Perinanal issues

Is it possible to have recurring perianal absesses, fistulas and skin tags and NOT have Crohn's?

I have read (on this and other forums) about people having rectal issues and no Crohn's. Have you gotten a colonoscopy to rule out Crohn's? I had virtually no symptoms besides abscess and fistula before I was dx. They did lots of tests nothing showed Crohn's except the colonoscopy.

Thanks for the feedback. This forum is such a great source of information and support!

Until a few weeks ago, I was very ignorant about Crohn's disease. When my family doctor brought it up and said I need to have a colonoscopy, I thought she was way off base. But thanks to google and this forum, I now know so much more about CD and I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that I very likely have perianal Crohn's. Btw my skin tags definitely look like the perianal Crohn's skin tag photos.

I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist booked for early Februruary so hopefully a colonoscopy will be scheduled asap. Any advice on what to do about the absesses in the meantime? Up until now, I've seen my family doctor each time who sends me to the hospital to get the absess cut and drained. Ive also had a general surgeon cut, drain and examine as well and he has scheduled an MRI and mentioned I may need a seton. Im hesitant to do anything until I know for sure if its Crohns but I also realize it could be a long time before I have a diagnosis.

Sorry that the pics resemble what you have (perianal crohn's skin tags) with that said, any good GI will not be apprehensive about giving you a proper CD diagnosis when they clearly see perianal crohn's skin tags present (that's exactly how my CD started, not the typical way with the usual bowel symptoms, that didn't happen until yrs later after I had my first baby, the tags came in my teens, but no other symptoms as I mentioned) so if you come across any GI that ignores/doesn't take the perianal crohn's skin tags you have seriously, run as fast as you can!

Sci and pb4 already said what I would say mostly. I had tags and constipation that was not life challenging long before any of my current symptoms. My gi always said they were really my flare indicators...more swollen, more guts were flaring. I tend to agree.

I don't recommend removal based on the non healing stories I have heard. I think I just became friends with mine. .. but a love hate relationship!

Hope you get to a dx soon....

Chickadoodle, yes definitely let us know how your appointment goes. I know how awful perianal problems can be. As far as the abscesses go, I agree with Scifi about getting a reputable colorectal surgeon. Otherwise you may end up with more issues. Do you have a fistula? It sounds like you may if the abscesses are recurring.

Chickadoodle, I first developed a perianal skin tag when I was around 18, and while I had mild signs of UC, it wasn't until I was 30 that I developed Crohn's (in a big, gigantic "welcome to the party" type flare). Although it was due to a few different factors that kind of "flipped the switch" from mild UC to severe Crohn's, I had a good dr tell me that my skin tag was a Crohn's marker. So I think that no matter what I would have eventually developed Crohn's; it was just a matter of when. I still have it (and a few others that are smaller) and I would love to have it removed but several GI drs have told me that removing them can cause more problems as the area doesn't/can't heal well and I can go into a flare OR they can come BACK, but instead of one there might be 5. So I'm just dealing with mine the best way I can. Sending hugs to you, I know they can become very painful. Good luck!