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Thread: Haemorroids...?

  1. #1

    Question Haemorroids...?

    hi-
    it seems I have haemorroids... I think I've been having symptoms really for at least a year and a half but only went to the doctor's about it a few months ago. I'm quite confused as to why I have it as I am on a very healthy (vegan) diet which includes loads of wholegrains, lots of fruit and veg, lots of daily fluids (and I don't drink tea, coffee and rarely drink alcohol) and I exercise a lot. The only thing I can think that might have caused it is stress as I have an anxiety disorder, but I'm a lot better these days being on new-ish meds and having had therapy last year.
    I've tried to treat it using daily laxatives and cream from the doc, but when I've tried to stop using these it comes back. I'll go back to the doctor this week probably but I just wanted to know really whether anyone else has experienced this and if so what helped them.
    thanks in advance
    yo-yo xxxx

  2. #2
    baffled harpy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    That's rough luck. Do you have constipation if you don't mind my asking? If so, you might want to ask for a referral to a specialist such a gastroentologist as it's not usually a problem on a healthy vegan diet.

    I don't know what the answer is but I wanted to mention that I've read insoluble fibre such as wheat bran doesn't necessarily help with constipation and can make it worse in some IBS type conditions (which can be stress-related).

    I can't remember the thinking behind this (or where I read it - there is a bit here though http://ezinearticles.com/?Soluble-Ve...-IBS&id=508247) but personally I do much better if I steer clear of whole wheat (even though I haven't been diagnosed with IBS). Other wholegrains such as rice, and fruit and veg which contain soluble fibre, are fine for me.

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    yes constipation and 'straining' is usually the cause, if they get really bad try some anusol hc cream (available from the chemist) whatever you do don't let your doctor talk you into having them 'banded' at the hospital, i did, it hurt, and didn't cure them!

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    Oh man... haemorroids. What a pain in the A they are.

    I get them every five years or so. No idea why. No straining or the like. Anyhow, two years ago I wound up driving to A&E with Mrs Lambert with blood pouring from me. The doctor, bless him, tried to push them back in but gave up when he could stand my swearing no longer. Upshot is that I now have loads of tips for dealing with Ol' Farmer Giles.

    1. Anusol and other over the counter ointments are all pretty much rubbish. What you need is a prescription steroid via your Doc.

    2. Take as many Sitz baths as you can. Last time I took two days off work (can't go bleeding all over the place!) and almost lived in the bath. Read a lot of mags and books.

    3. Ice Ice Baby, witch-hazel and a hankie! Get ice on your Nobbies for as long as you can stand. What I did was to fill a small sealable bag with water and put in in the freezer. When I needed it I wrapped it in a handkerchief soaked in witch-hazel. Stick it as close to the piles as you can, preferably on them if they've dared poke their evil, little selves out of their safe spot.

    4. Relax with a good book but not for too long. When having a moment on the loo, relax, distract yourself and let gravity work for you.

    5. Get a pile cushion. I got mine from an old folks shop in Wakefield. Only cost a tenner. Worked best when only half inflated.

    Good luck.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    hey guys.
    thanks so much for the tips and info.
    I actually don't have constipation, I've never really had it, that's why I'm slightly confused... !!
    I've tried flax (about 1tbs ground) once a day which was great until I stopped taking it and then it comes back. I've tried this for months at a time- the pain/blood still returns when I stop the flax.
    It's the Anusol cream that I have, which I think helps to relieve the soreness. And Movicol is the laxative. But I want to get to the bottom (pun not intended ) of this and treat it holistically rather than the on-the-spot, short term, non-holistic treatment from the doctor.
    I will make an appointment at the doctor soon.
    I kind of hate the fact that this has only been a problem since going vegan, because I've experienced some real twatty comments from doctors about my vegan diet, so I'm reluctant to point out what is hopefully a coincidence.
    anyway thanks again guys for the replies. me and bum aren't too bad today but it would be nice to be back to normal!!
    I also forgot to say I take Citalopram (an SSRI anti-depressant) 40mg daily. But I had this problem for about a year before starting this recent med, so if it is a side-effect then it's probably just exacerbating rather than causing.
    love yo-yo xxxx

  6. #6
    baffled harpy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    Good luck with the doc.

    Don't you like taking the flax then? It sounds quite a good solution otherwise - and is quite good for you generally I think?

  7. #7
    snivelingchild's Avatar
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    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    I actually have hemorrhoids too, and I'm as regular as a clock!! With me, though, I believe it is caused by my poor circulation (had since birth) and high anxiety levels. So, it's not always caused by your digestion.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    Quote harpy View Post
    Good luck with the doc.

    Don't you like taking the flax then? It sounds quite a good solution otherwise - and is quite good for you generally I think?
    thanks. well I suppose I wouldn't mind, I'm just interested in finding out why it is I'm getting it. Though you're right I would prefer to take the flax every day than a pharmaceutical product. So perhaps I'll try it again.
    xx

  9. #9

    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    Quote snivelingchild View Post
    I actually have hemorrhoids too, and I'm as regular as a clock!! With me, though, I believe it is caused by my poor circulation (had since birth) and high anxiety levels. So, it's not always caused by your digestion.
    hey. oh poor you... I think I have slight circulation problems, I used to smoke which caused/exacerbated this (but quit about 6 years ago), and I feel the cold way more than the average person of my age (31)... thanks for info.
    xx

  10. #10

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    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    p.s. the anusol hc is the steroidal one and my doc told me not to use it for more than a week consequetively otherwise it thins the skin and then you will end up with a fissure and that's also v v painful

  11. #11

    Default Re: Haemorroids...?

    Quote pie View Post
    p.s. the anusol hc is the steroidal one and my doc told me not to use it for more than a week consequetively otherwise it thins the skin and then you will end up with a fissure and that's also v v painful
    hey pie.
    yeh I went to the doc and she told me the same thing, ie not to use it for more than a week. So I have stopped using it now. She's trying me with an ointment just in case it is a fissure, but she's pretty sure it isn't, and then if need be I'll be referred to see a specialist...

    xx

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