Fistula and tailbone pain

[crohnsconfused]

I developed my first anal fistula about 4 months ago. I have immense tailbone pain making it difficult to sit at times. If i feel back I can feel a lump or bulge where it is sore. Has this happened to anyone else? What treated this?

 

[DJW]

They are awful. I had one many years ago. I eventually got my ileostomy and that took care of it.
Are you currently any biological meds (remicade or humira)? They work well on fistulas for some people.

 

[crohnsconfused]

I'm currently on Lialda and omeprazole as I was just recently diagnosed. For the fistula I have taken flagyl and chipper. IV flagyl once. It has temporarily closed for a couple days with antibiotics but then opened with vengeance once again. There has been talk about remicade since I also suffer from Hidradenitis Suppurtiva. Have to wait until next colonoscopy in march to see if crohns has gotten worse.

 

[DJW]

Sorry you need to wait. A fistula usually means it's getting worse.

 

[theOcean]

A friend of mine with HS is on Remicade and it helped her immensely. I have fistulizing Crohn's and just went through this last week with pain while sitting (again) and had to go into the ER and get surgery. Please reach out to a doctor as soon as possible to see if you have an abscess/another fistula, or also consider going to your local ER since you're prone to this. You may need a seton placed to allow it to drain. Waiting until your colonoscopy may just allow it to get worse in the meantime.

I think you should definitely bring up the idea of going on Remicade soon.

 

[crohnsconfused]

@ the ocean. Did you have lump? Did it end up bring an abscess? I'm wondering if it's part of the sinus tract

 

[theOcean]

I did, yes. It was still very small because I caught it so early, but doctors suspect it's probably communicating with another abscess/is part of my complex fistula. If that's the case, you really need to get something done before it gets worse. You can get dangerously sick.

 

[crohnsconfused]

I now have about 3-4 different lumps from my anus to tailbone. Primary doctor and colorectal surgeon are both not in today. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Sailorluna]

does your surgeon have an after hours call service? Mine does and when I am in your situation I call - leave a message and receive a return call from whichever surgeon is on call for the evening.

In the meantime if you pop a fever you should go to the ER.

 

[theOcean]

Having just done the same last week, you might even want to go to the ER before the fever starts to catch it early.

 

[crohnsconfused]

Went to the colorectal surgeon and he said that it was an infected abscess'. Partially drained one and presided flagyl and cipro.

 

[Sailorluna]

did he check for fistula?

 

[crohnsconfused]

Have to go back the 14th. If it still isn't feeling better monday have to call the office and he wants to schedule pelvic MRI.