How Long Does Hemorrhoidectomy Recovery Last?

allesdas · Newbie Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 5

I had my surgery this past Friday 5/2/2008 to remove external hemm. (harmonic scalpel excision). It was a very tough decision to go thru having read lots of posts on internet about the extreme pain and regret of having it done. All I know is I tried EVERYTHING I could to rid myself of the pain with external hemm. since starting treatment with gastro doctor JAN 08 (I had pains before starting NOV 07 but I guess before January I just thought I was having stomach issues or just felt altogether crazy cause I never had experienced that pain before)..we went thru enemas (ohh not pleasant to try and retain all night), suppositories (again not pleasant), creams, ointments (god in heaven took nitro BID (nitrocylcerin)..NEVER take this I landed up having side effect of muscle pain all over I couldn't move, it was extremely painful!), Proctofoam (awful awful stuff, burned like hell), took flex sigmod test, etc. etc. Analpram was only thing that worked, although for only about 3 weeks then it was back to the constant throbbing/stabbing pain and need to use restroom. I just didn't feel like I was living anyhow, just getting thru the days. It has caused stress with my boyfriend cause he wanted to help me but of course he couldn't all he could do was listen and hold me while I cried. It affected us even doing anything anyhow, the pain was so intense and having to strain to have BM since not trying hurt as well. I am hoping the external hemm. was my only issue (I say this because flex sigmod didn't reveal anything major but I feel I led them to the external hemm. possibility) because the pain of the surgery IS extreme! Its no lie! I have cried off and on constantly since my surgery. Friday night I didn't sleep at all, crying , taking 1 percocet every 4 hours to no help. My boyfriend came home from work at 130am or so and called doctor, he said to up it to 2 percocets with advil as well. I did this and it finally helped, I had to continue that every 4 hours as pain was unbearable. I backed off as much as I could but still landed up taking percocet multiple times daily since then..which I didn't want to do since constipation can be caused of course, not to mention my desire to return to work..but sadly that is just not realistic that quick... (I should note I AM following other directives such as Benefiber in morning, at least 4 sitz baths with hot water, stool softner in evening). Now I ran thru all my percocet and doctor office prescribed me Loratab (Vicodin). Guess we will see how that goes along with Advil or Motrin. Rolling Eyes

Basically I just wanted to say if you suffered for months with the hemorrhoid as I did with no relief and its affecting your life, take the time to get the surgery done and see if it helps. At this point obviously I don't know what my end result will be -- I have good days and bad (and worse Crying or Very sad

..just when I think I may be getting better a BM knocks me out with horrible horrible pain!). Now it seems I can deal with the throbbing for most part but once I have BM it tears me up and the stabbing unbearable pain returns. Right now I am looking at 2 weeks out of work to return mid May, which I think is more realistic then having been told everyone heals differently but you may "need a FEWdays". HA HA HA. A few days??? I think they try to not scare the hell out of you but honestly I'd rather they just tell the absolute hard facts which I knew basically when I went into it by researching and getting 2nd opinion from my doctor then just the surgeon.

Good luck to everyone, I will try and post more as I continue my journey to hopefully a pain free life (I have plans to go to Beach in June, hopefully I will recover fully by then to enjoy it! and start living again)

ADL · Newbie Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 2

I had multiple "massive" external and internal's removed on 4/14 and still am both out of work and in extreme pain. Wasn't expecting it to last this long- especially how extreme the pain is.

At my last appt my doc took a look at the wound and said- ouch- lt's split down the middle- these things take time to heal. He gave me what has worked like a miracle for thepain. Its called Gelclair- it says its for use orally for sores in the miuth- but rubbing it on the wound works as a numbing device and helps immensely!!! I would highly recommend it.

My main ? though is How does the "wound" ever heal?? After each bowel movement - no matter how soft - it seems to be just reopening the wound. This Gelclair helps not feel the pain- but does not appear to be healing it- so how does it heal???? Anyone know?

allesdas · Newbie Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 5

Just posting again with latest on my recovery. Its been awful still. Especially after BM's. I had my check up this past Tuesday and surgeon said I was taking care of area well it was just raw and healing still. Got more vicodin prescribed and to return to work 1/2 days 5/19. I am hoping for the best, I sure hope I can sit 4 hours and deal with the tasks on my job. I am worried but actually look forward to being productive instead of being home crying all the time it seems. I am even sick of my complaining about the pain at this point. I know my boyfriend must be at his wits end as well. Its hard to explain it when someone hasn't been thru it. I can't recall ever feeling this much pain as constantly as I have. Seems one step forward two steps back..Every time I think I have a handle on it I feel awful the next hour. Crossing fingers for a good week back to work!

davidsarmstrong · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 1

I had my operation two weeks ago and I'm starting to feel normal. I am fairly regular lately (1 BM/day) and there is very little pain associated with it now. I had three internal roids removed.

But, it took a good 10 days to get to that point. For people having the operation figure on one week of pain and strong discomfort and another week of lessening pain. My guess is that it will be a month before things are feel really normal and probably long before everything is completely healed.

I stopped bleeding yesterday but there are still specks of blood in the stool. There is some puss but is seems to be decreasing.

Drink lots of water and take stool softeners. I can't stress the water and stool softeners enough. The most painful thing is the BM. When you know you have to go, do it and tough it out. My first BM was so painful I was shaking for 10 minutes afterwards. I actually cried when it was over with.

But, although I'm still sporting a gause pad between my buttocks because the leakage, I don't have to worry about the massive amounts of blood which I had on occasion before. One time sitting in the restaurant.

It is worth it. Even when I was in the most pain, I didn't really doubt that. But expect a very uncomfortable first week and severe pain with the first BM.

Take Care,

Dave

Shelmccain · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: US

Next week it will be three months since I had three very larg internal roids removed. In the beginning it was the most awful, painful experience of my life. I think if I were able to combine childbirth, C-section, and my hysterectomy I would come close to the pain but no where near the recovery time. My 11 year old daughter heard cuss words she didn't think I knew. My husband thought I had developed Tourettes Syndrome.

My story is very similar to many of yours so I won't take you through day by day. I found this site on day 4 when I was completely misserable and very worried about not being able to empty my bladder. I simply could not feel it. Thank goodnes for all of you! Without all this I would have never known what seemed to be normal or know what kind of supplies I would need. I felt grossly uninformed by my suregon. So much so that I printed a list of what I found so that maybe his future patients would be better informed. At the top of my list would be having a physician that specialized in pain management involved before, during, and after a hospital stay. My treatment "team" was clueless and ineffective.

I'm still having pain with my BM's (NOT as bad as the beginning and I don't cuss as much *smile*). BM's are a little uncomfortable now but now I have something new to bring back the pain! Over the last week I've develped a large knot (about an inch long and 1/2 inch wide) directly behind my anus. It's very painful and seems to be getting bigger. It's also hard.
What the hell?! What is this? BM's are becomming curse worthy again. Sitting has become uncomfortable again, unless I lean to one side (which has become a habit). Does anyone have any idea what this might be? I really don't want to go back to that surgeon....not sure if my GP would be helpful

jwr · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

Allesdas-Get a $15 sitz bath thats fits over the toilet bowl. They have them at shoppers home health. When you have a BM have it ready with hot water and sit your but hole in it right away...dont even wipe. It really helped me as I found it wasn't the BM so much as the pinch and post BM. As far as work goes, this thing will fit into a small size bag so no one has to know what you are doing. Besides, its your pain not their's so just do it. I finally stopped using mine at 30 days. My butt has not been this pain free since high school so its worth it.

sooooscared · Newbie Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 1

okay so i'm scheduled for a hemmorroidectomy on June 13th. From what it sounds like i only have one internal that has now turned into an external (i forget what the term is that the doctor used for it). my issue is that i am currently in nursing school and any day that i miss is very vital and tons of information i will be losing. I have the week of the 16th off of school which will give me a week with no worries, however, does anyone think i will be okay to resume back to school the following week? i am very concerned and am not sure that this is the best time for this, however it needs to be done, i can't take the bleeding, pain, burning, and itching any longer. Please, give me some advise.

ADL · Newbie Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 2

Sooooscared - I would say each case is different- but i'm going on 7 weeks out of work - and could not have imagined going to class, or anything for that matter - just 1 week removed. Please be careful making this decision and realize it may mean taking time out of the nursing classes.

If you have to do it- I would HIGHLY recommend asking your Dr. to prescribe you GELCLAIR. It's mainly used orally for operations in the mouth, but my Dr. gave it to me 3 weeks after surgery and it was the only thing that helped me through the day. - I carry a package anywhere I go just in case of a BM. Numbs the area and relieves some of the pain. I agree with the above post that these surgeons should prepare people better as to pain management after the fact - I have learned much more on here than my Dr. informed me of!

Guest · Guest

Had the surgery 10 days ago,only now starting to feel a little better.

Area feels quite raw and theres still discharge.Usually doing 1 BM a day which are painful as hell!

To all the people out there who've already recovered from the surgery,wanted to know how long should I wait before I start playing any sports?

any help much appreciated

respdude · Newbie Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 2

I had my surgery 5 weeks ago. I only had one column of internal, and one external thrombosed hemmorriod removed. It was absolutely the most painful thing I have ever done in my life. I had a good surgeon he gave good prescriptions: Norco for the pain, and Valium for the anal muscle spasms. I had my surgery on a monday, and by friday my pain was so bad they had to admit me to the hospital for 4 days to manage it. I had plenty of sick time built up so I took 4 weeks off work. The night before going back to work I had lots of pain and was wondering how I could make it through the day. I week later and what a difference. I have almost no pain with my BM's. Still having blood, but that can take 6 -8 weeks to stop.

I stopped taking my narcotic pain meds last thursday.... had to go through withdrawl for 3 days, so watch out how long you stay on the narcs. Now just ibuprofen, stool softner, and fiber. I will always eat lots and lots of fiber for the rest of my life.

Something else that really helped in the beginning was 5% lidocaine cream. It did a great job of numbing the external anus. I didn't think I was ever going to appreciate having a hemmoroidectomy, but now I'm finally getting glad I had it done.

But here's the truth... If you are going to have a hemmoroidectomy be prepared for serious pain. On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is no pain and 10 is the worst you could ever imagine. The pain will be about a 15. Going to the bathroom will be horrible BM and urinary retention. You'll be nauseated almost all the time. It will seem like it will never end, and you will think to yourself...."why did I do this?"

Just hold on.... it will get better. Take it one day at a time and realize that it is o.k. for a grown-up to be afraid of a small porcealin household object.

Hope this helps.

How Long Does Hemorrhoidectomy Recovery Last?

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