Years of suffering finally over! 24-year-old talks openly about his hemorrhoidal condition
"It had been clear to me for years that something was wrong, but I just didn't have the courage to confide in anyone," Mr. Singh explains. Like him, many people probably struggle with rectal symptoms such as bleeding, pain or the like. The 24-year-old suffered from enlarged hemorrhoids until recently, and for about five years. As the self-employed manager of a transport company, R. Singh was still driving his own deliveries from A to B until a few years ago. Around this time, sitting also started to cause problems. At the beginning of this year, he was treated with biolitec's laser therapy. Now he is going public with his experience: "I hope by sharing my experience I can help others and especially young people to overcome their shame and go to the doctor early."
Most sufferers are late to see a doctor about rectal disorders
After three years, R. Singh can't take it anymore, he confides in his brother, "It must have been about two years ago. My brother and I have always had a close relationship and actually tell each other everything. It was only through talking to him that I learned that such problems are widespread. He encouraged me to go to the doctor." But if you think that's the end of R. Singh's ordeal, you're way off. Like many young people, he gets the information he needs from the internet. He saves himself a trip to the family doctor and goes straight to a rectal specialist, known as a proctologist, but this is not to be his last visit.
Conditions like hemorrhoidal disease affect all populations
"The first doctor saw no need for action at all. I wasn't told what I had. I was only prescribed ointments and suppositories, and that was it." Mr. Singh feels he is not being taken seriously. He has finally managed to turn to an expert with his condition and overcome his shame, and yet he remains clueless. Another visit to the same doctor is not an option for him. So he seeks out the nearest proctologist. Here he finally gets a name to his symptoms. He has hemorrhoidal disease, i.e. pathologically enlarged hemorrhoids. This exact differentiation is important, because what the fewest know: Everyone has hemorrhoids. They are essential supporters of our fine continence. Therefore, preserving them and their functions often plays a major role in the choice of treatment. R. Singh's doctor wants to perform a rubber band ligation. This involves placing a rubber band around the enlarged pad to tie it off. The tied portion of the hemorrhoidal cushion falls off on its own after a few days. When inserting the rubber band, however, the doctor lacks the necessary sensitivity to the patient and the pain-sensitive region. "He just put the rubber band around it. He didn't care what it was like for me or if I was in pain, the main thing was that the rubber band fit," Singh reports.
With shameful rectal conditions, which can also be very painful, the doctor-patient relationship and choice of therapy is especially important
Neither rubber band ligation nor ointments and suppositories can help R. Singh. Still ill and additionally unsettled by the previous doctors' lack of empathy, he comes to Dr. Eric Allemeyer's consultation. Dr. Allemeyer knows exactly how important it is to have a clear explanation and sensitivity in proctology. Dr. Allemeyer also tries rubber band ligation first. Nevertheless, there is a decisive difference, explains R. Singh: "It was completely different with Dr. Allemeyer right from the start. I was told in detail about every step of the treatment. He carefully palpated the area and always asked me if the placement was okay. When I came in for a checkup, he wanted to know exactly how I was doing."
Conservative approaches are often but not always successful for hemorrhoids
But again, treatment can't help the patient permanently. A new approach is needed: "I didn't really care what was done, the main thing was that the symptoms disappear. The only thing I wanted to avoid was a real operation to cut out the hemorrhoids. If only to avoid being out of action for too long in my self-employment." Dr. Allemeyer explains his options to R. Singh and advises him to undergo LHP laser therapy from biolitec because of his desire to be fit again quickly and his pre-existing condition, type 1 diabetes. In this procedure, a laser fiber is inserted into the enlarged hemorrhoid and irradiates it with laser light from the inside, shrinking it back to its natural size. The treatment is quick and gentle on the patient. In addition, since diabetes can also cause problems with wound healing after surgery, the treatment is particularly suitable because the hemorrhoid is only punctured.
Laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is also an option for elderly and high-risk patients
Mr. Singh's treatment takes just under half an hour. He leaves the clinic the day after laser therapy slowly, but on his own two feet. Before that, he is examined twice more by Dr. Allemeyer himself. "I only needed painkillers on the first day, and two days after the treatment I was able to go about my business a little again. Of course, I was still supposed to take it easy for the first few days, which I did, but at least a little bit was doable again," Mr. Singh reveals to us. After one and a half weeks, R. Singh is able to go about his daily life again as normal. At the follow-up appointment a short time later, both doctor and patient are satisfied with the result. "I can't tell yet whether everything is back to normal, but it's definitely much better than before the treatment," Mr. Singh tells us shortly afterwards. Another follow-up examination is planned for May. He did not have to pay for the procedure; his statutory health insurance covers the costs in full. "Of course, it's a bit early to draw a final conclusion, but if I could turn back time now, I would definitely choose LHP laser therapy again," Singh shares. When we ask him if he would also recommend the treatment method to others, he is definite: "The way things are going so far? Yes definitely."