Just had my abscess drained and a seton put in

[Jodi732]

New here.. Not to the disease! Had or supposedly had ulcerative colitis since about 1980... Suffered my whole childhood. J pouch at age 20. Three emergency surgeries . Cleveland clinic and Dr. Fazio. Great. Had about 10 good years. Then got fistulas. Had no idea what they were. Ignored. Drained myself. Then was diagnosed with chrones. Been on every med and remicade. I ignored my disease alot. And just suffered. Got sick of meds. Til I started living withn three fistulas that never went away amd started having accidents in the night. I'm rather vain. Work in fashion industry. Chrones takes your dignity right away. Lol. Friday went to surgeon. Wanted to get me in asap. Today I had a seton put in. After she told me it's time to take care ofmyself or I'll be having more accidents ... I agreed. J pouch and fistulas don't mix too well. I am home and in pain. Any advice. I go back in a couple of weeks. I think I didn't ask enough questions. I thought she was taking the seton out when I see her next. If I'm healed. All good. If not she said something about plugs so they can drain. I feel the seton. Will that go away?? I'm petrified to go to the bathroom and am refusing to eat for fear of a trip to bathroom. Meanwhile. Normally I go about 4-12 times a night lately. Any info on setons is appreciated. I'm a bit in the dark. I know I had no choice. Had to do it. I have phasing tunnels inside of me and out. How long do these setons usually stay in? On pain pills I'm wired. Can't sleep.

 

[Jodi732]

Forgive my spelling ... Tired.

 

[Grant]

Hi Jodi732. Cant help you with regard to the seton stitch. Just like to say hope things improve for you, I think you may be surprised about the amount of IBD sufferers who have been in denial. I've certainly done it, as for being vain-no your not. Your having to face a problem that would test anyone with even an ounce of self respect-dont be harsh on yourself.
Hope the procedure helps improve things for you, take care.

Rgds
Grant

1st symptoms 1983
Diagnosed 1985
1997 Right Hemicolectomy & Resection
2002 Laperotomy & Resection
2010 Laproscopic Ileocolic Resection
Currently got yet another stricture.

Been on Azathioprine & Pred

Currently on Entocort 9mg other day
Humira 40mg every two weeks
Calcichew
Pentasa 4gm daily
3mthly B12 Jabs

 

[beth]

Seton's are horrible. I was pretty lucky and mine was removed after 6 months and a stitch put in internally with some fibrin glue - which worked and surprised even the surgeon. Fistulas seem to be very difficult to heal.
Good luck with yours.

 

[Mark63]

Hi Jodi,

Sorry to hear that you are having problems. I've had a seton in place for about 3 years now. Depending on the nature of your disease, how you respond to treatment and also how your GI/Surgeon like to manage the situation, your seton could be in for a matter of weeks or semi permanent. My seton has been changed a number of times and does not usually bother me too much. A good clean-up with a shower head after going to the bathroom and a small gauze pad in the underwear keep problems to a minimum.

Fistula plugs, Fibrin glue, advancement flaps and fistulotomy all have their place in treatment, but success rates vary and not suitable for someone such as my self.

Take a look at this information on the Crohns and Colitis UK web site:

http://www.nacc.org.uk/downloads/factsheets/Fistula.pdf

Hope things go well for you.

Mark