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Would I know if I had an abscess??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/14/2008 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am headed into the city today for my CAT scan enterography.  Doc just put me on xifaxan.  He said we will see if you have an abscess.  Can you see that on a CAT scan and wouldn't I know if I had one.  I don't have a fever!  I just have intermittent pain on my right side and ofcourse diarrhea.  I am going to Fla Wed and so scared as to what this is.  I feel like I have never been in remission yet.  Does this every end (the pain and diarrhea--I mean??).

Thanks for all your help!

Chris

Posted 3/14/2008 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chris: the function of an abscess is to wall off a source of infection from the rest of the body. It is the body's effort to protect the system from the impact of a localized infection. The body builds a hard shell around the area where the infection begins in an attempt to keep the bacteria from seeping into the bloodstream or the surrounding tissues.

So yes, it is possible for you to have an abscess and maybe not know it. If you have a really strong immune system, that walled abscess can stay localized for some time. The problem is that it will rarely heal completely and there is always the risk of the infection overwhelming the body's defences and spilling bacteria into the body causing septicemia -- then you will KNOW that you are sick. Much better to do the investigations now, especially if you are planning a trip. Abscesses can be treated, but are rarely cured by antibiotics alone. Often they have to be drained or surgically removed.

That being said, there is a really good chance that your symptoms are not caused by an abscess. Let's face it pain and diarrhea are both just symptoms of this dd. Still better safe than sorry.
Posted 3/14/2008 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bellenstien... for all the knowledge and info. I feel there is so much to learn about this disease. Now ask me about childhood leukemia and I could right a book on it!! I have had c.difficle in the past so I am praying it is not an abscess since the firs line treatment is cipro/flagyl. I am in such a state right now!! I think my GI is good but so not bending. I just wish he would prescribe pred. I understand his reasoning but there are times when you have to use it. I think this is one of those times especially since I will be going on 6mp and it takes awhile to kick in.
Thanks again!!
Chris -- this list serve has helped me in so many ways!!!
Posted 3/14/2008 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I've had abscesses before and I always new that I had one....pain....continuous pain! The ct will tel you for sure if you have one. Have fun in FL!
Posted 3/14/2008 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Also Chris: As much as I understand your longing for the relief prednisone brings, until you know that the pain isn't from an abscess, you really should not be on steroids. But don't they offer the greatest of seductions? When you know that 24-48 hours later there's going to be relief, it's hard. For me steroids are harder to resist than any narcotic. It's the only time I really feel relief from the symptoms of this disease.
Posted 3/14/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
belleenstein, thats the greatest explanation of an abcess i'v ever heard! thanx!
Posted 3/14/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
What is it that causes the abscess which is related to Crohn's? I had a resection in Oct. of 2007. I've had Crohn's for about 12 years. I had several stricutes and the surgeon removed about 9 inches of my small intestine. about a month ago I started noticing a growth on the skin on my stomach a couple inches from my belly button. It sort of looks like a pimple about 1/16 of an inch in size. Could this be an abscess?

Thanks

Posted 3/15/2008 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
HI Timmysang:

If the pimple was related to your crohn's it would probably be the end of a fistula running from your bowel to the skin. Fistulas form when an abscess in one part of the bowel gets glued to other tissue (another loop of bowel, another organ like the bladder, or skin) sometimes as the infection continues an opening between the two parts occurs which allows the abscess to drain. This is called a fistula. I haven't had an enterocutaneous fistula, only from one loop of bowel to another, so I'm probably not the best person to describe it.

I think though, that when people are developing abscesses/fistulas they are usually quite ill and often their white cell count is elevated. If your pimple pops and oozes ***** or smelly discharge, it may be a fistula. If this happens, or if it doesn't go away soon, I would bring it to the attention of your health care team.
Posted 3/15/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
it also usually becomes hard and large, sometimes tender to touch, looks kinda like a boil
Posted 3/15/2008 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I have an appointment on Tuesday with my GI and I will bring this to his attention.
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