HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Fistula maybe?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/26/2010 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Not sure where else to ask this question but....

I think I have a fistula. I am not sure and don't know if I should head to the doctor or not. Truthfully I don't know what to say even if I do call the doctor. I am very modest and feel completely embarrassed to say this to the receptionist when they ask why I need an appointment. Not to mention I have a new GI that is male and I am very uncomfortable with an examination.

Advice?
Posted 8/26/2010 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
What are your symptoms that make you think you have a fistula?
Posted 8/26/2010 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
My question is the same as grayeyedblonde- symptoms?
That is what you can tell a receptionist- I totally understand what you mean about being modest- I have felt humiliated beyond belief while dealing with my fistula. But all that comes from me, not from all the medical professionals. Just think, they've seen SO many bums in a day they don't even think twice about it... :) Do you have a friend or family member who can go with you? My husband went to many of my appointments with me, just for moral support. He always looks away during an exam but holds my hand if I want him to. At this point, so many people have seen my bum I don't really even think about it anymore, really! And I let myself get into massive amounts of pain in the beginning because I was like you and was too embarassed to call anyone.

Good luck! Remember courage is doing what you are afraid to do... not that you are not afraid.

Posted 8/26/2010 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had a knot that formed under the skin about the size of a quarter and then went away. No draining or anything. Now there is a small spot there that is painful when I wipe after a BM. Kind of looks like zit.

Thanks for the encouragement about going to the doctor. I mentioned to my husband last night about maybe going with me. He was more than glad to do that for me. I am not sure if it would be better to be humiliated in front of people I don't know (doctor and nurse) or to be humiliated with someone I know. Either way......none of this is fun :-(
Posted 8/26/2010 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
It could be a little abscess there that will clear up with an antibiotic such as Flagyl. Alternately, there could be a fistula that is feeding it, but even then, it might heal up with an antibiotic since it is small.
Posted 8/26/2010 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Fistulas have deeper roots than a zit, the pain should reflect inwards and be profound. If a dermatologist cannot successfully treat the outside symptom for more than 4 weeks, you may need an Upper GI of CT Scan to see the flare of light that fistulas have. They could be very dangerous. My third fistula was burrowing onto my bladder and you could literally die from bladder fistulas.

In your case it it is making its way out it may be even be able to be fixed laparascopically and not involve other intestinal segments.
Posted 8/27/2010 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Depending on where it is it could be as simple as a cyst or an ingrown hair.
My abscess and fistula pain was deep deep aching throbbing pain. Sounds like you have nothing to lose to go and see someone!
Wishing all the best :)
Posted 9/1/2010 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
     I believe I have a fistula in the anus or vagina.  I had a total colectomy and permanent ileostomy on June 28th.  The day I came home from the hospital all this terrible smelling gunk came out of my vagina.  For about four days afterward I had pinkish discharge from the vagina which looked like the stuff that came out in the JP tube which was taken out about a week prior.  Since I had some white cells in my urine specimen the surgeon prescribed a seven day course of Macrobid, an antibiotic.  That seemed to clear things up for awhile.  A few weeks later, I started having a discharge from the vagina.  I also had some thrush on my tongue, so the doctor gave me a script for Diflucan.  Things were ok for a few weeks, then, three weeks ago I started having pressure in my anus, which was left intact.  A week after that I had some blood come out of my vagina.  I went to my gyn doctor but he was unable to perform a PAP smear because I had so much pain.  The following day I went back to my surgeon and he examined my anus...OMG...I thought I would go through the roof, it was sooo painful.  He requested a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, which I had done today.  Meanwhile, I can barely sit, the pain is so bad.  The surgeon's assistant phoned this afternoon and said he was going to call the radiology dept where I had the CT scan performed, but told my husband that the surgeon probably wouldn't be able to see me until next Tues. shocked    If I knew I was going to have all these problems, I probably would have suffered with my ulcerative proctitis longer..ugh.

     Would a CT scan show a fistula?

Posted 9/2/2010 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Yes a CT scan should show a fistula it is what they used on me preop to determine if that enterocutaneous fistula was the only 1 I had also a CT scan was what showed initially of the internal fistula (colon to colon) that I had and knew nothing about
Posted 9/2/2010 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
     Oh boy...this is all I need.  To go through that operation was enough of an ordeal.  Still haven't heard from my surgeon and I had the CT scan 1:15 yesterday afternoon.  I am calling him tomorrow.  As it is, he won't be able to see me until Tuesday because of the holiday.  Great...now I will probably have to take that Hydrocodone all weekend.  It's the only relief I get. 

     Is there any way I can treat an anal fistula?  I am taking hot baths.

Posted 9/4/2010 9:17 AM (GMT 0)

I am certainly not an expert, but a fellow sufferer like you trying desperately to treat this fistula without having to have another rectal surgery. I've been doing extensive research and have found these recommendations. Do they work? I don't know. They give some relief, but the verdict is still out as to whether they will actually heal this abscess and fistula. Urgent care probiotics, Epsom salt tub soaks 3 times a day, application of diluted oregano oil (burns on application, but only for about 90 seconds) which is supposed to be a natural antibiotic, 1000 mg. of vitamin C daily, eating lots of protein, 1/4 c. raw cabbage juice daily and slippery elm tea. Coconut oil helps with itching and burning. Good luck to you.

Posted 9/4/2010 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
     My surgeon's assistant called yesterday and said it is NOT a fistula but scar tissue.  He never told me what to do though!  Here it is Saturday on a holiday weekend and I am still in pain.  Guess I will just have to take another hydrocodone today.  It hurts when I sit, when I walk, just hurts all the time.  Why the surgeon never sewed my anus shut is a mystery to me.  His explanation was that there are more complications when that is done.  Well, coulda fooled me!  I sure have had my share of complications and still have my anus sad .  When I saw my surgeon a week ago Wednesday and he shoved his finger up my anus, I thought I would go to the moon.  It has been worse ever since.  Tuesday my hubby is going up to the surgeon's office with the CD of the CT scan of my pelvis and abdomen so he can read it for himself.  That is what he requested anyway.  Sometimes I just don't trust these radiologists.  Twenty years ago, my youngest daughter had an xray taken of her spine and the radiologist sent the report to her orthopedic doctor saying she had an eight degree curvature of the spine.  When her doctor read it, he said, "big mistake, it is an eighteen degree curve."  He showed it to me..ugh!  Thank goodness he read it because she was in a back brace for a year afterward.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply