Perianal abscess

Call your surgeon back and explain what is going on with you. I'm not buying the "can't treat it" notion, so unless you get some good explanations on this and you are told to wait in pain again, might be time for a second opinion.

Jan

I was just treated with a draining seton for an abscess that turned to a fistula. I had to get a second opinion, and I'd advise you to do that, too. Antibiotics do nothing for them.

Have you tried very warm/hot sitz baths? Those helped tremendously for me, and allowed the abscess to finally drain. Of course, I developed a fistula. The seton was and is a piece of cake, though I'm having some other issues right now.

find a new doctor.
Antibiotics can't actually get to abscesses because they are closed off.
I do not understand why they cannot figure out how to drain it, either CT guided drainage or an EUA.

He says there's barely any puss collection and there's nothing to drain. They did two MRIs on me and that's what they determined. I've been doing sitz bath they help a lot and the swelling has really gone down.

Mine had nearly zero pus, too. I'd still get a second opinion. Couldn't hurt.

It seems that this abscess has not "ripened" yet. This is the phase in the infection where there is local inflamation, swelling, pain, fever, etc, but no abscess pocket (at least not yet). It is classified as cellulitis at this point and antibiotics are appropriate treatment. Sitz baths are a good idea too, as they help hasten the process, and help reduce pain. Once the abscess pocket forms, fills with pus, and becomes big enough, then it can be drained.

Jan

Jan that makes sense. Because once its really an abscess a sitz bath wouldn't even do anything, because it would be closed off. So now if the thing is open, the sitz baths are good because it will help keep it open and draining.

Even if it is not open, sitz baths help the infection to localize and form an abscess pocket, if needed, or improve the circulation to help the infection heal.

Jan

I'm finding the sitz baths help a lot with the pain especially after a bowel movement.