Rectovaginal Fistula...

I have one, no surgery. I've been lucky in that it closed up when I was on remicade. It opened back up recently during this horrible flare. I started having the usual symptoms (you know what they are) but it's actually gotten better since I'm not having diarrhea run through me like water. I also had a remicade infusion while I was in the hospital. I live with mine and I will try as long as I can to put off surgery. Is surgery the only option they discussed with you?

Is it actually rectovaginal? They called mine that for awhile but mine is actually going to the bartholin gland right next to it. I don't know about surgery for the rectovaginal fistula but surgery isn't really a good option for me. It depends on how superficial the fistula is...basically how many layers of rectal muscle it goes through. Mine goes through at least two so they tell me that if I have surgery there is a chance I'll be incontinent...which is not an option for me at 26. I'm sure they will want to try medications first even if you have a surgery consult. Hopefully something like Remicade will close it up for you. Remicade didn't work for me and Cimzia hasn't helped yet so I am just dealing with it for now. That doesn't mean that they won't work for you though :P

I can barely deal with what I have (it's been about a year and a half), I don't think I would be able to deal with a rectovaginal fistula. Lots of hugs to you!!!