Bladder/Vaginal Fistula?

[Mountaingem]

Hi guys,

Ugh I feel so uncomfortable even discussing this but here it goes:

Eight months ago my doctor switched me to Humira and the Crohn's came roaring out of remission. After giving it six months they put me back on Remicade and the joint pain and diarrhea all simmered down.

Well starting in March I developed a bladder infection, which is not something I'm typically troubled by, aside from when I was first married. Around the same time I felt a small lump on my vagina when I showered and I thought maybe it was an ingrown hair or something, except it was really painful.

The urine test showed high levels of white cells and yet no bacteria. After two courses of Cipro I ended up in the emergency, since after each course within a weak I experience terrible pain when I urinate. My white cell count on antibiotics, Remicade and Methotrexate was 12,000, At first there was also an unusually foul odor but that has disappeared, however I pass a lot of mucous. At the ER the doctor did a CAT scan and didn't see anything.

I was referred to a urologist and he is going to scope my bladder. The antibiotics make it bearable but the lower abdominal pain and pain during urination does not go away.

What do you think-does this sound like an early stage fistula? Has anyone here had a cystoscopy? How do they treat them? I am scared and frustrated since the doctors don't want to say anything until the test results come in.:ymad: I mean I understand but the waiting is terrible?

 

[JoFowler]

I don't have any answers but wanted to say I am experiencing similar symptoms.

About a month ago, I started having symptoms of a bladder infection, but the test came back negative. I have had the symptoms on and off, but getting worse in the last couple of days.

Frequent urinating, pressure on my bladder. Very uncomfortable, but not exactly painful. I have a lot of mucous coming out.

I called the office of my GI dr. today to say I am still having symptoms and asked if there was any progress on the date for an MRI. I also have an abscess on my bottom, but it seems like I get drainage out of my vagina as well as the abscess site.

I have been in much worse pain, but I shudder to think what may be going on in there!

The nurse I spoke to today said I would likely be advised to go back to my family Dr. and get tested for infection.

So I wonder if I have a bladder fistula, an abscess on my bladder, and/or a vaginal fistula? Or am I overthinking everything lol

I hope you get answers soon! How long do you have to wait to get your bladder scoped? Keep us posted!

 

[Grumbletum]

Hello you two
I'm really sorry you're having these symptoms :-( I had similar issues with a bladder fistula. I had repeat UTI symptoms and sometimes I'd test positive for infection and sometimes not. Just before the op, the only raised item in my blood count was the white cells. I had a clear colonoscopy, but the fistula showed up in an MRI scan and had showed up previously in a CT scan.
There were times too when I wasn't sure if it was bladder or vaginal involvement I was passing gas from the front rather than the back, if you know what I mean! A classic sign of a bladder fistula is bowel gas in the bladder and that shows up best in the imaging tests. Bubbles in the urine is another sign.
Same as you both, I'd get a degree of relief from antibiotics but the pain in my pelvic area and the frequency and urgency never really completely went away. I've not had a cystoscopy, Mountaingem, but believe it's a good test for showing up a communication between bowel and bladder. I did have a cystogram after the surgery to make sure there were no leaks from the bladder.
I have to be honest with you and say that bladder fistulas do not have a good track record of healing with meds :-(

 

[JoFowler]

They gave me a date for the MRI, it's in two weeks on April 28th. Hopefully there is nothing more than what I had initially, but if there is I hope it shows up for them to see what is going on.

 

[Grumbletum]

That's good, Jo, not too long to wait for the MRI, then. It's a good test and I hope you get some definitive answers from it. All in all, I had the bladder issues for over two years and I found it very debilitating. The relief I've got from the surgery is just amazing.

 

[Mountaingem]

@ Grumbletum-Yes, I do know what you mean, eek. That has only happened to me once and it was so weird I was like, "Hmm this is new." I never connected it with a fistula until I went to the ER. I also have a discharge that appears to be infection-I've had a hysterectomy so I don't really have anything like that otherwise. I was puzzled by it too but I went to OB/GYN and she said everything was fine-granted I only had a pelvic exam, though.

I feel a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen as well as queasy. I'm going for Remicade tomorrow so hopefully things will improve. I will email GI as well

@Jo-Thank you for sharing your story-it seems we're having similar symptoms. *hugs* We'll get through this together Girl!

I am just so depressed. I should be grateful-I've had Crohn's for 20 years and only had one other fistula but it was a perianal and not very bad. Remicade cured it so that was good. I've only been back on Remicade for three months-do you think it started forming before then? I was flaring badly for a solid 8 months prior.

I'm also worried about if I should take the anitbiotics and Remicade concurrently. Also on a more personal note, what about sex? Not that I'm much up for it but I'm going on vacation in a week and would like to know if it is OK.

Hubby and I ran away from home today. He took me up to the mountains and just relaxed but I am still just very anxious and depressed.