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i have had my pouch for 23 years with only occasional pouchitis until now.  I have my first abscess.  It burst on its own and when I went to my doctor he said I needed a seton drain put in.  I have been reading nothing but horror stories about it so I was hoping someone had some good news to share.  Right now I haven't scheduled the surgery and don't want to.

anything positive would help.

 Thanks

lindsay

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I've had a fistula with seton in since '12 (RV).  I didn't want to get the seton, either, but it's really been a good thing for me.  No more abscessing, swelling, pain.  Yes, there is the yellow rubbery thing there, but I've made a decision to stick with it, since surgery - in my case - isn't very promising a cure (according to my surgeon).  So don't be afraid - - -

In 2007 I had a peri-anal abscess, diagnosed by MRI and a procedure to open the fistula and insert a seton. It took a while to get used to, I use a dilator and it made that more uncomfortable so I had the first seton replaced, then the second one broke and I had a third inserted, which I still have.

Apart from the hospital visits it's not been much bother - I only notice it when I wash that area. I do sometimes get a little nightime incontinenece (I use pads) but I also had that before so I don't know if the seton contributes. In my case the Doc reckons it's best left petmanently as my fistula runs through my sphincter muscles and any surgical intervention there risks causing more serious bowel incontinence.

Overall I'd say my abscess was far worse and the seton is just another thing I got used to, not as bad to live with as I imagined before I had it.

Last edited by Trojan

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