Hemorrhoidectomy - Bowel Disorders Message Board

taser194 · 05-27-2009, 02:33 PM

Let me start off by saying that I feel hopeless, depressed, anxious, and horrible. About 4 years ago I began having stomach spasms (I'm 22 now)-- really intense, painful spasms. Everything would go through me, I constantly had to run to the bathroom. My parents just thought it was stress, and I guess so did I. They went away after about a year (around the middle of my freshman year of college when things kinda settled). I did notice, however, that all of the bowel movements I was having caused a hemorrhoidal problem. I mean, it was annoying, but nothing too painful, just kinda came out after every BM, and that was it. Spasms were gone, normal BMs again: I didn't think too much of it.

Let's fast forward to 4 months ago. I notice the hemorrhoids getting worse. They became SO painful that going to the bathroom became a production. I was in excruciating pain every single time (I would literally have to bite on a towel to get through them). They popped out for really no reason too. I could be walking in the mall and bam, my hemorrhoids would come out. I bleed like crazy when I go, it takes me almost 10 hours after going to the bathroom to recover, and my mental health is starting to suffer. I always feel uncomfortable and pained. I just want to be normal, ya know?

So I went to a colon/rectal surgeon because I just couldn't live like this anymore. She examined me and then sent me in for a colonoscopy. Turns out I had Crohn's-- which is what explains the spasms four years ago. It's a mild case, but still enough to cause the horrendous 'roids I have now (WHICH ARE STAGE 3, BY THE WAY). She suggested a Hemorrhoidectomy, and I was fine with this until yesterday.

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and for some reason (last night) I decided to search the internet for this procedure. The results were shocking. NO ONE seemed happy with the outcome. I saw everything from "MORE PAINFUL THAN CHILDBIRTH" to "LOST CONTROL OF BOWELS/HAVE FISSURES/REGRET HAVING IT." I just cried and cried. I am only 22 and I feel trapped in a 70 year-old's body. The results really got my mind going, so I called the surgeon up today for some answers... and OH MY GOD.

She told me basically the surgery was a "shot in the dark"... she also told me that hemorrhoids don't usually hurt. She couldn't give me any real answers... especially when I asked if my quality of life would improve afterward (to me any surgery and pain would then be worth it!). She basically then told me to cancel it (I asked if she had any success stories and she couldn't really tell me). I was shocked. I mean, I didn't feel confident, but it left me wondering, "WHAT NOW?!" She told me that perhaps my Crohn's medicine could make it better (i'm due to see the specialist for that soon). Yes, but what about the bulge? And what about the pain? I don't seem to understand this reasoning... the meds won't exactly get rid of the hemorrhoids, and if I'm at STAGE 3, what options are really left?

I want comfort and relief. I want a normal life. Why can't anyone seem to answer my questions? Why is this such a vague thing if so many people suffer from it? I am in so much pain and I just want answers and solutions. I may not be able to live like this for much longer. Does anyone have similar stories? or advice?

PS, the colon surgeon comes from a VERY good hospital and is one of the best in the field, so it's not like I don't trust her, but I feel like I will never be able to get my life back.

I need so much help.

ventcrew · 05-27-2009, 07:38 PM

taaser194, I also had internal hems that bled and the last couple of months bled horribly. I had to manually push them in after every bm, but i was lucky no pain. i am 52 and mine are caused by child birth. i went to my gastroenterologists who did a colonoscopy (i have had about 8 of them) to make sure it was just the hems. thank God it was. they were stage 3 He sent me to the surgeon who said i need them taken care of immediately in case they turned to a stage 4 and it would then be an emergency. I opted to have pph surgery which i had on Fri May 22. Instead of me writing everything again please look up my post of my pph surgery experience. It is not horrible. It doeshurt but for me the pain meds worked. It is just irritating. I did everything my doc told me to do and I am so happy i had it done. Research pph surgery and if you have any more questions please respond. i will check this a couple more times tonight. Good luck to you. You can do it. Keep me informed.

taser194 · 05-27-2009, 09:30 PM

I read your story and I can honestly say it was the first positive one I've seen in two days. I can't believe you had no pain at all! That's so crazy to me. So I did cancel the surgery, but I had one of the most painful BMs of my life tonight. I mean, I was crying and I lost almost a pint of blood, so I'm thinking I will need to reschedule for next week.. I guess it's worth the risk because life right now is miserable.

How long was it before you felt 100% again and could go without no pain?

Also, what is the difference between a PPH and a regular procedure? Do you get to choose?

ventcrew · 05-27-2009, 10:35 PM

I am only 5 days post op, My doctor was the one that suggested pph surgery. You really need to get something done quick. Ask your doctor about pph and if she does not do it find one in your area that does. I live in michigan in the detroit area. pph surgery is where they insert this thing that looks like a rocket (scary I know) and cut out tissue in the anal canal and then staple in up, past the pain line. My doc called it a nip and tuck of my butt. Not all surgeons do it but it is worth it to find one that does. Do you take Metamucil???? If you google pph surgery you will find some info. pph info is what you should google. I did have pain but like i said it was all tolerable. I also read all the posts and was scared to death but i knew i needed to get it done. Just remember that most of the people on these healthboards are on here because of problems (thats what is is for) that is why you do not see too many positive posts. Thats why I decided to post mine. I know that traditional hem surgery is very painful. The only med i am taking now is motrin. I was on vicodin for pain and valium for bowel spasms (which my doc said was very important) This type of surgery does cause your bowels to spasm quite a bit) Well I am going to bed now but I will check back in the morning and frequently during the night and day, in case you have any questions. Please call your doctor before you end up in the ER. Also i can tell you what my doc has me doing now to make things easier and things that i found out myself

Good Luck

karen

taser194 · 05-28-2009, 04:46 PM

I have an appointment with the Crohn's specialist on Tuesday, thank God, for a second opinion and such (but chances are I will probably have surgery the following week). I'm afraid to go to the bathroom now. I'm freaked out to even push a little.

Tell me more about these "bowel spasms"-- you said you are 5 days post-op, do you notice them going away? I'm very much afraid of bowel incontinence after surgery and having it last for weeks or months or even years!

The next two weeks are so crucial for me, so I can use all the help I can get!

Thanks so much for your info so far!