Don't wait
Here I am, recovering at home after a surgery admission to drain an anal abscess that measured 8cm x 6cm x2cm. I'm praying no fistula, but the surgeon said the tissue was so inflamed he could not be sure at this time.
This is by third one in about 10 years. I had a large one drained in a colorectal surgeons office in 2006. No fistula, perhaps due to following all post-drainage instructions like reading a bible. I had another in 2023; fairly small in comparison and healed quickly.
But this one, this is the GOAT of abscesses. Felt a large but painless lump on a Sunday. Wasn't sure it was an abscess due to no pain, but by Thursday it was keeping me up at night. Fever, extreme pain, and spreading in size down towards my female areas. By Saturday, I knew things were dire and headed to the ER. After an examination and a CT, I was immediately scheduled for surgery that day. Two hours later I was out of the OR feeling AMAZING compared to the previous week. Interestingly, the surgeon has different instructions than the first colorectal surgeon, to include using my clean finger in the shower to ensure the incision remains open and draining.
Unless you have had one, you have absolutely no idea the pain that sneaks up on you and becomes unbearable. You reach a point you do not care who sees your butthole, puts a finger in it to check for fissures, etc. You flat out do not care, so long as you get relief.
I pray everyone hear heals quickly, including myself.