Hi, all. Its been a while since Ive updated my post surgery status so I thought Id take the time to do that today. So I had my full hemorrhoidectomy (3 externals removed, 2 internals left) on November 8th last year, so I am now 10 months post op. Ive gotten on here many times during my recovery to reach out for support during the hard days, and also to answer questions that others had. To say the least, this forum has been a Godsend to me. I have had a very tough time during these 10 months and sometimes felt I would never get better. I felt like giving up many times, as my recovery seemed to be never ending, or I would finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, only to have another setback. To further complicate matters, I found out in July of this year, just 8 months after my hemorrhoid surgery (which I was still not fully recovered from) that I needed not 1 but TWO more surgeries!! I was devastated, but also in so much pain, that I was willing to let the docs do whatever they had to do to end my suffering. Long story short, on July 25th, I endured both surgeries on the same day, back to back! The first was a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal–it was severely diseased & caused me months & months of the worst abdominal pain imaginable. I could not eat, was vomiting daily, my digestive system was on a rampage, & I began having daily diarrhea that was pure green bile. The diarrhea re-inflammed my internal hemmi’s and I was in constant pain. Then my gynocologist informed me I needed a total hysterectomy due to fibroid tumors, severe menstrations monthly, & a prolapsed uterus. I was scared & devastated, as you can imagine.) So I gave the go ahead, and had the surgeries. Tomorrow will be 7 weeks post op from those. The recovery was rough, having had 2 surgeries in one day, but I am now finally starting to feel like a human again. Both of the surgeons who operated on me in July have now released me, & I am for the first time in 10 months (since the hemorroidectomy) about 90% recovered & nearly pain-free. My gyno told me that the reason its taken so long for my hemorrhoid surgery to heal was because the uterus tumors were so heavy and there was so many, that they caused my uterus to drop into my vagina. That constant pressure was not only the reason for my vaginal pain & pressure, but also was responsible for putting constant pressure in my rectum, which kept the internal hemmi’s from staying inside & healing properly. I had never heard of this happening to anyone until it happened to me, but it explained so much. Now that I no longer have a diseased gallbladder, or fibroid filled dropped uterus putting pressure on on my rectum, my internal hemmi’s have almost completely healed. The only time I am even aware that they are still there is if I have a long bout of diarrhea, which will cause them to poke out and swell & make sitting very painful. I had this happen after a weeklong dose of antibiotics for an infection & the diarrhea lasted the entire week. As soon as the meds were out of my system, the diarrhea went away, & the internal hemmi’s shrunk back inside & I no longer felt them. So if anyone out there is still 8 or more months post hemorrhoidectomy and still suffering from flare ups, or pain, and if you are female, talk to your gynocologist to see if the problem could be from pressure in your rectum from uterine fibroid tumors or a prolapsed uterus. I say this because it happened to me, & it might just be happening to one of you. If that is your problem…have the hysterectomy. You wont regret it. It has almost completely allowed my bottom to heal. As long as I have these 2 internal hemmi’s, I know I will have to be vigilant in the care of my bottom. I will always have to do all I can to avoid constipation and/or diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids, get enough fiber, eat healthy, be careful not to lift anything too heavy, & treat any flare up as soon as it happens (I still use recticare OTC lidocaine ointment for any short term pain that may arise, & I still take a daily stool softener & 1 capful daily of mirilax, unless my bowels are loose, & then I back off of them until my bm’s are back to normal. My only fear now is a stomach virus or bout of food poisoning or another weeklong dose of antibiotics, as all of these will cause severe diarrhea for me, & definately cause a hemorroid flare up.) So there it is. I have had 3 major surgeries since November and I am still here. I can finally report that I am better than I have been in what feels like forever. So for all of you out there still suffering & thinking it will never end, dont lose hope. It may take months & months, you may even need another procedure to fix another problem, but trust me…you WILL get better & come out of all of this stronger for having endured it. I promise!! Sorry this is so long but mine is not an overnight success story for sure. But I do consider it a success story, nonetheless. I hope my story will help someone out there thinking it will never end. It will. Sometimes it just takes alot longer than our surgeons tell us, & everyone heals at different paces. Dont compare your recovery time to anyone elses…we all heal at our own pace. So everyone please take good care of yourselves and never lose the faith. This is a very difficult thing to endure, but with God’s help (and a little help from our forum friends) we will all be okay. It may just take some time. Love to you all, JANET
oh my gosh, what a story! I’m so sorry you had to deal with all of that in such a short time frame. I’m really glad to hear that you are doing well. thank you for sharing and spreading positivity!
Janet, sending wishes for bodily comfort, good health, and happy times all the days of your life. Thank you for sharing your story…I too, find help and support from this group.
Still have my hems and probably will choose to deal with them forevermore, rather than undergo the surgery. My complicating issue is pelvic pain syndrome (entrapment), hip/lower leg/spine nerve and skeletal issues from 3 powerful falls a long time ago. I have a good team of experts to work with me, and a positive mental attitude most of the time.
All the best to you and others on the site.
Janet, that is quite a journey you have described. I am very happy to hear that you are well on the mend. I am a male so I can’t quite identify with your female issues but I am with you on the hems. This board was a huge help to me when I went through the hemmorhoidectomy nightmare. I am 100% healed now but will never forget the experience. Good luck to you and thank you for sharing the very detailed and personal update.