So last week I had a lovely abscess. I have had it before, a couple of months ago, but this one was worse. Now my doc wants to see if I definitely have a fistula. I have recently switched docs, as my original moved to out of state. The previous doc had put in some kind of drainage tube before, but he only left in for a couple weeks. Is that the same as a Seton? My current doc has be scheduled for an exam tomorrow and possibly a Seton, depending on what he sees. I am so confused. I am on Cipro, for pouchitis, and the swelling in my buttcheck has gone down.Should I still go see the doc tomorrow and have the exam? Would a fistulas go away on it's own? Sorry for the rambling
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Keep your appointment. A fistula will NOT go away on its own. A seton is not a drain, but something more like a string or rubber band that is looped through the fistula. It keeps it open on both ends, preventing abscesses. A cutting seton gradually cuts through the fistula tract until it moves all the way out of the body, with the hope of the fistula healing in its wake. The cutting seton is mostly for fistulas pretty close to the skin.
Jan 
Thanks Jan. I will keep my appt. I feel so needy and weak lately. i guess i forgot how consuming this disease can be. The last year and have been rough.
My son has the same thing! He had a drain put in last week, very painful. They drained the collection and it cultured E-Coli. And a fistula did show up. Sadly, fistulias do not go away. My son had one last year and the only way it went away was to go back on an Ostomy. He just had another take down and surprise surprise,me has another abscess and fistula. Going for exploratory surgery next week. Good luck. Let us know how you make out.
d
I will let you know how tomorrow goes.
so i had my surgery yesterday. the doc said he saw an old fitsula. before i went in he said he was gonna do a senton if there was muscle, if no muscle he will cut. he ended up cutting a tunnel. so im really sore. still bleeding and passing mucus on the pads i put next to the cut. there also have recently been very tiny blood clots ( i think) like the size of a dit a ball point pen makes. i think i might if over done it today. hard not two with 3 kids under 11 and the hubby working.
i go back in 2 weeks for a followup. hopefully all goes well. i have 5 abcesses in the last year.
Ugh! Be sure to get your rest. Learn to say no. Hard, I know, when you are chief cook and bottle washer (AKA, Supermom)!
Jan
Saying no is hard, so I will find a compromise somewhere.
Some how you have to learn to say no. It's extremely difficult for me as well, but think of it this way. If you don't take care of you, you won't b able to be there for your kids in a good way. Your 11 year old is old enough to help with the little one and around the house too. It's ok if the laundry doesn't get done or the kids don't load the dishwasher the "right" way. The house will get messy but someone will get to it. Trust me, I can make Martha Stewart look like a sane person! I'm very anal about my house and can't stand clutter! I have had anixity attacks over it. So I do hear you! Take care of you, you are important!