I'm having a problem with reoccurring abscesses...nothing is working!!!!

[jljohn724]

Since April of this year I have been having a problem with reoccurring abscesses. I've had three since then and I have had surgery to have the first two drained and eventually I'm going to have surgery to get the current one drained as well. I have been on septra, flagyl, and cipro to help heal and also to prevent them from returning and nothing is working! Has anyone experienced this same issue and actually took a medication that actually worked? I'm so frustrated I was diagnosed with Crohns when I was 14 I am now 22. I've had a colectomy and has an ostomy bag for about 3 months then I had it reversed. I am currently on no meds because I am on flagyl again for the abscess. Once this issue is resolved I will only be on humira injections biweekly and 6mp. Previously I have taken asacol, entocort, prednisone, iron, as well as a iron infusion, I've had a blood transfusion, nexium, numerous pain meds, promethazine, Ativan and the list goes on. If anyone has experienced what I am going through or would just like to share their story I would love to hear from you!

 

[DustyKat]

Hi jljohn724,

Where is your Crohn's located and where is the abscess?

Dusty.

 

[jljohn724]

Hi Dusty!,

The abscess is located on the inside of my rectum, the previous ones have also been located in the same area. I have crohns in my ilieum and duedium that I know of. I also have a history of ulcers and anemia.

 

[DustyKat]

Ah okay. My kids have Crohn's but I have only dealt with intra abdominal abscesses.

I assume you were in remission until April?

I can see the reluctance for them to start you on biologics until the infection is resolved but what is happening with your disease as a whole in the interim. Have you been scoped?

If you have inflammation in the bowel then that will play into the whole infection/inflammatory process and that may be one reason why the abscesses keep recurring. Flagyl does have both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties but not enough anti-inflammatory if you are flaring.

I will move your thread to the Fistula/Fissure/Abscess Forum. You will likely get more responses there as perianal disease is not uncommon.

Dusty. xxx

 

[jljohn724]

I'm fairly new to the site so I didn't know where to begin. I just want to talk with people that understand me and what I'm going though. Thank you for your advice it is really going to send me to the right direction. How are your children dealing with crohns? I know days can get pretty rough for my mom. I'm her only child with an "issue". They have done everything...endo, colonos, and MRIs. I actually had a fistula a couple weeks ago before they second one was drained. Thank you so much for your support and advice

 

[DustyKat]

You have done just fine and you have certainly come to the right place for support.

I am sure others with first hand experience will be along but being the weekend things can be a little on the quieter side. I have been away from the forum for a couple of months so I am not up to speed with the regular members but I do know that nogutsnoglory is having issues with perianal disease so I have tagged him into this.

Both of my children are doing well at present. They had surgery 7 years and 2 years ago respectively and both have been in remission since then. They are 21 and 19 and are both studying at university and living life to the full. Thanks for asking.

Dusty. xxx

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Thanks for tagging Dusty.

Jljohn I'm so sorry you continue to suffer with these abscesses. From everything I have read they seem very stubborn and medication and surgery are not always successful at stopping them from either being fully drained, returning or turning into fistulae.

I just had a surgery on a perianal abscess, this is my first one (yay). I was on antibiotics a month beforehand but they didn't work. Now after the drainage I'm still in pain and will need to see the surgeon for the next steps. I wish I could offer more advice but this abscess world is a bit new to me. I hope your treatment team figures the right answer for you.

 

[jljohn724]

These abscesses are definitely stubborn each time I have one drained within a week another is forming. I just have to keep praying about it. I recently spoke with a gentleman that knows all about herbs. Hopefully he will find something that could help me out just a little bit. I wish you the best with your treatment team as well!

 

[If*]

Hello, sorry you are feeling rough. I have posted this a few times, I would stop if I didn't believe it helped me. Have you ever researched organic barley green? Please take a look into it. I did and had what I feel to be success with healing. I took it only 2x a day mixed in a shaker with a small amount of grape juice. The other benefit was it helped sooth my guts. I am not saying a cure but it helped immensely. It is not an herb. You can ask your Dr. if it is safe for you to try.

 

[Christie]

Hi, I had a recurring abscess and in the end was told it was a chronic skin disease known as Hs (cant spell the full name) maybe you could be checked for this? hope you are sorted soon x

 

[steffers]

It's my understanding that some abscesses are a direct result of surgery. Again...this is only my understanding but most doctors have told me they are kind of your bodies reaction to being opened up. I have re-occurring abscesses in my abdomen and ovaries which have been drained twice now. Sometimes they get so prominent I can see a bulge on the service of my belly. Unfortunately I feel this is just another symptom I have to live with.

 

[Avw]

I've dealt with abscesses and fistulas by the dozen for ten years now. The first time, finding and draining them brought immediate relief... Although it took agonizing months for them to find it because the steroids were just suppressing it.

Then, when I stopped responding to all treatments about two years ago, they came back with a vengeance. I had over 20 surgeries for drainage and seton placement... but still having debilitating pain due to a deep-tissue abscess. My local Gi acted like there was nothing there, and my CR Surgeon said it was inoperable. I saw doctors in New Orleans, Chicago, Houston, etc. and found a surgeon willing to remove my fistula completely. The aftermath of this surgery was horrific and humiliating (they had to remove a lot of my muscle tissue to get it out, leaving me with a cavernous and extremely painful wound. It was about two months before I felt, even remotely, like myself again.

But, here I am, almost a year later, and haven't had anymore problems with fistulas or abscesses (knocks on wood). Which is pretty amazing because my crohn's in general is completely out of control

I know every case is unique, and surgery isn't for everyone, but if you've had over 10 abscesses drained to no avail, you may want to talk to a few Colorectal Surgeons and get their opinions.

Best of luck, XoXo oo:

 

[Jo-b1]

I had illeostomie because of fistulas had so many ops with setons and drains put in(look like surface of the moon down there.)it was great no fistulas for 11 yrs now they are back and I'm having hell of battle at mo,I'm trying to boost my immune system to help fight them on antibiotics as well,wish you well in your battle.

 

[Zahid Hassan]

jljohn724 - I feel your frustration!!

I have also only dealt with abdominal abscesses, I've had this abscess recurring since Feb 2013. I've had surgical drains put in twice and now going for my third 1. Im currently using Cipro and Flagyl. I struggle to walk or rather struggle to do anything. The 1 abscess popped by itself and started leaking.


I am due for a small bowel resection (my 1st colon surgery) in August or as soon as my doctor gets back. I surely hope this resection takes away this recurrence of abscess. I just cant deal with it anymore.:hallo3:

 

[Jo-b1]

I know sometimes I feel like shit,do you take any Vit D I've just started since finding out its good for crohns on this site,plus I'm on Vit C,I figure try everything you can to try and beat the evil things,

 

[Avw]

I know sometimes I feel like shit,do you take any Vit D I've just started since finding out its good for crohns on this site,plus I'm on Vit C,I figure try everything you can to try and beat the evil things,

I also find that soaking in a hot bath with epsom salt a few times a day helps tremendously. I feel like it relieves a lot of the pressure, and can sometimes even help them to drain on their own, if they are close enough to the surface, avoiding surgery altogether. But, in my experiences... the only ways to keep recurrent abscesses at bay is to have a Seton drain placed. It will make the wound heal from the inside-out and keeps it draining so there won't be another build up of puss, forming another abscess.

This method usually works for most people. But if you still get constant abscesses popping up everywhere, even with drains/setons... you may want to look into a fistulotomy. With your doctor's recommendation, of course. They don't like to do them often because the recovery is very slow and painful. But after having constant pain in my right butt cheek for over a year and being told it was 'inoperable'... I couldn't take it anymore. So I hunted down a surgeon at an IBD clinic. Like I said, the recovery was brutal at first, but I am very glad I did it because I haven't had any more abscesses since October of last year, when I had the surgery.

Good luck and best wishes!
xx
:highfive: