Bad Piles and really scared (TMI I know)

[Nighttime pacer]

Hi all,
I won't beat around the bush. I've got piles. I've had issues with constipation for years and had an internal pile which has bled in the past. Now after having a colonoscopy in December to make sure everything was ok and having the all clear, I've been constipated. Last Thursday night I went to the toilet and then felt really sore from Friday morning. I went to a private GP appointment and was told I have a pile which has dropped down. I can feel it when I sit down. I was given laxatives and a steroid and local anaesthetic cream. I think since then it has shrunk a little but not that much. Has anyone else had this problem? I wonder how long it will take to go away and also I seem to be getting a bit of a smell from it. Sorry, I apologise it's all so gross. I'm just really concerned as it's painful and a bit smelly. I'm thinking I should go to my normal GP if I can get in. I'm dreading that he suggests an operation. I'm just scared and feeling really depressed because of it.
Thanks
Nighttime pacer

[WiseMonkey]

Hi all,
I won't beat around the bush. I've got piles. I've had issues with constipation for years and had an internal pile which has bled in the past. Now after having a colonoscopy in December to make sure everything was ok and having the all clear, I've been constipated. Last Thursday night I went to the toilet and then felt really sore from Friday morning. I went to a private GP appointment and was told I have a pile which has dropped down. I can feel it when I sit down. I was given laxatives and a steroid and local anaesthetic cream. I think since then it has shrunk a little but not that much. Has anyone else had this problem? I wonder how long it will take to go away and also I seem to be getting a bit of a smell from it. Sorry, I apologise it's all so gross. I'm just really concerned as it's painful and a bit smelly. I'm thinking I should go to my normal GP if I can get in. I'm dreading that he suggests an operation. I'm just scared and feeling really depressed because of it.
Thanks
Nighttime pacer

If you can get to a specialist he/she can do a banding procedure which is relatively painless and can be effective. A friend of mine had an op for it and was 100% better afterwards :)

[ErinKC]

You just need to give it time. All the stuff you have should work well, but it can take time when they get really inflamed. And, they can be SO painful even though most places/people say they don't hurt. Another good treatment are witch hazel pads (they are Tucks brand here in the US). As it starts to shrink it will eventually go back up. They are just awful. I think the surgery is typically a very last resort. I had HORRIFIC ones after giving birth and it was never suggested.

[Nighttime pacer]

Thanks both for replying. I went to another GP appointment today and it seems you’re quite right Erin, the main thing is to sort the constipation, which thankfully I have now. The doctor said it should calm down by itself although I’m probably looking at weeks rather than days but not to worry about it. Not worrying about it is far easier said than done for me but I’ll try.