I got awful roids after DD's birth. Hemocaine cream helped with the pain. I had to do anusol supps as well which helped heaps with pain and healing. also witch hazel soaked cottonballs are awesome to shrink them. Try to take a warm bath with some salt added. It does wonders. And yes - drink heaps and heaps of water and add Benefibre to your drinks/ meals for soluble fibre.