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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/10/2012 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone tried using Epsom salt for hemmorhoids? I get hemmies when I have bloody D, and especially when it's just blood that comes out. It hurts pretty bad and I wash every time I have a BM. I've tried the half-sits and put some Epsom salt in it but I'm not sure it's helping or not. I've only used the salt 3 times. I'm also using suppositories that I got from my GI long ago but I feel like it's going to take a long while to heal.

My surgery for total colectomy is scheduled for next month and my surgeon told me that the hemmies will get in the way for surgery :(
Posted 10/10/2012 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry but I don't have experience using Epsom salt in a sitz bath, but have found that sitz baths don't tend to help my hemmies. They feel good while I'm using the bath, but achey pain is still there after.

Have you tried using ice? I use an ice pack, not directly on your skin, and it works better for helping pain and helping them shrink better than any cream or suppository I've ever tried.
I've also soaked cotton balls in witch hazel and frozen them. Then put them right on the hemmie, while sitting on a towel or something. Very very cold, but helps a lot.
Posted 10/10/2012 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you, hekela :) I'll try that. I did think of ice cause I did read somewhere that alternating between the hot and cold do good but was too chicken to try, but yes, will definitely try. Thanks ;)

And yes, I was living on Oahu, and you're from the Big Island, I see. Been there twice and every time I go, I just have to take a bite out of those Big Island cookies! Bad, bad, I know...lol Well, I'm glad that you were able to find a good doc there.
Posted 10/10/2012 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
It might be a good idea to alternate... Heat helps blood flow in the area to help with healing, cold helps shrink the inflamed tissue and with pain. Hope it helps you! Ice is really the only thing that helps mine; my issues with hemmies are always swelling and pain, never itching. So it's the first thing I do when they show their ugly heads.

Oh, those cookies are the best! We sometimes give them as Christmas gifts to family on the mainland and always have to get a little bag for our house of course, too.
Posted 10/11/2012 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
I ran to the nearest drug store yesterday and found myself a witch hazel astringent. It's the only thing they had, but I went ahead and just cut up some cotton pads and soaked them and froze them. And yes, mine is like your's in that I have no issue with itching but it's with the pain and swelling that just drive me up the wall. When I tried it, it actually felt soothing. Appreciate your advice :)
Posted 10/12/2012 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Good, hope it continues to provide some relief for you!
Posted 10/12/2012 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
I mix a handful of epsom salts in my daily bath whether hemmies are bothering me or not. Use witch hazel and hydrocortisone ointment when needed. Also have a prescription for hydrocortisone suppositories if they start to bleed. Find them very effective.

For me, diet makes a big difference so I avoid eating foods that will cause constipation or irritation (high fiber).
I drink a nightly cocktail of 1 tsp slippery elm powder added to a few ounces of juice (cranberry or apple) to soothe the digestive tract. Lately I've added a little bit of aloe, too.
Posted 10/15/2012 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, ItsAlwaysSomething :) Yes, I've heard a lot of good things about Epsom salt so that's why I decided to give it a go.

I find that I get pain especially when I'm laying down. You'd think it's better laying down than standing but oh my it hurts. The only position that seems ok is when I'm laying on my back with both knees bent so my bum is not quite even touching the mattress.

I'm doing everything I can but not really healing because it gets worse once blood comes out so I need to stop the blood somehow but that's been hard.
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