u/Economy-Ad-5313

Hi, hope you're all well! I (26F) had a horseshoe perianal abscess drained 6 days ago and left with pretty much no care advice. I was reviewed by the nurse 48 hours later and she told me the wounds (around half inch on both inner buttocks and half inch away from the anus) are healing nicely. They are very shallow so no need for packing. They are still occasionally discharging some yellow/smelly pus and pinkish fluid.

Should I keep them open with a liner to collect the discharge or cover with an absorbent dressing?

I am finishing a course of antibiotics!

Thanks 🙏

Had an I&D under GA 4 days ago, have two wounds for a horseshoe abscess.

The pain is not so much at the incision sites but at the BH. Anyone else experienced something similar?

According to the nurse, the wounds are quite superficial so don't require packing. Unfortunately due to the proximity to the BH, keeping them clean and taking care of them is extremely difficult and I'm dreading every single BM.

Been using the shower head and patting dry after every visit to the toilet but this is making me feel so depressed. The wounds are still discharging a mix of blood and pus?

Also, not being able to sit and not much if an appetite is really affecting me. I am also taking some antibiotics which are messing up my gut and causing stomach issues (metronidazole and co-amox). I spoke to my GP today who was useless and said to just continue with the courses.

Any tips/ideas/guidance would be amazing 🙏

hi, just wondering if anyone has had a horseshoe perianal abscess drained? writing this from the hospital bed!

any advice or shared experience would be lovely to hear!

26F, UK, seem by Colorectal Surgeon (CRS)

I have always had constipation on and off my entire life. Fast forward to April, I had an abscess, antibiotics and it resolved. Since then I started having severe pain passing stool and they would be very small and narrow, with stool softeners. But so incredibly painful. Saw a CRS, initially thought there could be a fistula so waited to refer me for an MRI scan and maybe colonoscopy. Saw a different CRS who said there's no signs of any fistula or abscess and I have levator ani syndrome due to the severe pain and tightness felt during the exam.

After some research, I do have a lot of the symptoms however I feel the pain directly in the anal area, specifically at my right upper quadrant area. If a doctor was looking it would be at 12-3 o'clock. It hurts when passing stool and feels sore and almost cut? But there is no fissure. I get relief when laying on my left side and pain is worse on sitting. I'm also a very anxious person and have realised I'm clenching almost 24/7.

Does this sound like levator ani syndrome? Or maybe something underlying along with levator ani syndrome?

Any help would be appreciated!!!

Hi, hoping to get some advice!

Background: 26F, UK NHS, abscess burst and spontaneously drained about 1 month ago with antibiotics 🥲

Current situation: I saw a colorectal surgeon (CRS) last week, he did an internal assessment and thinks there is a fistula but still maturing since it has only been a month. He wants me to have a MRI to map out the tracts before planning surgery 🫣. Since the appointment, I've been having some pain and discomfort. Not sure if this has irritated the area and the abscess is redeveloping or if the area is just more sensitive? Maybe it has just flared up the haemorrhoids or just internal sphincter spasms? BMs are hurting a lot 😫!! And are very narrow, I'm also taking a daily Laxido (Macrogol).

Has anyone experienced anything similar? How do you know when it's time to head to A&E/ER or if it's better to wait for the CRS follow up? I hated being dismissed and sent back with antibiotics 😭. I went to the GP who has given a trial of Rectogesic (GTN) for the pain and Uniroid suppositories (Hydrocortisone). They have helped a little bit but the pain is still there, more if a constant dull ache around the BH 🥲.

The CRS is fully booked until mid June. Should I try and chase them up and ask to be reviewed by a different CRS? I would prefer to stick with the previous one due to continuity of care but would rather have this sorted ASAP 🙏. I can't help but spiral!! Any distraction techniques would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you! Wishing you all the best! ✨

(26F UK) have always suffered from constipation and bowel issues for as long as I can remember. I've always been petite and naturally low appetite and very picky with food so this doesn't help things either. for the last 4/5 years I've struggled with haemorrhoids and fissures and took laxido on and off. Now I'm finding that 1 sachet of laxido causes diarrhea, and no laxido causes a blockage.

After doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that I have an outlet obstruction issue? Possibly anismus, especially since passing even slightly formed stools is incredibly difficult and very painful. It's hard for me to relax and I've tried everything e.g. sitz baths, squatty potty, belly breathing and the stool barely passes out if it formed. Only hot sitz baths help pass stool and even then it feels like something is tearing but no visible bleeding. I suspected a fissure due to the ripping like pain when passing stool but the GP said there was no signs of a fissure. I pushed for a trial of rectogesic to help with the tight sphincter feeling.

Anyone else in a similar position? Any advice? I am currently under investigation for a anal abscess/fistula and am waiting for further testing so hopefully this will help figure out what's going on.

I can't help but spiral 🥲 I would definitely appreciate some similar stories/positive outcomes!

I (26F UK) have always suffered from constipation and bowel issues for as long as I can remember. I've always been petite and naturally low appetite and very picky with food so this doesn't help things either. for the last 4/5 years I've struggled with haemorrhoids and fissures and took laxido on and off. Now I'm finding that 1 sachet of laxido causes diarrhea, and no laxido causes a blockage.

After doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that I have an outlet obstruction issue? Possibly anismus, especially since passing even slightly formed stools is incredibly difficult and very painful. It's hard for me to relax and I've tried everything e.g. sitz baths, squatty potty, belly breathing and the stool barely passes out if it formed. Only hot sitz baths help pass stool and even then it feels like something is tearing but no visible bleeding. I suspected a fissure due to the ripping like pain when passing stool but the GP said there was no signs of a fissure. I pushed for a trial of rectogesic to help with the tight sphincter feeling.

Anyone else in the same position? Any advice? I am currently under investigation for a anal abscess/fistula and am waiting for further testing so hopefully this will help figure out what's going on.

I can't help but spiral 🥲 I would definitely appreciate some similar stories/positive outcomes!

My GP referred me (routinely) to a specialist through NHS right to choose. The options are the local NHS hospitals and some private ones. If I was to select a private hospital, would all the consultations and tests be available on my NHS record to follow up with the GP? Or would it be available through the private hospital only?

The next available appointments for the NHS hospitals are around 68 days, the private hospital says 4 days. ☹️

And just to confirm, all tests/consultations/procedures done will be through the private hospital but will be free of charge via NHS?? That sounds like a dream??

I (26F UK) have always suffered from constipation and bowel issues for as long as I can remember. I've always been petite and naturally low appetite and very picky with food so this doesn't help things either. for the last 4/5 years I've struggled with haemorrhoids and fissures and took laxido on and off. Now I'm finding that 1 sachet of laxido causes diarrhea, and no laxido causes a blockage.

After doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that I have an outlet obstruction issue? Possibly anismus, especially since passing even slightly formed stools is incredibly difficult and very painful. It's hard for me to relax and I've tried everything e.g. sitz baths, squatty potty, belly breathing and the stool barely passes out if it formed.

Anyone else in the same position? Any advice? I am currently under investigation for a anal abscess/fistula and have a MRI and colonoscopy upcoming so hopefully this will also help figure out what's going on.

I can't help but spiral 🥲 I would definitely appreciate some similar stories/positive outcomes!