Seton, one month in

[vanittany]

seton, one month in

Hi! I am hoping I can get some comfort here or at least some words of encouragement...i have had a seton placement mid january for 2 fistulas (one of which was a vaginal fistula and another from an absess. I have continued to take sitz baths but not as often, maybe once daily.

(diagnosed with UC in '01, but have since had Jpouch in '03. I think that the vaginal absess formed shortly after surgery, stoma closure...and was diagnosed by my GYN with a bartholone cyst. Anyway, had it drained by obgyn and had not had any problems with it until i developed an absess in 2011.) No, I do not have CD...just this absess/fistulas issue at this point.

I am concerned that the absess is still draining...I will be frustrated if I will have to constantly deal with the draining...as I kind of feel like I have gone through this pain and nuisance of this seton placement for nothing...

Someone, tell me it will get better????

 

[CrohnsNYC]

It does get better! I have not had a vaginal fistula or abscess, but I've had pleanty of perianal ones. Depending on the abscess and fistula it will drain for a while, but will eventually stop. My latest abscess and seton was about 4 weeks ago and the draining very recently got much lighter and is almost nothing. The setons are important and will keep it open so more abscesses don't form. The last thing you want is another pocket of infection. It will get better with time. It's not for nothing. Hang in there. You are not alone!!!

Beth

 

[Sailorluna]

Vanittany,
Beth is right! It will get better - I have two fistulas as well. One vaginal and one rectal.
The vaginal one occasionally acts up but for the most part does not drain anything. They even were able to take out the seton after a couple months.

The rectal one causes me problems still but seems to be getting better. They put me on Humira for mine, but then I have CD so perhaps they can not do that for you since you do not.

The sitz baths continue to be important (5 months after placement) - at least the heat is. I spend a couple hours a days sitting on a heating pad - it seems to keep everything draining if needed. Each time I have stopped for several days it started to back up and hurt - so be careful.

Good luck - I hope you heal quickly.

 

[bigtruck]

Hi there have you had a second opinion on your diagnosis? It is quite rare to have fistula complications with uc and are much more common with cd as far as im aware.

 

[vanittany]

While I have gotten a lot of reading done over the last month, I guess I didn't realize that I will continue to have to do sitz baths. Perhaps, I should invest in a heating pad since you say that will do the same thing.

The other thing that I was wondering about is the draining...Again, I didn't realize that at this point, it would still be draining and at times, I kind of feel that it's there...I have been keeping gauze there to collect the draining. I'm wondering how long it will continue to do so.

I got to see the Dr next week. I wonder what the plan will be at that point and if he thinks that meds are necessary. What's odd is that I used to have severe to moderate joint pain and ever since I have had the seton placement...no joint pain. I was told that the joint pain was related to the UC manifestations even though I didn't have my colon anymore.

I did ask him about the CD and he said that it was not consistent with Crohns. And that my pouch still looks good.

My husband and I are planning to have a baby soon and the dr said that he would suggest getting the plugs post baby. I'm not looking forward to being pregnant with my butt stitched up but looking forward to this all going away!

 

[Mountaingem]

Sorry no advice but sending hugs!:ghug:

 

[Sailorluna]

Sadly no one can tell you how long it will take. Sorry.
I have asked my doc these questions and the answer is always the same "we will have to watch and see". I know it is frustrating.

 

[vanittany]

Sailorluna,

I know the feeling. I didn't get a definitive when I asked him as he is also giving me the wait and see approach!

Thanks though, all, for the thoughts!

 

[Gabismommy]

I had a seton placed in a peri-anal abscess with fistula around the spinkter (I'm certain that is spelled wrong) on Valentine's Day. These are a lot of the same questions I have been having..