I'm 27 years old and am a fairly healthy guy. I've had hemorrhoids on and off for about seven years. I got my first thrombosed hemorrhoid this year. I got IRC (infrared coagulation) twice, and I still have problems. Doctors just say eat high fiber and drink lots of water, but it doesn't seem to help. I fast (go long periods without eating at all) as a result. Now, I fast fairly regularly and have lost 35 pounds in the last three months. Now I have "thrombosed hemorrhoid No. 2," and I'm just exhausted, both physically and mentally at the intense pain I feel every day. The few things that work for me are: --Over-the-counter Preparation H suppositories (usually too painful to insert though) --Lidocaine (seems to numb a little bit) --Not eating (gives the whole mess down there time to figure out what it wants to do and heal) I learned the hard way that sleeping pills and oxycontin are no good. Taking narcotics for pain is a terrible idea, and please don't do it. It will 100% cause constipation, which in turn will cause more pain, which sucks. So, in short, don't be afraid to fast, and don't take narcotics for the pain. It will hurt you so much more, and you will hate yourself for sabotaging yourself in the healing process. Published: September 11 ::

Go buy Desitin or the store brand containing 40% zinc oxide! Last night, I used some, and although the hemorrhoids are not gone, they are reduced significantly. I slept through the night for the first time in a long time. I also had the first normal bowel movement in a long time this morning. Woo hoo -- no bleedint! I was just about at the end of my rope. My doctor said surgery was necessary, but I am in a huge initiative at work and cannot take time off now. Surgery may still be necessary, but at the very least I feel the zinc oxide will get me through the summer. Yes, it is a bit of a mess, but no more than the other creams. I put the cream on a cotton swab and inserted it that way. It is a little cumbersome but well worth the effort. Published: September 11 ::

I'm 58 female and have had this condition off and on since 19 with childbirth. I have always able to keep them at bay until they decided to take control. I had internal and external and went to the doctor to be told he couldn't help me - how about surgery and how's tomorrow looking? They were so swollen that I had no choice. I found no pain with the surgery; however, the pain is later when trying to get back to normal. The doctor will tell you to return to normal activities after 2 weeks. It will take 6 weeks. Mineral oil, stool softeners, fiber, drinking lots of water, and take lots of hot Epsom salt baths. All of this will make you feel completely better. I had to have a second surgery due to muscle tightness causing tears. Again, they say 1 week; I say 2 weeks. This time was much easier. Maybe the 3rd week I'll shake the doctor's hand and say, “Thank you! Have I paid for you home yet?” Good luck to all! And I hope this helps! Published: March 09 ::

I am a 65 year old female, and have had rectal hemorrhoids for 40 years resulting from two childbirth deliveries. I use Preparation H daily and take a warm/hot bath daily. The only time they get engorged is when we are on the road traveling in our RV. For those times I take a large pan along to improvise a sitz bath! I was hoping to have the hemorrhoids removed, but learned from my doctor that surgery is no longer the treatment of choice. Published: February 16 ::

I am a 53 year old male and have had both internal/external hemorrhoids for over 20 years. Had externals ones, clots removed. I’ve used lidocaine and witch hazel, which seems to help a bit. I had stage 4 internal prolapse that required a hemorrhoidectomy. It was extremely painful, but it worked. Unfortunately the surgeon removed the internal ones from the right side, but not the left. Now I have them again. I want to try laser treatment… I’ve tried virtually everything. Published: January 12 ::

I'm 53 and have suffered off and on with hemorrhoids since junior high. From time to time I have to go to the doctor for treatment. At home, most of the products don't seem to bring much relief anymore. My daughter told me about using Vicks VapoRub and it really helped the pain. I have a blood clot though, and it is really being stubborn this time so maybe after Thanksgiving I will let the doctor remove it. In the meantime the sitz baths, donut seat, fiber laden cereal and stool softeners help. But I find that it is hard to get things straight with numerous bowel movements. Right now I'm trying crushed Tylenol Extra strength that I made into a paste and applied with a cotton swab to the problem. It seems to be helping. Published: November 17 ::

I have had hemorrhoids for many years on and off. I work in construction and do heavy lifting and not a great diet. I have tried many products, but a friend gave me a product I had never heard of. It was called Hemmorx. This product stopped my pain and itching fast. I took about four pills the first day and the burning and itching stopped. Published: September 30 ::