I have Crohn's and have had 2 setons in place for 6 months while I wait for Remicade to hopefully shrink my fistulas. I can't comment on the constipation issue as I didn't have that problem but I'll share this...
Setons are challenging to your peace of mind, hygiene, and health. You have digestive acids and fecal particles slowly draining onto your skin and that can lead to skin irritation. Additionally, the seton material can cause friction pain in your butt cheeks if you walk vigorously or walk a lot. I find that talking wide strides or stretching my legs in any way causes the setons to pull on the skin that it goes through which also causes pain. Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, the setons make it very difficult to wipe effectively after a bowel movement because they can interfere with wiping motion while using toilet paper.
Given all that here are some recommendations:
1) Buy a bidet. Having fecal matter stuck in your butt because you couldn't wipe well smells terrible, feels gross, and can lead to infection. I've put some links at the bottom of this message for affordable bidets you can install on your toilet or a portable bidet to use on the go. The stream of water will clean you very well after a bowel movement and then just use TP to pat yourself dry. If you have a removable shower head you can use that to wash yourself after a bowel movement if you don't want to install a bidet. I highly recommend the portable bidet. I take mine with me whenever I'm away from home and can carry it discretely in a small tote bag. If I need to move my bowels I can still clean myself properly.
2) Take long baths daily. Your doctor probably recommended a sitz bath a few times per day for 15 minutes but I found that minimally helpful. I found true relief in soaking in a hot tub morning and night each day for as long as my schedule would allow. While in the tub palpate and press gently on any remaining abcesses to help them drain. I'd read in the tub, browse Reddit, watch Netflix, etc. often spending 90 minutes in a hot/warm bath because it felt so good.
3) Carry protective pads. Some people like large gauze pads. I found it easier to use panty liners. Your drainage will smell and stain your clothes off you don't protect them. I through 2-3 pads per day now but was definitely more when my drainage was heavier. I keep a few in the portable bidet tote bag in case I need a fresh pad while I'm away from home.
4) Be careful about the ibuprofen use - and get a colonoscopy. When I came down with abcesses and they found my fistulas my colorectal surgeon didn't think I had Crohn's because I didn't have a lot of common symptoms. It wasn't until we did a colonoscopy a few months after the seton placement that I learned that I actually do have Crohn's. NSAID's aggravate Crohn's so it might be prudent to switch to Tylenol until Crohn's is ruled out in your case.
5) Calmoseptine Ointment. It's such a great barrier in protecting your skin from moisture irritation. It's like diaper cream with super powers. But if you find yourself without Calmoseptine diaper cream is better than nothing.
6) You may need to choose different exercises for now. As I wrote above, the setons limit my range of motion and cause friction between my butt cheeks so running is an absolute no no. I've even had to modify my walking gait whereby I have shortened my stride considerably and walk at a slower pace.
I'm sorry to dump all this on you. It's an overwhelming time and throwing all this info at you may just make you feel more overwhelmed. But I hope that you'll come to find this information helpful and that it helps you maintain your dignity and sanity as you wait for the fistulas to heal.
Bidet links: I own #2 and #3
1 - Base $35 model, cold water only https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A0RHSJO
2 - Deluxe $60 model, hot and cold water. Note that you'll need a hot water line close enough to the bidet to be able to run a line from the hot water source to the bidet. Check your bathroom before buying. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A0RX2UI
3 - Travel Bidet:
Not as effective as the built in models but I'm oh so glad to have it when I have to move my bowels if I'm not at home. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CSDKSQ
This is the type of thing I was talking about
I just ordered a portable one to try it out:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008CSDKSQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I rent and the plumbing is really old so I'm a little concerned I'd strip/break the connections somehow. I can also use warm water. Anyone else use a portable?
It's worth it. Have had it on all my toilets for years. Even when I was renting. One of the first things I asked the property manager was if I can install a bidet.
There are portable bidets that work on gravity and a little squeeze. I always bring it when I travel. Better than nothing.
Travel bidet I bought - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CSDKSQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
A travel bidet keeps you clean & fresh, with no need to carry soiled TP: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008CSDKSQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You can buy a small dry stick antiperspirant, cut off most of it, and apply it every 2 days to drastically reduce the BO smell. Not that heavy.
Backcountry bidet, but only for camping where there's no toilets. No TP garbage and cleans your nether regions really well! I have the Brondell GoSpa
I use this whenever I'm away from home and am very pleased with it. The Hygiena Solo had the advantage of being very discrete but I think that the plastic of many soda bottles may not be pliant enough. The Brondell is made from a super soft plastic so it's easy to squeeze. Additionally, the Brondell has an air valve at the bottom so it turns to shape, ready for another squeeze immediately. I just keep it in a small tote bag and take it with me when I go to the bathroom. Best $11 I ever spent as it keeps me clean when I'm at the office every day
i carry this with me to work.