Swimming with an abscess. Please read, Need advice!

[KWalker]

Hey guys, I have a quick question and need some opinions.

As you remember I had my surgeries for the big abscess back in December of 2011. Being August now, it's obviously been a long time now, and although I don't get any leakage anymore, no more packing, etc I'm not sure if it is fully closed up yet. There is a lot of healing tissue forming everyday and is continually getting better, and I'm not sure if it will ever fully heal to the point where it's all closed up and looking normal.

Here's the question. I'm leaving tomorrow morning to go to the cottage for the week for an end of the summer vacation and was wondering what I should do as far as swimming in the lake. Do you guys think it would be okay to go swimming at this point knowing it's pretty well healed and just has a little bit to go, or should I wait until it's completely healed (if it ever will)? The cottage is in the middle of nowhere so the options are pretty much swim in the lake with everyone or sit on the patio and watch, which isn't my first choice lol

Any suggestions?
Thanks guys!

 

[KWalker]

37 views and no comments? Anybody? I'm leaving in the morning and would really hate to miss out on something if it is okay to do

 

[Blue]

err sorry this is totally irrelavent lol but.. were you on humria + methotxreate at the same time? as well as the pred?

Only asking as you look like a similar age to me and i just had my first humira injection the other morning, and im on azathioprine and pred still and im a bit concerned about being on them all at once. Sorry its completely off topic, its just i've read so many things about humira, and it looks like your similar to me so itd be awesome if you could let me know .

 

[KWalker]

I was not on both at the same time. In fact I was never on two different meds at the same time. Also, I'm 22...and the guy in the pic lol

 

[Sailorluna]

Hi
I hope you have fun on your vaca. Personally I would not go in the lake - I worry to much about bacteria and infections. I am likely just paranoid. Can you call the doc?

 

[ontariomom]

my GI told me it was ok to go in the pool and hot tub. I never asked about a lake, cause we dont go . I was nervous at first but now it doesnt bother me so much. He only said not to if my fistulas were active. I think that was to protect the water and others...

 

[Thermo]

If there is any type of discharge still I would not go just out of precaution. If you have no discharge I don't see why it would be a problem but check with the doctor.

 

[Grumbletum]

I'm with the others. if it was the sea I would be tempted cos the salt water might be quite healing, but with the lake I'd be worried about the risk of infection. I guess you could try a wetsuit, but it wouldn't be quite the same :-(

 

[KWalker]

Thanks for the replies guys. It is not giving off any discharge and hasn't been for a good few months now. To be honest I don't even know if it's still considered open or if it just looks messed up from all the tissue that's healed. I am not able to call the doctor because here it is Saturday morning and everything is closed for the weekend.

Maybe I could have a look and see how clean the water looks? For those in Ontario, Canada I'm going up to Muskoka area.

 

[ontariomom]

My other thought is to go swimming and then make sure u clean well after with a sitz bath or such. If u notice any effects I guess u stop and get to a dr. My first surgeon told me that patients need to stop worrying so much about germs. So I try.

 

[KWalker]

Thanks . I did some research online at webmd and sites like that and they said it was okay and like you said if I notice anything then to get out. There's also a hot tub which I'm sure would help kill off anything. I usually don't care about stuff like this either but after going through all the trouble I had to deal with, the last thing I need is for it to come back

 

[smallfry]

Wondering if you went in the water? I currently have a peri-anal seton. I decided to go for it and I went in the lake this weekend, nothing has changed. Mind you as soon as I got out I cleaned up and changed out of my swim suit bottoms. I was only in for like 10 minutes tho...

 

[KWalker]

Yes, I ended up swimming all week with no problems at all. I told myself I wasn't going to if the water looked dirty but thankfully (and I was surprised) the water was actually crystal clear.

 

[smallfry]

Good to hear!