Fistula after surgery and abscesses

[elrafantas]

Hi

I had surgery to remove a fistula between my small intestine and sigmoid colon in February. The fistula meant that most food bypassed my large intestine entirely. I had an ileostomy until last month, it was then reversed. I had 2 small abscesses after the reversal that were treated with oral antibiotics. Firstly, 5 days worth, then a 14 day course when, a week after the first dose, the pain returned. I now feel fine, pain wise, but I fear I have another fistula, as I now feel exactly the same as I did before this year - with multiple urgent toilet trips and bits of undigested food visible in my diarrhoea 4-5 hours after eating it. Do people who don't have fistulas have undigested food they ate 5 hours ago in their stool? I don't know if it can go round the large intestine this quickly, which makes me think it is bypassing again!

I am seeing my surgeon on the 13th December, I just wondered in the meantime if anyone has had a similar experience.

Thanks

 

[AlliRuns]

Do you notice a difference with the types of foods your are eating? Some foods digest more than others.

All of my fistulas are perianal; haven't had any experience with other types of fistulas.

Hope you get answers from your surgeon.

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi elra, just wondering how you are doing? Are you still having the same symptoms? I was wondering if maybe, because you're having D, you're seeing undigested food because things are moving through your bowel too quick?
I'm really sorry you're having issues again and that hopefully you'll get things cleared up at your appointment. Let us know how you get on.

 

[flowergirl]

certain foods go through me totally undigested. like blueberries and corn. sometimes broccoli and tomatoes.

 

[elrafantas]

Things seem a lot better now, I'm using imodium every other day and things are noticeably less urgent when I completely avoid coffee (which is difficult, because I love it!) I haven't noticed any undigested food for a while, either.

I think perhaps I was just being paranoid, but we shall see!

Thank you for your replies and help

 

[Lisa]

When I would flare, I could have food pass through my system in about 20 minutes...seriously!.....so, if your system is moving things fast, then yes, you could see undigested bits coming out and it would not necessarily mean there is a fistula. Also remember some foods are harder to digest than others - so they may come out partly undigested too. I find things like seeds, corn, apple peel even lettuce can be harder to digest.

 

[elrafantas]

I just thought I would update if anyone is interested I saw my surgeon and he said it was normal for things to go through more quickly because he removed my right colon (is that half of my colon?!) - I was not aware until this month that so much had been removed! He said the right colon is what takes the water out and that I can expect things to settle down within 6 months (not 6 weeks which I swear is what I was initially told!) He was not concerned by the abscesses (said most people have collections of fluid after ileostomy reversal) and does not think I have another fistula. He also said he didn't want me to be on any meds because the last MRI showed no inflammation! I'd personally rather be on maintenance meds but will leave it up to my gastro to decide when I see her in March

Hope everyone had a good Christmas/holiday season.