Surgery or no surgery? Nervous/confused

[buttwhy]

Hey everyone! I'm still new here, but have done loads of browsing on the topic of perianal abscesses and perianal fistulas.

In early July I developed a Perianal Abscess. Not knowing what it was at the time I believed it to just be an ingrown hair. After it enlarged in size, I went to the ER believing they'd lance it since it already started to partially drain. They just told me to take sitz baths and follow up with the Dr. I followed up a week or so later, and he said everything was fine. No need for surgical intervention, antibiotics, etc.

Fast forward two weeks (to the day) and my perianal abscess has returned. Albeit this time smaller than the first. This time around I started the sitz baths immediately and the abscess drained within a couple days. Still not knowing much about perianal abscesses and fistula I believed this would be the end of it.

Fast forward another two weeks (to the day again!) and the abscess has returned for a third time! This time around I did a bit more research and discovered I may have a fistula. So I went to get checked out by a CR doc. He confirmed to me that I indeed have a fistula. We've scheduled surgery for a fistulotomy this Friday, Sept 6th.

Since I've seen the doctor now almost a month ago I've yet to have the abscess return, and I've been experiencing absolutely no discomfort, no drainage, nothing. Now that the surgery is looming over me I've been debating with myself whether to go through with it or not. Is it possible the fistula has healed itself? Is it just in a state of inactivity? Would it be foolish to not move forward with the surgery? Likely that it'll return, and or worsen if not treated?

Truth be told I'm petrified of having surgery since I suffer from anxiety. I've never had surgery before. What complicates things is I've just sold my house and am to move by Oct 16th. We're moving almost 1,000 miles away. I'm nervous that the surgery will delay my move because of potential long recovery time. I'm also nervous that if I don't get the surgery that an abscess will reappear, and I'll regret not getting it taken care of beforehand in a city I'm familiar with.

Sorry for the long post, but thank you very much for any and all insight!

 

[buttwhy]

Anybody?

 

[valleysangel92]

Hello, sorry I've not seen your post sooner

I've never personally had an abscess but it does sound like you've had a pretty bad time with them.

I know surgery is daunting but an untreated reoccurring abscess is a nasty thing to leave to its own devices, and can cause serious infection and fistulas.
I've recently had surgery myself, it was a different type but I must say it isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, my surgeon was really good and patient, he always made sure I was as comfortable as possible post op, and very open to any questions.

Your surgeon will have done this many times before, and they won't operate if it isn't necessary.
Do you have a number for his office you could call or could you get in touch with an IBD nurse at your hospital and tell them you've not got any symptoms now and they can reassure you about what to do next? It might put your mind at rest a bit if they know things are better and they can make the decision of what's best?

 

[buttwhy]

Hello, sorry I've not seen your post sooner

I've never personally had an abscess but it does sound like you've had a pretty bad time with them.

I know surgery is daunting but an untreated reoccurring abscess is a nasty thing to leave to its own devices, and can cause serious infection and fistulas.
I've recently had surgery myself, it was a different type but I must say it isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, my surgeon was really good and patient, he always made sure I was as comfortable as possible post op, and very open to any questions.

Your surgeon will have done this many times before, and they won't operate if it isn't necessary.
Do you have a number for his office you could call or could you get in touch with an IBD nurse at your hospital and tell them you've not got any symptoms now and they can reassure you about what to do next? It might put your mind at rest a bit if they know things are better and they can make the decision of what's best?

Thanks for the reply ValleysAngel!

It certainly hasn't been too great a time with the recurring abscesses every two weeks. Luckily it has been about a month now and I haven't abscessed again. I'm pretty much just waiting for it to happen again though. :eek2:

Earlier today I spoke with my CR surgeon, and have postponed the surgery. He didn't feel it urgent to operate because nothing is really going on right now. He did however say that I should not leave this issue at bay for the long term because even though it's in "remission" right now it can certainly come back, and or form a new fistula track which could make surgery more complicated.

I asked about medications that can close fistulas that I've read about (ex. Humira and Remicade), but he didn't recommend them for me because I don't have a diagnosis of crohn's disease.

Nevertheless, this has been a bit of an overwhelming time for me with my upcoming move a months time away. My plan of action is to get the move done, find a good CR surgeon in the new location, and get this taken care of once and for all.

Thank you for the kind and reassuring words. I'm glad to hear surgery wasn't nearly as daunting as you thought it'd be for you.