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How do you know you have a fistula?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/18/2012 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I have uc but am wondering what a fistula is like? I get what I think is vaginal discharge when I have a bowel movement, it's a clear unbroken stream, usually clear. I went to my GYN and she said she saw no opening, so I think when I push discharge pools in a fold I have which creates the stream effect but it still seems weird. Sometimes the is blood mixed in with the clear mucous, but I think it could be mixing together in the fold. I guess I am wondering what the beginning of one is like. Thanks
Posted 7/18/2012 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you could have an abscess or a fistula. I would get in touch with your GI. I had a perianal abscess, had an operation to cut and drain it, and two weeks later was having lots of discharge vaginally. I went to my primary care, and he looked but didn't see anything (anally or vaginally). I went back in a week later because it was getting worse and I had a fever, and another doctor saw it. Then it showed up on the cat scan. If you have a fever, that can be a sign of infection as well. If it is a fistula, you most likely have CD instead of UC. My original dx was UC until this fistula happened.
Posted 7/18/2012 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
This has been going on for at least six months though and hasn't really gotten worse or better, also never happens unless pushing, no drainage otherwise.
Posted 7/18/2012 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
For me I had a huge lump develop (after 2-3 months of D), it felt like my insides were falling out.  I went to the ER and was told it was just a yeast infection (yeah, right!).  I was having a lot of pain down there too.  The following month I started having lots of discharge, but nothing too out of the ordinary.  I went to urgent care, the ER, a gynecologist, my own primary care doc, my GI....no one was figuring out what was going on.  The gyn was convinced I had herpes even though the test was negative and I assured her it was NOT herpes. When I noticed small amounts of stool when I wiped, I basically self-diagnosed a r/v fistula.
Posted 7/18/2012 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Did you notice when you wiped after urinating only
Posted 7/20/2012 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having very similar problems with that too. I've been to the gyn and 3antibotics later no answers.
Posted 7/24/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
The stool when I wipe is normally after a BM, but I have tons of discharge now so sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. But in the beginning it was just after a BM.
Posted 7/25/2012 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have had Crohn's for about 3 years....my last visit to the hotel Hospital...I had a Colonoscopy yet again...and no fistula was seen but my GI Doc...but he had a Gyn Doc check me out since I was in the hospital anyway...neither could see the fistula...but my vaginal tract was packed and blue dye was injected anally....in a couple of hours the vaginal packing was removed and sure enough...it was blue...the fistula was too high to be seen..and didnt' show on the colonoscopy. I work in the medical field and was pretty certain that that was the problem. Perhaps you could share with your GYN...:) I experience alot of discharge...but only bleeding when I have to strain alot...So can only say what my GI Doc tells me...DON'T STRAIN!! *grins* easier said than done when your bowels are either one way or the other....
Posted 7/25/2012 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
iam a 42yr old male.i was told i had crohns in 1993. i have had many fistulas,inside and out.also have had absess.the only sergery i have ever had,was for absess.i was told my crohns was all through out my digestive tract.fistulas are verry pain full,and mine tend to drain alot and some times bleed.for me a tub of hot water,as hot as you can stand it,helps the most for me. also prednisone cream,with lidocain. right now all i take is methotrexate 5mg 2 x a week,and hydrocodone 7.5 3x aday.the hydros slow the bm down from 10 to 15 times a day, to 4 to 5 times aday. also helps with pain from fistulas and pain from other aspects of disease.
Posted 7/26/2012 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Mommy..., same as on a clear in unbreakable stream, very gooey, and only after pushing bowel movement?
Posted 7/26/2012 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Usually it's that way. Sometimes it's a very light yellow. Usually I notice it when I wipe after urinating. Not after a bm. I haven't got an answer yet of why it's happening. When i called after the antibotics were done One of the nurses told me, well some girls just have a little more discharge than others. I under stand that and all but why was it not like this 6months ago? I mean really? All I wanted to say was thanks for your freaking help.
Posted 7/26/2012 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I guess they're a little different, my ob checked mine too and saw nothing. Is there a vaginal discharge forum? Ha ha. I just wish I could figure out if that's where it's coming from.
Posted 7/27/2012 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I think I'm all set. I don't think it's a fistula, thanks for the advice. It just sucks having a chronic condition because you can't help wondering about every new thing that pops up. At least we can come here to talk, where people understand that we are not hypochondriacs. Heck, for the first five years I pretty much ignored all my symptoms and though it was no big deal. We are aging and are bodies are going through caganges anyway, so it can be hard to differentiate sometimes.
Posted 7/27/2012 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
hi there. Please bear with me as this is the first time I have ever posted in a forum. I am a 48 yr old female and I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease since 1996. I have had numerous bowel obstructions and 2 bowel resections..I was doing well on my meds which include imuran and entocort but since two yrs ago I have been having numerous utis...they have gotten worse and now they pretty much are always there...I take antibiotics for 2 weeks and 2 days after I am finished the meds I get sick again (fever, chills, nausea and extreme fatigue)...I have been to a urologist who did some tests on me then told me it was a problem for my Gi doc...My Gi doc did some tests ( cat scan, colonscopy..found no sign of a fistula and now he has sent me back to the urologist again...I have had the first visit to the urologist and he has scheduled a scope into my bladder and some sort of dye test....does anyone out there know what test this is and has anyone had any luck in a diagnosis with this test?..I just want to find out the cause of these UTis and get the treatment done so i can feel human again Thanks so much for your time Jen
Ps..I read the other posts all the time and it is so helpful to listen to other people with problems similar to my own..I live in a small town and I don't know anybody else with my disease and it gets very lonely at times thanks
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