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Anul Fistula- Cutting Seaton

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Posted 4/6/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to this website and indeed new to blogs as a whole.

I have recently been diagnosed with an anal fistula, I am due to go in for an investigatory procedure to see quite how bad it is and if it stems off elsewhere.

The doc's have talked to me about a number of possible options and have thrown in words like: incontinence, colostomy bag's, minimum 6 weeks off work, major surgery and even counseling and home care!

I made another appointment to see a consultant for them to re-explain as I feel very confused and scared but I left feeling even worse. They said they don't know what to expect until they get in there.

As far as I can see, the best I can hope for is to have a cutting seaton and be back in work after 2 weeks, this sounded ok until they again started to talk about incontinence and leakage!

I am a 26-year-old female and am very concerned- not about the pain as I’m sure I can deal with this, but the possible side effects of the procedure.

I am aware that I may need more extensive surgery as due to my scaring from previous large abscesses; they think I am a chronic case. I am really confused and scared about the whole process from least/minimal case to most severe case of treatment.

Can anyone shed light on this please as I am worrying more and more every day and they (doc's) don’t seem to be helping to explain? What are the stats of long-term effects of this or other kinds of fistula treatment?

Plus if anyone can advise on any other non-surgical treatment that I can try along side this to help with the healing process.

Many thanks and I would be really grateful if anyone can help me.

confused
Posted 4/6/2011 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I know that this is overwhelming but try not to freak out to much...I know it is easier said than done, but I have found that the more I stress about something the worse I feel. I have had several anal abscesses as well as a fistula. Something that they gave me to try were suppositories, I think it was Canasa. These seemed to help me quite a bit. I lucked out and did not have to have a seaton so I can't tell you what to expect Don't hesitate to keep calling your doctor with questions, that is what they are there for. Good Luck!
Posted 4/7/2011 3:30 PM (GMT 0)

First of all big hugs, when being told about all scenario's it does sound very scary indeed.  I have had two anal fistula's, one which I had a seton in for about 10 years.  If this is what is advised for you, you will have leakage, its what the seton is for so that any mucky stuff can drain away.  It may mean that you have to have pads in your underwear or on light days just a bit of gauze.  Somedays there will be next to no drainage and perhaps just a tiny bit of discharge in your knicks.

I hope once the investigations have taken place it all becomes a lot clearer for you.

On a positive note, a couple of years ago I finally got funding from my local primary care trust to have Remicade.  I am a walking success of the drug in that the seton is out, the fistula's have healed and on a recent MRI scan there is no signs of infection/abcess, anything untoward at all.

There is always hope.  As Dizzybee said, stress triggers so much of our disease, try not to worry too much (I know that is so difficult to do).  Please post again if I can help any further.

Debbie

Posted 4/7/2011 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have a horseshoe fistula, which is feeding abscesses on both sides of my rectum. I have 2 setons, and it's honestly not too bad at this point. It took a few weeks, because I had some other complications. I definitely have drainage from the setons and I wear a lightdays pad in my underwear all the time. I find sitz baths to be super helpful. My setons are not cutting setons, I don't really know what the difference is. But my setons aren't too uncomfortable, and it's certainly better than when I had abscesses forming. I hope they get things figured out for you. Keep us posted on how you're doing :)
Posted 4/8/2011 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I just want to thank you both for replying. It may be strange to say but it's just nice to hear from people that have suffered with these things.

I guess I'm looking for answers that are on a case by case basis and I just need to wait and see and hope for the best.

Thank you again I appreciate any and all help and advise.

Have a good weekend x
Posted 4/8/2011 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
A cutting seaton is very similar to a seaton but it's like an elastic band that you have to have tightened once a week/fortnight so that it cuts into the skin and forces the fistula to be gradually cut out of the skin until it reaches the surface when they open the wound. The skin heals behind itself as it goes.

This is what I'm hoping for as it's the least amont of surgery etc but there is an increase in % chance of bowl movement issues in the future.

The human body is an odd thing!!!

I hope you will all be ok and thank you for your replies again.
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