Hemorrhoid or abscess

Digestive health
1

I am 34 and have never had a problem with hemorrhoids. I was pregnant 4 years ago and acquired a rectal tear. I developed a skin tag. 3 months ago I noticed the area around the tag was painful hard and swollen and seem to be discharging a foul smelling clearing red liquid.

I was refered to a GI facility. I explained what the issue was as the dr looked at the area and told me it was a hemorrhoid, and since I mentioned blood on the tissue paper she scheduled a colonoscopy. I believed the blood was from the tear but she wanted to make sure. 

After the the colonoscopy the tag (or hemorrhoid) became double in size. If was hot to the touch and after a month of constant secretion of rust colored thick fluid I began not believing this was in fact hemorrhoid.  I finally pushed on it while looking in a mirror and saw the rust colored fluid exiting from my anus. I separated my skin and pushed again to see it coming out of the tear I mentioned earlier. 

I felt immense relief until the next morning. It was bigger than ever. I walked my kids to the carnival in town and home again. Looked in the mirror and there was a white line down the center and very hot and sensitive . They begged me to take them back later when dad got off work so I decided to deal with it. The kids and I went down the superslide. The last bump ruptured it. I had to walk them home right away and my undies were soiled with puss and blood. 

I went back to the same GI today after 3 hours of painful sleep and constant discharge. I was again told it was a hemorrhoid and that I needed surgery to remove it. 

Im worried that this is something more than a hemorrhoid. The dr didn't do a digital exam ever. Didn't test the fluid coming out of me. I fell like she sent me for a needless colonoscopy and now for a surgery that's not fitting the problem. 

does this sound like a hemorrhoid or an abscess?   What can I say to make my dr hear me? If she had seen it on Saturday maybe it would be different. All I got today was her commenting on how she's glad it's draining and if I don't have a fever it's not an issue. Do I really have to wait for it to enter my bloodstream before It gets attention. Help! Advice andunderstanding is needed. 

2

Hi K L A

First of all, don't despair. Problems back there make us all desperate and suck our life out of us so don't panic, it is a natural response to a first time incident in that area.

It could be many things, if you don't trust her opinion get a second one.

In the meantime try sitz baths (sitting in a warm water tub - google it) It should help relieve inflammation. Keep that area squeaky clean and use wet wipes instead of paper.

It could be either an external hemmie, an abscess, or even an annoying spot at the wrong place. Hemmies shouldn't have puss.

Generally my opinion is that general practice docs suck at stuff like this. No need to worry but I'd try to get the opinion of a proctologist (colorectal surgeon) or gastroenterologist.

Alternatively go for an older more experienced GP..

Finally, even though that area is very sensitive mechanically, it is also very resilient in terms of fighting infection. Most hemmie surgeries don't even need antibiotics and the sutures tear open most the time, and that is expected and normal. So don't panic, try to get a specialist or more experienced opinon, take things easy and try to keep things as painless and unswollen as possible (no straining at the toilet, no constipation  and no lifting)

Good luck!

3

upon second examination:

the colonoscopy was not worthless, it was to rule out cancer etc, so that's one thing you don't need to worry about now.

Hard swollen skin tag = thrombosed external hemmorhoid, properly called perianal hematoma. The clot must have burst but not all of it pushed out so it sounds like a bit of surgicel cleaning up there might just do the trick

Don't panic, its nothing, just very paintful before it actually burst.

Good lucK!

4

PS by surgical cleanup I mean let the docs do it don't mess around there by yourself!