HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Abcess - Fistula

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/13/2011 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
I’m am new to this Board and am desperate for some advice from people who have had experience with this:
I had a large, deep anal abscess that which was initially misdiagnosed by my colon and rectal surgeon as a cyst probably because it wasn’t producing that much pain. Ultimately, after about three months the abscess made it to the surface and began to drain. I returned to the CR surgeon and had an incision made to aid the draining. However, it never quite finished draining and a fistula formed. I had surgery almost six weeks ago and the surgeon did a partial fistulaectomy (sp) and put in a draining seton. She said it is a high fistula and that the seton would need to stay in for about eight weeks and then we can try the plug. I was put on Flagel and Cipro about ten days ago and given a six week prescription. So far, the antibiotics have made no difference.
The problem that I have is that the area of hardness / lump remains. The surgeon had cut right into the middle of the area of hardness and put the seton through it but the lump/hardness is still there five weeks later. I am wondering if anyone out there has had a similar experience. Also, there is very little drainage from thee draining seton.
Anyway, information/ advice would be much appreciated!
Posted 11/14/2011 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi skyman. Have you been diagnosed with Crohn's? If so, what are the maintenance meds you're on? If not, has the CR surgeon referred you to a GI?
Posted 11/14/2011 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have not been diagnosed with Chron's. My CR surgeon feels that I should have a colonoscopy after the fistula is treated. The only meds that I am on are the Flagel and Cipro. I have been taking them for 12 days now and have four weeks worth of pills left. So far, they have not done a heck of a lot in resolving the firmness/lump and soreness.  
Posted 11/14/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
It seems like you should be talking to a GI. Is your CR surgeon suggesting that s/he do the scope?

A GI will look at bloodwork and stool samples to see if there are inflammatory markers, maybe even schedule a small bowel series to look at whether there's inflammation at the source of the fistula.
Posted 11/14/2011 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Although she never said, I guess she would be the one to do the scope. This is all so new to me! I have no other symptoms of Crohn's and have never been to a GI in my life.

I will certinaly ask my CR doctor at the next appointment about going to a GI. I don't think that the CR doctor really suspects Crohn's but feels that it should be at least checked given the development of the abcess and fistula.

Posted 11/15/2011 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I would go and get me an appointment with a GI. I also had gotten a abscess and fistula before being diagnosed with Crohn's disease. The surgeon never told me that it could be Crohn's. I was "lucky" in that my fistula was able to be opened all the way up, and left that way to heal from the inside out. It took a good year for it to completely heal.

These fistulas can be hard to treat with Crohn's. No fun and quite painful. I think your best bet now is to go and talk to a GI and see what else they can be doing to help diagnose and treat you further as needed. Best of luck to you!
Posted 11/15/2011 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice and information! Just out of curiosity, did you have any other symptoms of Crohn's prior to the abscess and fistula?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply