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another fistula question

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Posted 12/8/2010 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
So I have read some of the other post about fistulas but I didnt really get an answer to my question. I'm wondering if you can have a fistula that does not break through to the skin and not know it ?

If you do have a fistula like that would you be pretty sick ? Ex ... have a high fever, pain, anything like that ? How would you know if you had a fistula if it never broke through to the skin ?

Thanks for you thoughts !!

Jules

Posted 12/8/2010 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I think it's possible to have a fistula and not know it.

Doctors saw some of mine, by colonosopy, when they were still forming, and hadn't "gone" far yet. And I've had others discovered, under examination by anaesthetic, after they healed - I believe the surgeons recognised them by their scar tissue.

They can also be seen on MRIs.

Why do you ask, Jules? Are you concerned about your own body?
Posted 12/8/2010 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Daisyrambler: you can have all kinds of fistulas. Its just an unnatural connection between two parts that shouldn't be connected, so you can have a fistula between your bowel and your bladder for example and a woman can have one between bowel and vagina . If that was the case you would probably be aware of it. And of course the ones that come out to the surface of the skin must take some time to get there so you could have one on its way.

What I noticed first of all was a swelling which was an abscess, it became painful and i had a temperature and my CRP shot up and I felt very unwell, but it was trying to find its way out and eventually it burst. At that point you could call it a fistula.

Perhaps you could explain what it is that makes you wonder if you have a fistula, what are your symptoms, have you had one before, have you had any operations, etc etc, because you may have nothing at all, or something different. Lets hope its nothing!
Posted 12/8/2010 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well I am thinking that I may have one .... I pray I dont !!! I have read on here that when you have air or pass gas from your vagina that you may have a fistula between your bowel and vagina. And I have done that a few times. And I know sorry TMI but I feel like I have had a more discharge then I should. I have been a lot more tired then normal and passing a lot more gas but other then that nothing out of the norm. No fever that I know of ...

If you have a fistula does it mean surgery ?

I know I need to call my doctor .. I will call him today !!

thanks
Posted 12/8/2010 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
O and I have never had a fistula before. I have had two operations, one in 2000 to remove an ovarian cysts and a c section in feb. of this year. I was on remicade but they are switching me to cimzia because I had serum sickness from remicade.
Posted 12/8/2010 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Daisy, definitely get it checked.

My recto-vaginal fistula developed around 13 yrs ago. They have never found it, to my knowledge, although both the GI and the Gyno have looked for it. I do not remember any fever or extra pain in that area and the only reason I know that I have it is if I am trying to hold back either a BM or a fart, it will sometimes come out of my vagina. Neither Dr believed me at first until I was having a PAP smear, on the table, in the position and a fart came out. Extremely embarrasing, but all she said was I guess you do and tried to find it again, but couldn't. I know that is way TMI, but I've always thought of mine as an overflow drain. It's not really used unless it can't get out any other way.

I also have a rectal-anal fistula that is much more troublesome, but when the surgeon told me that there was only a 50/50 chance it would be healed with surgery, I opted to hold off. They may try you on Flagyl/Cipro at first to see if that would heal it and if not, possibly Humira or Remicade. They have shown the most promise with closing fistulas. Fistulas do not always mean surgery.

Good luck!
Posted 12/9/2010 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Grayeyedblonde, I to have a rectal-anal fistula. I had it for 3 years, with my GI Dr. electing to hold off surgery and treat it with medicine. It has not worked and I kept having reoccuring abcess's. I had a drain (rubber catherter) put in to help the draining. i grew tiredsome of walking around with a rubber tube sticking out. Painful at times. The cipro/flagyll combo def got old. Finally I had the surgery this past June, Its back now and I will have 2 more surgeries in january. though the pain from the surgery lasted about a week, the 3-4 months of sympton and pain free was somewhat worth it to me. :) Hopefully they can cure fistula's with medicine one day. good Luck!
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