And That Ever Delightful Topic - Hemorrhoids!

psu_213, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2011

Sorry this is a little off topic...

I once had to give "Proto Foam" to a pt with hemorrhoids. It came with an applicator where you "shoot" a few mLs of the this foam into a pt's rectum. Not very pleasant sounding. The worst part....my pt was a nun!

Sorry I don't have a good answer to the OP's question.

BonewaxRN · Jun 26, 2011

I'm grateful that I've been spared the experience, but my mother has terrible problems with them. Procto-foam has been the best thing she has found, and she's able to put it in for herself after I coached her. It's on the expensive side, though. There are suppositories that are very similar in makeup that cost less.

There is the option of surgery, if yours are really bad.

onedayitllbeme · Jun 26, 2011

I'm with you, ever since my twin pregnancy things have not been the same. They are out, won't go back in, ever. one thrombosed at the 40th week of my pregnancy (we finally induced!), and recently had another one (5 years later), even scheduled the surgery to get it removed, but chickened out. I have no options really but deal with using flushable wipes forever and a possible flare up, or surgery.. have seen more than 1 doc in NYC to discuss.

My brother got the surgery and is very happy now.

Good Luck!

Stacy

psu_213, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2011

Sorry this is a little off topic...
I once had to give "Proto Foam" to a pt with hemorrhoids. It came with an applicator where you "shoot" a few mLs of the this foam into a pt's rectum. Not very pleasant sounding. The worst part....my pt was a nun!
Sorry I don't have a good answer to the OP's question.

Yeah, that would be 'Procto Foam' btw

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2011

It sounds like you are asking for medical advice, which we are not allowed to give out per AN rules. You might try asking your PCP for a referral to a specialist or searching online for treatment options.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2011

Yeah, those little grapes on the bum are not friendly, are they?!?

The friends that I have spoken to about having them removed surgically (and have done this surgery myself more times than I care to count), have given various feedback regarding post op tx; some with good outcomes, and others that make my toes curl.

On an off note, I have to tell you a funny story about when I first met my father-in-law. He is a minister and has a very black-and-white view of the world. He believes that women should stay at home, cook, clean, take care of the house, etc. while the man earns a living. He also believes that women should not speak unless spoken to. Those of you who know me understand that I am pretty outspoken, although I recognize when to put a lid on it. After sitting on the couch for an uncomfortable 3 hours making small talk (well, my husband and his dad were talking), the conversation rolls around to my FIL's hemorrhoids. Yes, HIS HEMORRHOIDS. The man is a closet hypochondriac, and thought that he was going to bleed out from his "unfriendly grapes". It was only after my husband did not have an answer to a question that my FIL turned to me and said, "You are a nurse. What say you?" OMG!!! I couldn't believe he actually phrased his question like that! After I went on to explain what hemorrhoids were and the tx options available to him, he started 'machine gunning' medical questions to me. He described every nick, every ailment, every pain, every weird feeling to me and demanded to know what the cause was for every single sx he listed. Holy mother!

Finally got thru the Inquisition and had dinner. As we were leaving to go home, he actually pulled up his shirt and asked me if I thought the mole on his chest was cancer. EGAD!!! Poor hubby just shook his head and gave me a "honey I love you for being so patient" look.

I have interacted with you, Kooky a number of times on this forum. I know that you understand the TOS. I don't think that you are breaking the TOS by asking this question, because you never stated that you were looking for tx options yourself. You are asking which tx options are the least painful and the most effective. However, I can see how your question could be viewed as asking for medical advice. Just be cautious on how you phrase your questions. :)

middleager · Jun 27, 2011

Not a topic I thought i would ever be discussing on a blog. I swore my wife to secrecy and have never told a person but...(to easy). I struggled for years with this and that medication and perscription. finally had enough, saw a specialist, had the surgery, and I only wish I would have had it done long before. Nothing pleasant about the subject or the surgery, but i have to tell you it wasn't as bad as I antcipated and living without all the pain and hassle, as they say priceless. Might just have been lucky for my experience, but i would urge anyone to do it. Surgery Thurs. back to work Monday, office job, sorry I waited.

onedayitllbeme · Jun 27, 2011

So happy it went well. I feel for you, my brother really struggled a long time, had to get dark couches, wear dark clothing. often would have people tell him his pants were soaked in blood, how embarrassing! But after 1 too many thromboses, he had it done, and has kept with a high fiber diet and has had no more issues. That might be me at some point. We'll see.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2011

Yeah, those little grapes on the bum are not friendly, are they?!?
The friends that I have spoken to about having them removed surgically (and have done this surgery myself more times than I care to count), have given various feedback regarding post op tx; some with good outcomes, and others that make my toes curl.
On an off note, I have to tell you a funny story about when I first met my father-in-law. He is a minister and has a very black-and-white view of the world. He believes that women should stay at home, cook, clean, take care of the house, etc. while the man earns a living. He also believes that women should not speak unless spoken to. Those of you who know me understand that I am pretty outspoken, although I recognize when to put a lid on it. After sitting on the couch for an uncomfortable 3 hours making small talk (well, my husband and his dad were talking), the conversation rolls around to my FIL's hemorrhoids. Yes, HIS HEMORRHOIDS. The man is a closet hypochondriac, and thought that he was going to bleed out from his "unfriendly grapes". It was only after my husband did not have an answer to a question that my FIL turned to me and said, "You are a nurse. What say you?" OMG!!! I couldn't believe he actually phrased his question like that! After I went on to explain what hemorrhoids were and the tx options available to him, he started 'machine gunning' medical questions to me. He described every nick, every ailment, every pain, every weird feeling to me and demanded to know what the cause was for every single sx he listed. Holy mother!
Finally got thru the Inquisition and had dinner. As we were leaving to go home, he actually pulled up his shirt and asked me if I thought the mole on his chest was cancer. EGAD!!! Poor hubby just shook his head and gave me a "honey I love you for being so patient" look.
I have interacted with you, Kooky a number of times on this forum. I know that you understand the TOS. I don't think that you are breaking the TOS by asking this question, because you never stated that you were looking for tx options yourself. You are asking which tx options are the least painful and the most effective. However, I can see how your question could be viewed as asking for medical advice. Just be cautious on how you phrase your questions. :)

EGAD is right, LOL. Funny how our families (parents especially) don't tend to see us as adults or as professionals, isn't it?

Many thanks to all for your input. I was just curious what those of you who might work with surgeons might be seeing as most effective in this, shall we say, delicate and embarrassing topic. I've been away from surgery for a very long time and it seems to be all lasers and endoscopes now, day surgery, conscious sedation.

I know there's still plenty of general anesthetic out there, even hospital admissions for some procedures, although much briefer than it used to be.

Naturally, every patient must make up his or her own mind about who to see and what treatment, if any, to get. Also, yes, searching online is probably the best way to learn not only allopathic surgical options but alternative treatments - Ayurvedic medicine, herbal med, homeopathic med, folk remedies, etc.