Fistula question

Hi, another newbie to the forum here.
I had a personal abscess last October (2014) this abscess was incised and drained, almost healed but developed into a introsphinctral Fistula.
Since last December I have had two different Seton's placed, the first plastic and the current one is a suture type material.
As its my anniversary from all this starting I have a lot of doubts about the future and cannot help but worry that I will be like this for the rest of my life. I have been off work for most of the year as I am a bus driver and sitting for long periods is not possible.
I am not a chrones sufferer.

Can anyone tell me if the fistula is healing, will it get more sore and painful as the loose Seton gets closer to the skins surface.
My colorectal surgeon said the body will reject the Seton and try to get rid of it and as it drops lower the track heals with scar tissue behind it, is this correct.

The area were the Seton leaves the buttock has become extremely sore and I find it painful to sit once more, it doesn't feel like the throb of an another abscess and so wondering what is causing the sudden increase in pain.also for the first time in ages I have had a little bit of bleeding from this site,
I am fed up of pestering my GP and thought I could get some answers here.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, I had the various tests and camera down the throat and up the other end. My surgeon said no signs of inflammation plus no bouts of heavy diarrhoea.
My other thoughts on the pain is that perhaps as the Seton gets closer to the skin could it be hitting more nerves.
If I could just find a way to ease the soreness and get back to walking more I think my depression may lift a bit. Being cooped up in the house everyday on my own is driving me crazy, I used to swim, cycle and do fell walking and now I never go anywhere, I also did a lot of digital photography whilst out walking. I guess most of the things that I used to use will now end up on eBay!!!
I supose having read so much on the subject of fistula in ano I realise that even if the Seton drops out or my surgeon does the fistulotomy, I will always be looking over my shoulder for its return.

Yes the nearer you get to needing it removed the more painful it becomes.

Can I ask.
I have been told aftrr an MRI that I not got any infections in my fistula any more and I still have a loose seton.
Is it normal to still get blood after a bowel movement if there is no infection .
It does not happen often but I still occasionally encounter the problem.

Hi
Sometimes spotting and today a lot more than spots, it reminded me of a fissure caused by constipation.
The fistula feels a bit sore and the seton keeps disappearing into the anus due to getting longer which may be aggravating the area.
Should I shorten it?

Wow, it fell out. How long did it take from insertion to falling out.
Do you still get faecal matter pass through your fistula or has it closed enough to stop.
I have to admit I wish my seton would pass through and drop out, I thought that I would be over it by now but I have to be positive and try to lift my depression. It looks like my second Christmas with a Seton.

I take fiber gummies before going to bed at night. I am not sure what creams to use - for my fissure I was given prescription creams.

Sorry I didn't see your other posts, etc. before. I really think you need to call your doctor.

I hope and pray for healing for you and all of us going through this hardship. It will get better. Someone mentioned Calmoseptine for relief on skin area around fistula. Perhaps check on Amazon or with your doctor.

Really struggling today with the pain, not sure how much longer I can carry on like this. Taking anti inflammatory plus Paracetamol also been prescribed Diltazem cream for the fissure.
I am worrying that because I have a fissure my surgeon will be unable to operate on the fistula because they are so close to each other.
I am at the end of the road, about to lose my job because of so much time off and I am so lonely and depressed which makes me cry which for someone who was once so strong makes it even worse, I never cried since mom died years ago.
If anyone can tell me that this nightmare will end, please advise me on were to go and what to do.

I am sorry to hear it. Know you will get through this.

I have had a fistula since an abscess formed in March. Along with it I started having urinary urgency and stool leakage. You are fortunate that you have opportunity for a fistulotimy, I have heard they have high successs rates. Because of the incontinence issues my dr recommends we try other avenues first. I recently started taking LDN to support my immune system. As a side benefit it really seems to help blunt the pain. My Gi tests are negative for crohns

I think you will find calmoseptine on Amazon, or you can search for fistula on Amazon... When I searched an ointment came up.

Hope you are doing better. Take care.

Can anyone tell me if the fluid that drains out of a fistula can cause severe acid like burning pain on the buttocks.
If so is there a cure or an answer to stop it happening. Could it be something that I am eating or drinking.

Hi Isabella
Yes thanks for the post, blood tests yes loads of them.
I guess that I am lucky in not having chrones but I know a few people that do and I know it's no picnic. I am a bit of a panicker.
The thing that gets me is that my surgeon and other medical people do not seem to be able to explain the situation or answer my questions which is why this forum is brilliant.
As for barrier creams, they help but the sore burning is unlike any pain I have ever experienced.
All I need to know Is how long will this go on for. Will it be like this till the seton comes out.

I agree with Scifi, you can't rely on blood test for Crohn's diagnosis. Have you had a colonoscopy? Not trying to scare you, but Before I was dx I had rectal issues including abscess and fistula and I was in extreme pain for about 2 years. I didn't really have other symptoms. Rectal pain is still really my only symptom. I did so many tests, CT, blood, small bowel follow through, etc.. Not until they did the colonoscopy did they find the Crohn's. They put me on IV prednisone in the hospital and within hours my rectum was feeling better. I have had a seton drain for over 10 years which I have had replaced.

As far as burning from the drainage, yes you can definitely experience that. Some people place a gauze pad between their cheeks. I have recently had this issue as I have been flaring for most of the year. It's extremely painful. A cool shower on that area can help. And make sure to dry the area well. Fistula surgery can possibly be successful if you don't have Crohn's, but I have heard from my surgeon and GI that the success rate is very low with Crohn's. Hope you get some answers and relief soon!