Fistula concerns

I've had a draining seton in my fistula, located on my lower buttcheek, for over a year. Recently, it has stopped draining, almost completely, and slight pain and swelling have developed above the spot. No redness, no heat. Anyone had this happen? Could it be healing (I know that's a stretch)? Getting infected? (I've never had an infection with it *knock on wood*) but I'm kind of concerned. Could it also be that the drainage is trying to find another way out, and is developing another fistula? I take baths regularly, but more so than usual, and longer than usual lately because winter just gets me in the mood for that. I'm concerned, and am going to call my doc tomorrow. I can't just make an appointment and go, though, because he is over two hours away and that requires a day off work. Just wanted to check with you all since there's not much I can do on a weekend besides worry! Thanks!

Hello Hope,
Before I had my seton placed, my fistula would periodically swell to a pimple head and get slightly painful before it would burst and then drain. I'd feel much better after that. It was always a cycle:

drainage -> end-of-drainage -> some weeks of comfort where I'd forget about it -> then swell and pain -> burst.

So, I'm wondering if maybe your body has closed up on your seton and that's why drainage has stopped. In some ways I feel more assured when my fistula is draining because at least I know it's on the way towards healing! are you able to move your seton at all or has your body closed up on it? My seton is very new so I don't know how these things work or if that would hurt.

Also, I doubt that your body would prefer to develop another fistula rather than just drain through the seton. It takes substantial pressure to break through tissue walls and I would think that the seton/fistula channel would be taken before a new fistula could form.

I'll chime in here too. While you're waiting for your appointment, I' d keep up on your baths since they keep the area moist as well as clean. And I'd ask the same question as above, 'can you move your seton around?' If it feels tighter, then you probably have an abscess developing. Either way, moving the seton around can be helpful to keep the channel open. Moving it around, while in the bath, might help too. Also, warmer water can open the blocked areas easier than cooler water.

I too was on this cycle of three or four days of draining then the fistula would stop draining and a painful abcess would develop until it ruptured. This would happen after every failed surgery until they put a seton back in. I've never had the problem with a seton in, but I know it happens sometimes.

I'm sorry this happening to you. I hope things get better soon.

Bummer. I hope the antibiotics help. If there's one thing we all know by know, it's that these crazy things are unpredictable and frustrating. You will be in my prayers.

You said it Healthsearch! Most definitely unpredictable! Today, the swelling and pain are both down. I just went ahead and started antibiotics yesterday so I highly doubt they kicked in that quickly. But who knows. All I know is that one of the pills I'm taking tastes HORRIBLY bad if left on the tongue for even a second. BLEH! And Donoman, I read your comment on my phone while at work and totally laughed out loud. My coworker looked at me like I was crazy. Lol. Thanks or the laugh.

Post Edited (Hope in healing) : 1/21/2014 7:53:03 PM (GMT-7)

Lol! No doubt!