Need seton advice

[ey218]

So... brand new and first post. October 29, 2013, diagnosed with peri-rectal abscess, which was drained. November 26, 2013, had fistula surgery with insertion of a Seton. This week, December 3, 2013, had a follow up visit where the colorectal sx told me that I had polyps, which were removed and non-cancerous, as well as multiple fistulae, all of which necessitates IBD work up. I had Prometheus blood test on 12/3, and will be going for colonoscopy in about 3-4 weeks. What a great Christmas! I guess I'm putting this history out there for advice. I have a Seton, which is just miserable at this point in time. I'm having a hard time sitting and wearing anything but sweat pants. I'm an attorney, so sweat pants in Court are a bit of a problem. Anyone out there with a similar history that can give me some hope that this gets better would be great.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

The setons are annoying and if they continue to bother you they can possibly put a smaller one in.

As for the pants can you buy something that looks like suit pants or khakis but is really sweats? Like those pajama jeans.

 

[If*]

Hello, so sorry for your pain. It can take a bit to heal but should hopefully get better with time. Did they give you a sitz bath for at home? A sitz bath can help in the healing process - many use with warm water and Epsom salt. It brings comfort often. Also did they give you a peri bottle? It is a small water bottle with a squirt nozzle top. Another item to help keep the area clean with warm water in a gentle way. Also, I pat the cleaned area dry with a clean cotton dry cloth and try not to wipe per say. Some wipes contain alcohol and can make the area stay tender - read labels.
Does your seton have a sharp feeling knot? If yes - I notice when the knot is close to the skin or has reached an uncomfortable area it hurts to sit. So I move my seton knot to not be against the skin. I do this in the shower or while in the sitz bath.

Yours is so new I would imagine with time (for most) they do heal and the pain should subside. Every now and then they can act up and drain as they are meant to.
I am not a doctor but I do have personal experience to draw from. With Crohn's we are all so individual.
If you are uncomfortable please give your Dr. a call. Ask him/her about a sitz, peri bottle if you do not have one. This is a super site for personal experience. I am no Dr. and can not give medical advice but am happy to share experience

I am at a loss about what to wear. Sorry.
Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Essieluv]

Hey, sorry to hear about all of your complications. Setons can be very uncomfortable at first, but I swear you do get used to them. After a while, the pain and tenderness should go away, though it may take a long time. Do you have an lidocaine gel or cream? I have some that my CRS prescribed, and that is what gets me through my peri-anal problems.

 

[Polar bear]

Hi, I had 2 setons put in 10 days ago and it is really painful. It is like a burning/stinging pain. Can't sit nor can I walk straight. I saw my CRS yesterday and was given a cream to apply on the area. The cream is used for burn victims to soothe and give relief for the stinging/burning pain. I think it is Silvadene. I am not sure of the exact name. It was also emphasized to me that my poop should have the consistency of a banana or papaya not too hard to tug on the seton, meaning more fruits and vegetables. My CRS told me that the pain should subside around the second week. I hope so.....

 

[ey218]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I was not given a sitz or a peri bottle. I will ask about that next time I see the CRS on Tuesday. The bathroom has not been bad since my first time. I believe the pain meds had solidified everything and it was very difficult. I've been on Stool Softeners and Milk of Magnesia, but have been able to avoid them as of the past few days. My pain is more of an achey/ deep pain. I also get some stinging pain. I'm at work, but am making accommodations (i.e. wearing sweat pants, leaving early, standing a lot, sitting on my left hip).

All of this is such a shock, and the waiting on a confirmed diagnosis is very difficult. I am not looking forward to the colonoscopy in a few weeks, but at the same time, I just want to get it out of the way so I know what's going on.