by reelak » 21 Feb 2016, 06:05
I had a fistulotomy a month ago and a cutting seton placed near sphincter for a second fistula. The fistula that was cut open is healing nicely (takes time) but the cutting seton is so painful. I have been able to work most of the last month. My job is a rural mail carrier, which requires lifting and driving, with a lot of in and out of the car and twisting to do the job. Frog legged on bed or easy chair is about the only comfort I get. The pain meds help but constipate. So I try to limit them.
I had the cutting seton tightened last Monday (1 week ago) for the first time, and it kept me in bed most of the week - very painful. The seton is deep inside so they put me under general anesthesia to do the tightening.
I had recurring perianal and perirectal abcesses and surgeries once or twice a year since 2009. They could never find the other end of fistula, or they formed later - but finally found the larger one last August 2015 and am hoping this cures it.
Sitting is the worst, but urination hurts each time for a few days. The initial surgery kept me bed bound a full week with gradual getting around the next 2 weeks (both fistulotomy and cutting seton at same time).
Tightening the cutting seton, it looks like I will lose 3 - 5 days work each go.
This really sucks as I am the only source of income (my wife has disabling epilepsy which has not responded to medication or implant).
My surgeon thinks I will avoid incontinence (phew) but expects this to take several more tightenings to cut thru.
I'm glad to find this forum - this is about the worst thing I could imagine and the pain is for real - constant, almost as bad as the abcess pain but with eventual relief with meds.