Info on Fistulas?

[btcrv]

Hi all...

I am not exactly sure what a fistula is but I think that I may be getting one. My bum if awful sore. I thought that it was because I was wiping so often going to the bathroom but now I am not so sure. Can anyone point me to some more specific information?

Thanks

 

[Jeff D.]

A fistula is basically an opening from the intestines or other organ to the outside of the body or something similar. Most of the time it starts as a boil on the skin and turns into a hole that leaks a lot. So if you are getting a lot of leakage then it may be the cause. Thats the basics I have. Where on your bum is it. Best of luck

 

[btcrv]

Yikes... I was afraid of that. Right near my bum-hole. So do I need to call my doc about it? What is a normal treatment?

 

[Dekar]

is it on the right side? if so its mostly probably a perianal fistula, connected to ur rectum (dont count me 100% on that), try to wipe softer with tissues i guess, and not sit on it for prolonged periods of time. i've been just coping with it, havent really treated it accordingly and just got used to it and the leaking barely bothers me anymore after having it for a couple years. best treatment is remicade or 6mp and most urgent is just letting the rectum rest (aka stoma), but if you dont want to go on the meds, and want it to be manageable (like i have done so) you're gonna have to be committed to eating soft foods, and more frequent, smaller meals for a long long time. and sleeping well. basically living like a monk would be the best way to describe it haha

 

[ReeRee]

Ugh fistulae! I'm fighting those now. Mine are rectovaginal or however you spell it. All I can tell you is to show it to your doctor. There are several different treatments for it, mostly with meds. The more severe ones, ie the ones that connect to your bladder, kidneys etc, require surgery, but don't worry until you see your doc.

Hope you get some answers soon and if you need to talk, just pm me and I'll be happy to chat with you.

Huge Hugs!
Ree

 

[btcrv]

Yeah guys... this is getting more serious as time goes on...

Handy for me... My GI doctor is conveniently out of town and the first available appointment is July 2 which I have already scheduled.

The sores started getting really bad so I went to my primary care doctor. I got an appointment with one of the physcians assistants so I could get in as soon as possible. In a nutshell, she didn't really have a clue as to what was going on with me. Because she wasn't sure... she decided to test for everything in the book and even made me get a pelvic exam with cultures in case there is a retrovaginal fistula--- yuk!

She prescribed me an antibiotic which she said should pretty much take care of anything. I looked it up on the internet and they give it to people who have been exposed to anthrax so it must be some powerful stuff. She said that if the sores do not get better, she may refer me to a surgeon for them to be lanced -- ouch!!!!

So in the mean time... my GI doc doesn't have a partner or anything that works with him. I think the problems I am having are def. related to the Crohn's. I can't go that long without treatment but I don't think that my primary care people are on top of the whole situation.

Any suggestions?

 

[Jeff D.]

Best of luck. Lancing is an inpatient thing so thats not too bad and hopefully it helps to dry it up if it comes to it. I think the GI's can do it in the office but not a hundred percent shure. When I had one it was when I was first diagnosed and went away quickly since for a week I had nothing but TPN. I hope it gets fixed quickly.

 

[GeoGiGi]

She prescribed me an antibiotic which she said should pretty much take care of anything. I looked it up on the internet and they give it to people who have been exposed to anthrax so it must be some powerful stuff. She said that if the sores do not get better, she may refer me to a surgeon for them to be lanced -- ouch!!!!

So in the mean time... my GI doc doesn't have a partner or anything that works with him. I think the problems I am having are def. related to the Crohn's. I can't go that long without treatment but I don't think that my primary care people are on top of the whole situation.

Any suggestions?

For what it's worth, I've had reoccuring fistulas. Cipro or some other anitbiotic does help clear it up some and may help until you're able to see your doctor. I go to both a GI and a colorectal surgeon (who has operated on my fistulas many times). Perhaps do some research about surgeons in your area so you're prepared if you need too? Sometimes they can open them up a little and the fistula heals "from the inside out". I hate it when they say that but it does seem to work. Also sounds like you've caught this early, which is good-- probably no HUGE surgery required.

Another word of advice-- don't get too worried until you see your doctor. My roommate (a non-Crohnie, mid-twenties female) was freaked out about a similar thing this fall. Turned out she had an annual fissure which can heal naturally on it's own. My cousin has had those too at stressful times in her life. The doctor recommend using Tucks or other medicated (witch hazel) pads to clean after you wipe a BM. She changed her diet and used the medicated pads and it went away. Just telling this story it remind you it could be something perfectly "normal" and not a fistula. I am hoping that is the case. But if it is a fistula, the Tucks will help some for now and antibiotics are good. Oh, and the docs recommend "sitz" baths-- basically just soak it, add some salts to the water if you can. Also, I always buy the softest TP I can find. with lotion or whatever

I hope this helps! You are going to be ok. We're here for you!

 

[TammySue62]

Fistulas Suck

Hi Brandi
I have been dealing with fistulas on and off
for years. I have 3 at the moment,one up inside
and two on my right side of my bum cheek.
Have had these ones for several months now.
Been on Remicade,cipro and flagyl,still no change.
I have had about 4 lanced in the past not fun at all.
Unfortunately having CD fistulas tend to come with
this territory LOL
If you search for fistulas in the past on this forum
you will get alot of information on them.
Ask Ruth she is quite knowledgeable on fistulas.
As for me I just deal with the drainage and odor
and pain for now. Dr said lancing or setons wont help
at this stage its surgery (meaning the bag and stoma)
or just keep going on as I am. This sucks bigtime aye.

I am just not ready for surgery yet. This is a big decision
for me. So I just go with the flow. I have alot of sitz bathes
with epsom salts which relieve some of the pain for a while
and I have to wear a pantyliner in my underwear to catch
the draining. Also saves on buying alot of underwear.
But hopefully in your case the Dr. caught it soon enough
to maybe lance it or put you on meds.

Goodluck My prayers are with you,cause I know what your going through
Like I said it sucks having CD alone then we have all the added or
unexplained (fistulas being just one of them)conditions (cant think of
the word that I'm looking for ) and weird symptoms associated with
having CD.
If you have more questions on this topic feel free to pm me.

 

[Maggie-Muffin]

hello,fistulas suck big time.Hope fully yours will go away with antbotics.Mine they didn't help at all.I have had one now for over a year and had it lanced twice.The next step for me is Remi.That's when they get some others things to calm down.
~~~HUGS~~

 

[TammySue62]

Fistulas Suck

Hey Brandie
Just wondering how your making out with
the fistulas.
Try soaking your but in epsom salts
You might have to wear a pantyliner to catch
the drainage. They are a big pain in the ass. LOL

 

[btcrv]

Never really got a confirmation that it was a fistula. My GI doc was out of town. The primary care doctor gave me some super-duper antibiotics that cleared up the problem -- whatever it was in the mean time.

Thanks for checking in on me.