Not sure if I have an abscess

Hello all,

I normally post on the ulcerative colitis forum but I thought abscesses have more to do with CD.

Basically I am not sure if what I have at the moment is an abscess. What I am seeing is a pimple like lump on the edge of my right bum cheek (probably about 2 inches away from my anus). The small lump (literally the size of a pimple) is red, and hurts when pressed (though the pain is not terrible). I just started noticing it today in the afternoon. I don't have any other unusal pains around my anus or buttocks or internally.

My history is summed up in my signature but to give a brief run down again, I was diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis (rectal and cecal inflammation) in October 2010. Since then I have been using Pentasa suppositories and Salofalk granules. No other inflammation has been found (last c.scope was in Jan 2011) and my G.I said the cecal inflammation is not indicative of Crohns (unless the inflammation spreads into the ileum). I do have the occassional anal fissure due to passing thick stool (probably had one just last week) but other than that I haven't had any other issues. I do have occassional mild lower left and right sided abdominal pain, go around 3 times a day but no blood. Stools are not diarrhea but also are not entirely formed (they will come out formed but break up in the water). My G.I had also diagnosed me with IBS and from my experience, these current symptoms are more IBS related.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Max

It could develop into an abscess. I had one located a few inches next to my a$s.

Thought it would go away on its own but it only got bigger like the size of a golf ball literally and had to get it drained in the emergency room b/c it was causing high fever.

If it gets bigger, you should make an appt with a colorectal surgeon right away to get it drained. You don't want to get to the point where you can't sit and agonize in pain.