Anything to help with the pain with abscesses?

[judyzuke]

Hi,
I've been getting abscesses and fistulas in the same place on my right bottom cheek constantly for about 12 years now, and although I have usually been able to deal with the pain of them with paracetamol or codine, this time it seems to have become resistant to any drug involvement.
I was wondering if anybody out there has any remedies that they find help with the soreness, I am struggling to sit down and walking is becoming increasingly more painful as the days go on.
I am on anti-biotics to treat the abscess at the moment but it seems to be getting bigger (same story as usual!)...hopefully I won't have to have surgery on it.

 

[KWalker]

are you still taking the pain killers for it? Unfortunately I think if it still hurts even with those than nothing else will help. I would just sitting, laying, or even laying on your stomach and putting the heat bag on the area. People say not to put it on high because it will burn you but I never use any setting other than high and it really helps when it's sore.

You could also take a pretty hot bath. Is it draining? Does your doctor want to cut it? I feel bad for you I had two big surgeries for an abscess last year and now I'm dealing with another one. Have a look at this thread I made about my experiences with abscesses, there might be some helpful info. Best of luck!

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=29371

 

[Judith]

Judyzuke,
I am so sorry you are in so much pain. Are they in a place you can put a local or topical pain cream on them or are you looking for a more system-wide type of pain control?

 

[David]

Have you ever heard of a sitz bath before? If so, have you tried it and did it help at all?

 

[judyzuke]

I have put a heat pack on it before and that doesn't seem to help all that much. I have been sitting in warm baths with a little added salt and that provides a little relief for a while, but as soon as i get out of the bath it just aches again.
I am currently on a short course of anti-biotics for it but it doesn't seem to be helping clear it, it has stopped leaking as much but it has gotten bigger. I don't get to see my doctor for another three weeks so I don't really know what is going to happen. I hope i don't have to have it cut because last time i took so long to heal and living alone makes it so difficult to look after myself, but if it needs to be done then it needs to be done.

 

[KWalker]

Yeah, you almost want it to continue draining to stop it from getting bigger. I know exactly what you're talking about when you say you only get relief while you're in the bath.
hmm, what antibiotics are you on? Is it Flagyl and Cipro?

Unfortunately I think when it gets to the point where it feels the way it sounds, it usually means its time for surgery.

 

[Cupcake]

I found some relief in being prescribed lidocaine to use in the area. Also, using bladder control pads instead of maxi pads in my underwear helped, as it was more cushioning to sit on. These things are the worst!

 

[Judith]

I have put a heat pack on it before and that doesn't seem to help all that much. I have been sitting in warm baths with a little added salt and that provides a little relief for a while, but as soon as i get out of the bath it just aches again.
I am currently on a short course of anti-biotics for it but it doesn't seem to be helping clear it, it has stopped leaking as much but it has gotten bigger. I don't get to see my doctor for another three weeks so I don't really know what is going to happen. I hope i don't have to have it cut because last time i took so long to heal and living alone makes it so difficult to look after myself, but if it needs to be done then it needs to be done.

An Abscess can be dangerous if it is not responding to the Antibiotics properly. (Depending on what type of Antibiotic you are on it may take a few days to kick in.) This coupled with the 3 week wait for your next doctor's appointment is concerning. Can you put a call in to your doctor and let him know that it is increasing in size and is very painful? He might decide to switch your antibiotics, call in a prescription for pain (either topical or systemic), or may actually schedule a visit.

If he switches your Antibiotic it will probably take some time to decrease your pain level so you might want to *gently* ask for something for the pain. There is an art to requesting pain killers as a direct request for the prescription will often result in less prescriptions written for you than an *inderect* request. This is just my own personal experience.

 

[Lewiss mum]

So sorry your having pain, my son has had more abscess.s that I've stopped counting now, I was always told not to use warm packs as the bacteria thrive on warmth and heat to multiply when lewis is bad I use an ice pop just placed outside his bottom wrapped in a cotton towel that's thin enough to let the coolness through, and a topical bacterial cream to reduce any bugs and bacteria, I hope you won't need surgery lewis has had his abscess drained and the fistulas layed opened and cleaned out 3 times its the only thing that helps him as all the bad tissue gets scraped away were now on infliximab (remicade) so were at the 3 week mark at the 6 week marker well no if its worked as he.ll be due on . He takes cipro and metronidozle together to ease symptoms hope u get some relief soon . Take care .x

 

[Sam07301985]

I hate abscesses. Ive had 5 of them 3 of which were right next to my rectum. I couldnt even walk when I had those. I havnt had one in about a year Thank God. But I would stay sitting in Hot salt baths that was the only thing that really helped. But just keep an eye on it because my last one got so bad that I got an infection in my blood and ended up in the ER with 106 fever. They had to cover me in ice to get the fever to go down. I was told taking hot baths would help them pop open easier too. I know I would feel so much relief after they popped open. Good luck and just take has many hot baths as you can and keep taking the pain medication.

 

[Cpushard89]

Judyzuke, Ask your doc about Lidocane Ointment 5% a numbing agent that stuff worked well for pain management, I had 4 fissures and fistulas along with it. also ask him about topical steroids to put on the area to decrease inflammation.

 

[jenyb62]

Hello.....I feel your pain, been dealing with perirectal fistual since 1994; it has abscessed and been opening many times, lost count. Judith is right with regards to asking for pain meds, it's an art form, gently let them know that the OTC's are not helping right now and if there is anything they can give you to help you thru, also ask about topicals, there are lidocaine creams or patches; also, I use 4 x 4 gauze pads, where my fistual is located I just tuck them between my cheeks, LOL! my fistual drains constantly and I do not want to wear a pad all the time. I would not wait another 3 weeks if you are in that much pain, get to the doctors sooner if you can.