Cyst/abscess during pregnancy

KayleighMeek · Jan 28, 2015

Hello,

Just posting on here as I am in some discomfort and it's not something I have experienced before. I have had a sore bum all day this morning it wasn't so bad and thought it was just some irritation from wearing pads but it is worse it hurts to sit or lay down and even walking I can feel this pain. I looked and there is a raised red bump about the size of a 20p could this be an abscess or cyst? I am going to phone my GI tomorrow and let them know as I'm worried about this and want to get it checked out. I had a warm bath this evening and it relieved the pain whilst I was in there but now I am out again it's back.
What would they do if it was a cyst/abscess? Also I am 25 weeks pregnant so don't know if this is going to complicate things further. I am only on cimzia at the moment and I'm meant to be stopping this at 29 weeks this has got me worried that I am going to get really sick again.
Any advice or stories of anyone have anything similar? I would be really greatfull to hear from you.

nikki4294 · Jan 28, 2015

I had an abscess that caused a LOT of pain. I was too young to have a clue what was going on at the time (maybe 25-26???). I felt a big lump (peri-anal), didn't really know what to do with it or what it was or how related to my CD so I probably ignored for a month. I ended up with an infection/fever, almost passed out one day while taking a shower.

They took me to emergency and ER doc drained some of the fluid and then sent me to surgeon. He opened up lump, put a small drain tube in, then I think week or two later removed (ouch) tube. Still don't like sitting on a bicylce seat, lol. Was much better after that. Of course I wasn't pregnant at the time, was put out for surgery, so not sure pregnancy options.

I will say that the same thing began to happen maybe 6 months to a year later. I had begun a more natural path to healing at that time, and knew it wasn't as bad as the other one. I also new that this is going to keep happening if I don't do something different. I read about a simple zinc supplement (any otc will do) for abscesses, fistulas, ear aches, anything where infectious fluid starts to build up. So I tried it and within a few days, it was smaller, probably gone in about 1-2 weeks. Now I just keep a bottle of 35mg zinc tablets around and if I feel a weird burning lump under skin, I take it for a couple of weeks at most. I actually probably had fissure forming maybe 2-3 months ago, more near girl parts, did zinc trick again, and all gone in a few days. Zinc lozenges are used like you would use an airborne, but I take the actually zinc caplet or capsule with no other ingredients.

If you decide to try sometime, just read about how much and safety with baby on the way. No more than 100mg a day for sure. I believe I just took the 35mg twice a day this last time. I am not a doctor!! I just know that they can take care of the abscess or fistula, but they aren't going to take care of why it formed in the first place. If you find you start to form another, maybe consider trying the zinc for a week while waiting for dr. appt??? You'll know pretty quick if it helps because the pressure is relieved fairly quickly. Also, baths feel really good too and are helpful - maybe with some epsom salt?? Good luck!!

KayleighMeek · Jan 29, 2015

Thank you for replying and your advice, the bath is definatley helping the most. I have done some reading up about the zinc and it doesn't seem to say anything about it being unsafe supplementing whilst pregnant but I will check with my dr to see what they say. I left them a message this morning so should hear back by 2pm tomorrow I'm hoping it will be sooner.

Haven't gone into work today as it was so sore this morning and I work in a lab where you can be sat on horrible seats for long periods of time. I'm now glad I didn't go in not too long ago I tried to sit up and had a lot of pain down there and now have puss and blood leaking out, ooh the joys of this disease lol. I have been showering after going to the bathroom to try not to irritate things and think I may go sit in the bath again soon as I can only sit up if I lean over at a funny angle.

nikki4294 · Jan 29, 2015

And you are certain not hemorrhoids? I guess you'd know by location.

My favorite books for reference for these things (as dr. visits always turned into nightmares for me, personally, and never really addressed the problem that led me to the various symptoms) were/are Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch and Healing with Whole Foods by Pitchford. And of course Breaking the Vicious Cycle is the book that opened my eyes to possibility of healing myself in the first place.

I like Nutritional Healing book because it deals with ailments - so right now I am looking at Abscess in index, turn to page 143, short explanation of Abscess, then list in order of importance what to do. First item on list is Zinc - 80 mg daily in divided doses and then explanation as to why. Then next of importance, and so on. So great book, deals with all our many ailments, straight and to point, not doom and gloom of IBD.

Healing with Whole Foods deals with the whole body, and I really believed it helped me put myself back in balance. You really can feel good again and you really can heal. I was told I'd need a resection at some point. Now I have zero signs of disease and colon scarring is gone. (having two beautiful daughters along the way, lol). Also not doom and gloom book of IBD.

The three books together really are a good combination to take control of your health. Dr. will fix abscess that you have now, but he can't stop you from getting next one. My second was in the same place as surgery site of the first one. Dealing with your nutritional deficiencies (especially with the extra demand you have while growing your baby) can stop you from getting another one.

Good luck and feel free to friend me and ask questions directly!! I had two babies with CD, so maybe I can be of help : )

nikki4294 · Jan 29, 2015

Also, you probably already know this - TUCKS!!! I to this day have Tucks pads in every bathroom in the house. Just tuck one over the area and it gives a little antiseptic and also relief maybe...just leave it on and change when you go potty or take a bath or whenever you want.

KayleighMeek · Jan 29, 2015

It's not in the right place for hemmorhoids and I know it's not that as I have those as well as lots of large skin tags, the whole thing is a mess and I am tempted if I start getting more issues to have surgery to have a bit of relief.
I believe I have a balanced diet, I try to get as much variety but avoid things I know cause me problems. It is easier now I am in the second trimester my appetite is better and not everything makes me want to vomit.
I've not heard of tucks before but just had a quick look and seems like they could help with the discomfort. Thanks again

L_digio · Feb 23, 2015

I'm over in the States, but in a very similar situation. I actually had 4 previous surgeries for a recurrent fistula problem, both with and without abscess. What you've described sounds exactly like abscess to me. Pain, swelling, drainage are all classic symptoms.

What's more - I am also pregnant. 26 weeks this week. I too am on Cimzia. I know they'll be stopping me soon, but I'm unsure as to when. I had a terrible gastro flare-up in the early weeks with lots of D, lost quite a bit of weight to start. But I recovered okay by second trimester and until now haven't had any major troubles, gastro or rectal. I've had some fissures that were uncomfortable and bled a little (my colorectal surgeon suggested they're likely from the extreme diarrhea early on - he also recommended Balenol, which is a soothing lotion I found to be better than Tucks or Prep H; might be worth checking with your doc?) but like I said, nothing major.

But this week, I started getting that familiar pain in the butt.

There is swelling and drainage and pretty intense pain and I fear I've developed another abscess. Previously the solution was surgery, so I'm unsure what they'll do being 26 weeks along now. I just wanted to start this thread up again to say 1) You're not alone! and 2) See what happened with your story, if you're willing to share?

Best of luck and health to you.

-Lindsey

KayleighMeek · Feb 23, 2015

Hi and first of all congratulations!
I haven't been doing to badly since the second trimester and have just about gained enough weight to not have the midwife worry about me. I'm 29 weeks now and did my last cimzia injection last week so now just a case of wait and see what happens.
I saw a nurse and she had a quick look but couldn't make out a lot but thinks it sounds like it was an abscess that burst on its own, but didn't suggest much apart from some anusol cream to help with the lovely hemmies. I have still been having discomfort and blood and puss but similar to what happen before it feels painfull then it seems to leak out and the pain goes for a while. I am seeing my GI dr in a couple of weeks so will see what they say.

Have you made an appointment to see anyone? Hopefully they can sort it out for you soon and keep you well

L_digio · Feb 23, 2015

Congratulations to you too! Being pregnant with this disease is certainly no picnic, but at least -- unlike the general "gifts" of Crohn's -- we'll have a beautiful baby to love once this stage is over.

I've not made an appointment yet, but am going to call my colorectal surgeon tomorrow. He specializes in Crohn's disease and precisely this kind problem. I've been seeing him and gastro (plus my OB, plus a high risk specialist) for the duration of my pregnancy just so that they can all coordinate care. Thank God I have good health insurance. I will update you once I've seen him and let you know what goes on.

I'm sorry it burst, that had to be pain in the extreme! But I know before when I was dealing with this, for me anyway, once the abscess was gone, it was a most welcome relief - even with a crazy fistulotomy wound. Seriously. Who would've known a gaping surgical hole in my bottom would feel better than a little sore? Anyway, I hope you've found some relief and that the rest of your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible. Every day we inch toward week 40 with little one still cooking is a great day!

-Lindsey