Fistula in ano - Here's what I'm trying

[puppylove]

Hi there,
I've got a fistula in ano that was confirmed by MRI a few weeks ago. At the time that I saw my GI doctor to discuss it, the fistula had been 'quiet' for about 4 months - leading us to think that it had perhaps healed on its own. So while we discussed the possibility of starting medication (immunomodulators or biologics), we agreed that a 'wait-and-see' approach was ok for now. Of course, four days later it flared again (started to grow in size and feel tender/sore). I began taking Cipro and Flagyl for 2 weeks and the swelling and soreness went down quite quickly. Not wanting to take antibiotics for 'too long' I stopped taking them and started transitioning to a liquid diet. Well, the swelling and soreness came back so I've re-started the antibiotics. I've emailed my doctor and called to follow-up but still no response. I'm frustrated by this fistula AND the lack of guidance from my doctor - and I have to try something while I'm waiting to see another doctor so... I'm going to share what I'm doing in the hopes that someone may have advice about my approach and/or it can help someone going through a similar tough time.

1) Antibiotics - cipro and flagyl twice a day.

2) Liquid/Elemental diet - I eased into this by introducing one can of Ensure to my regular diet per day. Today is the 6th day and I am drinking 4-5 bottles per day (in other words, nearly all of my daily calories are coming via liquid). I still eat a little bit of food but I'm careful that it's 'gentle' food such as ripe banana, cooked and mashed squash, plain chicken - and I eat it slowly and CHEW IT A LOT.

3) Supplements/tea - I now take a supplement 2x/day for IBS that has many components recommended for crohn's (slippery elm, green tea, l-glutamine and enzymes). And I'm drinking about 2 cups of holy basil tea (anti-inflammatory) and taking vitamin C caps.

4) Juicing - 1-2x/day I drink a fresh juice, mostly made of carrot (plus a bit of kale, apple, cucumber and papaya).

5) Other - I try incorporate turmeric into any foods I eat, and I drink 1-2 cups /day of miso broth with seaweed.

I know it's early stages but I'm already feeling better - I'm starting to get my energy back slowly and I think the 'gentleness' on my tummy is helping me feel less nauseous and bloated.

I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has tried a similar approach and/or tips or advice about my approach.

Thanks for listening,
~puppylove

 

[Grumbletum]

Sounds like a good plan. Maybe sitz baths would help with any swelling and/or pain? I hope you get to see or speak to your doctor sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, I'd watch out for signs of infection such as fever, and head to ER if things seem to be deteriorating. Really hoping you get things mending soon.

 

[D Bergy]

I cannot say for certain but I have reason to beleive my fistulas were caused by a mycoplasma pneumonia infection that spread from my lungs, and also infected my intestinal tract.

I took Zithromax for the lung infection and my pain in my intestines quit also. Unfortunately the fistulas were already bad and led to another infection in the psoas muscle and various other problems, and I ended up with surgery.

If you have had a recent bout of Pneumonia, I would be on the look out for a similar infection.

Good luck.

Dan

 

[puppylove]

Thanks for the replies
I'll keep the sitz bath in mind for sure - right now there is minimal pain or swelling because the cipro + flagyl work well and quickly! And yes, I'll keep an eye out for symptoms of infection.

The last time the fistula 'acted up' my GI doctor told me to take cipro + flagyl and keep taking them... like, for months. So I'm pretty sure that's what he would recommend again. His other options were immunomodulators or biologics. I'm just trying to do what my doctor recommends but also speed things up and/or help the mending with other methods in addition to that...

And, no recent pneumonia or other infections coincided with the appearance of my fistula.

~puppylove