Post-Op: Seton

Hey guys,

So I'm pretty new to this thing and I figured I'd try it out. I just had surgery to place a seton into my abscess to help it drain. I had one before but my GI removed it because it wasn't doing any more good in. I had a really bad abscess and had to get one put back in. This one hurts a lot more than the first one I had. It feels like a tugging/pulling. I can't get comfortable sitting or laying down, even if I have a pillow. There is some stuff draining (and I know that's good), but there is a decent amount of blood draining too. Also, I can't seem to wipe myself without causing myself a lot of pain. And the last thing, I always feel the need to urinate, and when I do barely anything comes out and when it does, it's clear (which means I'm hydrated). Baths only work while I'm in them; as soon as I get out I feel the pain again. I'm on Norco, and while the stuff does wonders, I do not want to be on it much longer. I am a college student who starts back at school in 1 week and I can't focus in the classroom if I'm on that stuff. I was just wondering if there was anyone out there that could give me some advice to help cope/tell me how to handle the pain and to make it better. Or if there is anyone out there that just wants to talk. I'm the only one I know (my age) with Crohn's and I don't have anyone to talk to that can relate to what I'm going through.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you all have a good day/night :D

Hi and welcome! I like Ivy's idea of the pre-call, then a folow up call. My seton was in a "fortunate spot" without much muscle involvement so I had limited pain. i do remember that is was quite unfcomfortable and felt tight the first week or two, but then settled down.
As for the while it's in, as many sitz bathes as you can do really makes a difference. if wiping is an issue, try rinsing instead - I used the bag/hose that came with the sitz bath as a sprayer - then I got a hand held shower and I jumped in whenever possible. I also had a spray bottle in my purse for trips in the outside world. Baby wipes were also preferred over paper and I carried those in my bag.
There are several others on this site at college age, so please know you are not the only one. I had Cd when i was in college but not dx'd yet so I can't say I know exactly what you feel, but I do remember.
Please call your doc if the pain is unbearable. take care and hope you start feeling better soon.