abdominal fistula for 18 months - aaakk!

Hello again - I introduced myself last week and then promptly left town to watch my daughter
play soccer in NCAA D3 playoffs -

I've been lurking for a while, and have read all the threads I can find on fistulas, and I still need
some advice. (see my sig for current medications)

After surgery to close an abdominal abcess in Aug 09, I came out with a fistula below my belly button.
It has been draining moderately since then, despite repeat surgery in March this year to clean it out and
let it heal from the inside out.

Currently I change my dressing twice a day with some super soaker stuff, but I am limited in my daily
activities because of its location. I can't bend over comfortably, or lift, push or pull with any force.
Too much activity and drainage/pain increase.

My surgeon (who is wonderful, but knows her limitations), says she doesn't
think it's worth trying to clean up or close it surgically - most likely it will just spring up again. She has
offered to recommend a surgeon for a second opinion in the Philly or Baltimore area (I live in the
boondocks in between both cities).

So..... my big question is, do you think it's worth getting a second opinion, or would I be just spinning
my wheels?

Thanks for any and all net wisdom !
Sudsmom

Ditto what Mag102886 said. Get your second opinion. I had the same thing--once resected, no more fistula.

I have had 5 Fistulas in the past. I am sad to say that 3 out of the 5 were from my infected J-Pouch (witch I just recently had removed) I also agree with getting a second opinion. They some times end up being a wast of time (just being honest) however some time they can shed some much needed light. I will say it wont be a fun experience (hurts and they will most likely put in a drain) but for me the pain and hard ship of going though it was well worth today and being Fistula free. I wish you a great holiday season and great luck on being rid of you Fistula for good.

Thanks Randynoguts, I have been coming to the same conclusion. Both my GI and surgeon are happy not
rocking the boat - to the point of not changing any medications despite my requests.

I have never noticed any change with Humira (been on it over a year). But GI refuses to drop it since I am
not getting worse .... Same thing with prednisone - I am down to 10mg, but he won't take me off.
Now don't get me wrong, despite my love/hate relationship with that drug, I don't know if I should go off it
at this point or not. When he started me on it about 5 months ago I was in severe upper abdominal pain (and
one of my tests showed inflammation), so it was the right call - especially since it worked!

The other drug I want to drop is Flagyl - I understand his reasoning - to help prevent rebuilding of the abcess,
but it is annoying not to be able to have a drink every now and then. My normal intake is 2 drinks per month,
so it's not like I have a problem, but I would love to join in socially occasionally.

So, enough whining. I will get some recommendations for a second opinion after the holidays and take it from
there.

Thanks for your support!
Sudsmom