hmmm... well I don't have any great insight/info for you on this but I'll share my long/short experience and give you a few positive thoughts....

I had an abscess (sounds like same area yours is) that recurred several times before I got my colon/pouch surgeries... then it returned again after surgeries. Needless to say, I like you stressed about it. And down near anal canal my understanding is that if it were to become fistula that is potentially serious for us j-pouchers....

anyway, long and short.... I had it drained prior to my surgeries (it still returned) and I had abscess surgery by my pouch surgeon 6 months after takedown. It was termed an "atypical presentation".... which I guess means tougher to deal with/drain. So despite the drainings and antibiotic courses I still a year and a half after takedown still feel it. At times it swells up. then it goes back down. There is scar tissue from surgery down there as well so not sure what exactly feel when I probe. ??>..

More than one surgeon has told me that they tend to be a little "reactive/conservative" about treating these things. They don't want to get in and "dig"... they deal with it based on what it does....??

I would definitely continue to do what you are. Get it checked out...but don't worry yourself too much with "end of the world" thinking. I have had mine now for several years. ..... Usually it's a non-issue... I just sort of live with it. I have a routine pouch scope scheduled next month and I suppose we will revisit the issue then??..

Hopefully, whatever you are dealing with can be treated and you'll be done with it. But even if that's not the case don't stress too much.... get it checked out and drained etc.. if needed ...understand that it may be something that you have to just cope with for a while if it doesn't (phrase my surgeon used) "declare itself" .......

Guys, i get a small little marble every now and then when i have been straining but pretty sure its a hemmrhoid. its right next to the hole and it pops out 1-3 times a year but always goes away after a week or so.

wow - I just logged on to post almost the same scenario as you. I felt the same marble about a week ago. I am posting more detail separately but I hope you feel better.

Hot sitz baths can help an abscess mature, so it is "ripe" for incision and drainage. Antibiotics help keep it contained.

Jan

I had a abcess in the same area and had surgery 3 months ago and packed.. I get a hardening but it's inside now.. It stresses me out but when I go see my surgeon he says its not infected.. It gets soft and for a short time and then grows again.. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks. I'm still worried. I'm worried, what if the anal area turned "cancerous?" I know that it's probably not, and that I'm likely overreacting, but with the anal cuff left, I guess there's always that chance.

The one doc told me not to think that way, that he really feels it's an early-on abscess. But I hope we can sort of sort it out. It's not really doing anything right now... not getting smaller, not getting bigger.

I've tried hot baths with epsom salts, but they do nothing. From the "outside," you can't see anything, you can just feel things. It's sort of towards the coccyx area, but more to the right. Again, not worse. But not better.

I'm on day 4 of abx (Clinda and Cipro; allergic to Flagyl), but nothing's happening, though I understand that if it IS a loculized area of inflammation and pending infection, abx therapy can't always *get* there.

*sigh*

Always right before Christmas! I always have issues around the holidays. My first surgery was through late December/January in 1991... I "blocked" low one year... spent Christmas eve overnight another with a severe bout of belly flu/dehydration... it's like my bowels like to remind me of themselves around this time! But overall, my 22 years have been positive ones.

I'll stay in touch.