hemorrhoid question?

A few weeks ago I had a very hard to bowell movement.  It was preceded by some gassy cramping.  After the BM I could hardly stand straigt.  I had intense dull pain in my rectum area.  This resolved in about a half hour.  Nothing similar for a few weeks until the other day.  I had again some pretty bad gas spasm pain and it was followed by a similar pain in my rectum area.  The pain persisted and was pretty bad by the time I went to bed.  It was better the next day and I had a somewhat normal bowell movement but the dull ache is still there somewhat waxing and waning. .The next day I had a BM with a bit of blood noticed in wiping. It bothers me little when I lie down but is worse when sitting.  The pain is like a pressure on the inside of my anus with that moves from my tailbone to the side and almost feels like it is in my butt muscle at times.  Today no blood in BM or when wiping but the pressure/dull ache is still there.  Does this sound like a hemorrhoid problem?  I had always thought hemorrhoids were an itching type of pain.  This feels somewhat like I have sat on a cueball.  Thanks

[PrincessKatie]

This definitely sounds liek a hemorrhoid problem. I'm experiencing something similar right now and I know how painful it can be. The hemorrhoid happens from straining too much and the blood is common. They usually take care of themselves once your bowel movement is more normal, but there are things you can do to ease the pain. One is to try really hard to let things come naturally and not strain. When you have a hard bowel movement, that is very difficult, but the less you strain, the less likely you are to increase/develop a hemorrhoid. As well, you can try soaking in a tub with epsom salts or using a sits bath. It can sooth the pain. Hemorrhoid creams can help some though I haven't had much luck with them. I do recommend hemorrhoid wipes though. For me, I am so sensative and it is so painful that I can't even touch the area with normal toilet paper. The wipes are softer and have medication on them.

If your hemorrhoids don't go away on their own, you probably should see a doctor.

Best of luck. Fortunately, hemorrhoids are a common thing (just not talked about much). Almost all pregnant women get them!

[ARTB]

Thanks for the response Katie.  I am going to see the doc today.  My cardo thought it might be hemorroids (hemorrhoids) or an inflamed prostate and thought I ought to have it checked out.

[ARTB]

Just to follow up for anyone else in the same situation.  Doc says it is proctitis. No hemerroid problems.  He gave me some cortizone supposotories and wants to see me in two weeks to schedule a colonoscopy.