She refuses to go and says she can deal with it herself. My mother has Alzheimer's/ dementia and is not her normal self. She hasn't been to a doctor in years. I am worried these hemorrhoids are infected as they are blood red. Could they be harmful? How do I persuade her to go see a doctor?
I suffer from very severe hemorrhoids as a result of a spinal cord injury and related long-term medications.
I found dealing with the cream, ointments and every other at home treatment, both prescribed and OTC out there useless. It was frustrating and the misery was to much.
What I can recommend is hemorrhoid banding. Ask your mothers GI specialist, if she has one, about it. If not, make sure she gets to one.
Banding is not right for all types so an evaluation is needed by doctor.
The exam is quick, painless, embarrassing but not a big deal. Convincing her may be the hardest part.
Banding is very quick. Takes about 2-3 minutes to do and has minor discomfort. Way less than the hemorrhoids in the first place.
There are 3 main rectal columns that hemorrhoids grow from and so a band is placed on each section separately. The first one is done than the second 2weeks later and the 3rd 2 weeks out from 2nd. It typically is a permanent fix and new ones rarely reform.
I had great results and bowel movements are less problematic and less messy if you will.
Yout can PM me if you want more detailed specifics but I do highly recommend that simple procedure. Oh and yes, both Medicaid and Medicare pay for it. I am on direct Medicare and had no issues.
Hope your Mom gets relief soon.
Oh Ps. I also switched to memory foam pads on chairs. That helped with pain.
She might feel embarrassed and I imagine they're very painful as well. Is her doctor a man? Perhaps she'd feel more comfortable with a woman doctor.
The dementia does complicate things a bit as you are probably unable to reason with her. No one can take care of their own hemorrhoids because of where they're located so that argument doesn't hold water.
My suggestion is to find a women doctor and get your mom there under false pretenses such as needing a physical. You could tell her that the woman doctor is taking over all of her previous doctor's patients and it's time your mom had a basic, no-frills checkup. Inform the doctor's office prior to the appointment about the real issue.
Good luck.
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268
Not all hemorrhoids are dangerous. They can itch, and they hurt if they poke through the anal ring and get squeezed. They are very common. I have them, though perhaps not as bad as your mother’s. They flare up from time to time.
If your mother says she is coping OK, perhaps she is. There are creams that help by making them more slippery and also provide some local anaesthesia. Two brands here are called Anusol and Rectinol, which always makes me laugh. I can easily reach to cream around the anus plus just inside it. Then I tuck them back inside. I need good handwashing afterwards, and paper towel and a hand antiseptic helps.
Yes, it’s embarrassing to get checked. Mine first appeared when I was on holiday in Spain. Trying to explain this in a pharmacy when I didn’t speak Spanish was one of my lifetime linguistic highlights. The tourist phrase book didn’t help!
Perhaps reading this to your mother might help her to be less embarrassed and more interested in what it's all about. It might give her a laugh too.
When you have read the Mayo Clinic site, get your mother to a lady doctor if you both think it’s a good idea. In the meantime, try the creams. Good luck to both of you.
I learned something new today about the banding. Interesting.