Abcess, fistula, Seton oh my!

Hi, I am new here, it feels so good to be able to talk freely without judgement. I should have done this sooner.

◇Prior to my abscess:
I have had stomach/GI issues(possibly IBS but never diagnosed), I stopped dairy which helped some. I started getting hemorrhoids a few years ago and recently they got so bad I started having to use stool softeners all the time and I carried lidocaine cream and suppositories everywhere.

◇Nov 30th- Definitely something wrong, hemorrhoid pain is constant and unbareable. Went to the doctor and found out I have a perirectal abcess was put on steroids, antibiotics, and given pain meds.
◇Dec 15th-I almost passed out at work from the pain and I had to go to the ER where they drained the abcess. They did a local anesthetic and it was still the worst pain I have ever had!
◇Dec 18th-Ended up in the ED due to dehydration. Was very hard for me to eat and drink after first surgery.
◇Dec 21st- Tried to go back to work couldn't function, was admitted to the hospital had fistula surgery and seton placed, stayed overnight due to anesthesia/ needing IV antibiotics.
◇Dec 22nd- discharged from hospital
-Holy goodness so much pain, had to wear diapers, constant baths.
I got to the point I didn't want to eat because I didn't want to go to the bathroom(constipation from pain meds). :(
◇Jan 2nd-back at the doctor because I have bacterial vaginitis from all the baths. Ugh. So now starting metronidazole.
-Ahh, migraines every day constant nausea,cramping, diarrhea for days why did no one tell me how bad this antibiotic is. Yep when I googled it, my symptoms are what alot of people have.

◇Jan 8th-Thank God they said I can stop the antibiotics! I can't eat and the nausea doesn't go away with Zofran.
Plan is to follow up with the surgeon on 1/12, they said they need to determine if there is intestinal involvement (Ahh scary!).


My questions:
*Anyone else feel depressed from dealing with rectal surgeries? Especially since it's hard to tell people?😕

**What was it like going back to work? I bought a donut cushion and another type of cushion but when I sit down I starts bleeding again.

***Does it hurt when they remove the seton? I'm scared honestly. I've already missed almost a month of work. I'm just worried I won't be able to function again.

Thank you to anyone who responds. It feels good to not be alone.

Post Edited (mylifeinflight77) : 1/8/2016 9:38:43 PM (GMT-7)

Thank you Rose*Flo for responding. I do not have a Chrohn's diagnosis but I'm definitely going to discuss it with my doctor based on all that I have read and been through(years of gi issues).

I'm taking the probiotics but I didn't start right away which I should of. Thanks for the heads up on c.diff, it is a monster. 🐉

The Seton barely bothers me but of course it is scary to look at and the surgical site looks like they took a chunk of me out(almost the size of a quarter). I know depending on how high my fistula goes determines their next course. The cutting seton sounds really painful and so does "laying open the fistula". Either way it is going to make things icky down there.

I'm hoping and praying I don't become incontinent and that I am able to function in my life again.

Post Edited (mylifeinflight77) : 1/9/2016 4:47:16 PM (GMT-7)

Dear mylifeinflight77.
I will make it short and simple. There are many many glands inside anal cavity which can get infected either due to infection, anal fissure or quite a few other reasons and I think constipation is the main culprit. When these infected glands are filled with pus it becomes like a cyst/boil or a pimple and increase in size. Once they get bigger this pus/infection has to drain somehow and it burst's naturally like a balloon. During this process of pus drainage it makes a channel like a tunnel to an external opening near to anus. Over the period of time because the root cause hasn't healed and gets infected it turns into a fistula causing pus/blood leakage. There are two types of seton surgery. One is rubber type(non cutting) which is a staged surgery and the other is cutting seton.
Please do not be depressed with this condition because it is quite common and curable. The seton can stay as long as the infection is cleared.

I am sorry you are so scared. It's been a long time since my initial rupture, but I remember that scared feeling of the unknown and fear of losing your job.
I just wanted to say I have been through the fistula abscess thing and a few other things. I still hold down my job and I manage a fairly normal life. Yes, there are challenges. But, there is also a life with Crohns. I was really glad to read your line about how good your work was to you---remember that.

Right now "limbo" was a good word to describe your state. I would call the GI and ask if you can get in sooner due to the amount of pain you are having. If they don't have an opening (happens a lot), ask if they will call you for a cancellation. They would need a days notice at least so you can prep for a scope. However, maybe he will see you ahead just to look at your effected area.

I hope you can take some comfort in knowing there is life despite the disease.
Take Care

Hi
Thanks for the links and advice, major panic mode at the moment due to going to Hospital in the morning for an operation (possible Laying open/replace Seton)
I was getting along fine with the Seton, or as fine as you can with thread running through your butt. Yesterday I began to get very sore again around the entrance of the Fistula, I think something has become stuck in the tract.
For the first time in months I can see green gunk coming out of the fistula and I am worrying the surgeon will not do the operation if there is any infection.
Have you any thoughts on this.