At the beginning phase, I have lots of questions, maybe you can help?

I am new to all this and have google different topics and I have learned the most from these forums.  I have not officially been diagnosed with Crohn's yet but am in the process of being tested and have recurrent perirectal abscesses since August 2008.  I have had 9 surgeries to date.  The last one was done in Seattle and a c-ton was implanted to drain the abscess.  I live in Alaska and have very limited access to specialists.  I have been very frustrated with waiting to see what happens, ER docs that just cut me open and let it drain only to have it refill within a weeks time, pain medication, and just not feeling good. 

My first question for anyone who has had a c-ton how do you clean the area after a bowel movement?  I currently have a sitz bath thing with the tube and rinse with that.  I don't know how I am going to be able to keep doing this for the next 8 weeks. 

Next, is there any non narcotic medicine available to help with the pain?  I have taken dilaudid for the past 3 weeks and hate the way it makes me feel. They just switched me to vicodin and it doesn't seem to help with the pain.  How do you ask a doctor for pain meds without sounding like a drug seeker or an addict?  I don't want to be on anything but the pain is unbearable at times, especially after a bowel movement.  I have more questions but would like to see if anyone responds these first.  Thank you to whomever takes the time to read this and any suggestions are more than welcome...

Gastroenterologists have the most experience with and understanding of inflammatory bowel diseases . . . surgeons do treat them, but usually only for the surgical complications, then hand the patient back to the GI for long term care. On the pain med issue, I would suggest contacting your GI, or getting one if you don't have one. They see this every day and usually have a pretty good feel for what each patient is going through and what meds they need. In addition, you do not say anything abuot being on maintenance meds to reduce future damage from Crohns, and that is the GI's specialty too.

Here you are: we have a whole page full of links with answers for seton questions like yours, including how to keep the little darlings clean. You can find it in my signature.

All the very best to you,

Ivy.