Lumps associated with crohn's?

[bewitched86]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's a few years ago but went into remission. Haven't had a follow up but will be getting one with an IBD specialist in mid-November.

But this week I noticed that I have a lump inside my rectum. I can't tell exactly how big it is -- maybe the size of a marble. It's a hard round mass . You can't see anything from the exterior. You can just feel a palpable mass. It's in the middle of my butt crack, about halfway down (on the INTERIOR only). I went to my PCP who did a digital rectal exam. She said she could not feel a lump inside but could feel the lump when she pressed on my rectal wall. She immediately sent me in for a CT scan. I am hoping to get the CT scan results back on Monday...but I'm going to be a nervous wreck all weekend. Because if you google rectal lump all that pops up is stuff about cancer...so scary.

Are there any kind of lumps like this that may be associated with Crohn's??? :frown:

 

[DJW]

Hi and welcome.

Abscesses are quite common in crohns.

Sending you my support.

 

[2thFairy]

Abscess or polyp, maybe. Polyps can be cancerous and NON-cancerous as well. Keep us informed on what you find out. Wishing you the best!

 

[2thFairy]

p.s. Welcome to the forum!

 

[Muppetgirl]

Hi and welcome. I'm not sure if you are male or female but a solid lump in the rectum can also be rectal endometriosis, especially if it's the anterior rectal wall. But I would say that with my history. I would think the options DJW and 2th fairy spoke of are more likely with your diagnosis. I hope they find answers for you soon.

 

[bewitched86]

I'm guessing, based on what i've read, that it's an abscess. It has swollen even bigger in the past 2 days. It's very tender to the touch and has suddenly become VERY painful. I had to take a hydrocodone to be able to sleep last night. It hurts to sit, move, anything. Waiting on my dr to call back with CT scan results....

 

[4peace]

oh gosh! I have the exact same thing and I've been wondering whats up with that? But I'm not excited to have my GI looking around there lol. Let me know what happens please!

 

[bewitched86]

It was an abscess. I kind of figured that out once it started increasing in size and getting mega painful. I went in to a surgeon and had it cut open & drained. That surgical procedure was AWFUL. The surgeon only used local anesthesia. He injected a shot of novocain, and without even waiting and asking if I was numb, he started cutting. I felt everything. It felt like I was being cut the entire time - even when he was touching me with a Q-tip. I was grabbing onto the hospital chair and crying my eyes out in pain. Not sure if that's typical of all abscess removals or if my surgeon just felt rushed because my PCP had them squeeze me in last minute yesterday. But it was terrible. At least I'm feeling better today...

(and i have a fairly high pain tolerance)

 

[bewitched86]

Do abscesses mean that my Crohn's is flaring again? I'm not having any other symptoms. Like i said, I thought I've been in remission.

 

[4peace]

oh wow! I am SO sorry, what a miserable experience. Not only do you feel vulnerable having a procedure in that region but then to be in excruciating pain during........so glad it's over and you're feeling a bit better! Hope everything heals quickly and you don't have do go through that ever again. Hugs!

 

[DJW]

Do abscesses mean that my Crohn's is flaring again? I'm not having any other symptoms. Li i said, I thought I've been in remission.

I've had abscesses in and out of flares. Some from faliculites (in the hair follicle) some caused by active crohns. I'm sure their are other unrelated causes.

 

[bewitched86]

The surgeon did a culture test for my abscess. The bacteria in it is MRSA. I am just a "normal" 28 year old - well, with a weakened immune system. How in the heck would I have gotten MRSA?!? All I do is work (call center) & hang out at my apartment basically. Would a MRSA abscess still possibly be caused by my Crohn's???

Surgeon hasn't given me any information. I'm feeling SO lost.

When I saw him for the follow up, he saw me for MAYBE 3-5 minutes total (he had to rush in for a surgery after my appt). He said my abscess was draining good, that the culture was MRSA & to keep taking the antibiotics (Flagyl & Cipro) & doing sitz baths, and to see him in a week. My packing had fallen out, and he said he didn't think it needed to be re-packed (won't it just close up and get infected again?!?). Then he left the room.