Fistula post op

Hi all,

I'm new here, I've read some of your comments concerning abscesses and fistula and found some useful information

about my problem. I have had surgery for 3 perianal abscesses in approximately 3 months intervals last year and been diagnose with a deep fistula where the colorectal surgeon put a seton. It's been 7 months now but still draining out this smelly yellowish liquid. 2 months ago I've noticed  2 little bumps like pimples around the external opening of the fistula with the seton. Surgeon said that it can be 2 little ulcers but for me looks like the external opening of 2 new fistula. I just have had a colonoscopy to determine if I had crohn's disease but according to pathologist report there is no sign of crohn's thank god. 2 weeks ago I noticed that one of the little "pimple" healed but yesterday I started to feel like fatigue and have fever but only little pain. I really cannot understand these symptoms cause it's on and off. I can feel like this 3 to 4 times a day and its been the second day now. I'm very afraid of having another fistula cause according to what I read on some forums, some people actually undertakes surgery even after having one seton placement and sometimes had to have a second seton placement.

I've also read that sometimes I should pull the seton in and out to clean the fistula tract and this will also avoid the tissue to heal on the seton which may cause it to block the tract. But yet, I never done it since I had this in place. This fistula problem already changed my life completely. The way I dress also changed cause jeans make me feel more pain the whole day at work, and worst I need to wear pads everyday. Also the smell is also a big problem, I know that we cannot expect pus to smell good but could be very nice if someone can give some advice to help with this problem.

According to my surgeon, the latest and better way to close a fistula is the new laser FiLaC. (link: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/257752088_Closure_of_fistula-in-ano_with_laser_-_FiLaC()__an_effective_novel_sphincter-saving_procedure_for_complex_disease) but since i'm from a small island, we are still waiting for this to arrive here.

 

If someone previously had same symptoms can help me please. Thank you 

Even though they found no crohns, I would be very suspicious of there findings. Rectal fistulas don't just happen for no reason.  You have something going on in your colon that is causing that inflammation and abcesses.  Surgery is only a temporar fix because if you don't stop the underlying inflammation, the fistulas will just resurface.

In 2007,  I developed two massive rectal fistulas which started out as small abcessess about an inch from my anos and finally burst open into full blown painfull fistulas.  The surgeon put in two setons two help them drain and told me that I would probably have these the rest of my life.  In my case, they did find crohns in my lower colon.

The GI told me that fistulas as big as I had will never NEVER heal on there own, and the only way to close them was for me to go on remcade, which I refused.  

I did  my own research and I decided that I would try the SCD diet. The followed the diet with 100% fanatical dedication, and after 4 months, the first fistula was so healed up, the surgeon had to remove the seton so it could heal up completely.  By 6 months, the other fistula was healed also.  That was in 2007 and to this day, I have not had a problem or symptom or a fistula from my cronhs.  The only drug I take is pentassa which is very mild drug which has no side bad effects.

I suggest you read the book "breaking the vicious cycle" which goes into detail about the SCD diet. You have nothing to loose by trying it , and all to gain if it works for you.