Uh oh! peri-anal fistula.

[Hannah89]

Hi I'm Hannah and I'm 23 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease almost 2 years ago. Prior to my diagnosis , about 7 years ago, I developed a peri-anal fistular. After various unsuccessful antibiotics I had surgery to drain the abscess. Years on I still have rarely frequent leakage from there.

My worry is; I have just noticed a hard lump no more than about 2cm away from that fistula. I have been prescribed penicillin to try and prevent it becoming another painful problem and have been advised by my GP that she 'expects' it is too close to my first one for another fistula to form. Potentially any puss from this second abscess would more than likely come out of my first fistula.

Has anyone else had multiple peri-anal fistulas? Or had surgery as a result of 1?

I have come to accept my first fistula but I don't think I can bare the thought of another 1!

Please help. Feeling a bit fed up x

 

[Astra]

Hiya Hannah
and welcome

I've edited your title to include peri-anal fistula, I'm sure you'll get a better response this way.
I've also moved you to the sub forum fistulas, fissures and abscesses for more response.
I'm not able to help you, don't have experiences of these, but I'm gonna tag Grumbletum, who will help.
good luck xxx

 

[Ihurt]

Is the hard lump painful at all? I also have a firm lump under my skin near my anal area. It does hurt awful at all, I have had it for over three weeks now, no change. I showed my gastro doc and he said it looked like an ingrown hair.

Is there any redness on the outside, I am mean can you actually see the lump visibly or is it just by feeling the it under the skin?

I was worried about it being an abscess as well( still am a bit worried since mine is still there, but there is no change to it) but mu gastro doc said an abscess would not be as firm as this is and he said it would be outwardly visible and would have gotten worse likely within a few days.

I would have your gastro take a look at is I guess. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I hope it is just something minor....

Hi I'm Hannah and I'm 23 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease almost 2 years ago. Prior to my diagnosis , about 7 years ago, I developed a peri-anal fistular. After various unsuccessful antibiotics I had surgery to drain the abscess. Years on I still have rarely frequent leakage from there.

My worry is; I have just noticed a hard lump no more than about 2cm away from that fistula. I have been prescribed penicillin to try and prevent it becoming another painful problem and have been advised by my GP that she 'expects' it is too close to my first one for another fistula to form. Potentially any puss from this second abscess would more than likely come out of my first fistula.

Has anyone else had multiple peri-anal fistulas? Or had surgery as a result of 1?

I have come to accept my first fistula but I don't think I can bare the thought of another 1!

Please help. Feeling a bit fed up x

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Sorry to hear you are having trouble with this.
Unfortunately they seem to be very tricky and often problematic!
I have complex fistulas and have so far had two surgeries on one abscess/fistula. Second surgery is so far successful.
I hope the antibiotics help!

 

[myriahdawn]

I am currently dealing with the same thing. I had a hard area forming around my seton entrance and I was SO worried it was re-abscessing or starting new fistula! Turned out it just needed some good pushing to get some junk out after a couple bad days of diarrhea (gross I know). I went to my doc for this of course since I was scared it was something more. He showed my husband how to push around the area without causing damage (my husband is a lucky man, HA!). So, don't worry too much yet, just get it check out for safe measures.

 

[AlliRuns]

I also have multiple fistulas. Penicillin is pretty useless in treating them though, flagyl and cipro are more effective though I personally haven't found either to heal my fistulas, but they help temporarily.

 

[sawdust]

Hello Hannah. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

I don't have much to add to what has already been said, but I will also encourage you to visit your GI. The unknown can be worrying sometimes, but once you have your GI examine you, you'll either be able to ease your concern or get on the path to taking care of things. I'll be hoping for the former! :hug:

 

[annawato]

He showed my husband how to push around the area without causing damage (my husband is a lucky man, HA!). So, don't worry too much yet, just get it check out for safe measures.

Thank god for husbands (and partners) ! the things they do for us.

 

[Jaano711]

You can have many fistulae or abscesses happening at the same time and near to each other. One holiday I ended up with 2 very sore abscesses perianally and one recto-labial. It was like my whole undercarriage was a throbbing burning time bomb. I eventually got relief when they all discharged, but seeing as though I was staying at the mother in laws in Western Australia, I did not go to hospital as she thinks I'm always unwell. I just put up with it as best I could until they ruptured. At the time I was on flagyl, cipro and humira.

Some people only have one or two ever, others for unknown reasons seem to have multiple and recurring bouts of perianal disease.

I suggest you go see your gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon, as if they can get it quick it may heal better.

 

[Sybil Vane]

I am officially using "undercarriage" in every one of my sentences from now on! :ybiggrin:

You can have many fistulae or abscesses happening at the same time and near to each other. One holiday I ended up with 2 very sore abscesses perianally and one recto-labial. It was like my whole undercarriage was a throbbing burning time bomb. I eventually got relief when they all discharged, but seeing as though I was staying at the mother in laws in Western Australia, I did not go to hospital as she thinks I'm always unwell. I just put up with it as best I could until they ruptured. At the time I was on flagyl, cipro and humira.

Some people only have one or two ever, others for unknown reasons seem to have multiple and recurring bouts of perianal disease.

I suggest you go see your gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon, as if they can get it quick it may heal better.

 

[Sybil Vane]

Hi Hannah and welcome to the Forum! I'm so sorry that a fistula has brought you here. I haven't had any surgeries but am dealing with a similar situation now. I agree that Flagyl and Cipro are usually the drugs prescribed to help. I'm seeing my surgeon on Thursday and will post back if I find out anything that might be helpful.

 

[Hannah89]

Thank you all for your replies! Can't believe what a relief it is to hear from others going through similar things. I always feel like I need to sugar coat everything when I talk to my friends about anything Crohns related.

My abscess is quite uncomfortable, it's not big pain this time round , but I definitely do know about it. To be honest I'm not entirely sure what it looks like, I'm not quite that flexible and if I'm totally honest I think I'm too worried to check in case I'll see something horrific like the last one

I spoke to my gi today who agreed with you all, that penicillin will probably do nothing ( I've been on it a week now but my abscess hasn't got bigger or smaller).I also have an appointment with her about it on Thursday. Hopefully we will get some positive news about our abscess'/fistulas then.

I'm supposed to go on my first holiday a week tomorrow with my boyfriend and I'll be so gutted if I have to miss it because I need an op ASAP.

Trying to think positive x

 

[Hannah89]

Thank god for husbands (and partners) ! the things they do for us.

Always thinking this. I'm worried if I show my boyfriend 1 more gross thing he'll realise he's still young & has time to get out! fingers crossed he's not that bright...

 

[Sybil Vane]

LOL!! My sister told me to hide my Crohn's symptoms from my husband (we've been married for 16 years) and I said, "Our house is small and we have two bathrooms. I'm not sure I could hide the horror of Crohn's even if we lived in a mansion."

Always thinking this. I'm worried if I show my boyfriend 1 more gross thing he'll realise he's still young & has time to get out! fingers crossed he's not that bright...

 

[annawato]

Always thinking this. I'm worried if I show my boyfriend 1 more gross thing he'll realise he's still young & has time to get out! fingers crossed he's not that bright...

:rof:

 

[Herd12]

Hannah I am 18 yrs old and I had this very same thing, twice! But each time it occured it eventually ruptured. To prevent them from coming back i had surgery 7 months ago and I still am experiencing certain things I don't feel I should be. I thought I was the only one on earth who had ever gone through such a thing! I hope yours gets better!

Kate

 

[Jaano711]

I dont know about you all, but it nearly killed me not to be able to look at the buggers. I tried mirrors and everything else i could think of, i even tried to take a photo of it using my prhone, but it never worked. I think i only ever revealed my pus filled undercarraige to my husband in its full gorey glory on a couple of occasions. He never seemed to be disturbed by it any where near as much as I was.

I am very lucky my husband has known avout my Crohns from the start. It has lead to us changing plans and missing out on things, but if your butt is being a real pain in the butt then you are probably better off at home than on holiday and ending up with a problem and having to trust some other medico to look after it. Will you really relax and have a great time away if you don't feel well?

If the BF understands he is the right guy for you, if he doesn't then flick him and find someone caring and able to consider your needs as well as their own. But as you say, most of them are not that smart, especially when they are in love.

Good Luck
Janette

 

[Hannah89]

Hannah I am 18 yrs old and I had this very same thing, twice! But each time it occured it eventually ruptured. To prevent them from coming back i had surgery 7 months ago and I still am experiencing certain things I don't feel I should be. I thought I was the only one on earth who had ever gone through such a thing! I hope yours gets better!

Kate

Sorry to hear you're having troubles too!

About 7yrs ago when I had mine removed, I was under ga and they effectively scooped out the abscess and then I spent about 3 months stuffing it with gauze until I was left with a sort of circular scar. If our don't mind me asking did you have similar treatment?

What sort of things are you experiencing now? Mine does still ooze from time to time, have you had any problems with this happening to you too?

Sorry for my lack of correct terms , it's such a relief to hear I am not the only one going through this too!

Hannah

 

[Hannah89]

I dont know about you all, but it nearly killed me not to be able to look at the buggers. I tried mirrors and everything else i could think of, i even tried to take a photo of it using my prhone, but it never worked. I think i only ever revealed my pus filled undercarraige to my husband in its full gorey glory on a couple of occasions. He never seemed to be disturbed by it any where near as much as I was.

I am very lucky my husband has known avout my Crohns from the start. It has lead to us changing plans and missing out on things, but if your butt is being a real pain in the butt then you are probably better off at home than on holiday and ending up with a problem and having to trust some other medico to look after it. Will you really relax and have a great time away if you don't feel well?

If the BF understands he is the right guy for you, if he doesn't then flick him and find someone caring and able to consider your needs as well as their own. But as you say, most of them are not that smart, especially when they are in love.

Good Luck
Janette

Aw you sound like you've found yourself a very understanding hubby
I try not to not let my crohns stop my plans as much as I can but I know myself that isn't always possible. If my doctor thought I was better off not going or if my body was showing me signs of that then I would definitely not risk anything.

Fortunately I was told that it looks as though I do not have a second fistula.MY GI told me it looks more like the tract going to my current fistula may just be infected which has caused it to swell. I am on some more antibiotics now, metronidazole. Fingers crossed that will sort it! Very relieved to hear it doesn't look/feel like another fistula, but very aware there is no way of telling for sure at the moment and there is still the potential for it to all go Pete Tong!

Thanks Janette, I hope he is too stupid and in love He is always very good at looking after me during flare ups and I know he'd be telling me we had to stay home if I hinted that may be the right thing for me.

Can I ask, with a fistula, have you always found them quite painful?

(Apologies for the delay in response I did type a pretty long response a few days ago but somehow deleted it instead of submitting it. Still getting to grips with our Apple computer I think haha).

Hope you are well.

Hannah. x

 

[Jaano711]

My fistulas were only painful when they were forming an abscess, otherwise they just leaked fluid and gas.

Glad thing seeming better. You enjoy that holiday.

 

[annawato]

So happy to hear its not another fistula. Have a fun holiday.
:heart: anna

 

[Herd12]

Sorry to hear you're having troubles too!

About 7yrs ago when I had mine removed, I was under ga and they effectively scooped out the abscess and then I spent about 3 months stuffing it with gauze until I was left with a sort of circular scar. If our don't mind me asking did you have similar treatment?

What sort of things are you experiencing now? Mine does still ooze from time to time, have you had any problems with this happening to you too?

Sorry for my lack of correct terms , it's such a relief to hear I am not the only one going through this too!

Hannah

I had mine completely "cut out" I guess you could say....but they didn't pack it. It has just been left open and healing from the bottom up. I'm experiencing now oozing every now and then, which I feel like I shouldn't be. Kinda sounds like we have the same problem.

Kate