Could this be a fistula?

[Crohns11]

I really could do with some advice, my problem started about 6 weeks ago, I noticed some brown discharge coming from my vagina(foul smelling). I have taken a pic to show dr, Iv had swabs all came back clear, the nurse seems to think fistula , as I have other symptoms aswell. My quick history Dx crohns 3 years ago on azathioprine and levothyrixine for under active thyroid, also slow bowel transit, bile malabsorption problem. I have not got a current consultant as my professor has just retired, my Drs are really no help. I just don't know where to go. Any advice please.

 

[ronroush7]

Did the nurse say fistula or have any recommendations?

 

[Crohns11]

She said fistula,and needed to get checked out. But don't no where to go as dr thought infection but swabs are all clear.

 

[ronroush7]

Can you get a second opinion?

 

[Kat123]

If your gastroenterologist has just retired have they not passed you onto another consultant at the hospital? Or do you have an IBD nurse you can contact for advice/to get appointment in clinic? when I started to have abscess/fistula, my gastro referred me to a colorectal surgeon. Your GP could refer you directly to the colorectal service.

I hope that you can get it investigated soon x

 

[Crohns11]

I have a ibd nurse, they don't no what's going on until Jan, so won't be able to get clinic appointment as there is no clinic. My dr always says see ur specialist but I haven't got one now, so I'm really stuck. X

 

[ronroush7]

Can you look up a specialist?

 

[Crohns11]

There is only one more, but his clinic is full and only works part time, as spoke to my ibd nurse so can't be referred to him. Maybe thinking urgent care(out of hours Drs) to see what they say?

 

[Kat123]

Honestly, I've gone to A&E with my fistula before when it caused an abscess. You don't say you have an abscess though? Are you in pain with it?

The colorectal surgeon told me to go to A&E to have it drained if the abscess formed again, but they were wanting to admit me to have the drainage and seton placed by the general surgeon and I wanted the CRS so I declined. Luckily I had a gastro clinic that week and they sorted out for me to have the op done by the CRS.

Really for a fistula you need a colorectal surgeon to assess you, so you could ask your GP or the IBD nurse to refer you directly. If you need more urgent attention, then urgent care or A&E is not a bad idea.

I think not being able to see a gastro until January as a diagnosed crohn's patient is completely unacceptable. I'm sorry that you are having these difficulties.

x

 

[Crohns11]

Thank you kat123, it will prob be months after Jan, it is painful and the stuff that's comes out is not very nice sorry if too much info x

 

[ronroush7]

Honestly, I've gone to A&E with my fistula before when it caused an abscess. You don't say you have an abscess though? Are you in pain with it?

The colorectal surgeon told me to go to A&E to have it drained if the abscess formed again, but they were wanting to admit me to have the drainage and seton placed by the general surgeon and I wanted the CRS so I declined. Luckily I had a gastro clinic that week and they sorted out for me to have the op done by the CRS.

Really for a fistula you need a colorectal surgeon to assess you, so you could ask your GP or the IBD nurse to refer you directly. If you need more urgent attention, then urgent care or A&E is not a bad idea.

I think not being able to see a gastro until January as a diagnosed crohn's patient is completely unacceptable. I'm sorry that you are having these difficulties.

x

I agree

 

[Kat123]

I'm sorry. It is not a pleasant thing to have to deal with and certainly not if you cannot get to see the right doctors.

I thimk my approach would be to make an urgent GP appointment (can you get one tomorrow?) and say that you really need to see a gastro or colorectal surgeon urgently, that you are having these problems with the hospital and can they intervene to get you seen by someone asap.

I would also phone the IBD nurse again and say that if you cannot be seen in clinic next week, you will have to go to A&E because you are in pain and just cannot wait.

Then I would go to A&E - either tomorrow or Monday if you can wait. I probably wouldn't bother going at the weekend.

I see you are in the Leicester support group. Are you at University Hospitals of Leicester? It says on their website they have 15 gastroenterologists, so they should be able to get you an appointment with one of them. Their motto is "caring at its best". Hmm

 

[nitty]

Would it be of any help to see about getting a gynae referral? It may be a quicker way to get someone to have a look? It is only the nurse's guess that it could be a fistula. You have vaginal symptoms therefore it's not unreasonable to seek help that way.

 

[Kat123]

Oh, Nitty's suggestion also seems like a good idea.

Sorry, I was getting a bit worked up and feeling cross for you Crohns11

 

[Crohns11]

Thank you nitty for ur advice, and thank you kat123, please don't get worked up, I'm sure eventually I will get the right help that's needed. Thank you all x