Perianal Fistulas anyone had them?

[RosCrowther]

I have seen my consultant this week for the first time in clinic and he doesnt have a good bedside manner, he would scare me when I was rushed in and first diagnosed with Crohns. So when I showed him this abcess I had had since I got pregnant with my daughter he started flapping saying "its the Crohns back, lets do an MRI but I think its the Crohns"
I had all my Crohns cut out from the small/large joint and a Mucus fistula on my big bowel so it wouldnt come back that quick would it?
I have no pain with it, my bowel is ok and it doesnt hurt so I dont think its the Crohns again.
Has anyone had one, and was it painful, how was it treated etc?
He has put me on Metronidazole which is settling the weeping. I just think he is trying to scare me into taking Preventive medication instead of Alternatives.

Any advice on this would be great thanks

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

I don't know when your surgery was, but I've heard of it coming back months after a resection. Maintenance meds would be a good idea.

 

[Cookie]

I have had fistulas in the rectovaginal area. The fistulas themselves are not painful, but the abscesses can be when they fill up. For me, Flagyl (Metronidazole) is the only thing that helped with the drainage from the abscesses and kept me free of pain. Traditional Crohn's meds (Asacol, Canesa suppositories, Imuran, Remicade) never helped me with this situation. Ultimately, I had surgery (twice) to fix them, but I would not go that route again. It is a short term fix. I have a fistula right now. It produces some drainage, but nothing I can't deal with. As long as I have no pain or no huge abscess, I will just continue to roll with it.

 

[Tay]

I have had fistulas from my rectum through to my bladder and also exiting on my bum - these were agony until they burst through which took a long time. Then really messy for years, pads down pants etc. Finally gave in and had a pan procto collectomy including removal of my anal canal and now have an ileostomy. This also fistulated after 6 six years and had to be re sited!

Most people with Crohns will start to show signs again within 12 months following surgery. If you have been diagnosed with Crohns and you have a peri anal adscess or fistula then its likely to be the Crohns again.

Treatment is Flagyl and Ciprofloxacin or surgical drainage - salt baths might help also.
Best wishes

 

[e13 boy]

Most people with Crohns will start to show signs again within 12 months following surgery. If you have been diagnosed with Crohns and you have a peri anal adscess or fistula then its likely to be the Crohns again.

I had 2 fistulas (either side of anus) & 5 abcessces all cut out in 7 seperate operations over 18 month period 22 years ago.This was the start of Crohn's D.
for me.The mis-diagnosis then led to right side hemi colectomy 10 years later & resection of neo terminal ileum 20 years later.Every drug i ever took failed to bring the CD into remission.

 

[Tay]

Hi e13
Sounds familiar - I've had a similar history of only one 3 year period of remission in 37 years of Crohns. Drugs don't work for me either. Can you please tell me where you get the AMP from - I will give it a try!
Best wishes

 

[spingirl]

Perianal fistula...that is where my entire story began. I had pain...saw a stupid doctor that thought it was a hemeroid...back in 1085. When I developed a high fever he sent me to a surgeon and within 5 hours i was on the operating table. Never went back to that first doctor...that's when I found my GI doc. After the abscess was removed (and packed and drained) - 5 days in hospital since I was septic - I then developed a fistula in that spot...operation - 5 days in hosptial. Then out on UC meds (azulfadine) for 15 years years. Now I'm back again...voila...they think its Crohns. I went from no symptoms to being told I should take out my colon to now trying to control with meds. The peri anal cyst was very painful and I guess I could have died had it not been taken care of when it was. Every time I go in for a colonoscopy...just as I am about to go under...my GI tells the nurse the story of how he found me...near death's door.

 

[e13 boy]

Hi e13
Sounds familiar - I've had a similar history of only one 3 year period of remission in 37 years of Crohns. Drugs don't work for me either. Can you please tell me where you get the AMP from - I will give it a try!
Best wishes

Hi Tay

I buy my AMP from http://serovera.com
I have always purchased it with l glutaminehttp://www.lglutamine.net/

I hope you have the success i have had

 

[Tay]

Hi e13

Many thanks - I will give it a try!