Abscess recurring

[KarenO]

I'm new to Crohn's Forum, just signed up today actually. I have Crohn's disease and have had for about 7 years. I've taken most drugs except Humira. I've had 4 total surgeries including a bowel re-section. I read all the threads about abscess's but haven't found anything close enough to my issue.

I've had 3 different surgeries to drain abscess, 2 in same location.

Now I've had 3-4 abscess's since in the same spot and my Dr. doesn't want to operate on them. He insists on taking antibiotics both Flagyl and Augmentin alongside Cimzia to fix the problem, but since this is a recurring problem I feel like it's not working nor did the last 2 surgeries. I don't know what to do anymore I can't stand taking antibiotics for so long and surgery is also awful. I'm 26, I want to live like I'm 26. Please can someone give me some guidance?

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Karen and :welcome:

I'm so sorry to hear of all you going through...:hug:

Where was your resection and where are your abscesses located?

I thought that biologics were contra indicated when you had an abscess??

Dusty. xxx

 

[Jessi]

Hey KarenO! Welcome to our forum family.

I'm sorry that you're feeling poorly at the moment. I'm also sorry that I don't have advice for you, since I haven't had that kind of issue before. I really hope you and your doctor can come up with a plan that will work for you.

:hug:

 

[sonjsilv]

hiya karen, i'm also new to the forum, but do know about your problem. i was diagnosed with crohns 5 years ago, i have had abscess's on and off for most of that period, most have been inside, think they're called perenial abscess's. my doctor put me on metronidazole, as i have become immune to most other anti biotics and they gave me claustridian difficile, a lovely bug. they are very strong, and you can't drink alcohol whilst on metronidazole, BUT, haven't had an abscess in over a year. hope this helps, keep your spirits up love, you're not alone.

 

[RFarmer]

Hi Karen! Welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear about your recurring problem What kind of surgeries were done to address the problem? Lancing/draining? Or, did your doctor mention a seton...

What generally is done for CD patients with abscesses, is that a fistula is created. Which is like a tunnel from the abscess to the outer skin. To keep the abscess from healing over, and swelling, and "abscessing", sometimes they put in "setons", which are really just piercings through your bum. They're meant to go through the original opening where the abscess started from, and out through the skin. They keep everything draining, and nice and clean.

Mentioned these to your doctor. If he declines, find another doctor. There is no reasonable explanation for you being on cipro and flagyl after recurring abscesses, and to my knowledge, it's entirely idiotic for you to be on Cimzia whilst having abscesses. Cimzia just heals them over, so they swell up again.

Find a new doctor. Yours sounds like a fool.

 

[Joan Marie]

over the past 6 months i have been battling infection in hospital twice 5 days then 6 days, dr did not want to do surgery infection to deep to get a needle to so it could be drained, so was put on and off of antibiotics for months. five or six ct scans and after a five week stretch on antibiotics infection is finally gone, so finally get to start on some medications to treat crohn's , imuran and entocort

 

[RFarmer]

Good for you Joan Marie.

Though, it does seem weird that they waited to put you on imuran and entocort. If you don'tmind me asking, where is the infection?

 

[Slim Johnson]

Find a new doctor. Sometimes, they are too chicken to do what needs to be done, maybe because of liability, fear, ignorance, stupidity etc...

You sound like you are suffering. That is not fun. I have dealt with more than one incompetent doctor in the 5 years I have been dealing with CD... Recently, I have found some hope with my 3rd Primary Care Physician.

I meet with my 3rd GI on the 25th. Point being, you must be able to be confident with your doctor, if you think this individual is missing something, you are probably right.

Also, someone mentioned alcohol. If you are on antibiotics, DON'T DRINK! It negates the value of the medication! (antagonistic effect) Nevermind that booze of any sort is bad for the CD gut... Not that I won't enjoy a Guinness Extra Stout every few months...:ybatty:

I'm new to Crohn's Forum, just signed up today actually. I have Crohn's disease and have had for about 7 years. I've taken most drugs except Humira. I've had 4 total surgeries including a bowel re-section. I read all the threads about abscess's but haven't found anything close enough to my issue.

I've had 3 different surgeries to drain abscess, 2 in same location.

Now I've had 3-4 abscess's since in the same spot and my Dr. doesn't want to operate on them. He insists on taking antibiotics both Flagyl and Augmentin alongside Cimzia to fix the problem, but since this is a recurring problem I feel like it's not working nor did the last 2 surgeries. I don't know what to do anymore I can't stand taking antibiotics for so long and surgery is also awful. I'm 26, I want to live like I'm 26. Please can someone give me some guidance?

 

[Joan Marie]

Good for you Joan Marie.

Though, it does seem weird that they waited to put you on imuran and entocort. If you don'tmind me asking, where is the infection?

i think they said by small bowel i dont really know i ask and always forget, they said they could not start me on crohn's meds until infection was gone because they lower your immune system and mine was low enough with the infection, i was on asacol

 

[Rivers]

Completely agree with the others, I would find a new doctor. A seton sounds like it would make sense in your case. With all those antibiotics you are at risk for c.difficile which (trust me) is very scary and really hard to get rid of. Make sure you are atleast on a good probiotic and some sacc.boulardi (beneficial yeast) to help prevent the c.diff.

 

[KarenO]

Thank you all for your support and replies! I feel so alone when I'm having flare-ups.

To answer some questions:

I had a bowel re-section of ileitis. I was having regular small bowel obstructions. Since that surgery I've been free from that form of my crohn's disease.

My abscess's have all been located in the same place, I recall that they are parianal. But they are deep (so my surgeon said), so the surgeries are painful and take a long time to heal. They basically tunnel out a hole to drain the abscess and leave a tube in until they think it's ready to be removed. No packing, just insert a cotton swab pull it out (which was very painful and embarrassing being located in a precarious spot on my bum). I didn't follow the after care because I couldn't find anyone that I was comfortable with help me. I was miserable for a entire half of a year waiting for the surgeries to heal. It more than sucked.

As for my doctor, I feel he cares about me. He is attentive for all my needs especially when I'm hospitalized. If my Doctor or nurses at the hospital give me a hard time, I know I can call my G.I. to fix whatever is wrong. He has been my G.I. through all of my surgeries and I think he is trying to spare me from the horrors of more surgery and I appreciate it.

But I'm not sure if taking Flagyl (metrodonozol) and Augmentin (amoxicillin) alongside Cimzia is the best solution.

Finding another doctor would be tricky because I don't have insurance. I go through a free clinic. My current and only G.I. made arrangements with my clinic to care for their patients after taking me on 6 years ago.

 

[KarenO]

And I don't know if they can use setons? I've never heard of them before. My abscess never drain to the skin. If that's what your asking.

also, I do take probiotics, I drink Keifer. Is that a good choice?

 

[Rivers]

I would try to find a colo-rectal surgeon instead of a GI. Yes, Kefir is good, but make sure to add the florastor, especially when on something like amoxicillin/augmentin etc.

 

[Slim Johnson]

I like Kefir. Keeps things on the solid side. Sometimes a little constipation. Small price to pay to avoid the D.

 

[KarenO]

Thank you again! Having posted on here is the best thing I've done for my crohn's in a long time. Being able to talk so freely about my crohn's problems helped me open up to my significant other as well. :ghug:

He read the threads and is very interested in helping me find some results with either my doctor or some else.

Good to know that the Keifer is a great choice. I will look into adding the florastor.

Oh and as for drinking, I don't do that on the antibiotics. But when I'm not on the antibiotics I drink at least 3-4 times a week mostly wine.