| My hemorrhoidectomy recovery and hopefully helpful advice
I had a hemorrhoidectomy 12 days ago. I've endured all the horrors others have mentioned. I used Miralax twice a day for 2 weeks before surgery and 2 enemas the day before surgery. I left the hospital with Oxycodone, Valium, and Lydocane 2% gel. I used Miralax as instructed even though I could not eat day 1 or 2 because the nausea was so bad. I was itching as well and stopped Oxy and Valium. Huge mistake! Pain and gas (bloating, pain, gurgling, inability to pass gas) forced me to contact Doc who instructed me to resume Valium, and "piggyback" Motrin and Tylenol every 6hrs. Nausea subsided and pain was manageable. My first BM on day 3 was torture; cold sweats, unbelievable pain, insides feeling like there ripping apart, crying, etc. It exploded out and was diarrhea-like, so luckily only lasted 5mins. Exact same happened 2hrs later. I regretted having the surgery and terrified of future BM's and what the next few weeks would bring. I am a strong person who has handled a lot and I was now an emotional, hopeless, mess.
On day 4, I found these message boards and they have been my lifeline. Thank you so much to everyone who has posted. It matters, you matter, and words cannot describe how helpful you have all been. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I would like to share what has helped me from what I have learned on here, from my doctor, and through trial and error. I hope it helps.
-Motrin and Tylenol are very helpful, but some sort of muscle relaxer is vital to help relax the muscles to achieve a BM.
-If your stomach and bowels are empty before surgery you should probably hold off on any stool softeners/laxatives until you have something in your system to soften.
-The best way I've found to get through the BM's:
Talk yourself through it (it will be ok, it will be over soon, I can sitz bath after, it will get better, etc.)
Take a sitz bath after (soak at least 10mins)
Read these message boards, it really helps while your sitzing to know other people have experienced and gotten through this.
Dry your bottom with a hair dryer (the less wiping and patting dry the better)
Apply Lydocane 5% (5% cream is much better than 2% gel)
Wear a thick overnight pad (the padding helps cushion your sore bum)
-Drink at least 64oz water daily (take a glass with meals and medication and you will be good)
-Eating small meals every couple hours helps with nausea related to medications and helps make BM's more bearable.
-Don't sit on the toilet if you don't have the urge to "go", sit in a bathtub or sitz bath instead.
-Small, light chores help to induce BM's (walking up and down stairs, small load of laundry, wash counters, etc)
-Shower nightly (it feels good) and lie bottomless on a towel on your bed for at least 1 hour nightly to air out the wound.
-Slowly introduce foods and fiber back into your diet to reduce gas and cramping), as well as exercise.
Hang in there! It starts to get noticeably better after day 7. Slowly, but surely. I hope that we will all look back on this experience as being painful, but extremely worth it. Good luck all
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