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Possible vaginal fistula - need help!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/15/2010 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder if the bleeding I'm experiencing is not a delayed period (after 10 days, I should be done) ... or a fistula. 6 weeks ago, I got an abscess or a node thing on my tailbone which drained on top of the skin and another three inches to the right on my lower back that swelled and hurt so much but drained internally.  Sore for weeks and could hardly walk. Never saw a doc.

Finishing my period, thinking it was done, my husband and I had intercourse.  Following, I went to the bathroom and all this dried blood came out. Never in 25 years have I seen this! Very deep red/brown. Then two blood clots the size of nickles. I had fibroids years ago so I didn't think anything of it.  Today I am staining tampons but just on the bottom end - what is up ( or down ;) ) with that? Had excrutiating abdominal pain this AM after eating but no bowel movement ... had loose stools yesterday for first time in weeks.  Have had pain upper left flank and around belly button off and on for a week.  

Confused ....

Any ideas?  The blood is new and different for this Crohnie ... all else I can kind of wrap my head around ... hmmmm.  No fever, it broke 5 days ago when I went on probiotic and antibiotic for pulpitis (tooth infection).

Thanks!

Posted 12/15/2010 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my, why no doctor call?

I have never had a fistula, but it sounds like the last few weeks for you have been really tough. I hope someone here has some BTDT advice, but I still think you should be asking your GI.
Posted 12/15/2010 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
I just tried to put in a tampon and tried just the tip and a circle stain on one side made an impression ... I guess I have some sort of sore. Maybe from an ulcer as I've had vaginal ulcers before ... or an abscess or a fistula? The dried blood was the sore trying to heal and the clot I guess was the sore coming 'undone' ... and just took my temp and spiking a low grade now ... calling the doc ... thanks kasbern!

Feeling really bummed ... I JUST GOT MARRIED if you know what I mean!!!!

And for the last week I was feeling so good. I have created a playlist on youtube.com of fun songs I play while at home to keep my spirits up ... playing Kung Fo Fighting now ... fun!

Post Edited (champagnekindofgal) : 12/15/2010 3:36:56 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/16/2010 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have a small Recto-Vaginal fistula - my only symptom is that I pass "gas" through it - I would tend to have it raise it's ugly head when I would flare with the Crohn's and also when I ovulated.

Now that I am taking Methotrexate it has definitely healed it up that I haven't had any problems with it in quite a while. I saw my Gyno first in regards to it and then he recommended I let my GI deal with the meds for it as I have Crohn's.

I would definitely call a Dr. - maybe your Gyno and possibly see them first to make sure it isn't anything else related to another problem??

Always good to at least see a Dr. so that if something get's worse they can see a pattern.
Posted 12/16/2010 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I would go see your ObG. I have a perianal fistula, which is bad enough. I've always (like every woman with Crohn's) feared a rv fistula! But... from my perianal fistula I experience gas bubbles, mucous and some stool/drainage. So, if you've got one in your vaginal canal, I would expect that whenever you pass gas, you would feel it coming through the vaginal canal. That's my first thought, maybe it's encouraging. But, honestly, I'd see your ObG and tell him/her that you have Crohn's. They can rule out a fistula also, or at least check into it for you. But, if it's a female problem, not a fistula, then you've got someone who can really get in to find the issue.

Good luck! Hang in there... I hope they find a solution soon for you!
Posted 12/16/2010 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Well, thanks everyone ... I saw my GP today. She is a great doc, new to me, but doesn't seem very knowledgeable about Crohn's. She did not see any pocket of inflammation or abscess/fistula ... spectulum ... thinks that maybe it is a fibroid problem or maybe a "latent" infection from either a past partner on my side or my husbands ... ???? So she took some cultures and I think I'll see what comes back and then go from there with the ultrasound she wants to have scheduled. I showed her scaring on my lower back from two what I think are Crohn's related Erythema Nodosom's ... she said she never heard Crohn's causing that and thought it was an infected hair follical ... so maybe she is right, but there are too many missing pieces. Maybe I'm reading too much into it too. As we all know, time will tell. Did I mention I keep having a rash on my cheeks?

Thanks for your replies ... I'll keep you posted with any results. At least I know it is not an active abscess or fistula at the moment.
Posted 12/16/2010 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
champagne: you need to see your gastro doc - most ob/gyns wouldn't recognize a vaginal fistula unless they work in a teaching hospital/clinic and have a lot of female patients referred to them from the gastro docs.
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