Abscess forming in Scrotum ?

[monmon218]

Hello everyone.. I haven't been on this forum for a while as I was trying to stay positive and enjoy life while not having to deal to much with my Crohn's.. until recently where something came and is scaring me to death.

A bit of a background from me.. I have 2 anal fistulas and I am diagnosed with Crohn's almost 2 years ago. I am not taking any medication right now. I am only taking multivitimin, probiotics, krill oil, vit. d suppliments.

Now on to my question..

Have anyone heard of having abscess forming in the Scrotum/thigh areas with Crohn's ?

Just maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago I experienced some tender/soreness on my right thigh.. I didn't pay attention to it as it was a short duration of discomfort.

until last Thursday.. I began to feel this tender/soreness on my right thigh again.. but then i also felt some weird feeling on the right side of my testicles.. numbness ? I also have some sore in between the Thigh and the testicle area..
But i have checked, looked, and pressed my muscles around that area and there was no pain when I press it. The area is not red or anything - but i feel that there's some numbness/soreness inside ?

I was so worried that I went to my family doctor today (not specialist/GI) and have him examine that area by touching but he said it was fine ? I've asked him if I could scan it (ultrasound or MRI) but he asked why...

I still feel the tenderness/sore on the right thigh/upper scrotum area as I am typing this.

Basically I feel like there's some soreness around my right thigh and scrotum area.. Could it be an abscess forming ?! how can I check ? I really want to find out quicker as I don't want to wait any longer !

Anyone could tell me what I can do or If I'm really getting an abscess in my scrotum ? In my previous experiences of my fistulas I didn't feel much of my abscesses...

Please help me.. I am just so lost. :frown:

 

[Sailorluna]

I never trust a regular doctor with this stuff. I don't care how good they are this is specialized stuff. Since you have other fistula do you have a CR surgeon? Too me that is my go to for any fistula stuff. He is the expert. Even if is just a call to ask if it is possible.

If not can you call the specialist?

I believe it is possible to get a fistula there, and its the best way to find out. Good luck, I hope you do not have a new one forming.

 

[DJW]

Hey. I get abscesses there all the time during a flare. Thankfully I've never had a fistula open into the scrotum. I'd suggest getting in to see the specialist. Hope you can get this taken care of quickly.

 

[monmon218]

Hello Sailorluna,

Thank you so much for your quick response.

I do not have a CR surgeon - can you explain what is that ?

As I have only dealt with my fistulas myself.. in previous times.. it's extremely difficult to get a hold of my specialist and I can only do a quarterly appointment with her - and she normally just talks rather than touching me and stuff. Also, I haven't had Crohn's for a long time so I am still very new to this. I often think the abscess would go to the anus areas.. but never thought it would go the opposite way now to my scrotum..

I don't think it's a fistula yet but I have numbless feeling in that area... I am extremely stressed as this is the worst nightmare for me.. I'm only 28..

Would an ultrasound be able to search for any abnormalities (ie abscess forming ?)

As last time (the only time that I had a scan was a MRI).. I am not sure if an ultrasound can confirm this.

Please continue to help me.. thanks.

 

[DJW]

The first time it happened to me I was in my early teens. I seem to remember them doing an ultra sound but they couldn't find anything. Turns out they couldn't see anything was because it was so big...they were just covering the abscess and nothing else. CR surgeon is a colorectal surgeon (specialized surgeon).

 

[monmon218]

my problem is that my scrotum isn't getting any larger (i would imagine that if there's abscess my scrotum would grow/fill up)

BUT i feel my testicles hurting once in a while ! I am not sure if i'm imagining things but it's a very scary thought for me if there's something wrong in my male parts !

DJW - I see that you live in Ontario, Canada ? I live in Toronto.. if you do live within the GTA would you mind sharing your contact info with me ?

I would like to at least talk to someone that is actually having Crohn's on the phone.. if possible.

 

[monmon218]

DJW - I just saw your earlier comment now !

I do believe that I'm experiencing a flare right now.

YOu have experienced it ! Please SHARE - Does your scrotum grow large ?

What I'm feeling right now is - I have some numbness on the right side of my leg/upper thigh, and then every now and then it's the gap between my thigh and my testicles - where your underwear line is diagram - \ /..

and then every now and then I feel some numbness/sore on my right testicle.

Was that how you felt !?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I don't think it's unreasonable for you to request a scan of the area if you feel pain and have a condition that predisposes you to all kinds of problems. Like sailor I think a regular doctor isn't as knowledgeable on this area. I would see a GI or urologist. You also may want to consider that it could be a urinary tract infection or epididimytis which is inflammation in that area or something else. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003111.htm

The pain could radiate to your thigh from many of these issues. The main thing is someone who specializes needs to see you.

 

[monmon218]

I understand there are countless possibilities from what I'm describing right now but is there anyone that have similar experiences that could share how the abscess form, feel, etc.?

I have 2 fistulas now but the last one I had i didn't feel much. Especially not feeling how it is developed.

I'm going to try and see my family doctor again today and ask him to refer me to a ultrasound. What other scans can I ask him to send me to to have a clearer result?

 

[Sailorluna]

Do you have a GI? When you say you take care of your fistulas yourself it makes me very nervous.

These things can be SO complicated my GI (who specializes in IBD) insists that I only see the CR surgeon for mine.

I had a MRI that found one but the other fistula was found by the surgeon with a EUA (exam under anesthesia).

 

[monmon218]

Hello Sailorluna,

I do have a GI specialist but I have seen her maybe 3 times after I was diagnosed with Crohn's. I was diagnosed with Crohn's and a fistula with the MRI in 2011 and was told that I should only take Remicade - as other medication will not work for me - that's what my GI said. I've consult with another GI during that time and he also mentioned that I should be put on Remicade or Humira.

I insisted that I did not want to go through that type of medication as there were many side effects and the cost was tremendous (I do not have a drug plan as I am self-employed in Canada).

I went to a Chinese Doctor after that and have been taking herbal soup.. She often commented that I have lots of gas in my intestines and getting rid of them first will then eventually heal my intestines and I have to build my immunization - I guess that's the holistic approach.

I stopped going to her after a year or so ? - so maybe 2 or 3 months ago where I stopped.

I have had discharged ever since I was diagnosed but it was minimal and I just usually put a paper towel in between my butt and my underwear to protect me from being soiled.

Just in May 2013 I found a hole on the outer side of my right side anus/butt area (my initial one was on the left side).. I believe when I did my first MRI they have already discovered that I have something there but no abscess were found.

So from May where I found a fistula to now all of a sudden I feel this weird sensation on my groin.. I was unable to meet up with my specialist.

I saw her prior to finding out my 2nd fistula (in April or something) but my next one is in August 20.

I know fistulas can be very complicated but I really don't know what else I could do to talk to my GI about it...

And the 2nd fistula that I have seemed to act like the first one.. just discharge every now and then so I didn't feel like it was bothering me too much..

 

[DJW]

I had nothing but pain. No testicle pain. Everything swelled up at the underwear line. The skin split. I had an abscess drained in the right groin last year and will need the left side done in Aug or sept. Scrotum never swelled. Id be concerned that something might be draining into your scrotum. I recommend pushing to get this checked again.

 

[monmon218]

DJW - Thank you for sharing.

I do not have any swelling and no skin split yet.

By draining into my scrotum you mean some pus is going in there ?! GOSH..

As for identifying the area, I remember you saying that Ultrasound didn't work well. What else did you do to confirm it ?

I don't have pain at the moment but I do feel that there's something there that's bothering me.

I have called my specialist this morning and the nurse kept saying the doc's busy and stuff..

I've scheduled an family doc appoint at 4. Anything I could do right now/check/prepare myself so that I can explain what's going on ?

 

[DJW]

Hey. Ya, I do mean draining in. It was so long ago some of the finer details are lost. I think the ultra sound didn't work as well as hoped was because under the skin the area was big so they couldn't get a pic showing good vs bad. It was all bad. With my doc (now) he has has his secretary arrange tests ahead of time so when he sees me he has results right there at my apt. For your apt today explain everything the way you did to me. Sorry I couldn't be more precise in my response but I hope it was somewhat helpful. somethings not right.

 

[monmon218]

DJW - Are there other scans that you would suggest that could better view the inside of me - especially the scrotum ? I am just soo worried that what you said was correct to me - having pus inside my testicles.. I have no idea how that would turn out...

As for your GI doc DJW, how often do you get to see him/her ? I am just so lost that mine and I've asked for another GI are so hard to reach/communicate.. and if you don't follow their instructions/suggestions.. they would just tell you they don't have an answer as I'm not taking their suggestions..

 

[monmon218]

DJW - Just got off the phone with the secretary of my GI. She apparently said that it's no longer her field when I'm talking about that area.

The secretary told me to go back to my family doc and ask for a re referral to a urologist or something.

Anyone care to chime in ?

 

[DJW]

When I was at my sickest I'd be seen on a weekly basis. Now I go every 2 months unless I'm having problems. I'm afraid I don't know of any other scans. Seems strange that you were dismissed. Talk to your GP. somethings not right and you deserve to be treated.

 

[monmon218]

DJW - I am aware that you live in Ontario. Are you in Canada ? Where are you located in Ontario as I am shocked that you can visit your specialist on a weekly basis.

I am really lost now. I am thinking if I should find another GI - but I don't have a clue what's around me.

I will speak with my Family doctor but is there anything that I could do now to slow down the process of whatever's happening inside my scrotum/thigh.

I am worried that I might have to cut it open/do some surgery to it and will make a mess of me.

 

[DJW]

I was making weekly trips to MacMaster Medical Centre in Hamilton Ontario Canada.

 

[DJW]

Self surgery is a bad idea. Can lead to nasty infections. Try sitz baths. See if that brings relief.

 

[monmon218]

DJW - I will not perform a self surgery.

The macmaster medical centre in hamilton ? Are there more than 1 GI within the facility ?

Do you think it would be wise if I ask my family doc to prescribe me some antibiotics at the moment ?

I haven't tried sitz baths.. will it reduce the numbness of that area ?

In fact I am still not seeing any bumps/skin change in the area that is bothering me right now. I just feel it. I don't think it's a muscle sore though.

 

[DJW]

Glad your not considering self surgery.

It was a clinic but I'd only see my doctor every week.

I afraid I can only base my answers on my experience. I can't say if you should be on antibiotics or not. Regarding the sitz bath I can't promise you it will work. Try it to see if it helps sooth things. Sorry I can't be much more help. I hope the doctor gets this sorted out.

 

[Gra]

DJW - I just saw your earlier comment now !

I do believe that I'm experiencing a flare right now.

YOu have experienced it ! Please SHARE - Does your scrotum grow large ?

What I'm feeling right now is - I have some numbness on the right side of my leg/upper thigh, and then every now and then it's the gap between my thigh and my testicles - where your underwear line is diagram - \ /..

and then every now and then I feel some numbness/sore on my right testicle.

Was that how you felt !?

Interesting that you should post this.I had swelling in right side of my scrotum earlier this year, right scrotum and testicle would enlarge and be rather tender when it happened. Happened on and off, my GP sent me for ultrasound which diagnosed as varicocele. Condition has eased now and I don't get it so often, but not really resolved. Also saw a specialist who said that I have a small hernia. Who knows?

Gra


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