Question about seton

[lookitsjen]

Hi everyone!

So it appears I have a fistula. My GI doc and the colorectal[sp?] surgeon looked at it and said it is very small, but noticeable. I need to make an appointment to get it further examined under sedation because he said it would be quite painful. Surgeon said if necessary he will put a seton in and see how that goes. He was very friendly and answered all of my questions, but the one I forgot to ask was, does it hurt? I know a lot of you have experience with setons. I've read mixed reviews elsewhere, some saying they don't even notice it and others saying it is excruciating and prevents them from even sitting down. So if you have experience with one could you tell me what it's like, does it get in the way of other things, does it make bathroom trips difficult, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[Sailorluna]

Hi,
I have two setons. One is recto-vaginal and I don't really feel that one at all. The other one comes out about 1/2 inch from my anus. It is not too bad - for the most part I can not feel it. I have an abscess that the surgeon has been draining through the fistula track. It is the abscess that hurts and the entrance to the fistula because each time they have gone in to work on that abscess they cut it a little more.

When they first put the setons in I was uncomfortable for a couple days but it got better quickly. They were put in mid-September and I am hopeful that the recto-vaginal one will come out in a couple weeks. The other will stay for a while - the surgeon won't say how long it will stay just for a while yet.

It is annoying because it drains all the time so you have to always have a panty liner or a bit of gauze (or both) to help contain it. Mine does not cause problems with using the bathroom, it does bleed a bit sometimes when I wipe.

Good luck on your surgery. Keep us up to date!

-Barbara

 

[lookitsjen]

Thanks for your reply Barbara! yeah this one is an anal fistula. He's letting me finish up my finals next week before I have the procedure done which I'm grateful for. At least if it does it I will have a month to get used to it before school starts again. Hopefully yours come out soon too as you are hoping. Thanks again =]

 

[sawdust]

does it make bathroom trips difficult

I did find that it took more effort in the restroom. At home, I found this to be easier than at work or otherwise in public. I had a small kit that I took with me that had additional liners, cleansers, etc. You might ask this question of your doctor beforehand so you can have the things your doctor recommends on hand. Cleanliness is also important, so be sure to know what your doctor recommends in this regard.

Good luck on your finals!

 

[foxfire_joy]

Jen - I have one - fairly new - installed 11.11.11. I haven't noticed too much drainage since the main infection is out. I really don't notice it's there - sometimes I can feel it stretching if I am super active. You should ask the doc if you are supposed to move it - I haven't - and now I am scared when I go back Monday - he's going to yank on it and it's going to hurt.... Also - you should ask if it's a draining seton or cutting seton - I still don't know what I have... WIll find out Monday. Overall - I like mine - my bum feels ALOT better now.

 

[Rivers]

I had a seton for 2 months, it hurt for 2-3 weeks while it was healing. Once it healed it wasnt a big deal. I just didnt like that it smelled and always drained needing gauze. Glad it's gone but it wasn't that bad.

 

[lookitsjen]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the input. I have an appointment for next week to get a fistulogram or something like that. Don't know if he would put a seton in at the same time or what, but I will definitely ask the questions you guys mentioned beforehand. For those that said it hurt at first, did you do sitz baths or anything to help ease the pain? I know with abscesses and fissures sitz baths help a lot, is it the same for fistulas?

 

[Sailorluna]

Yep! Sitz baths are wonderful. I try to take a couple a day. (I actually just take a shallow hot bath) When that is not handy I sit on a heating pad. I am right now actually. The heat feels good and I believe it keeps the yucky stuff draining instead of clogging up.

 

[foxfire_joy]

Hey Jen - thought I would follow up after my appointment about this seton and let you know what the doc said. Basically - he said it looked good. It can stay in for however long I want it too - I have a contract job coming up that is going to require me to move for two years - so I guess that is good. Hemoved it around - which did not hurt - thank god- though was kind of a wierd sensation. He then advised me that I was free to "fiddle" around with it. SO I suppose when I have nothing to do - I can just reach back there and give'er a twirl - lol. We talkd about what's next - which is a larger sugery that will require me to be out of work for three month - blech. HOw are things going - what did they say about yours?

 

[KWalker]

For me personally, I absolutely will not get one unless there's no way around it. There are quite a few threads where people talk about how uncomfortable they are, how they poke you and cause pain, etc.

It's just my opinion, but to me if there is no pain, I would leave it. Obviously do what's best for you though, and best of luck with everything!

 

[loosewheels]

Hi KWalker,
I had a plastic one put in a few years ago, but like you mention they can hurt, (it did) however after seeing the consultant I mentioned this to him, so he changed it for a smaller silk type of one, now I get no pain at all, having a seton sure beats the pain I had when I was taken into hospital.

 

[guest3832]

I'm guessing pain would vary depending on where exactly the seton is. I have a peri-anal fistula with a seton and I can't feel anything at all. I couldn't even feel a difference
after surgery.

 

[Mooch]

Hi! Iv had 2 setons and have one now. They havent been toooo bothersome so far. The pain after 1st on was excuitiating but i blame that on the layibg open of the abescess while they were there. Was strange to get used to and i woulnt look at it for a long time. Sure it does interfere wirh some aspects of ur life im not gonna lie, but overall it doesnt get in my way too much.
Have plenty of sitz bath, they r great! The people will look at u funny with the amount of salt u go thru! I lived in the bath.
2nd one was put in about 4 weeks ago and was painfree wirh no painkillers. Talking about LIFT proceedure in january. On remicade which has fixed the going to toilet issues and the immflamation but not closing fistula. Hoping to get it over and done with to see if that works. I get no pain, i just leak which annoys the hell out of me! Just want like back to normal without havibg to wear liners each day!
Good luck with everything ant try not to worry too much. If it hurts...ask for something and get on top of the pain!

 

[maggi]

question about seton

Hi, my name is maggi, i've had that problem last year, and it was very painful, my surgeon did surgery and put seton so the abcess would drain completely. The firts two week where painful, but try not to stand to much because it cause pressure and hurts more. I had surgery last january, and i still have my 3 seton, it doesn't cause any problem, it only hurt if i go to the bathroom more than usually. Good luck