Hi all.
It's been a while since I last posted. Back in the fall I had an MRI which discovered several small abscesses in the pelvic area. Because of this, my diagnosis was changed from ulcerative colitis to Crohn's disease. My GI sent me to my surgeon to access whether it was necessary to drain the abscess. At the time, my surgeon felt it was better to wait and see if medication would close them up. I was put on Pentasa, Cipro, and 6mp. It's been a little over 6 months and the abscesses still flare about once a month, and I cannot seem to get off of the cirpo. I was sent for another MRI on Monday. Got a call today from my GI. Most of the abscesses have stayed the same or have shrunk a little. There is one that has gotten quite a bit bigger (I don't know if it's an internal one or external, or where exactly in the pelvic region). He wants to put me on Remicade because he feels it will close them all up (I am no opposed to Remicade). But before I start, he wants my surgeon to drain the bigger abscess.
When I went to the surgeon in the fall he talked about setons. I don't totally understand them other than they can be temporary or permanent and it's basically a string that dangles down under. Is this the only way to drain an abscess? Is it painful? For ladies, how unattractive is it? I'm 23, in a fairly new relationship (he is understanding, but doesn't know the full extent and we haven't done the deed). How does the area stay clean?
I know some of these questions are for my surgeon, but I figure many of you are more experienced than him (from a different view).
Any input would be wonderful.
Thank you.
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