How quickly can a fistula form?

[valleysangel92]

Hi guys.

When I was in the bath, I noticed what looked like a yellow scab flaking off my groin area, which fell off to reveal a small amount of pus. When I cleaned it up it looked like a small hole, deeper than a normal spot or cut.

I had a hemicolectomy about 10 weeks ago now and in the past 4-5 weeks I've had a large amount of pain in my pelvis that feels like it starts shallow then penetrates deeper. Its pretty severe at times.

Is it possible that a small fistula has formed since my surgery? What do fistulas actually look like? I hope I'm just being over cautious.

 

[valleysangel92]

Forgot to add - the pain is worse if I cough, sneeze or hiccup and I've also been suffering some nausea and highish temperature.

 

[ce1210]

I'm actually quite interested to know how quickly 1 could form also as I have been having symptoms of a possible infection and am wondering if I may possibly have one forming or formed.....

 

[ce1210]

Also, very sorry to hear u have been in such pain lately valleysangel....

 

[DJW]

Hi valleysangle. Sorry to hear this. Have you let the GI know about the fever and nausea? I currently fighting two abscesses. One in my groin (a lovely place for an abscess eh?) and one under the wafer. When they first started to drain it was painful. Both left tiny holes in the skin. Neither have turned into fistulas. Doc has put me on antibiotics until he drains them surgically in September. I take it you've hadfistulas before? Keep an eye on it. Take sitz baths to help get pus out. I truly hope it's nothing. Take care of yourself.

 

[valleysangel92]

Hi valleysangle. Sorry to hear this. Have you let the GI know about the fever and nausea? I currently fighting two abscesses. One in my groin (a lovely place for an abscess eh?) and one under the wafer. When they first started to drain it was painful. Both left tiny holes in the skin. Neither have turned into fistulas. Doc has put me on antibiotics until he drains them surgically in September. I take it you've hadfistulas before? Keep an eye on it. Take sitz baths to help get pus out. I truly hope it's nothing. Take care of yourself.

Thanks DJW. I haven't seen my gi since the nausea came back and he's quite hard to get hold of. I do have the number for a highly recommended nurse though who seems very good at getting things done so I'll see what she has to say and if she can get me a quick appointment.. Im not meant to see the gi for 6 months. ... Ouch that sounds nasty, hope you don't get that again!
I've never had a fistula before, so I really don't know what they are like. This might be a daft question but what's sitz? Is it like Epson salts? Thankyou for the information!

 

[Essieluv]

I'm not sure how quickly fistulas can form. However, it does sound like you could possibly have developed one. I would call your doctor soon and get it checked out, hun. Sorry you're having this problem! Also, I really don't know what fistulas look like, as the one I had was on my bum where I couldn't see it. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

 

[valleysangel92]

I'm not sure how quickly fistulas can form. However, it does sound like you could possibly have developed one. I would call your doctor soon and get it checked out, hun. Sorry you're having this problem! Also, I really don't know what fistulas look like, as the one I had was on my bum where I couldn't see it. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

Thankyou, Ill get on to the nurse when I can, will have to be Monday she's not in on weekends and that's the fastest way to get seen for me. Thanks for the support!

 

[helena101]

Mine formed fast.... One day I was vaguely aware of irritation, 4 days later i was in incredible pain, 3 days after that I was having surgery....

 

[valleysangel92]

Sorry to hear that Helena, hope things are going better now!

 

[helena101]

Things are good now thanks! Good luck to you, hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[valleysangel92]

What did you guys do for pain relief by the way?

 

[DJW]

Hi. Yes, Epsom salts. It will draw the pus out. Moving the wrong way can cause a lot of pain. I take tylonal or advil for pain. In the past I've been given tylonal 3's. abscesses can be extremely painful. It's a pocket of pus. Try not to stress. It really could be just an abscess. What your describing is what I experienced. If bowel contents or gas comes through it's a fistula. talk to the nurse. I really hope it's nothing.

 

[valleysangel92]

Thanks, I'll get some, I'm not overly worried, just don't want to wait six months if it's something that needs sorting you know, and the pains been bad, keeping me up at night or waking me up at silly times. I don't think we have Tylenol, but I think paracetamol is similar so I'll just keep taking that for now. Thanks for the advice this place is awesome.

 

[Essieluv]

Hot compresses can help with the pain, and keep things draining (drainage is GOOD!).

 

[Sailorluna]

Angel, how high is your fever?

 

[valleysangel92]

Its not overly high, I don't have a thermometer so I dont know for certain what it is but I'd guess its maybe 38c when its at its worst.

 

[Sailorluna]

One of things that has been made extremely clear to me by my CR surgeon is that you should not take a fever lightly with one of these. If your fever gets high and persistent it can be a sign of serious infection and with the possibility of it going septic you should go to the ER. If you are on a biologic or anything else that lowers your immune system it is even more important. Good luck - I hope your apt Monday goes well.

 

[valleysangel92]

I get low grade temperatures fairly regularly anyway. I have a rapid heart rate sometimes and my doctors seem to think its connected somehow. I will make sure I keep an eye on it though. I'm not on any medications yet, there's some confusion about my condition so we're waiting on a second opinion. I have to call the nurse monday to see if she can get me an appointment, since i don't have one yet. I do have an appointment with my surgeon soon though, so will let him know whats been going on. Hopefully they'll have the second opinion back. Thankyou.