Hi. After months of reading this very helpful forum I have finally plucked up courage to write something. I had a perianal abscess back in Jan 2015, then fistula surgery which led to a high up sinus tract. Five further EUAs and 9 weeks of flagyl/metronidazole only made things worse. The sinus has since made its way towards the surface. My surgeon opened up the tract to create a fistula last week and now I have a seton. I expected drainage from the wound site but am continuing to get pus from the back passage as well. Anyone got experience of this? Is it normal? Will things settle down over time? And finally, is it okay to sit down, or try to? I'm terrified of making things still worse. Thank you!
Drainage post seton - help!
- Thread starter Jes
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
Are your fistula tracts limited to one side of your butt? You can try and sit and if it is painful, lay down or sit on one side. After the seton placement mine hurt for a about 2 wks. The drainage is fine in the beginning but it should taper off a bit over the next 2 weeks to a drop or two depending on your wound healing of course. I currently have one too. It's just not healing. Mine is a complex perianal fistula with many tracks..UgggHh 
Are you on a biologic? REMICADE is supposed to be the gold standard for fistula healing.
Are you on a biologic? REMICADE is supposed to be the gold standard for fistula healing.
Thanks so much for replying! I have a horseshoe fistula tract, but yes it does come out on one side. The surgeon told me it will continue to drain from the hole he's made but as it's coming out of the anus as well that's why I was concerned! I am not on a biologic but will ask about remicade. They keep giving me antibiotics which don't really seem to help. Re sitting down, I haven't really been able to do so for nearly two years. Was hoping that if the seton prevents buildup inside then things might get a bit easier. I really hope things improve for you! I've found it very difficult to explain to other people what I'm going through so it's nice to hear from someone who understands. Thanks again.
Yes I completely understand, it's so nice to have someone who's been there. I'm so sorry you haven't been able to properly sit for 2 years! That is not right. I can't imagine your level of discomfort. It's weird how you just kind of get used to it though don't you. The level of pain and inconvenience I mean. I was on Cipro and Flagyl they only worked to close up the outside and not he internal fistula opening inside my rectum, so now have a seton as well for 4 years. I have an MRI
Coming up to see what our next step is... Oh also did have some draining from my anus as well. I think it was probably just from that internal opening? I don't know for certain but now I want to go do my research on a horshoe fistula, it sounds very complex. I'm sorry did you say, do you have Crohn's? Either way Message me for anything!!!
Coming up to see what our next step is... Oh also did have some draining from my anus as well. I think it was probably just from that internal opening? I don't know for certain but now I want to go do my research on a horshoe fistula, it sounds very complex. I'm sorry did you say, do you have Crohn's? Either way Message me for anything!!!
Thanks again MamiDoll! I think I could live with the seton if it does its job and settles down the abscess. It's the uncertainty, not knowing if infection will set in again and if more serious surgery will be required that upsets me. Also my energy levels have been low since the latest (7th) operation and I haven't been able to go back to work. I would much rather be busy and distracted and have some kind of normal life back! Sometimes it seems like this will never happen. In answer to your question, I tested negative for Crohn's in the summer but wondering whether I should make them do it again. Sorry for my tale of woe. On the plus side this awful experience has taught me a lot about what's important in life and my Christian faith, my family and my friends are what have sustained me. I hope that the MRI provides a clear way forward for you. Do let me know also if you need support or someone to offload to!
Hello, it should get better. A few tips, just in case you might not know already. Were you given a sitz bath? This can be helpful in the healing process and for comfort too. Ask if you can have, or use one. Also for sitting, try to not use a 'doughnut ring' reason being is although some feel the pressure is taken off the area, it can actually put more pressure on the area.
Some snicker at nutrition, however in the healing process nutrition plays a role (I believe) Look into vitamin c, zinc for tissue healing. also into barley green as a supplement. (Always ask you dr if ok to take) Also try to limit or totally avoid sugar.
I did not do remicade, or any biologic, however mine healed 100% and in a short duration. Seton placement can remain in place for years, even after healed. I do attribute my healing in part to being diligent to nutrition. Also, for hard to heal wounds, look into hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Had mine not healed, that would had been my next inquiry. It is also my understanding a 'horseshoe' is often complex, but please do not despair.
(Nothing is impossible ~ May God watch over you, give you strength and bring you speedy healing. May you be filled with hope and a path that leads you to well being in full.)
Be well, God bless
Some snicker at nutrition, however in the healing process nutrition plays a role (I believe) Look into vitamin c, zinc for tissue healing. also into barley green as a supplement. (Always ask you dr if ok to take) Also try to limit or totally avoid sugar.
I did not do remicade, or any biologic, however mine healed 100% and in a short duration. Seton placement can remain in place for years, even after healed. I do attribute my healing in part to being diligent to nutrition. Also, for hard to heal wounds, look into hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Had mine not healed, that would had been my next inquiry. It is also my understanding a 'horseshoe' is often complex, but please do not despair.
(Nothing is impossible ~ May God watch over you, give you strength and bring you speedy healing. May you be filled with hope and a path that leads you to well being in full.)
Be well, God bless
Hi there. Ive just recently had an abscess drained near back passage and 2 setons in place. Would healing nicely but skin around is red raw in so itchy and now have an infection so on antibiotics again. Iam asking about gettin my rectum removed to see if will help as i have a bag already and cant be reversed. setons are working but have to wear a pad the whole time 
Yes my seton is also doing what it's supposed to and not any abscess that I can see or feel. It's been placed so long ago that now I Only need to wear a small liner daily to absorb any drainage so hopefully you'll not have to wear a pad much longer.
Please Please keep us all posted if you do end up removing your rectum. I don't know what's next for me and at some point I know I will be completely ok with doing that if it would heal these fistula tracts of mine.
Please Please keep us all posted if you do end up removing your rectum. I don't know what's next for me and at some point I know I will be completely ok with doing that if it would heal these fistula tracts of mine.
Hi. Thanks for your really helpful posts. Two weeks on from seton surgery I have a couple of further questions if thats okay. Maybe I'm just a worrier but I don't think they give much guidance on what to expect:
1. Pus discharge is periodic rather than continuous, tends to build up, hurt and come out later in the day. I'm okay in the mornings. Is this normal? I worry that the wound has healed around the stitch too quickly.
2. My temperature is generally okay but creeps slightly above 37 every now and then.
3. I feel a general muscle type pain in the cheek where the seton is. Wondering if this is a delayed reaction to trauma in that area or something more?
Sorry for all the questions again. I am seeing the consultant on Tuesday but otherwise have no one else to talk to who understands!
Thank you.
1. Pus discharge is periodic rather than continuous, tends to build up, hurt and come out later in the day. I'm okay in the mornings. Is this normal? I worry that the wound has healed around the stitch too quickly.
2. My temperature is generally okay but creeps slightly above 37 every now and then.
3. I feel a general muscle type pain in the cheek where the seton is. Wondering if this is a delayed reaction to trauma in that area or something more?
Sorry for all the questions again. I am seeing the consultant on Tuesday but otherwise have no one else to talk to who understands!
Thank you.
I developed an infection near my wound recently and was put on antibiotics and NOW i have another abscess forming on the other side on another set of antibiotics while on holiday. Have a date to go back in so lets hope its away. I dont get that build up feeling but i do in my rectum still and had been more frequent recently. Asked about removing my rectum and they said don't jump into yet unless I really really want to x
on another set of antibiotics while on holiday. Have a date to go back in so lets hope its away. I dont get that build up feeling but i do in my rectum still and had been more frequent recently. Asked about removing my rectum and they said don't jump into yet unless I really really want to xHi Jes,
I just had my first seton placement 5 weeks ago, and 3 weeks ago had to have another EUA where a tract off the initial fistula needed to be cleared out.
A few things I've found helpful, as I also struggle with sitting for long periods:
- Had my MD write I needed access to a standing desk at work
- when I can work from home, use a lot of pillows to prop my legs up to take the pressure off my butt (right side) while I lie down with the laptop
- at the hospital they gave me a "waffle pillow" which helps more than the donut pillow - I got a pillow case (20x20) as I take it everywhere with me and the pillowcase makes it a bit more discrete http://www.medicalsuppliesoutlet.co...rs-deep-tissue-injury-by-ehob-eho218wcih.html
I also have discharge which means wearing thin pads most of the time. I take at least one bath a day, sometimes adds Epsom salts, which helps with pain and discharge. My surgeon instructed me to "poke around a bit" while in the tub to loosen any inside gunk and also I assume for scar tissue. This might help?
I also see a pelvic physical therapist which is very helpful as I do get knots in my pelvis, groin, hip and thigh on the right side from all the work I do to keep pressure off that side. She helps a lot with in office and also thing I can do out of office to help.
Good luck to you.
I just had my first seton placement 5 weeks ago, and 3 weeks ago had to have another EUA where a tract off the initial fistula needed to be cleared out.
A few things I've found helpful, as I also struggle with sitting for long periods:
- Had my MD write I needed access to a standing desk at work
- when I can work from home, use a lot of pillows to prop my legs up to take the pressure off my butt (right side) while I lie down with the laptop
- at the hospital they gave me a "waffle pillow" which helps more than the donut pillow - I got a pillow case (20x20) as I take it everywhere with me and the pillowcase makes it a bit more discrete http://www.medicalsuppliesoutlet.co...rs-deep-tissue-injury-by-ehob-eho218wcih.html
I also have discharge which means wearing thin pads most of the time. I take at least one bath a day, sometimes adds Epsom salts, which helps with pain and discharge. My surgeon instructed me to "poke around a bit" while in the tub to loosen any inside gunk and also I assume for scar tissue. This might help?
I also see a pelvic physical therapist which is very helpful as I do get knots in my pelvis, groin, hip and thigh on the right side from all the work I do to keep pressure off that side. She helps a lot with in office and also thing I can do out of office to help.
Good luck to you.
Similar threads
