by gizzard88 » 18 Jan 2018, 20:36
This board has helped me a lot through my fistula. Here is my story as another point of reference.
In Oct 2017, I noticed a growing pain in my butt crack (up towards the back). 3 days later, in extreme pain, I checked into urgent care. An abscess was identified and I was transferred to the local hospital where it was drained by a CRS (under local anesthesia). I was told by the CRS to rest and hope for the best.
1 week later the abscess healed. Two weeks after that I developed a small (pin head sized) hole 2 cm up from my butt hole. The hole produced pus and itched.
I waited two additional weeks and then returned to the CRS (late Nov 2017). Scheduled a Fistulotomy for early dec. Days before my surgery, the fistula closed. My CRS recommended we cancel the surgery (I was thrilled).
However, 1 week later it opened again. It then cycled between open and closed for the next month. I tried herbal meds to no luck. I then consulted with my CRS and re-scheduled the Fistulotomy for early Jan 2018.
The Surgery was easy. My first one. Woke up with sore hips and throat (from the positioning and the breathing tube). Was told that a Cutting seton was installed. Was told 3 weeks for it to drop. Went home same day (and then spent 2 hours reading about cutting setons on this board).
Here is my recovery story so far (keep in mind that I am a healthy 35 year old with no other issues):
Day 1: Surgery in the morning. No pain. Just really tired. Slept the rest of the day.
Day 2: Minor pain. Took 4 baths and spent most of the day in bed/bath.
Day 3: Same as day 2
Day 4: More pain, Took 4 baths and spent most of the day in bed/bath.
Day 5: Same as day 4
Day 6: Limited pain, lots of itching. Took 4 baths and spent most of the day in bed/bath.
Day 7: Major pain. Spent the entire day in the bath.
Day 8: Same a Day 2.
Day 9 Heavy itching, minor pain
Day 10: it fell out!
Day 11: Almost no pain. CRS confirmed that outer sphincter is strong. Gave thumbs up.
Notes: I believe that days 1 through 5, the seton was moving through my outer sphincter. Days 4 and 5 were bearable, but unpleasant (even with painkillers). Day 6, it sliced through the tissue between the sphincters. It moved almost a cm that day. Day 7 was really painful and bloody as the gash was now large. Day 8/9 it moved through my inner sphincter.
Pain control: For all 10 days, I was on ibuprofen + Acetaminophen, taking max daily doses of both.
Diet: Strict Soup, apples, and green veggies. Down to apple snacks all day + 1 soup/veggie meal for dinner. This helped minimize poops. Drank 3-4 liters of water day mixed with Chia seeds (for fiber). I lost 8 pounds in a week.
Stool softeners once a day.
Thoughts: My CRS used a rubber band seton and REALLY tightened it up on install. I believe this is why my experience was very painful, but quick (Relatively). 4 days after the seton fell out, I am now able to sit without issue. Butt hole still has a healing cut in the inner sphincter, but is holding pretty well (no issues holding farts or poops).
Not going to say this experience has been easy. However, I survived! My advice:
1. 1. Stay positive! (duh)
2. 2. Really force yourself to eat healthy. I think it helped a lot (although I have been dreaming about hamburgers for two weeks now).
3. 3. Anytime it hurts, just go float in the bath. Hot baths took all the pain away for me.
4. 4. Get Netflix, an ipad, and a bath trey to hold your ipad while you sit in the bath.
Last edited by
gizzard88 on 24 Jan 2018, 20:43, edited 1 time in total.