So, I was the lucky recipient of one of these a few months ago. Needles to say, it's been a long road to recovery, and it will be 5 months at the end of this month. The wound actually healed within a matter of weeks, and the doc doesn't think I have a fistula, but it's still fairly tender. Is this normal? Maybe I'm crazy, but I just can't help but think there's a fistula present. I think the paranoia and anxiety are worse than the physical problems. Any feedback is appreciated. These things are the worst!

I'm no expert but this may help ease your anxiety. I had an perianal abscess which was lanced and drained in Accident & Emergency and I was given a course of antibiotics. The relief was amazing, for a few days. Unfortunately the abscess was back in less than a week, worse than before, and I was back in A&E again and diagnosed with a fistula. I imagine that if you had a fistula the abscess would have reoccurred by now. Fistulas don't tend to heal themselves and 5 months is quite a long time without the abscess reoccurring. Just my two cents.

Hey, thanks for the reply. I hope you're right, this thing is a nightmare. I hope you're all healed as well. Take care.

How do you know that its an abscess and fistula, guys? My crs checked my fissure the other day and he thinks there's an abscess inside. I don't have fever, though, but he prescribed antibiotics. My ass has been tight, there are streaks of blood when I poop, and for two days, it was moist, and stinky, I had to occasionally wipe a see a pale red-brown moisture. I'm not sure if its pus or something.

What happened after it got drained? Did you require surgery?

My abscess presented itself on the surface of my skin as a purple bump at first. I thought it was a perianal hematoma, but I was obviously wrong. I never had any pain or blood during BMs, but the pain of the abscess became unbearable within a week or so. Fever and chills kicked in about 10 days after I noticed the initial bump, and that's when I decided to take drastic action since antibiotics were doing absolutely nothing. At least you have a CRS, the "doctor" that I saw was terrible. Keep an eye on it, and if becomes suddenly more painful / swollen, then you pretty much know you have an abscess. If that's the case, I would contact your CRS asap to get it lanced and drained. The sooner, the better in my opinion. Good luck, and get well soon.

My abscess presented as a v tender swelling. I also had a mucous discharge. After 5 days I couldn't sit or lie down or sleep with the pain. If you have an abscess you'll know about it.
I got it lanced and drained but it was back within a week so I had surgery and a seton put in. I would recommend to anyone with a perianal abscess to have it dealt with under general anesthetic, rather than getting it lanced and drained. That way it can be properly cleaned out and if there's a fistula they'll deal with it.
Getting it lanced and drained was extremely painful and only resulted in delaying the necessary surgery (and more time off work)