JH9

To make this "not an article", I need to please know if you spot something here that will harm me later.

A month and 2 weeks ago I came within a day of the dreaded haemorrhoidectomy, and that in our South African public healthcare system from hell. I only had to call it off due to other health problems. Today my piles and bleeding are under control, has been normal for 2 weeks in fact. So the following is what you could also try. Much of it seems obvious, but one gets into a panic and then you can't think. Beware the operation is a terrible mission (read this forum).

Bowel movements first: main problems are bleeding and painful protrusion, with fluid leaking all day. Keep bowel movements very short. Understand that there are two "sphincters" (muscles) in a row. An involuntary one that fills the rectum, then a voluntary one to empty it. No use sitting there waiting for the involuntary one.

Prepare for your bowel movement before sitting. Fold six square pads of toilet paper and put lotions within reach. Urinate while standing, before the time. Girls too, in a jar if needed. You can also use a finger to push some hand lotion (camphor cream) up into the rectum, to push haemorrhoids up and to lubricate the path for stools.

To stop bleeding we have an old remedy here, Steel Drops, containing ferric chloride, as a styptic. I use this in conjunction with Camphor Cream, a skin lotion. Always smear some camphor cream on toilet paper and wipe with that, or add steel drops (or other styptic) if needed. Be ready to apply steel drops 2-3 times, then get up regardless, with some steel drops on toilet paper lightly pinched in place. The sitting position makes the bleeding worse.

Now lie down on your tummy and relax. A pillow under your chest may be more comfortable. If there was bleeding, have a calcium supplement (such as Calsuba) ready, or some honey, to make the blood thicker. After 5 minutes get up and remove the toilet paper with the styptic, checking if the bleeding has stopped. Toilet paper can be lightly pinched in place to catch what remains. Only wash hours later. Try not to sit for a while, find tasks you can do standing or lying down.

If much blood was lost, you can very soon manufacture it again by just eating or drinking. Sometimes bleeding can restart for a whole day - often due to a sharp, non-digested piece from wholewheat foods. And diarrhoea can make things much worse. Always have Imodium ready, to (wisely now) delay bowel movements.

Next, what diet - here of course you have to exclude what you can't have for some reason. Always avoid rough fibre, only take gentle Oats Bran (cooked). The use of bran is to retain water, not to cut and scratch you. When a severe bleed or protrusion has happened, take only a fluid diet. Broth from vegetables: cook them in water for a long time and only drink that water, very good for you. Grape juice is okay, but not carbonated. You will feel better and your stools should now mostly contain bile from you liver etc, not too much or too runny. As your problems improve, slowly add Oats Bran and solid vegetables (cooked).

Stay far away from Ceylon tea and coffee! Drink lots of hot water with honey, plus 10 drops of lemon juice and milk added. Some say meat and wheat are causes, so go off that too for a while. Avoid chocolate and cheese. Get used to cooked veggies with a little real butter, especially potatoes, pumpkin varieties, the cabbage family, and tinned baked beans. Some say an immune system reaction is involved. So keep your diet simple for a while, and then see.

Every morning take Vitamin-C 1000 mg (slow release only). Plan to have a bowel movement at least every second day. On the evening before, take another Vitamin-C 1000 mg (slow release only) if needed. This is the gentle cure for constipation, just take more until you are regular. Also take Omega-3 (salmon oil) and Omega-6 (evening primrose oil) capsules each day, to help cure wounds.

I found one should avoid sitting, and standing has its limits, so I moved my PC to my bedside, with the screen swiveling over the bed on a trolley, mouse flat on the bed (straight arm) and me reclining like the Sultan on his pillow. I find I can do much more this way since the discomfort of sitting is gone - but it may depend on what sort of neck you have. At your day job, try standing or walking for some tasks, often. Ask if they don't have a room with a bed, sometimes kept for emergencies, and lie down on your tummy for 5 minutes over lunch etc.

I've had almost no exercise this last month and I know some very fit people with serious haemorrhoids, so that seems to be unrelated, as I am okay now. So many words, but you will see it is really simple and need not take much time. I wish you good health.