Fifty Plus (50+) - Hemorrhoid

I got one. Bugging me pretty badly. Doctor says it's small. Gave me some steroid cream and suppositories. They kinda work but mostly don't. Witch Hazel provides the most relief.

What is confounding is I thought I'd be the last person to have something like this. I exercise regularly (daily). Eat a balanced diet (including years and years of oatmeal for breakfast). I don't sit for long periods of time. Constipation is infrequent. My weight and body fat is low.

It's embarrassing as hell. Feel like this is an old man's problem. Racing 50+ for the first time this year.

I've also got a new doctor that I will see for the first time at the end of January (first available appointment).

There's too much junk on the internet dealing with the issue so I stopped googling.

Anyone here have the problem and found a solution? i've heard about shots and surgery. I will have surgery if I have to.

Does bicycle riding cause this problem?

Not age related. had um in my early 20"s
Had em cut out.
Doc gave me a medium opening.

I have had a couple of flareups in the past 5 years, but only one roid each time. Prep-H or similar and warm water soaking gave some relief and both times the roid went away after a week or two. When I developed the first one, I didn't realize they could resolve without formal intervention. I have known a couple of people who had surgery (clusters of the painful things!) and recovery was slow and painful. In one case, they redeveloped after a year or so. I suspect some people are predisposed to this type of problem, but it isn't just old person disease. Give conservative treatment a chance and maybe you will be lucky too.

Like my bicycle's frame, when one gets bad, "cold steel is the best deal".

(Take some fiber supplements daily for a few days, keep the area as clean as possible, lots of hot water soaks.)

I've had them for years, though they only flare up every few years. Make sure to take fiber or stool softeners to insure soft bowel movements. I haven't had a problem in over five years, so don't despair. One of the difficult realization of growing older is that we are really not in control of the illnesses, maladies, or conditions we develop. We're alive. We develop health problems.That's the way it is.

You can tell this is 50+.

In Road a thread with this heading would be vituperative name calling.

Best wishes for rapid and complete recovery.

Last year, someone close to me had the rubber band removal method. Quick, relatively painless and rapid recovery. It should have been done sooner.

Lots of good advice in posts above. Salad is your friend.
This cream on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Mayinglong-Hemorrhoids-Ointment-Cream-Value/dp/B000F34TCC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1294294629&sr=8-1
is like putting an Altoid up there and lasts at least 20 minutes. Provides a little relief but does not remove the problem

I had an outbreak in 2002 that put me down in terrible pain for a day or two. Have had no serious outbreaks since, but a couple little "warnings" without full-blown pain. All of the above suggestions/remedies seem good. I do keep some ointment around to head off the start of anything... this was very bad pain when I had it.

Yep, must be the over 50 crowd here...ehh so am I! I had bad case of hemis myself. So the sawbones I went to had to rubberband some off, then later he did a colonoscopy and while having that done the same doc fixed two more. Then he told me to start taking Fibercon (though I get the generic version from Walmart because it's way cheaper) with the Psillium(sp?) grain in it at a rate of 3 caps in the morn and 3 caps in the eve, and I haven't had a problem in 2 years. I've also increased my intake of fruits, but the doc said fruit alone won't prevent I still needed the Fibercon.

The doc said that hemis are mostly genetic, so family members usually have it. Cycling just agitates it not cause it, so I had to stay off the bike for 3 months mostly to allow for the surgery good time to heal.

I recommend you see a doc that specializes in internal stuff and have him take a peek inside your arse, then have him schedule a colonoscopy to make sure your good further up, the line and then fix the hemis on his way out. The pre colonoscopy routine of cleaning yourself out is the worst part, it's like have a severe case of food poisoning. But get it done, because the sooner they fix it the less severe it will be and the quicker you can get back on the bike, and winter the best time since your probably not riding much anyway.

Hate to be a party pooper (pun intended) but I had hemorrhoids back in the late 1990's, had them removed via rubber band. It was not painless, although I suppose it was less painful that having them surgically removed. Now 10 or so years later... the are BACK. They really don't bother me too much while riding, it's the after effect that hurts.
They don't always grow back, guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Since the doctor said it was small, it'll go away on its own. Don't feel so bad--anyone at any age can get a h-rrhoid. Surgery is really rare. One of the best things you can do is sit in the bathtub and keep the water as hot as you can stand it. Try to do this 3 x day for a minimum of 15-30 mins. If you absolutely can't get in the tub, use a Sitz bath, but keep adding hot water. Apply the cream generously and frequently. If you weren't embarrassed enough already, here's a really embarrassing suggestion that you may find useful: buy a box of women's sanitary pads called "LiteDays" to place in the rear of your underwear to keep any cream from seeping through onto your pants. It may take a few days, but once it starts to heal, it'll get better quickly. Keep your fiber way up (pickles are excellent). Good luck.

This reminds me of a Texas joke:

What's the similarity between Yankees and hemorrhoids?

The ones that come down and go back up are not so bad, its the ones that come down and stay down that are a problem.

Don in Austin (Born and grew up in Ohio)

I have about 50 or so 'roids... but I only have to deal with them 8 hours a day, then I can go home.

Feel like this is an old man's problem.

It's the opposite in my case. I had a few back in my twenties and early thirties but none since, and no significant lifestyle/health changes during that period that would explain it, unless getting older, fatter, and more sedentary is the cure.

reading other's experiences helps a bit. Of course I want them to go away but I also want them taken care of now, in the winter, before my season heats back up. Don't think I need surgery but can't be off the bike for too long

I heard there are injections they do to harden the vein and make it die off. Anyone know anything about this?

and I thought the colonoscopy threads were bad. :eek:

You can tell this is 50+.

In Road a thread with this heading would be vituperative name calling.

Best wishes for rapid and complete recovery.

Yep, but if they're lucky enough they'll eventually find themselves here having similar discussions. +1 on best wishes for quick recovery.

Tannic acid is a mild astringent, so if you take a tea bag and empty it out and jam the tea up there, it might work.

Then when the doctor does his proctoscopy, he can also tell you if you'll live a long life and whether some day you might marry into money.


That was just a GI guy's idea of a joke, believe it or not, although I've met people who swear by the tea bag method. I don't think it would be any better than witch-hazel.

Personally I find them to be a pain in the ass.

The bike-rhoider's thread.

For me certain mental tensions cause mine & constipation. Last bad case was while I was training people to
drive semi-truck's. Most didn't know how to use a stick & thought there were 18 brake's. You might check & see
if you have any thing like that bothering you & change your routine. Just a suggestion.

External roids are often simply a hygiene problem. Hindus bathe after a dump for a reason.
Keep it clean.
Internal roids are another matter.

and I thought the colonoscopy threads were bad. :eek:

With all due respect to those afflicted, when I saw a topic named "Hemorrhoid" with an image attached, I was almost afraid to look... :eek: :)

I think much of the issue I'm having is the negative stigma attached with the affliction. Hey, I'm this cool bike racer with a collection of sweet bikes and I race pretty good sometimes, how can I have a hemorrhoid?

I think fat ladies eating double stuff oreos watching reality television get hemorrhoids, the ones that need to use the scooters at the grocery store. Those are the ones that should have the problem, not me.

It's taken me a week or so to accept it and deal with it.

There's probably a life lesson mixed in here somewhere. The lessons you start learning when you're invited to a 50+ forum. Deal with your aging body.

Like a fellow 50+ likes to tell me, golf is dangerous; you never see ads for Viagra in bicycle magazines. Smile

you never see ads for Viagra in bicycle magazines. Smile

The Dark Side

http://www.impotence-guide.com/cycling-impotence.html

A Comprehensive Guide to Cycling Impotence

Mayonnaise, I hope you get better, quickly.

In all honesty, when I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was about Pcad:innocent:

I think much of the issue I'm having is the negative stigma attached with the affliction. Hey, I'm this cool bike racer with a collection of sweet bikes and I race pretty good sometimes, how can I have a hemorrhoid?

I think fat ladies eating double stuff oreos watching reality television get hemorrhoids, the ones that need to use the scooters at the grocery store. Those are the ones that should have the problem, not me.

It's taken me a week or so to accept it and deal with it.

There's probably a life lesson mixed in here somewhere. The lessons you start learning when you're invited to a 50+ forum. Deal with your aging body.

Like a fellow 50+ likes to tell me, golf is dangerous; you never see ads for Viagra in bicycle magazines. Smile

Yeah, afflictions have little to do with fitness, age, living right, or often even general health. I hope you get past this one soon.

Nothing here to help in what you have now, but it's worth looking at your posture on the toilet. Sitting forward and with your heels lifted up appears to be a better way to do it. In fact, put a thick book under your feet to help get the right posture. There is some medical thought that the traditional way of squatting is best of all. It opens up the passage from the large colon to the anus so the movement is unimpeded.

Rehydration is another issue for bike riders. I find on randonnees that if my rehydration is not adequate, and my intake of things such as energy and granola bars has an influence on how my rear end feels. I know that on one 1200, my efforts were like trying to pass big bars of concrete, and the horroids were next on the scene.

I've never sought medical intervention, and the few I have had have disappeared within a fortnight.

So ultimately, my recommendation for prevention is to ensure you remain adequately rehydrated, and take in even more if you are eating dry energy foods.

Footnote: My ex father-in-law had horroids some years ago and had the injections. These are fraught with danger as he found out -- the doctor missed the target and my FIL ended up quite ill with a serious infection.

I think much of the issue I'm having is the negative stigma attached with the affliction. Hey, I'm this cool bike racer with a collection of sweet bikes and I race pretty good sometimes, how can I have a hemorrhoid?

I think fat ladies eating double stuff oreos watching reality television get hemorrhoids, the ones that need to use the scooters at the grocery store. Those are the ones that should have the problem, not me.

It's taken me a week or so to accept it and deal with it.

There's probably a life lesson mixed in here somewhere. The lessons you start learning when you're invited to a 50+ forum. Deal with your aging body.

Like a fellow 50+ likes to tell me, golf is dangerous; you never see ads for Viagra in bicycle magazines. Smile


Being in a rush, and pushing "to go" too fast, can cause a blowout in your rear-end.

Heck, I got one when I was teenage HS gymnast.

You've had plenty of sympathetic, informed and experienced advice, and I wish you a quick and effective outcome

So there's no point at all in my mentioning my undergraduate friends 35 years ago advising newspapers on the floor, nail clippers and cocaine when I returned to the flat from Berlin after 2 cold nights on a motorcycle?

No, no point at all. Excuse me.

Turns out it's not a hemorrhoid at all but some kind of surplus exposed tissue (can't remember his exact words). Doctor says it's minor but he wants to go in and see what might be causing it and since I'm 50 this year...

Colonoscopy.

The nurse walked me through the process of drinking of the special liquid and subsequent evacuation the night before....she was pleasant but nerdy, not really telling me how bad it was only that I should be at home.

Seems like it might be one of those things that sounds worse than it turns out to be. Anyone got first hand knowledge?

Colonoscopy.



Ah, now we're talking! :D

Yeah, c-scopes seem to be "bark is worser than the bite" events; pick your mix of choice, and follow directions... The only words of wisdom I have are have someone drive you home (required anyway), and maybe don't go immediately for a meal right after because you might feel like hurling after a few bites, but YMMV. Good luck, and have fun!

The Prep is much worse than the c-scope. Enjoy the nap!

The day before, I was on Jell-o and liquid (only), drank 5 oz of magnesium citrate at 9 a.m. and then again 5 oz at 3 p.m. In terms of aggravation, it was no worse than many a "bug" I've contracted over the years. I got a good night's sleep and was done by 9 a.m. the following morning. I don't remember much of that morning other than some mild discomfort from the distension (read: inflation :-) that's a part of the procedure. Once that ... escaped ... :) I was fine again. And hungry!

Turns out it's not a hemorrhoid at all but some kind of surplus exposed tissue (can't remember his exact words). ?

Was it PROLAPSED?

Infrared coagulation. Try it, you will like it...in contrast to the other methodologies.

I recently had a colonoscopy and yes the prep was the worst. I did enjoy the pineapple jello! In fact I left the hospital about 10 am and walked five miles after lunch. They found internal roids which they did nothing about. I was hoping they would do something with them because they can make a mess that I will leave to your imagination.

Not worse then a flu bug? EXCUSE ME? That cleansing process was far worse then any flu or even food poisoning I've ever had!! But hay, it needs to be done so you have to man up and just do it.

I'm surprised AIRBRAKE that they did nothing for your internal hemis. That was my problem and the reason they went in was to make sure that was all it was. So when they got done scoping they went back in and took care of a couple very large hemis (the doc called mine the hemis of the month!) with rubber bands. I haven't had a problem since. I do take Walmart brand Equate of the national brand Fibercon pills and have been doing so since the procedure. I tried the various fiber drinks but they were all nasty.

Not worse then a flu bug? EXCUSE ME? That cleansing process was far worse then any flu or even food poisoning I've ever had!!

Not to dwell on it unecessarily, but it wasn't that bad. My doc said I could do it the easy way ("use" the entire day before) or the quick way (the overnight human volcano method). I took the easy way upon his recommendation. I had to remind myself that I wasn't 'simply sick'. Not being able to eat for an entire day was actually worse than anything else, IMO. By bedtime I was done and got a good night's sleep.

Not to dwell on it unecessarily, but it wasn't that bad. My doc said I could do it the easy way ("use" the entire day before) or the quick way (the overnight human volcano method). I took the easy way upon his recommendation. I had to remind myself that I wasn't 'simply sick'. Not being able to eat for an entire day was actually worse than anything else, IMO. By bedtime I was done and got a good night's sleep.

Please, lets dwell on this subject, there's nothing finer in life then talking about hemis! No wait, that's the 426 hemi I'm thinking of. Never the less, my sawbones didn't offer me the overnight volcano method, in fact had this procedure done twice and never had or knew of the volcano. So I spend the whole day prior setting on the head and then came close to upchucking several times. Weird, I guess all my flues and food poisoning must have been mild since I thought the cleansing was worse.

I know someone who came in on a cross-country flight, arriving home at 8 pm and was ready for the procedure first thing next morning (he didn't sleep a wink that night). I had zero nausea, personally, but maybe I was just lucky. Hopefully it will be (and I quote), "seven to ten years" before I have to find out again. :)

I hope I'm not the only one that finds the "hot flame" icon on this Hemorrhoid thread amusing.

I've always wondered why they weren't called assteroids...:innocent:

I've always wondered why they weren't called assteroids...:innocent::notamused::notamused::notamused::lol:

I've always wondered why they weren't called assteroids...:innocent:
LOL, but hemis are more manly sounding.