Fistula Free after nine years.....

Hi,

Guess what..no more fistula for me..today it was operated and removed..turns out it was superficial..only one inch long! I had a complete fistulotomy..a skin tag removed and a subaceous cyst removed. I am so happy..even the nurses were cheering for me..thank you again fallcolors for suggesting Dr. Orkin...he was great. I am so happy to be moving towards the direction of a remission..hopefully. Now i just have alot of pain...tylenol with codeine..isn't quite cutting it. Tomorrow i have to pack my own wound...which makes me nervous..any suggestion on that...and when do i ask for a bigger pain med..i am trying to be a good sport for now...

What fabulous news!!! I am truly happy for you!! I am so glad you were able to get in with Dr. Orkin. So very competant and such a nice guy too. How wonderful that you could get rid of the fistula! That is such a dream!! No seton!! Was there much of an abscess?? Do you only have the one inch incision?

I think you will have a few days of pain, unfortunately. Just keep thinking about how every minute -- every hour that goes by is one less minute/hour of pain, and one minute/hour you are closer to being healed!! And when you wake up tomorrow you will be one whole day closer! How very exciting!! Celebrate these simple things!

Let us know how you are doing!

I know how scary those wounds can be! I also was concerned about going. But it turned out just fine after the first day or two. Praise God! The body knows how to deal with all the stuff that goes on down there. Just make sure you have your pain meds on board when you go. And you have your fabulous shower sprayer so no need to wipe. The first week is the worst, so hang in there. The best things you can do to pass the time and promote healing is to take 3-4 15+ minute tub sitz baths a day and sleep. Sleep the days away and the time will pass quickly.

Take care!

Thanks to all who replied..i am so happy..i just never thought i would not have this fistula..fallcolors..you are right..big open wounds..yikes..scary to look at..thank goodness i have recieved so much good advice on this forum..i am more than prepared..nostra whats up? My fistula was an anal fistula..right next to my anus..it was only one inch big i guess..they took it out and cut part of my muscle..but Remicade..got rid of all the inflammation in my sphincter...it went from being horrible to perfect. I am in Massachusetts...my doctors said..i just need to heal..and be careful of infection..and to pack it..which i am trying..i am not good at it..but i am doing it. I am not in a hospital because it was day surgery...it wasn't that serious..and i woke up okay..and I was able to urinate right away and walk and stuff...they asked me if i wanted to stay when i was having pain..and i said no..because i knew that it would calm down...they also removed my skin tag..which i have pretty much no pain from...and a subaceous cyst..a few inches from the anus..and that only stings if something touches it..i am taking tylenol with codeine..every four hours..even in the night...and i am managing my pain..in fact i am sitting..i cleaned the house, did the laundry, cooked, took care of the kids..back and forth to the bustop..took out the trash and checked the mail...i am still going strong. I did have a bm this morning..and i didn't really have any pain..but a slight spasm after..(i have medicine for that)...i can feel that the fissure has healed..probally because they cut my muscle....and now things are more relaxed..so knock on wood..so far so good..i am trying to stay postive..i have two open wounds...and they are not small...:)

NostraHistoria, I agree, it does sound scary, but keep in mind everyones' experiances are different.

:)

Hi Eva Lou! How are you? Okay i went to Tufts Medical Center in Boston Mass and the doctors name is Dr. Bruce Orkin..he is the director...if you google him..you will see many people talking about success stories...and that he even works with children. He is very experienced and i must say a shout out to Fallcolors..i am forever thankful she referred me to him. Here is his info...

http://www.tuftsmedicalcenter.org/apps/FindAPhysician/Detail.aspx?id=11154

I heard from a previous general surgeon i loved that the Lahey Clinic...is amazing. But you could always go see Dr. Orkin and see what he says..he explained everything to me and i came out his office educated. I understand you feeling envious..i would feel the same. But i opened up the post to let others know..yes i went through with it..and i am okay...and you also may be able to get rid of your fistula too. My story is so far a success story..and i was told for years that i would have to live with it for the rest of my life. I say give him a call and just go and see him..if you are in the area..its perfect..just see what he thinks may help you. You can tell him that Rebecca referred you! Its worth a try..because their is hope and maybe you can get rid of that fistula and improve your life! Wishing you luck and praying for your health:) hugs!

 

thanks misscriss..i am so happy....because i have had this for such a long time..with both of my pregnancys..and so many abscess's...and so much pain..i haven't sat without some type of pain..in a very long time..and i was amazed that after i was told by many doctors..that i had to live with it..that it was possible to remove...and getting the annoying skin tag was great..cause it had an emotional effect on me..as it does others..and my surgeon was nice to remove a subaceous (vaginal cyst)...that was an extra and i appreciate it so much..cause my obgyn would not remove it ...so i am happy..very pleased...and i have told my surgeon twice now..thanks soooo much lol....getting this taken care of and being on Remicade i have a chance at remission..so i have my fingers crossed and i am praying..maybe i can actually go back to school or back to work...someday!

hi jenn....thats great you had yours removed too! It stayed gone too? Thats the best part! Yes the wipes are hard..because my incision..starts exactly after the anus..i do not want to accidently wipe the wrong part..ouchhh...i hate packing..it hurts...now my incision..is starting to sting..and it stuff comes out..yellow..not sure if its normal...can't wait to heal!