Facing possible surgery

[darkmuse]

I know it's been a little while since I've been on here but I've been fairly busy. I saw my ob/gyn yesterday and informed him that I suspected a rectovaginal fistula. I gave him a run-down of my symptoms and after a manual/visual check, he agreed. He informed me that if this is indeed the case then I'm definitely looking at surgery.

I'm having a CT of my abdomen/pelvis tomorrow about 2pm. After this is done I may be having a dye test performed as well. If the fistula does exist then in the next week I'll probably be having surgery.

I'm certainly not looking forward to it and as much as I'm trying to be calm about it, it's really flipping hard! I've felt like hell over the last three weeks and it's been a back and forth thing...Also, I'm kind of not certain how to feel. Also, I was taken off work approximately two weeks ago due to an emotional breakdown at work. I've been dealing with major depression and now the doc says I might have some slight bipolar issues. Anybody else have any experience, words of wisdom, to offer about the fistula or bipolar issue?

I would gratefully appreciate anything!

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi Darkmuse. Sorry to hear it's a fistula, especially as it looks like you've had a load of surgery already :-( On the plus side tho, it sounds like they will deal with it quickly and you'll get some relief. Have you had a look over at the Fistula etc subforum?
We have members there who have had surgery for this type of fistula.

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

Are you seeing a psychiatrist? I wouldn't let your GI diagnose a mental condition. He's not qualified to do that. I have no advice on the surgery, but I do have bipolar and it's well-managed by a psychiatrist (and meds).

 

[Sgeethi012]

How is your condition now ? are you getting better ?

 

[darkmuse]

Grumbletum, currently the fistula is only strongly suspected. I had a CT of my abdomen and pelvis; hopefully, I'll have my results tomorrow. Thanks for alerting me to the fistula section on here. I'll definitely have to check it out and talk with some folks. Thanks!


chrisnsteph1022, I am currently seeing a psychiatrist. He's placed me on Abilify. I've only been on it a little over a week and I think it's actually doing some good. My GI is the type that wouldn't even try to diagnose, much less treat, a mental condition. He's one of those who really know his limits and sticks to it. I appreciate the fact that he's always honest, and when he doesn't know something he'll tell me, but he'll find the answer for me. Thanks for your input. I haven't been truly diagnosed with bipolarism yet, but I have this strong feeling that I am- at least to a point.


Sgeethi012: My depression/anxiety/anger has gotten better since being placed on meds and meeting with a counselor and so forth. My GI condition, however, is another story. The abdominal pain has returned, and I've also developed pain in other areas as well. The amount of migraines has increased excruciatingly as well. I'm hoping to get the results of my abdominal/pelvic ct tomorrow so I'll know better what will be required in the manner of treatment, for sure. I'll keep you guys posted. For now, it's out of my hands. I just have to have faith that everything will turn out fine.