How long before the seton stops hurting?

[Bryonyboo]

I had surgery 5 days ago , I had a peri anal fistula, so have a seton drain in there, and also a recto-vaginal one. I was dreading it and am finding it so hard to clean/wipe as its all so sore. I have no idea what I can or can't wipe, there seems to be bits of seton all over the place and they hurt if I accidentally tug on them.
How long will it be before it stops hurting and I can sit/walk/wipe comfortably? I am sure lots of you will have helpful advice for me. I feel very alone , my friends and family are all ,being supportive but no one can quite understand how horrible seton s make you feel, I felt like ripping them out last night :-(

 

[AlliRuns]

It was about a month before I could sit comfortably, but even then I had to be cautious, two months before I was really okay with it.

 

[Sailorluna]

Hot baths, heating pads and calmoseptine cream all can help with the pain and skin irritation. Sorry that you are going through this, it is frustrating and hard to deal with, I promise it gets easier.

 

[Bryonyboo]

I was thinking it would be about a month, seems such a long time. I hope it does get easier, I wasn't expecting it to be such a muddle down there, ha ha.
Also, I'm in the uk and can't get hold of calmoseptine, does anyone know of any alternative, I'm not even sure what it does!! X

 

[Sailorluna]

its basically a barrier cream with menthol. You can buy it on amazon in the uk.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CALMOSEPTINE-OINT-4OZ-TB-pack/dp/B000NAZKCA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366575649&sr=8-1&keywords=calmoseptine

 

[Bryonyboo]

That's fabulous, thank you. I shall get some , I think I had been spelling it wrong when I searched!! X

 

[AlliRuns]

Sailorluna.. Random question.. Does the menthol in the cream irritate the girl parts? (I only ask this because I know chamois cream (for cycling) for women does not contain menthol like the men's stuff for this exact reason)

 

[Sailorluna]

The menthol has never caused me any issues. I have found it soothing.

 

[Mistybear]

Mine hurt like he&& for 8 months until I had it taken out. A pain in the rear, literally! I got thru it, but was not a happy camper.

 

[Jo-b1]

Hot Epsom salt 15 min baths relieves them a bit,maybe little bit of detol in water for extra clean

 

[MikeinBklyn]

Hot baths, heating pads and calmoseptine cream all can help with the pain and skin irritation. Sorry that you are going through this, it is frustrating and hard to deal with, I promise it gets easier.

Agreed, do the above.

Takes about a month to stop "hurting" and then it's just a PITA.

Good Luck

 

[Bryonyboo]

It's been 4 weeks since my surgery and some days I can't even feel them, other days they hurt a bit, but now having the fistulas partially laid open and shorter setons put in, sometime in the next few weeks, now that's gonna hurt!!
Thank you for all your support, hard to believe I was so upset about the setons and now they're just part of life, amazing what you get used to!!

 

[napster]

You might want to consider getting a bidet - they are relatively cheap and available on Amazon. Here's an example, similar to what I use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-m...T4C6G/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_1?ie=UTF8&index=1. Easy to install and use and it gets you clean as a whistle. All you need to do is pat dry, or better yet, use your blow dryer on low. Seriously, I could not live without mine.

I've had my seton a year now. Didn't even notice it after a few days, but lately's been aching. Sigh.

 

[JD112233]

I agree. I have had a seton for about 8 months now. It keeps the abscess open but I still experience some....ummm, drainage. I am hoping the Humira kicks in! Some days I don't feel it. Other days when I am active in the restroom, I can certainly feel it. Any advice?

 

[napster]

What helps me most is the hot sitz baths, with a handful of epsom salts thrown in. As a bonus, the hot bath seems to stop the drainage for 2-3 hrs.