External Hemmorhoid... How long till it heals?

Hi... I have my first hemmorhoid.  It's been with me for about a week and a half to 2 weeks.  Any pain or itching dissipated almost a week ago.  I've been using witch hazel, hemmorhoid creams, Vicks, and a homeopathic cream that's a mixture of charcoal and horse chestnut.  

I've changed my diet to include more fiber and more water... and am even now taking a daily vitamin.

The little sucker is still there!!   How long till it shrinks back up again?  Im embarrassed and don't want to call the doctor and don't want my husband touching me so he won't feel it.  

Please tell me this will go away.  And how long should I expect it to be here?

[Jaybay]

You're doing everything right, but you may want to see your doc if it goes on much longer.  I know, I know... it's embarrassing, but guess what?  Hem's are probably the most common medical problem in the human population.  Doctors deal with them every day.  Believe me, yours won't be the first, or the last.  :-)

The only other thing I can think of adding is a sitz bath as many times a day as you can work it in.  If you can't buy one, a regular bathtub with hot water will work just fine.  I'm not sure about the Vicks though - never heard of that one before and would think it would be a tad uncomfortable!

[tabitha1]

Im so busy that I don't have time to sit in a bath unfortunately.  I have read about the Vicks before and since it works on shrinking the swelling in your nose and chest during a cold I thought that sounded good.  Since my hem is just a lump of skin and not bleeding or chafed or anything it didn't hurt... kept it cool and happy and removed the itch.  Didn't make it go anywhere though  :(  

What's this I hear about using a rubber band to make it go away?  Is that something you can do from home?