Set aside my embarassment and glad I called the doc

NOTE: This post is FULL of TMI.

I posted the other day on a message board about an embarassing side effect of pregnancy - aka hemmorhoids.

I had a few large external ones and they were beyond painful. I tried a bunch of OTC stuff and nothing was really working.

This morning, still in extreme pain, I noticed some bleeding. I decided enough was enough and just had to get over my embarassment.

I called the doc and I am so glad I did.

They had me come in for the next available appointment. I went in and got examined and right away she said "this needs to be taken care of ASAP" and sent me to a GI specialist (never knew this was the kind of doc that would treat something like this - learned something new)

I went to the GI Doc and she agreed that my situation was pretty bad and needed to be taken care of TODAY.

For those that do not know, a hemmorhoid is a basically a blood clot.

Well, I had 6 - SIX!!!! very large ones back there. It was obvious that they were severe because of the size and color.

The doc that did the exam knew that another doc was "great with OB patients with this problem" so she called him in. He was making lots of jokes....did not really help at the time, but I liked that he was not so stone cold.

It was VERY painful procedure. I was seriously crying my eyes out. I was injected with litocain (sp) and then the cut into each one and removed the clot. The shots did not cover the whole area so I needed multiple injections. It was so very painful, I was actually bitting my my arm to help with the pain.

He asked if I wanted to see what was done, I said NO! - but then he made some kind of joke so I looked. the clots that were removed were HUGE - there were 6 in total and 4 of them were the size of a small grape. Even the second doc said it was a VERY severe case, especially considering that it was a short time that the problem started.

I now have 6+ incisions. The doc said that the pain should be much less now, because it is the clot (usually) that causes the pain. He gave me some meds as well. Hopefully the pain will be better soon. Right now, I am still in a lot of pain, and it takes me a while to get around. They said I will probably bleed for a little while as well too.

I really did not ask what was the danger in NOT getting it done today, I was just thrilled that it was something I could do today. Well, thrilled until I realized how totally PAINFUL AS HELL it would be done for the procedure.

I did ask the OB and the GI if this would lessen my chances of having a vaginal delivery, and they all said it would have no impact on having a vaginal delivery - which is a very good thing.

They also said that I have a HIGH possibility of getting more in the next 2 months and probably will again in a vaginal delivery. But, they said to call them (the GI) if this happens again, and to skip the OB. Of course let them know about it.

I NEVER knew that this problem could be well, such a problem.

I know docs see this stuff all the time, but for me, it was embarassing to get up the nerve to call the doc. But, in the end - I am very glad I did.

So, I just wanted to put it out there, CALL YOUR DOC if you are in pain or something seems off.