I had my takedown on March 9th and have had good results except it feels as if I have hemorrhoids. Do you have any advice as how I am to deal with these.

Yes, they are probably irritated and inflamed. Pain and itching in the anal canal - whether hemorrhoids or not - are very common. My surgeon said that is the #1 complaint of her patients.

As for advice, you can always have your doctor take a look and see if it is indeed hemorrhoids or not. Similar pain can be caused by fissures, butt burn, or cuffitis.

I still deal with pain, irritation, and itching. I go through good spells and bad (I am 5 months out). I usually manage the pain by sticking some Gold Bond medicated anti-itch cream up in there, and then apply a zinc-oxide cream. Calmoseptine is a good one - has menthol like the Gold Bond to deaden the pain (and feels really weird at first). Others here rave about ILEX. I have also found that Calmol-4 suppositories are helpful (coconut oil/zinc oxide). All products are available via the internet or special order from the pharmacy as OTC products.

When your stool gets more formed and less frequent, the pain will diminish and hopefully go away. When you can tolerate it (when I was at your point along the way, I couldn't), soluble fiber (metamucil) and a good probiotic will help firm things up.

I am fortunate. My hemmies usually don't bother me. If they do, I take extra time to be sure my bottom is very, very clean each time I use the toilet. They only get irritated if I'm in a hurry. Hot sitz baths help as does Calmoseptine, for me anyway. Most of the time I don't even know they are there. My doctor reminds me of their existence whenever he examines me!