I’m 23 years old. I’ve had problems with chronic diarrhea most of my life. I suspect it to be irritable bowel syndrome. I first started noticing hemorrhoids when I was 18 years old. I haven’t really noticed that they have ever gone away completely. But gradually, they have gotten worse…

I have one that has gotten to be kinda large when it’s flared up, maybe about the size of an m&m candy. I very rarely see them bleed. They cause me a good bit of discomfort, but it isn’t unbearable.

When should I consider it bad enough to see a doctor (when I can’t bear it, perhaps….)?

What about treatment? Is rue care oil a joke? Do doctors steer people away from it? I’d like to avoid surgery if I can.

I have diarrhea fairly often, so don’t recommend that I get more fiber in my diet - that’d make my situation worse. I NEVER get constipated. I’m careful about not eating stuff that provokes diarrhea, but sometimes it’s inevitable. IBS aside, suggestions for the hems?

About a month ago I went to the ER for abdominal pain that turned out to be a kidney infection, urinary tract infection and a kidney stone. While in the ER, I had an enema that injected fluids throughout my rectum. About a week after being in the ER, I noticed blood clot looking things in my blood. Over the next few weeks, there would be blood in my stool every so often, but I was naive and didn’t really realize it was blood until recently. A couple nights ago I looked at my stool and really started noticing blood.

I went to the doctor today and he did a couple tests, one of which he used his fingers to feel around my rectum. I had a blood test done as well. The doctor didn’t have any conclusive diagnosis because he was unable to use a large tool that would allow him to look into the rectum. I am having that done within the next couple days.

My questions are:

Will a colonoscopy have to be completed even if they find out its just hemorrhoids? - My mom had a benign bump on her colon that was found through a colonoscopy and my sister had a colonoscopy done when she had similar symptoms to mine that ended up being hemorrhoids and she was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. If I do have to have a colonoscopy, how long will my down time be?

What is the treatment for hemorrhoids? I’ve never had any before.
Thanks elynne… I have actually had diarrhea for the last month and have had no difficulty with having a bowel movement. I will have to look into the benefiber if that is what it is. I’m not much of a fan of fruits.

I am 11 1/2 weeks pregnant and I have been very constipated these past 2 weeks. I have had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) for the last 5 yrs and the pregnancy is just acting it up something fierce. I have started taking colace (w/ my dr’s approval) every day and it is just not helping. I drink almost a gallon of water a day and I eat alot of fiber. I have recently discovered that I now have a hemorrhoid and sometimes it bleeds when I use the bathroom. I have an appt to go to the dr tomorrow. I was wondering if anyone else had a similar problem.