cheer up

I completely understand your distress, all of it. I've had hemorrhoids for decades and they periodically cause trouble but one must really have big problems continuously to warrant surgery. Even the specialists will agree with this.

Your panic about this is understandable though some people take it in stride -I don't know any of those people. I panic about everything so when there's an episode of some sort I, too, can experience all sorts of pain and suffering in the digestive tract. In fact, stress from any source is a huge reason people have digestive problems, kind of like people who get bad headaches from stress.

Once you see how you react to the hemorrhoids or other digestive complaints, you have won most of the battle. Hemorrhoids themselves are nothing more than enlarged veins, like varicose veins in the legs. They do not cause cancer or anything like it. You have already been diagnosed and treated; now you must try to relax. I know it's difficult. I have had irritable bowel symptoms for years, too, and stress plays a big part. We all just need to learn to settle down, eat right, get enough exercise and drink plenty of water. Spending too much time concentrating on these bodily functions and afflictions does not help matters. Did you know that about 3 out of 4 people will have hemorrhoid symptoms at some point in their lives? Few of us escape them and if you have reason to sit or stand a lot for long periods of time, you are at increased risk.

Hope I have made you feel somewhat better about this.