Is There Anything Else I Can Do....

[Sihaya]

....about these hemorrhoids? I had them every so often before I was pg, starting probably 4-5 years ago. So far this pg, I have been able to manage them with store-brand tucks pads, but that is SO not cutting it right now. I also have tried 2 different kinds of Prep H, am drinking 100+ oz of water/day, and have tried shredded potato compresses but it didn't really work and I threw out our potatoes today because they were rotten

I feel like I have tried all of the natural remedies I can find and am still miserable. Do I need to get some suppositories from the HFS? What should I be eating (other than flaxseed)? I feel like I've been getting a lot of fiber, fruits, veggies, etc, but I could be wrong and am willing to eat more - I just don't know what to eat. Oh, and I'm not willing to stop taking my prenatals. I'm not megadosing on iron, so that shouldn't be the problem. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated, though!

[Mama2 '05'06]

I don't know. Can they be 'tucked' up inside again at all? I've heard that helps. I have a fissure as oppossed to hemorrhoids that other than bleeding alot and pain w/bms doesn't give me too much trouble. Hope you find some help!

[guest9921]

I'd add wheat bran to everything you eat, absolutely everything.

[GinaRae]

Make sure you're using cleansing wipes after a bowel movement. Store bought or natural ones you mix with homemade wip solution.

Check out Aviva Jill Romm's book on pregnancy that discusses variscosities. Those suggestions work on the tucas too. If you don't have access to the book, PM me and I will get my book out!!

One thing to do is lay on the floor with your rear to the wall. Keep your shoulders comfy and walk your legs up the wall so legs and rear are up the wall as far as you can go. Stay there for a few minutes, a few times per day. It's called inversion something. Most of us don't have access to an inversion table, so this helps.

Have you tried homeopathy? I had some wild pain and swelling after I started a prenatal and it helped immensely!

I don't always check back, so if you have any questions, PM me.

[Sihaya]

Originally Posted by Mama2 '05'06

I don't know. Can they be 'tucked' up inside again at all? I've heard that helps. I have a fissure as oppossed to hemorrhoids that other than bleeding alot and pain w/bms doesn't give me too much trouble. Hope you find some help!

Nope, they don't "tuck" at this point. Thanks, though!

Originally Posted by Katfka

I'd add wheat bran to everything you eat, absolutely everything.

Thanks! I'll try to pick some up when I am out today.

Originally Posted by GinaRae

Make sure you're using cleansing wipes after a bowel movement. Store bought or natural ones you mix with homemade wip solution.

I am wiping with them (I have store bought and got supplies to make homemade when those run out) every time I use the bathroom, but I haven't had a BM in quite a while

Originally Posted by GinaRae

Check out Aviva Jill Romm's book on pregnancy that discusses variscosities. Those suggestions work on the tucas too. If you don't have access to the book, PM me and I will get my book out!!

I don't have this and it doesn't look like our library system does either. I'll PM you because I'd like to know what she says to do.

Originally Posted by GinaRae

One thing to do is lay on the floor with your rear to the wall. Keep your shoulders comfy and walk your legs up the wall so legs and rear are up the wall as far as you can go. Stay there for a few minutes, a few times per day. It's called inversion something. Most of us don't have access to an inversion table, so this helps.

I will try this, thanks!

Originally Posted by GinaRae

Have you tried homeopathy? I had some wild pain and swelling after I started a prenatal and it helped immensely!

I've never really used homeopathy (just bought some rescue remedy yesterday, that's the extent of my experience) so I don't know where to start and don't want to spend tons of money since DH thinks it's quackery.

Originally Posted by GinaRae

I don't always check back, so if you have any questions, PM me.

Will PM you soon!

[crsta33]

If you are having constipation problems to, it might help to add a stool softener with your prenatals. Or a magnesium supplement or dandelion tincture (neither of which I have tried) or prune juice, if you can stomach it, just to get things soft and easy so it doesn't make things worse.

Someone from my Nov 2005 birth group swore on potato cut into matchstick size and used as a suppository for hemroids.

Christa

[Ceinwen]

No advice persay, just wanted to offer a big hug.

I am so, so, so constipated, and I'm terrified to strain to hard in the bathroom for fear of hemmorhoids.

[Sihaya]

Originally Posted by crsta33

If you are having constipation problems to, it might help to add a stool softener with your prenatals. Or a magnesium supplement or dandelion tincture (neither of which I have tried) or prune juice, if you can stomach it, just to get things soft and easy so it doesn't make things worse.

Someone from my Nov 2005 birth group swore on potato cut into matchstick size and used as a suppository for hemroids.

Christa

Well, this is definitely TMI, but I just had a BM and it was of a satisfactory consistency that I do not want to take any softeners that might give me the opposite problem (diarrhea). I will get some suppositories, prune juice, and magnesium supplements at the health food store today, though, just to have on hand in the future. For now, though, it looks like my 'roids have retreated and are on the mend!

I have used grated potato in the past, but not as a suppository. I have, however, used garlic as a suppository. I'm not really willing to try that one again anytime soon!

zoesmummy - Maybe you can try some of Christa's advice for constipation. I feel your pain!

[frogleymom]

Glad to hear they're on the mend. I don't really have any suggestions for healing them... but I do have a suggestion to help keep them from coming back...

Since you're using Hypnobabies - try listening to one of the CDs while you're on the toilet. Since you haven't officially started the program yet, Special Place or Painless Childbirth would work well. Make sure you're comfortably seated, preferably with your feet on a stool or something to help you balance. I heard someone mention this on the yahoo group... and I've tried it with awesome results. Once you really get into the program, you can use your finger-drop to help relax everything and allow your body to eliminate on its own.

Hope that helps!

Emily

[Sihaya]

Emily, that is amazing advice - thank you! However, I'm a little confused. Do I listen to the whole track each time or just listen to it until it "works"? Thanks again!

Okay, I went to the HFS and picked up some Hyland Hemorrhoid Tablets, some homeopathic suppositories, a Magnesium/Calcium Supplement, and some prune juice. I took 2 of the Hyland's and am going to wait and see if I need any of the rest of it. Thanks again to everyone who helped!

[SheBear]

Glad to hear you are feeling on the mend! I've never had problems with 'rhoids before, but my first pg, the constipation was overwhelming!

zoesmummy, this might help you....I swear by drinking a cup (or even two) of good, strong coffee. It doesn't have to be black, but it should be hot or at least warm....cold coffee bverages (which I love) don't seem to do the trick as well. I was so determined to do everything "right" my first pg, but the constipation toward the end was enough to make me look at coffee as a medically necessary indulgence, LOL! And, TBH, even decaf seems to help.

Anyway, hope you find some relief!

PS...I haven't been needing the coffee this time, really....I do indulge occasionally anyway, but not out of need. Since we started grinding our own wheat/grain for bread, constipation has *not* been an issue! Nor has diarrhea, come to think of it.....with the exception of the week we all had a stomach bug, that is....

[DucetteMama21842]

I will have to double check and post back on here later, but I know roughage is the BEST thing to avoid constipation/hemorrhoids. Such as broccoli. I know the more natural fibers are what you are wanting to look for. Apples...

Also strict nutrition (you sound like you really got the fluids covered) and exercise can all help things improve. I'll double check and post back later with FOR SURE stuff and maybe some more ideas.

[Sihaya]

Originally Posted by DucetteMama21842

I will have to double check and post back on here later, but I know roughage is the BEST thing to avoid constipation/hemorrhoids. Such as broccoli. I know the more natural fibers are what you are wanting to look for. Apples...

Also strict nutrition (you sound like you really got the fluids covered) and exercise can all help things improve. I'll double check and post back later with FOR SURE stuff and maybe some more ideas.

I so appreciate you doing that! I have no idea where to look and I know my diet is probably the culprit since I had hemorrhoids before I was ever pg and my diet growing up was mostly refined pasta, white bread, and TONS of dairy with very little fresh fruits and veggies. As a side note, I can't eat a lot of cruciferous vegetables (this includes cabbage and broccoli - full list is here) due to a thyroid condition. It's okay for me to have a side dish of broccoli or salad with cabbage every so often, but if I'm going to be overloading on roughage, it needs to be non-cruciferous. Thanks again!

[lisarussell]

I'm working on baby #6 and when I was pg with baby #1 my Bradley teacher told me that if I drank carrot juice I wouldn't get them. The idea of getting them freaked me out intensely, so I started juicing about 2-5 lbs of carrots a day (25 lb bag is only $10)

With the exception of the time I pushed too hard in childbirth, I have NEVER had one. EVER. I think with 6 kids it's a good enough proof, especially when every other woman in my family has issues with them.

SO- my remedy is carrot juice. Strengthen those colonic walls from the inside out.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by Sihaya

Well, this is definitely TMI, but I just had a BM and it was of a satisfactory consistency that I do not want to take any softeners that might give me the opposite problem (diarrhea). I will get some suppositories, prune juice, and magnesium supplements at the health food store today, though, just to have on hand in the future. For now, though, it looks like my 'roids have retreated and are on the mend!

I have used grated potato in the past, but not as a suppository. I have, however, used garlic as a suppository. I'm not really willing to try that one again anytime soon!

zoesmummy - Maybe you can try some of Christa's advice for constipation. I feel your pain!

I have them this time around, too. Bad external ones. I suggest using a poked Vit. E capsule inserted and another applied to the area once or twice a day. Also, witch hazel, of course, and the potato suppository. And everything else these girls said. I would highly suggest working on your regularity first, because that can exacerbate them-colace if you have to, prune juice, etc.

[frogleymom]

Originally Posted by Sihaya

Emily, that is amazing advice - thank you! However, I'm a little confused. Do I listen to the whole track each time or just listen to it until it "works"? Thanks again!

That's totally up to you! If you're in a hurry or something, you can always count yourself up and shut off the CD early. Extra practice never hurt anyone, but sitting on the toilet for 35 minutes isn't exactly comfortable... I usually just paused and moved to my bed or the couch to finish the track.

Emily

[mama_b]

Have you tried witch hazel?