I am happy to find this forum to discuss rectal problems with others. I am a 59 yo male and have had rectal problems off & on for several years. I started out with external hemorrhoids, would treat them with OTC medications, recover, and then repeat the cycle in a few months. However, about last Christmas, I developed significant rectal pain with bleeding, and no external problems were apparent. Went to my family physician and tried some medications with no improvement. Went to a CRS and was in too much pain for him to examine me on the first visit. He prescribed medications and had me return in 2 weeks. At that appointment, my pain was a little less, but not much. My CRS attempted to examine me and I nearly went off of the end of the table. He then scheduled me for a colonoscopy to be done 2 days from the office appointment. Colonoscopy revealed 3 large internal hemorrhoids and a fissure. One hemorrhoid was about the size of a walnut. On my next office, my CRS discussed my treatment options. A decision was made to band the 3 hemorrhoids, on 3 separate visits, and to start me on medications to try to heal the fissure (nitro, etc.). I got through the banding of the 3 hemorrhoids. The fissure improved some, but did not completely heal and was still painful and bleeding at times. On 6/26/12, I had a LIS and fissure repair. Surgery wasn't bad, but recovery has been difficult. about 4 weeks post op, I developed a sentinel pile. On my last visit to my CRS, I mentioned the sentinel pile and the pain associated with it, but he didn't seem concerned. This thing is painful and I am worried that I am going to end up requiring surgery on it.
What have others experienced with sentinel piles? I have been dealing with significant rectal pain now for 10 months. I feel like I am never going to be normal on my backside again and it is really getting to me. I don't feel like doing anything but stay in bed.
Thanks for listening.
8905c