Is this perianal abscess and what should I do?

I am posting this simultaneously on both UC and Chron's forums since I've confirmed UC but perianal abscesses are linked to Chron's. Please excuse me for the detailed description but I hope everyone here is already used to these terms.

The last couple of weeks have been stressful and taxing since I had lots of work to be done and had to work overtime. I felt that this is taking toll on me last week when my UC symptoms worsened.

But then few days ago I noticed a small lump just beside my anal opening that was mildly painful.

I immediately got appointment to surgeon-proctologist to check it out. However on the morning of the visit I woke up to discover that the lump was gone. Still I went to the doc and she checked me out but couldn't find anything except for some area that might have been stiffer than usual. She said however that it most probably was abscess but it has drained by itself. At the time I didn't have any other symptoms (no fever etc) so I was left with suggestion to take care of my UC relapse.

Yet the very next morning (which is today) I woke up to discover that one of the inguinal lymph nodes in the groin is swollen and painful. This immediately is a red flag for me as I suspect that the swelling of the lymph node is caused by abscess. But I don't see/feel any. I have no fever but have slight fatigue/weakness.

So I'm here now asking you for some experience and your opinion – what should I do? Should I wait few more days or do I need to look for some help ASAP. Do I need to try to contact the same doc again? Does this sound like an abscess or can the swelling of lymph nodes be caused by something else?

Thanks IAmCurious, I had extremely painful abscess as well few years ago and I had to undergo surgery under GA since it was deeper between muscles.

This is why I'm scared since I don't want to repeat the history and those swollen lymph nodes make me nervous

Globetrotter...swollen lymphnodes indicate that the body is fighting off an invader. It could be from anything that the body says shouldnt be there. But i can relate to the lump you described. I had one my gi dr saw it and refered me to a surgeon but as soon as i saw the surgeon it like went away. He saidbit must have drained internally.