Hi everyone.
I'm 24 years old, and have suffered with an AF for nearly 1 year now. I have struggled with piles from a young age (the first time I remember being about 11) but never experienced such pain as with my AF.
I have been to see a doctor twice, and both times been told to eat more fibre and use a lubricant. Frustratingly, I'm very healthy and stuff myself with branflakes, fruit, veg and water. I'm also regular - I go to the loo usually once a day, but oddly I find it more painful the softer the stool. I can only think that this is because my anal passage is less 'open' as I'm not straining. Does anyone else find this?
So, any ideas, why me!? And next time I go to the doctors, what do I need to request to ensure I don't get piled off (no pun intended) with lube? I feel that I need a proper anal examination with a camera as I think I have issues going higher up. I can barely remember going to the toilet and not seeing blood (pre piles and AF) and I often use suppositories which help with the pain, and inserting these is really uncomfortable.
Advice and help needed! To all the fellow sufferers, I feel your pain! This problem keeps me up at night - so frustrating that I haven't had any resolve.

Londongirl sorry that you are suffering with fissures for so long and been soo young.
First thing to do next after seen two doctors that obviously are not helping you getting a proper diagnostic is to see a CRS, this is the only way to find out exactly what is ailing you and to get the care you need for your specific problem.
I remember suffering for 28 years thinking that it was hems and treating my condition with over the counter creams, it wasn't until I had a colonoscopy that I found out that hems were no my problem.
If you have fissures and not hems, the creams for hems will only hinder the healing of your fissure.
So getting a proper diagnostic with a specialist is very important.
Meanwhile is plenty of information in the forums to help you find a way to get some routine to ease the pain and discomfort, the experiences of other sufferers have helped me cope with this painful condition.
I wish you the best.

I agree, I almost felt offended when I read on my prescription (Fybogel) that it is for constipation - I have BM once every day without fail and my diet is generally healthy. I agree with Marg, the best thing is to see a specialist. However, it may take you many visits to the GP before they will refer you to a specialist! So make sure they understand how much it is affecting your life, and that you suspect there may be issues further up. If they don't listen, go back again!

Thank you all. It's so reassuring to hear from other sufferers. I agree completely that until someone has experienced what we go through, they have no idea how disrupting and frustrating it is!
Pat on the back for whoever set this forum up :-)

Sounds to me like you would benefit from a full colon cleanse Londongirl.
Ask me about if if you want to.
Hope you're having a good day, love from Brighton.

Hi Tom
Thank you for getting in touch. Why do you suggest that for my case in particular?

Because of your previous symptoms. Although really I'd recommend a colon cleanse to most adults, it does seem it would be particularly beneficial to you. It's not an easy thing to do on your own, but if you can do it somewhere with other people then it would be great. You may have a sensitive body and perhaps it only wants a simple vegan diet, with lots of raw fruit and veg (salads). Ask away... :)

umm...
anyway, have you been to the GP again Londongirl?
Recently, I found that a little bit of fish (smoked salmon, sea bass) seems to help with the healing.. but fish is now my only meat source until I am totally 'cured'.

I haven't yet.. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks. I think before then I will try just a soup and smoothie diet, to help prevent 'bulkiness'.. What do you guys think?
At the moment the amount of blood I'm seeing after a BM is quite scary - cant be good for me!

Hello Londongirl and welcome to the forum!
I have a very soft diet as I too have difficulty with hemorrhoids and tend to have quite a bit of bleeding.
I have a very bland diet, a gentle one that I generally stick to. If you are going to have soup, make sure that you are getting what you need in the line of vitamins. You said smoothies; you could use Ensure or something similar. I did not take vitamins in the beginning of this, and when I started, I noticed a great improvement in my health - if not in the bleeding So, vitamins are a good idea if you are not getting all you need from your diet, in my opinion.
I had to cut down on amounts, but I do well on what I eat, and it is mostly very soft in consistency, though I let myself eat the odd chip, etc.
Also, please do not use a colema. If you needed something like that, a doctor should recommend this, not a member of this forum off the bat. We do not make blanket comments as to what you should do. Enemas can make things worse if you are having trouble with a small amount of stenosis, and eating a diet with the right amount of fibre is a much better idea. And drinking the right amount of water too. There is a lot on here about both subjects - fibre and water.
I often see a lot of blood too. If you aren't anemic (and ask the doctor to check for that, I would suggest), I don't think it is much to worry about, but your doctor should set you right with this. Hemorrhoids do bleed, bright red blood. Just chat to your doctor. That is the best.
All the best. We are here for you.