Internal hemorrhoids vs. rectal flare

Hi all, I am trying to figure out which of the above I am dealing with. Symptoms are some blood (twice in past week on nonconsecutive days) and rectal soreness (mostly when sitting). So I think and am really hoping it’s hemorrhoids. My BMs have if anything been somewhat firmer recently, I only have one a day, and I have no other UC symptoms like urgency or cramping. But then again, I don’t think I had those at the start of previous flares either.

I went in to my practice today hoping they could do a flex sig, but evidently they now send you to the endoscopy center for those as well. (***?). Doctor was unavailable, nurse practitioner felt up there and said she thought hemmies but couldn’t be sure. (Makes me think of my first diagnosis now nearly 30 years ago— my dad’s old crusty GP stuck a finger up there, took it out and stated, flatly and immediately, “This is not hemorrhoids. This is colitis.” Guess the NP did not have the experience to do that!) Anyway, waiting on blood tests for inflammation and may try to drive back for the flex sig. Anyone have any experience with telling when it’s a flare and when it’s a bad hemmie?

Ah yes, the age old quandary: is it a flare or just a hemorrhoid? Many puzzle over this nearly to the point of madness.

You can test for a flare with an Inflammation test like Calprotectin stool test or C-Reactive Protein blood test. Or you can get endoscopy.

Alternatively, test for hemorrhoids. Go to your pharmacist, ask for over-the-counter preparation H (or generic store brand equivalent), and try it for a couple weeks to see if the blood and sitting pain clears up. I've got some with a nozzle that goes up the bumm, squeeze to apply some ointment there. Use it when my hemorrhoids act up.

Good news...and what did the doc rx for the hemmies?

q

It’s actually been feeling better for several days now. So no meds— he thinks it might have had a fissure but is now healed up.

Hey, I’m close to turning 54 and if hemorrhoids are the worst of my problems, I’ll take it!