HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

ANAL TAGS...please talk to me about surgery ***

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/24/2014 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..quincy here from UC forum (this post is copied from there because I need your input as well).

I thought it was a prolapsed hemmie that could be strangled or saline poked, but alas...NOT...albeit small, it's still something that's there and seemed to happen overnight (hence the thought of a prolapsed hemmie)

I have an appointment with a surgeon for consult on Wednesday, and need feedback as to experiences, recovery, etc. This I want to do but very scared as to what the possibilities are for negatives.

Appreciated muchly. I'm out for the evening, so won't be responding till much later.
q
Posted 11/24/2014 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what your doc has suggested, but I had this issue in my mid to late 20's and the doc gave me a topical ointment that took care of the issue (daily application for a month or two...as far as I can remember), and hasn't returned in over a decade.
Posted 11/24/2014 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
My GI is adamant that I cannot have my hemorrhoids or my skin tag removed because it might start an episode of Crohn's inflammation at the removal site and then never heal. He is not the only doctor that has told me this. My first GI said the same thing.

Don't know if tis also applies to someone that has UC. Has there aver been any discussion that you might have Crohn's? If so, I would be hesitant to proceed with surgery.
Posted 11/25/2014 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for the responses!

CDASinCO...I'd sure love to know what ointment that was you used 10 years ago! I'll have to maybe put that down for a question to the surgeon...or my dermatologist I see in mid Dec should I decline the surgery.

Ides...It's possible that healing from anal surgery could contribute to a flare. My GI who diagnosed it initially, didn't seem concerned to have it removed. That's why I'm seeing a surgeon.

I'll put forth that concern for sure.

q
Posted 11/25/2014 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I am with Ides on this one.  Multiple GIs have told me not to have surgery and so did the last colorectal surgeon.  I have many tags..some of which are quite large and others small.  I was told, and have noticed since then, that tags are a good indicator of current status.  When I am flaring, my tags are larger.  When I am at my best the tags get a little smaller.  Prednisone makes them shrink away a lot, but that was not long term.  I did have someone tell me I could use over the counter corticosteroid cream on them.  It helps a tiny bit.

I know I heal slowly in every other injury/surgery.  I don't want to risk that on my back side.

Good Luck

Posted 11/25/2014 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
@quincy - I wish I could remember what the ointment was...it could have been a hydrocortisone, but I think it was something else.  Is was daily application for a month or more but so far they've never returned. The next time I'm at the doctors I'll see if my chart has it in it and let you know.
Posted 11/25/2014 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Habs...I get the CD connection of tags and current status of a flare. I was diagnosed almost 26 years ago, and only have had an external hemmie and fissure.
I've never been as bad as the first few years, and have flared many, many times within that span of time....so it doesn't seem related. BUT....things do change once something else pops up. Hope the surgeon can explain that for me.

CDAS....I will ask about a steroid cream to see if it helps...that would be nice! If you do remember, I appreciate the info.

Thanks again for the replies. It helps a lot.
I'll keep you updated about my visit with the surgeon.
q
Posted 11/26/2014 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I haven't been on the site for a looong time.

I'm reading along and hope to learn.

Hope you get all your questions answered so that you can make a well informed decision. 

Posted 11/26/2014 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi sukay. I do as well. I hope to get answers today.
q
Posted 11/27/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...

The surgeon was awesome, and he said I have an ordinary, nothing special skin-tag. It can be removed if I like, or remain if I like.

It's not related to UC at all....more than likely stemmed from the fissure as a "sentinel".

He stated that with CD patients, different story. He'd more likely say no, so all the CDers who have commented...the consensus is consistent with concerns.

He also suggested that if I was wanting (since I'm due next year) that he could do a c-scope, since I won't see the new GI till Spring, and then the tag at the end of the procedure. While I think it's a good idea, I know the sometimes discomfort of spasming in my gut, and of course the bleeding from the 30+ biopsies, will have me not going in that direction.

It would take me a few weeks to get in to have it done...short procedure about 20 minutes.

No invasion up into the anus, no worries of incontinence, but there will be pain/discomfort for a few days - a week.

So...I'm leaning toward doing it rather than not while it's in a nice smaller and calm state. I'll call in January and make an appt.

It's nice to be in the category of doing it or leaving it....I'm more concerned if the external hemmie flares and what it'll be like while having the tag. So far all has been good with the short stint of having this little beastie. I'll make sure my UC is nice and calm as well during the Christmas soon-to be-busy-with-clients-schedule.

So....that's it for now!
q
Posted 11/29/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Ides, I have been told by several GI doctors never to have them removed. Years ago I almost did when I dr told me he thought it was just a regular hemorrhoid or skin tag and could be easily removed. Thank goodness I didn't because the later doctors told me that 1) it can bring back many more skin tags and 2) since the area in general doesn't heal well it can throw you into a flare. I REALLY do not like it there and would do a LOT to be able to have it removed but unfortunately for me the risks don't outweigh the benefits. It's terribly painful during a flare, it gets about 3x as big and I always get a fissure at the bottom so again, I would do anything to have it removed but for myself can't chance it.

What was this ointment from before? I second that I would like to hear about that! :) When mine acts up I sit in baths of epsom salts and use a hydrocortisone/lidocaine cream that doesn't do too much, but that with the pain meds helps a bit.

Good luck in whatever you decide!
Posted 11/30/2014 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon would agree with the consensus if I had CD...but I don't have it, so I'll be going ahead with the surgery while things are in a small state.. I, as well, hope there's no other issues with healing, because arse pain isn't something I deal with well.

q
Posted 11/30/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
quincy, do you have Ulcerative Colitis?

******edited because duh, I just saw you were from the UC forum :) *********

So I had what was diagnosed as UC for years. I also had a perianal skin tag for about 15 years that drs said wasn't a big deal. L hey said they could remove it, and I almost did. Later, my Crohn's was "triggered" by a bunch of things, mainly a bad flu and too many antibiotics from a root canal. A dr told me later that I had what they call Crohn's Markers, things like skin tags, various skin rashes - things that indicated I probably always would have gotten Crohn's eventually, it just needed something to "flip the switch". Obv do what you think is best for you but just be aware that your body can react in different ways and although you are fine now and may have mild UC, having surgery in an area that doesn't heal well for us can bring on a host of new and painful conditions. Just something to think about so you have full knowledge of your own body when many doctors don't.

Post Edited (wednesday77) : 11/30/2014 1:43:06 PM (GMT-7)

Posted Yesterday 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
My concerns are exactly about the healing, but with the fissure and external hemmie, they do heal fairly quickly.

I have UC, definitive. 26 years ago diagnosed and successfully treated/maintained with 5ASA oral/rectal.

I've not had rectal surgery, however...but I'm hoping it'll be a short-term discomfort for long-term gain.

Regarding your diagnosis, you would have always had CD...just in a state that mimicked UC (incorrectly diagnosed). From what I understand, CD in various areas develop independently of one another...
It's good for you that you didn't have the surgery.

Your feedback is truly appreciated.

q
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply