Fistual Treatment?

[Erin2012]

Fistula Treatment?

Hi All,

Despite having Crohn's for over 10 years, I've been VERY lucky to be very stable for 9 years. Now, at 27, after giving birth to my first child in February, I'm experiencing the worst flare up since my diagnosis. My family doctor suspects I have a rectovaginal fistula and has referred me to a GI specialist. I can't see the specialist for another 6 weeks and I'm really, really struggling. Taking care of a 7 month old and managing my symptoms is really hard. I'm feeling tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed. My husband is a very hard working man who manages the family business and is working 14+ hours a day leaving me to be the primary caregiver for our beautiful daughter! I'm currently taking predisone (a decreasing dosage from 40mg down to 20mg) and Flagyl. I've never had to restrict my diet in anyway but I'm open to ideas if this could help. Like I said, I've been really fortunate to have been so stable for so long but now I feel like I've entered uncharted territory. I have NO idea what to do to manage my symptoms. I'm also starting to worry about my return to work in February (I teach Kindergarten). I guess I'm just wondering what others experiences were with rectovaginal fistuals (i.e. treatment, time until you start to feel better, medications, was surger required, etc.). My husband and I also want to have additional children (at least 1, maybe 2 more) in the future and I'm wondering how this new development in my disease could affect those plans.

Sorry about the long post....I'm just feeling really alone and could use some support from others who know exactly what I'm going though!

Thanks,
Erin

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Welcome to the forum!
I havn't had a rectovaginal fistula, but I do have fistulas, and I know there are others on here who can help you more specifically!
What are your symptoms at the moment?
We have a lot of information in the diet section of the forum, so maybe have a look at a few of those, see which ones you think you will be able to adapt to easily and try them one at a time. Give yourself a few weeks on each one to see how it goes. And try not to cut too much food or whole food groups out of your diet. It is also sometimes a good idea to try to reintroduce foods you have cut out after a while to see if they worsen your symptoms again, if not then you can probably carry on eating them!
Hope this helps!
Good luck with everything!

 

[smallfry]

Hi Erin,
Sorry to hear of your fistula problems. They suck!!! Are you having drainage? Is there a stabbing throbbing pain. Or even just a burning? Are you running any fevers?

I currently have a perianal seton in place to help with abscessing and temp. Ileostomy to help rest the area. The seton is one type of treatment to help them drain but if you are draining fine they may not do one. There are many posts here in the fistula section or in the OBGYN female section that you should take the time and read.

As for diet, everyone is different. For me cutting whole wheat out has been helpful. I'm not sure why the world is so hung up on whole wheat bread anyway, it burns your cilia and caused extra gas. Veggies are a no go for me too. Surgar is a bad trigger for me too. Again trial and error. Making your own bread is good, less ingredients and you can use unbleached organic flour

Good luck and hope you heal up with meds.