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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/25/2024 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Have an abscess near the opening of the vagina. It’s very painful and there is a burning sensation. Thought it was caused by HS but it’s under the skin and I have never had HS in that area before though it is common. Contacted my GI. He prescribed an antibiotic and informed me not to stop taking Rinvoq. So, does this mean it’s Crohn’s induced? I thought it was an infection from Rinvoq but may be this is the prognosis of my disease to have abscesses and fistulas. Tbh, I’m freaking out that it might turn into a fistula. All the perianal abscesses I had had before became perianal fistulas. Any tips to deal with the pain and burning sensation? When I apply heat compresses, the burning sensation increases.
Posted 1/25/2024 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Minnie, what is HS? The questions you are asking needs to directed to your gi. If you have a patient portal, I would ask the questions there. I have not read anywhere that Rinvog causes vaginal abscesses.

I would ask the dr for lidocaine to help numb the area that should help.
Posted 1/25/2024 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
HS is hidradenitis suppurativa. I appreciate your pieces of advice but I am asking these questions as I was looking for someone with a similar experience. I’ve always learned from other people’s experiences here at this forum.
Posted 1/28/2024 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Minnie,
I'm sorry to hear this. With Crohn's disease... Once you develop a fistula you are more prone to develop others.

I have a RVF from an abscess. Don't stop taking your meds. Don't miss a dose of the antibiotic. If you don't see the abscess going down within 3 days of starting it my CRS increases the antibiotic dosage or changes it to a stronger antibiotic. If the abscess gets too large he drains it. I took a lot of long soaks with epsom salts to help with the pain...then I'd switch it up to ice. It seemed to help a little. Someone actually gave me Norco with one of the fistulas.... But I usually stick with Tylenol. The burning sensation... I couldn't get it to go away. I did use calmoseptine to try to keep the skin dryer... Cleaner.

Please keep your GI and Colorectal Surgeon informed.

I hope it resolves quickly and does not become a fistula. That is possible... I have one that becomes inflamed and we have to start antibiotics and sitz baths... But so far it's not led to another fistula.

Hang in there,
Clo
Posted 1/30/2024 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
@Clo. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. My GI insisted that I have to see a colorectal surgeon to examine it but I refused as I’m afraid that any cuts in the abscess may cause fecal incontinences. Any CR surgeon always chooses surgical interventions. I have a friend who has Crohn’s too and when she got a vaginal abscess, she had it drained and it turned into a fistula and she already suffers from fecal incontinence. So, upon my insistence not to see a CR surgeon, my GI ordered an MRI fistula and told me that he will take his decision based on the results of the MRI. He repeated the antibiotic for up to two weeks.
Posted 1/30/2024 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Minnie,

The RVF that I currently have is from an abscess that was not drained. It developed a tunnel to the vagina so that it could drain on its own. It still gives me issues from time to time. Once the fistula formed to the vagina I was incontinent. That's part of the reason I decided the colostomy was the right thing for me. Originally it was going to be temporary but after researching I decided to leave everything alone. It's a hard decision, but the fact that I had other abscesses and fistulas that developed from the portion left behind (Hartman's pouch) convinced me.

The other abscess that we've had to work with... (3 times now...even after they removed as much of the Hartman's pouch as possible...) we usually try to let antibiotics take care of it.... Only if the antibiotics don't help do we drain it. And by drain I don't mean a cut deep into the tissue. My CRS just barely scraps the top skin enough to open it enough for it to start to drain on its own. We don't poke, prod or squeeze. Knock on wood.... I haven't gotten another fistula from that recurring abscess. We drain the abscess on the top portion which isn't as close to my lady parts. I'm hoping that we don't get any new ones..

The reason Im trying to explain the difference is that there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to when I develop a fistula. I've got one on my abdomen that just suddenly appeared. It heals and reoccurs even when my blood work is ok and I'm feeling pretty good. So.... I dunno.

I'm crossing my fingers for you and saying lots of prayers. Hang in there.

Clo
Posted 1/30/2024 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, Clo. Scheduled for the MRI fistula tomorrow. It’s day 6 after I had started the antibiotic and the abscess is still there. Actually, they look like 2; one hard felt lump that became softer with antibiotics and a white head. What is really weird is that my perianal fistula is really active and draining pus though my Crohn’s is not active or at least it was like that a month ago when I had my colonoscopy and as was written in the biopsy report.
I really appreciate it that you explained to me the process of draining and that not draining can let the abscess form a fistula.
Hope your recurrent abscess gets healed. Praying for you too.
Posted 2/2/2024 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Minnie,

Hopefully the scan went well..

Just a heads up.... For some reason my fistulas don't always show up on MRI or CT scans..but they can be seen by the naked eye.

Also, when my abscesses do not respond to the antibiotics we either extend them or go with iv antibiotics. (That just seems to impact them more...) Pills, IV and then pills for another 2 weeks.... Seems like forever.

And I wanted to reiterate that... We all try to avoid surgery as much as possible. I remember reading on here how some people thought surgery was just awful. My CRS gently smiled at me when I brought it up... And said that 99.9.percent of his patience have fought so hard for so long that sometimes they just don't know how to stop fighting it. He also said that those that have fistulas and leakage that have surgery are so much better physically and emotionally that it's amazing.. Some times that surgery is a little resection tweak and sometimes it's more.

Whatever happens.. I've watched you on here a long time. You are one heck of a fighter, and you logically compartmentalize your decisions. That's so very important. I really admire that about you.

Crossing my fingers that they get this figured out and resolved.

Hang in there,
Clo
Posted 2/2/2024 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, Clo. It’s you who has been a fighter. I really appreciate your insightful posts; they have explained a lot to me. Wish either my GI or my CRS are that understanding as yours. Mine think that if they tell me I have to undergo a surgical procedure, I have at once to accept the idea and not start arguing and fighting which I definitely do.
Still waiting for the results of the MRI.
Take care!
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