
very reluctant to prescribe actual ''removal'' -- saying that
surgery and other options are extremely painful, so it's better
to try and manage the condition by diet, stool softeners, warm
baths, etc. That's okay as far as it goes, but I'm at the
point where this is a significant cosmetic concern, if you get
my drift. What advice is out there?
Anonymous
Unfortunately, I know something about this topic. I had pain so
severe (there were a couple of different problems all at once)
that I had to have surgery. My brother had not much pain but a
situation like yours and (warning: stop here for the faint of
heart) continual blood he had to deal with. He too had surgery.
If either of those situations get too bad and don't respond to
conservative treatment, surgery can be a good option. (are
genetics involved?)
The important thing is to get a ano-rectal specialist. DO NOT
allow a general surgeon to attempt a hem-ectomy. If it's
Kaiser, go through all the hoops to get to the specialist and
be a complete b--ch about it. Mine was done by a general
surgeon because I had no idea. She just cut tissue out in
a ''plane'' - a large flat area, and you can't do that. It took
me a year of researching, paying out of pocket for different
therapies, my quality of life was altered - but a year to get
myself close enough to normal. (A guy in a Castro St. sex shop
had some of the most helpful info.)
My brother, on the other hand, had a specialist who knew
the ''bridge'' procedure - it goes by other names too but it
keeps the tissue doing what it needs to do. We all have 3 main
veins or whatever they are and it's best to have all 3 taken
out, which my brother's doc did.
Recovery is hell, I'll warn you, I learned what ''cold sweat''
really means. But only during the times you have to you-know-
what and it improves and after a couple of weeks it's
manageable and the pain and whatever else will be gone and
you're free. Just get a specialist who's done a thousand of
them, who can tell you all about the special procedure and draw
you a diagram. Good luck!
been there
Sorry I don't have much advice for you, but I have used Rhoid
Balm by Motherlove in the past for a small hemorrhoid and it was
very helpful for discomfort and healing. You can buy it at whole
foods.
anon
Do not have any kind of rectal surgery for this condition. My
mother had surgery and wishes she could take it all back. She is
much worse than she was just dealing with the hemorrhoids.
Advice- do not ever get constipated. Ice cubes, witch hazel, 400
units of Vitamin E every day as long as it doesn't constipate
you, lie on your side and stomach as much as possible,
unsweetened cranberry juice and pro-biotics for itching and
burning. Cut out dairy, sugar, corn, nuts, caffeine, chocolate
and see how that helps. Don't sit in a tub too long or it will
make it worse. Short, cool baths if you must and NO SOAP!
anonymous
Mayber you're past this, but I always find that generous
amounts of witch hazel are very helpful in making hemorrhoids
disappear. (for cleaning, for a compress locally applied as
long as is practical) It's an astringent; I also put it in a
spray bottle and use it as toner for my face. Good luck.
Bonnie
Surgery does not sound fun, and many people are not happy with
the results. Even if you have surgery, the problem will recur if
you do not take preventive steps.
The Public Citizen Health Research Group advises against the use
of Preparation H, too. Instead, use petroleum jelly or zinc
oxide as a protective coating to prevent further irritation and
to speed healing. In addition, add lots more insoluble fiber
(whole wheat, buckwheat, bran, etc.) to your diet and never, ever
strain while on the toilet.
No more white bread
Hello
Hemoroids can be treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.
If you have any questions or want a referral please contact me.
Good Luck!
jennifer
I'm an acupuncturist and have helped many with hemorrhoids
successfully, bleeding. Acupuncture is a gentler and less
painful procedure. It truly eradicates the source of the problem.
There really isn't that much that western medicine can do apart
from surgery but Traditional Chinese Medicine can accomplish a
lot with acupuncture and herbal medicine. B.
Try using collinsonia or the herbal tincture ''Healthy Veins.''
It is a combination of Butcher's Broom and other things,and you
can get it at any natural foods store. Personally, I find it a
miracle cure. Relieves the swelling and discomfort 100% within
24-48 hours.
Good luck
Hemorrhoids are partly due to heredity, so if they run in your
family, it's extra-important to get lots of exercise, in addition
to a high-fiber diet with lots of whole grains, high-fiber
vegetables, legumes, and high-fiber fruits.
There are also specific exercises to prevent or reverse
hemorrhoids. Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles of the
pelvic floor. A similar exercise is to do the OPPOSITE of what
you do to make the hemorrhoids worse, i.e., push down slightly,
as if you are going to the bathroom, and then pull back as much
as you can for several minutes. Repeat several times during the
day, especially when you are sitting.
Family History Buff
Hemorrhoids are definitely genetic! My mother, my brother and myself have all
confided in each other that eating ginger or drinking gingerale, and drinking beer -
maybe alcohol in general - bring on flare ups for all three of us. As long as I'm mindful
of those foods, I don't have any problems. When I do, I've found homeopathic products
to be of some relief.
selective eater now
Sept 2007
After putting it off for several years, I'm finally ready to deal with the
external hemorrhoids that I developed during childbirth, and am looking for a
competent surgeon to deal with this issue. Surprisingly there is only one, very
old, recommendation on the website, so I am looking for anyone that has had fairly
recent experience with this process. I have heard both that it can be
excrutiatingly painful and that it is no big deal, so would love some real-life
testimonials. Thanks!
anon
I highly recommend the office of Dr. Lawrence Yee at CPMC in San Francisco 415
923-3020. Don't think twice about the drive, it's worth it.
Dr. Yee and his staff are very pleasant, make you feel at ease, and are very
competent. I was very embarassed to go in, and after saying so, was very quickly
comforted (and releived...)
I suggest having a ride, since coming back might be a bit painful (the anesthesia
can wear off while you're in traffic).
Actually, this is how much I recommend Dr. Yee: if you need a ride from Berkeley,
I'll do it ...and I have a six month old!
Good luck.
s
May 2006
Any advice or sucessful treatments for OUTRAGEOUS hemorrhoids
that started from a pregnancy 3 years ago? I visited Dr.
Bitar (Telegraph, Berkeley) and was told that after I had put
with this problem for awhile longer I would come back to him
and want to have them cut out, in office with only a local.
Change in diet was also recommended, but is not practical for
me. Do you have a recommendation for another Proctologist?
anon
I suffered for about 8 years with hemorrhoids following the birth of my son. I tried
everything to postpone surgery but last year I did undergo surgery. The surgeon was
Dr. Ajay Upadhay in Oakland (510) 465-5523. He was very kind and competant. I had
surgery under general anesthesia. I had a terrible side effect while in my first week
of recovery. Due to the constipating effects of codine, I became impacted and had to
return to the hospital for another surgery to unplug me. It was horrible and I had to
stay in the hospital for 5 days until my body could pass solids. Apparently, the
doctor had this happen under his care only one other time but let me tell you, it was
a living hell. I do recommend using a sitz bath to soak your sore bottom and to use
it to relax so that you can deficate more easily. That was a god's send really.
Slowly I recovered and now a year later I'm glad it's over. I wish you much luck in
your decision and make sure you have lots of child care and support if you choose
surgery.
Glad it's Behind Me
I speak from experience- diet is key when it comes to hemmorhoids! Can't you manage it
somehow? Mine never got to what I'd call outrageous, but the pain and itching was
persistent and way beyond a drag. When I gave in and followed the basic diet
guidelines- not perfectly but pretty good- they shrunk down and haven't hurt or itched
or bled in a long time.
Once you have one you have it unless you do have it cut out, but many can be coddled
into submission. If you have the genetic tendency to them you can get new ones if you
don't take care of yourself. I guess you already know about warm (not hot) sitz-baths
as often as possible, twice a day for sure when they're acting up. You can fold a
small towel and put it under your butt cheeks in the tub if you're too sore to sit on
the hard surface.
Also learning to relax your anal sphincters can help a lot. You're probably too sore
right now to exercise them (simple tightening and releasing), but just regularly
paying attention to the tension you're holding there and learning to let it go bit by
bit will help a lot.
anon
I don't know whether they were outrageous, but my hemorrhoids got to be highly
un-ignorable a while back. I was succesfully treated by Dr. Jim Otis, a Chiropractic
Neurologist, in Oakland near Summit Hospital, who is very knowledgeable on using
nutritional supplements. I believe it was B5 that was the winner for me, after about
two weeks, which at the time seemed way to long to be suffering, but in retrospect,
was perhaps as good as a cure is going to get. He might or might not propose the same
for you.... Here is his contact info: http://www.jimotisdc.com/ Best wishes,
anon
I had pretty good luck with acupuncture for hemoroids. I had been in terrible
discomfort, and was seeing an acupuncturist for another issue, mentioned the
hemoroids, and in 1 treatment they shrunk incredibly. With the next treatment they
were gone! I saw Elizabeth Padron-Vos on Dwight Way in Berkeley
N
April 2004
I was wondering if anyone has had hemorrhoid surgery performed
by Dr. Arthur Stanten, M.D. (Sr., not Jr.) at Summit and whether
or not you would recommend him. My ob/gyn highly recommended Dr.
Bitar, but my health insurance will not cover him. I don't know
much about Dr. Stanten and would love to hear from anyone who
has been his patient.
Also, how was the recovery? When I met with Dr. Stanten he said
I would be put under general anethesia for this outpatient
procedure. I have an active toddler and am wondering how long I
might be out of it or off my feet. Thanks.
extremely nervous about surgery
I saw Dr. Bitar last December and at the time his office was
working on changing their health insurance affiliation. Though
my health insurance (HealthNet) did not yet cover Dr. Bitar, he
was strongly recommended by my OBGyn and I saw him anyway. He's
a great doctor and definitely didn't overcharge. Good luck!
Shirley
May 2002
Several months after my second child was born, I still have
hemorrhoids from the pregnancy. I do everything recommended by
the doctors (including drinking lots of water, eating fiber,
exercising,and the various medications) and constipation is not
a problem. I'm frustrated and on the verge of considering the
more extreme solutions such as surgery. Before I do so, I
wonder if anyone has tried alternative medicine for this
problem. I've had acupuncture, but it didn't seem to help.
You didn't mention how long it's been since you delivered your baby. I
had terrible hemmoroids with my first child and I'm happy to say that
I didn't have any with my second. It took ages for them to finally go
away. I adapted my diet as you did. Then, ever time one popped out, I
pushed it back in. I used a drop of vitamin e oil, though I think you
could probably use nearly anything slippery. I also, and still
continue to cleanse with wet toilet paper instead of dry. It's much
more comfortable, effective, and cost conscience than adult
wipes. There's also no extra chemicals. Then the other thing I did, is
begin an exercise program that includes toning my perineal
musculature. That has really helped then not come back. Also, less
sitting and more movement breaks. I hope this helps.
Good luck.
Dori
Here's what helped my hemorrhoids, which I never had before I
became pregnant:
1. Nelsons hemorrhoid cream
sometimes found in the homeopathic section of a natural grocery
or vitamin store
2. kegel exercises
3. washing the anus with soap and water after every bowel
movement (unless I was in a public, cubicled bathroom!)
Hope this helps,
happy and hemorrhoidless
Regarding your diagnosis of hemorrhoids (sp?): Please make sure
that this diagnosis was correct. I personally suffered terribly
for over a year with what repeatedly was diagnosed as
hemorrhoids. Because of my complaining, I was ultimately sent
to a proctologist who made a correct diagnosis of ''anal fissure''
which is an actual tear in the anal tissue. Mine had gone so
long that it had become infected. These fissures can mostly be
cauterized and they will heal, but I had to have surgery on
mine. If you are having bleeding, go and make sure that you
haven't got a fissure. Best of luck to you. Also, the surgery
was the best thing I could've done; no more pain or problems.
Puerta
[Editor] see Anal Fissure
My sympathies to you about your hemorrhoids. I personally found an
osteopathic session helped me get rid of my one
hemorrhoid. It took one session. A good place to try is the office of
Catherine Henderson whose replacement, Marguerite, is
also an MD. They are located on Solano at Ensenada. I had this a year ago
and have never seen it again.
I did a small 3 month study for my nutrition education during which time a
participant (57 y.o.) was totally free of his long-
term hemorrhoids by using a Standard Process product called Cataplex ACP
(you can find this company in Emeryville and buy
retail from them, I think). It contains whole food, not synthetics, with
buckwheat being the the particular ingredient that
worked. Buckwheat is quite high in rutin, a bioflavonoid. Other
bioflavonoids to try include rosehips. I buy cut and sifted
rosehips in bulk from Whole Foods, grind some up in a grinder, and sprinkle
1 tbsp on applesauce. They work wonders for hot
flashes, BTW.
Good luck!
Nori
Nov 2002
I have been diagnosed with a fistula by my OB/GYN. He believes
that the fistula was caused by a hematoma which developed after I
delivered my 2nd baby, 5 months ago. I have an appointment soon
with a surgeon, Dr. David Bitar. I am wondering if anyone has
any knowledge of fistulae and/or knowledge of Dr. Bitar. I'm
particularly interested in information about recovery time
following surgery for a fistula.
Thank you.
anon.
Three recommendations were received. See this page:
http://parents.berkeley.edu/recommend/medical/proctologist.html
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