I have had hemorrhoids for some time now. It actually protrudes, pretty nasty stuff. Does anyone else have this problem. Can it be from going to the bathroom so many times, sometimes 20 or 30 times per day? Also, it seems to protrude when my belly is distended and not so much when it's not. It's very uncomfortable when it is protruding and nothing seems to work to shrink it. I just don't understand why it seems to protrude when my belly gets distended, which is several times per day. It's almost like they go hand in hand. Just curious. Also, sometimes my belly will get distended within minutes, whether I have eaten anything or not.
Does anyone know if this disease has anything to do with my extreme fatigue? It's gotten to the point where I can't even make simple decisions. I feel so scatter brained all the time. Thanks again for the info on my earlier post. I will probably have more questions as I think of them. I know I have more, but I'm scatter brained right now!
Hemorrhoids?
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Yes, 'roids are a common side effect of this disease, because the inflammation in our intestines extends into the anus, to inflame the blood vessels there. And frequent watery D adds to the inflammation (of the blood vessels), because the effluent seems to be very caustic.
The bloating comes from poor digestion (caused by the inflammation associated with the disease). When digestion doesn't proceed normally, the warm, moist environment causes food to ferment (rot) pretty quickly in the stomach and intestines, producing gas, bloating, and sometimes cramps. The gas adds pressure to the intestines, causing them to inflate, which causes the bloating, and the hemorrhoid distention.
Immediate bloating is probably due to a mast cell reaction, whereas delayed bloating is usually due to fermentation of undigested carbs/sugars. Many members find that over-the-counter antihistamines help to prevent immediate reactions to eating. IOW, they take one or more antihistamines every morning, as a preventive measure. Some members have found the right antihistamine to be almost as effective at stopping their D as Entocort (budesonide), when used in combination with the proper diet changes.
If you want to try this, you may have to experiment to find which antihistamine works best, and you may have to experiment with the dose. Some doctors (allergists familiar with treating mast cell reactions) have been known to prescribe dosage rates of up to 4 times the labeled dose, when treating skin reactions to food sensitivities, so antihistamines can be taken at higher rates when needed to control symptoms.
Extreme fatigue is a common marker of this disease. It takes all of the energy that the body can muster to try to heal the damage that's being done in the intestines, but because the inflammation continues, healing cannot progress. That leads to a state of chronic fatigue.
Brain fog is the term we use to describe the neurological effects of gluten on the brain. Brain fog is very common with MC. Some people have neurological symptoms before they develop GI symptoms, and a few individuals have neurological symptoms without ever developing GI symptoms.
Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness
The presence of symptoms such as severe fatigue and/or brain fog are signs that you either still have traces of gluten in your diet, or you need more time to heal. I had the same problems back when I was still reacting. I was self-employed, but I had to downsize my business because I couldn't handle the work, and I couldn't make good decisions because of the brain fog. The symptoms slowly went away as I healed, after I drastically changed my diet.
Tex
The bloating comes from poor digestion (caused by the inflammation associated with the disease). When digestion doesn't proceed normally, the warm, moist environment causes food to ferment (rot) pretty quickly in the stomach and intestines, producing gas, bloating, and sometimes cramps. The gas adds pressure to the intestines, causing them to inflate, which causes the bloating, and the hemorrhoid distention.
Immediate bloating is probably due to a mast cell reaction, whereas delayed bloating is usually due to fermentation of undigested carbs/sugars. Many members find that over-the-counter antihistamines help to prevent immediate reactions to eating. IOW, they take one or more antihistamines every morning, as a preventive measure. Some members have found the right antihistamine to be almost as effective at stopping their D as Entocort (budesonide), when used in combination with the proper diet changes.
If you want to try this, you may have to experiment to find which antihistamine works best, and you may have to experiment with the dose. Some doctors (allergists familiar with treating mast cell reactions) have been known to prescribe dosage rates of up to 4 times the labeled dose, when treating skin reactions to food sensitivities, so antihistamines can be taken at higher rates when needed to control symptoms.
Extreme fatigue is a common marker of this disease. It takes all of the energy that the body can muster to try to heal the damage that's being done in the intestines, but because the inflammation continues, healing cannot progress. That leads to a state of chronic fatigue.
Brain fog is the term we use to describe the neurological effects of gluten on the brain. Brain fog is very common with MC. Some people have neurological symptoms before they develop GI symptoms, and a few individuals have neurological symptoms without ever developing GI symptoms.
Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness
The presence of symptoms such as severe fatigue and/or brain fog are signs that you either still have traces of gluten in your diet, or you need more time to heal. I had the same problems back when I was still reacting. I was self-employed, but I had to downsize my business because I couldn't handle the work, and I couldn't make good decisions because of the brain fog. The symptoms slowly went away as I healed, after I drastically changed my diet.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Rhyes,
Sounds like you have thrombosed hemorrhoids. I had them when I was having a lot of D and after my colonoscopy. They were worse than childbirth!
My doctor didn't want to treat them because that can cause a whole new set of issues. I took warm soaking sitz baths many times a day (followed by ice compresses). I used a prescription cream. Honestly, it just takes time for them to heal. Don't stay on the toilet too long (less tan 2 minutes), and elevate your feet while sitting.
It took my problem months to heal. Stick with the soaking!
I know how scatter brained you feel. I am still healing and I have that feeling also. It's better than it was, but not gone yet.
As Tex said, diet is the most important part of healing this disease. You have to be strict, and it's not easy.
Let us know if you need any other help!
Sounds like you have thrombosed hemorrhoids. I had them when I was having a lot of D and after my colonoscopy. They were worse than childbirth!
My doctor didn't want to treat them because that can cause a whole new set of issues. I took warm soaking sitz baths many times a day (followed by ice compresses). I used a prescription cream. Honestly, it just takes time for them to heal. Don't stay on the toilet too long (less tan 2 minutes), and elevate your feet while sitting.
It took my problem months to heal. Stick with the soaking!
I know how scatter brained you feel. I am still healing and I have that feeling also. It's better than it was, but not gone yet.
As Tex said, diet is the most important part of healing this disease. You have to be strict, and it's not easy.
Let us know if you need any other help!
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
Rhyes,
I've had hemorrhoid problems since I delivered my second daughter. As Linda said, sitting too long on the toilet brings them on, so does straining.
I recently had a large external hemorrhoid and found that a gentle shower after having a BM (I have a portable shower head) was very soothing and alleviated the need to rub the swollen hemorrhoid. They can be very painful, but they do eventually shrink on their own. When I got my first hemorrhoid the doctor lanced it and removed the blood clot, providing instant relief. Nowadays, because of concern about infection, doctors no longer lance the hemorrhoid; they prefer to let the body absorb the blood clot. It takes longer for relief, but it is safer and without complications.
I hope you find some relief soon.
Gloria
I've had hemorrhoid problems since I delivered my second daughter. As Linda said, sitting too long on the toilet brings them on, so does straining.
I recently had a large external hemorrhoid and found that a gentle shower after having a BM (I have a portable shower head) was very soothing and alleviated the need to rub the swollen hemorrhoid. They can be very painful, but they do eventually shrink on their own. When I got my first hemorrhoid the doctor lanced it and removed the blood clot, providing instant relief. Nowadays, because of concern about infection, doctors no longer lance the hemorrhoid; they prefer to let the body absorb the blood clot. It takes longer for relief, but it is safer and without complications.
I hope you find some relief soon.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.