I just had a rectovaginal fistula repair surgery done by my gynecological surgeon who has a good reputation in our area. (This is my first surgery and I have been relatively healthy until last January when I lost alot of energy and my immunity was unexplainably low after catching a virus.)
It has been 6 weeks since this surgery. This past week, it has actually been harder to sit! Like I have digressed. I did lift a Christmas tree along a very long hallway, and perhaps that I strained myself a few days ago, but I feel swelling and pain.
My doctor didn't tell me to take sitz baths, post-surgery. I have been reading on forums that this is a must and I think about these past 6 weeks where I have been keeping the anal area clean, taking showers each day and baths most nights - but not 3 and 4 times a day.
I took a week off of work after the surgery and then worked one week from home. Then it was off to the office, sitting normal, and taking ibuprofen.
When I went for my month-past surgery check-up, he said I was healing fine.
I said, "what about my butt? This thing back here?" He said, "oh that's just an external hemorrhoid." Again, I've been reading forums, and wondering if it is a perianal skin tag? Or a 'crypt' (read in a forum) that is swelling with another infection?
It was the week after that "everything is just fine" check-up visit when my pain began.
It feels like the whole back area is swelled. A throbbing pain that can only be fixed with 3-4 200MG ibuprofens two times a day.
I have been taking stool softeners faithfully up until 2 weeks ago. Now, this past week, I started taking them steadily, again. 6 weeks later? Is this normal?
I fear that soft, stool from the stool softeners may have caused another infection. But if I stop taking them, will it be worse?
I'm going back to my gyno surgeon to have him inspect, but I am thinking I should find a colo-rectal surgeon immediately. Any and all thoughts welcome. (I do not have Crohn's as far as I know, but would not be surprised if I am eventually diagnosed with this.)
It has been 6 weeks since this surgery. This past week, it has actually been harder to sit! Like I have digressed. I did lift a Christmas tree along a very long hallway, and perhaps that I strained myself a few days ago, but I feel swelling and pain.
My doctor didn't tell me to take sitz baths, post-surgery. I have been reading on forums that this is a must and I think about these past 6 weeks where I have been keeping the anal area clean, taking showers each day and baths most nights - but not 3 and 4 times a day.
I took a week off of work after the surgery and then worked one week from home. Then it was off to the office, sitting normal, and taking ibuprofen.
When I went for my month-past surgery check-up, he said I was healing fine.
I said, "what about my butt? This thing back here?" He said, "oh that's just an external hemorrhoid." Again, I've been reading forums, and wondering if it is a perianal skin tag? Or a 'crypt' (read in a forum) that is swelling with another infection?
It was the week after that "everything is just fine" check-up visit when my pain began.
It feels like the whole back area is swelled. A throbbing pain that can only be fixed with 3-4 200MG ibuprofens two times a day.
I have been taking stool softeners faithfully up until 2 weeks ago. Now, this past week, I started taking them steadily, again. 6 weeks later? Is this normal?
I fear that soft, stool from the stool softeners may have caused another infection. But if I stop taking them, will it be worse?
I'm going back to my gyno surgeon to have him inspect, but I am thinking I should find a colo-rectal surgeon immediately. Any and all thoughts welcome. (I do not have Crohn's as far as I know, but would not be surprised if I am eventually diagnosed with this.)