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Posted 11/27/2011 5:34 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, new on here and just wanted a little advice really about coping or dealing with the recovery of a fistual operation.  I had my op nearly two weeks ago now and i'm not in massive amounts of pain just really soar and unforcomfortable.  When i'm having my dressing and the packing done it;s really not nice and i have now restorted to taking co-codimal ( which has now bunged me up) so today has been awful i have  trouble going to the loo.  I feel really depressed about it all and i hate feeling crap and not being able to carry on as normal. I have two kids 6yrs and 2yrs, my husband took this last week off but going back to work now. so this week will be on my own -(. The whole experience is awful and what's even worse this is the first of probably another 3 operations. Having my bits cut and left open is just messing with my head and i hate it. I have had a Seton stitch put in, so that all needs to be sorted ect.  Just not sure i can do this and go through the next 4 odd months feeling so terrible. I know i don't have a life threatening problem but there is no 100% promise this will not reoccure. Sorry to sound sorry for myself just it's hard to explain to people who havent gone through this or going through it how difficult it is and ongoing and a long process, feel like i;m at the bottom of a mountain.  confused   

Posted 11/27/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am SO sorry for what you are going through!
Posted 11/28/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi friendly. Sorry you are going through this. It can be tough, and the pain can be intense at first, but it does taper down fairly quickly. I also found that after my first operation for a fistula some of the trouble was with the anxiety - it can be gross and disturbing for someone to cut things up down there. As time goes by you get used to the idea and the discomfort goes away. I hope I can help a bit by saying I have been through similar problems and it does get better. You do stand a chance of it recurring, but you also stand a chance of never having to deal with this problem again. I have also found it is much easier to go through the second time around because you know what to expect. You'll probably also find you feel better a lot sooner than the 4 months you are anticipating.

I hope you start feeling better soon. Keep taking your pain killers as needed, relax and let your husband do all the work for a while, and take some warm baths if you're allowed to! Also, don't forget to keep eating to get the nutrition you need, and stay hydrated. Best wishes!
Posted 11/28/2011 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry you feel so terrible right now..but it will get better hang in there....
Posted 11/28/2011 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to send you some (((BIG HUGS))), I am so sorry you are suffering so. I do have a suggestion, so that you can take your pain meds, and still be able to have a bm. I use stool softners nightly and they really help to draw water to your stool and make it softer and easier to pass. They are over the counter, so you can find them at any drug store. Colace is a brand name kind, but make sure its stool softners not laxatives and the generics work just as well. Hugs!
Posted 11/28/2011 8:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, thanks to you all that have responded to my self pity post.  I have stopped taking the Co-codimal and have had a more shall i dare say pleasant toliet experience today.  The pain  or maybe i should say soarness not as bad today, seeing the consultant on Wed for a 2 week post op check up. I guess we will discuss the next proceedure, which i have in my mind is going to be worse and i can't bear the thought of have another cut even nearer my bottom hole. Whats happens do they leave it all open from the actual bottom hole itself or close that bit up? sorry to be so graphic but i'm really worried. I never thought something like this could happen and i think you are right it;s anxiety of it all. Really nice to hear from someone who has been through this, hope you are all well now and it;s gone.  How many operations did you have.  I'm taken some stool softerners which not sure but think they are helping but do make me feel a little bloated.  The other main issue i have is that the dressing/packing the nurse puts into my incision comes out very easily, i;m having salt baths 2 even 3 per day to keep it clean. The nurses have said it;s nice a clean and starting to granulate nicely.  xxx

Posted 11/29/2011 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey friendlyfeline,

I can't say that I know what you are going through but I have had multiple abdominal/pelvic surgeries both lap and open and what you are describing is probably typical for recovery and the anxiety of "What if?" makes it so much worse. I was always worried about that "what if they didn't decide the problem correctly", "what if it returns", "Did they really know w hat they were doing" on an on.  I agree with the poster who said that if it does happen again it won't seem as bad because you will know what to expect.

I am curious about what led to your diagnosis though.  In 2007 I had a cyst full of "old" blood removed from my lower right groin (coincidentally the same side I had my initial complaint on)  They searched for an opening (looking for evidence of a fistula I guess) but never did find one. However, I know these openings can be tiny.  SO I have always wondered if this was a fistula or not.  Kind of odd place to develop a surface cyst. It increased in size from pea to large grape (noticeable if I had been wearing a tight swimsuit) over a few years, never paid much attention to it because several providers told me "oh, that's just a lipoma".  One doctor had a fit and told me to see a surgeon, which I did and the rest is history but I am still curious.  I am once again having some discomfort in this area.

Hope you're feeling better already. Its hard to concentrate on yourself when your children are so young

Root

Posted 11/29/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi rootsmith. 

about four months after having my second child i developed a abcess which was thought to be a Bartholins Cyst.   I ended up in (ER) or A&E and was given antbiotics and told it will burst on it;s own. It did burst but not outwards it burst inwards.  Over the next gosh 15mths i would have terrible discomfort and pain in the place where the orginal abcess was, making in really miserable and not feeling very sexy etc, so not much of that was going on.  A spot like lump kept appearing, swelling up, very soar and the only thing it make it better was to squeeze it. Blood and pus would come out, didn't smell, but it never completly went away.  I went to my doctors again a few times and said this lump thing isn't going away. finally got referred to a GA, who said yes you have a problem, it;s a bartholins glad blocked. Had Op in Sept this year, removed a mass lump, however 2 weeks after that op the spot thing came back.  I was then referred to a "bottom man".  Had a MRI scan and ultrasound, which confirm i had a Fistual.  Mine is a little uncommon in the repect of where the external opening is.  Mine is not around the bottom hole but up to the right of my Vagina. So unfortunatly for me it;s a very long tract. -(  if your's in doubt then bagger you doctor until they listen, being uncomfortable is a miserable thing to have to live with and it wears you down in the end.  xxxxx   

Posted 11/29/2011 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the background info. I will bring it up with my gi next time I see him.
Posted Yesterday 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi friendlyfeline.  I have not experienced your type of surgery, but just wanted to let you know it sounds like my fistula is in the same place as yours, with the external opening about the same area.  Mine popped on its own about a year ago, and then a couple times since then.   It's about a year old now.  I have a jpouch - my doctor does not recommend surgery or the heavy-duty drugs, and I'm glad of that, but tired of dealing with this thing:   no intimacy, off-and-on drainage, fatigue, frustration, etc.  And  I have to add self-pity, since I've been on a "why me" kick lately. 

I am so sorry you are going through this difficult ordeal - I hope and pray for a swift and permanent recovery for you.

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