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New fistula patient, seton placed yesterday

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/23/2012 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello guys,

I'm new to this forum, but my husband has been on here and recommends I try asking fellow Crohns patients for advice. Here's my brief history: I was diagnosed with Crohns Colitis in 2003 at 17 years old. I've had symptoms on and off since then and nothing seems to really help. about two weeks ago, my new gastroenterologist discovered a revtovaginal fistula for which I had a seton placed just yesterday.

Basically, I'm nervous and scared as to how this will affect my life. I'm a newlywed- I've been married for one month. The surgeon tells me I can't take baths and I'm very uncomfortable sitting down right now. I don't think the pain medication they gave me is necessary, though. Has anyone had luck with a similar issue? At this point, I'm not even sure what to ask, but any advice would be so helpful.

Thank you in advance.

Posted 8/23/2012 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! The seton I had was perirectal so not as much of an issue as your placement. I can tell you that mine was pretty uncomfrotable the first few days and eased up over time. I had it in for almost a year and hardly noticed it not long after placement.
I would check with others here and reask your doc about the bath....I only shower so it was not an issue for me, but doc said I could go in a swimming pool. I did not because a seton encourages drainage and I was leary of having any drainage appearing.
I suggest moving gently and trying some alternatives (may add some spice to your already newlywed life) until you are more comfortable. I know I had to have a good talk about gentleness with my then boyfriend (now husband) and it let us share other thoughts and concerns too. I know there are others here who had/have setons in the same area as you so keep an eye out.
Posted 8/23/2012 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I appreciate your reply- luckily my husband is extremely supportive of my Crohns issues. Since I can't take baths right now, I'm wondering how best I can keep it clean. Did you use anything special?

Here's hoping for a pseudo-normal existance in a few days!
Posted 8/24/2012 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I had a rectovaginal fistula that the doctor put a draining seton in for back in April of this year. We removed it about a month later because I had started Remicade treatments. I, too, had just been married for a few months when I got it. My surgeon told me that intercourse was okay if I could handle the pain, but I found there wasn't much if my husband was gentle (sorry if this is tmi). When it was removed, though, we had to wait about a month so that it wouldn't heal quicker anally than vaginally and cause an abscess. I didn't take any pain meds at home for it; just kind of sucked up the pain. Every once in a while it will still ache and gas will pass through if I try to hold it in (weirdest feeling ever). My surgeon told me baths were okay, though; they felt nice for the pain. I didn't have a ton of drainage. Maybe a douche and an enema would work to keep inside clean?
Posted 8/24/2012 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hey great to hear you have a supportive hubby....I always feel lucky with that.

To keep clean, I recommend sitz baths as often as you can.  This is true even after you are done with the seton.

I also tell everyone who will listen to have a hand held shower sprayer in their shower.  I use it all of the time to get clean without wiping.  You can have nice warm water and set the spray to as gentle as you need.  If you get coordinated, you can even do this without having to get completely undressed!  I had to hop in the shower once during a dinner party at our house.... smilewinkgrin

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