Stomas and liquid diet go treat fistula

[Sailorluna]

Hi all,
I have been dealing with the fistula from hell since September. There is a seton in there but it just is not draining well enough. About a month ago they cut it open for the fourth time and sutured it open pretty wide so it would drain better and at my 2 week followup it was much better.

Sadly this weekend I realized it is pooling up again. There is a hard painful patch near the fistula hole. It is like it is just not draining fast enough. Some pretty icky stuff coming out if there too.

Anyhow, before the last surgery my CR surgeon said if we can not get this under control I may need a temp stoma.

Ok - I will do what I gotta do.. but.... I can't help but wonder would it make sense to try a liquid diet first? Why rysh into another surgery? I see the surgeon in 10 days and will ask then. Just curious if anyone has tried this.

Any advice is appreciated.

-Barbara

 

[Grumbletum]

Barbara, you know I don't have this type of fistula, but I just wanted to say so sorry you are still having issues :-( how soon are they talking surgery?

 

[Sailorluna]

Thanks Grumbletum. He only mentioned it me the once - right before they wheeled me back for the latest chop and drain. Kind of a possible next steps thing. I was rather freaked being as I was not expecting this discussion in the preop room. I nervously objected and he patted my hand and basically said we will see what happens.

Things had seemed better until this weekend... so I guess it is a question of if he literally meant the next thing. I see him in a bit over a week so will ask then.

Just don't want to go there without knowing if there are other options. I thought someone mentioned liquid diet for this once but could be wrong.

 

[Grumbletum]

I think I would've been freaked too. I have heard of people having bowel rest through a liquid diet, but don't know how effective that would be with an active fistula :-( I guess it might be worth a try?

 

[PaulsPain]

I had a seton for over a year for a peri-anal fistula. (Removed now thanks to Remicade) I also had cycles where it would not drain enough and cause me grief. I went to the CRS the first time thinking I had another abscess. He told me to tug and yank on the seton to keep it open/draining. I learned how much to "tug" on it for relief. I probably did this every other week or when I felt it was starting to build up.

Ya, a liquid diet sounds worth an experiment. I know when I was at my worst with fissures and the fistula I would drink a lot of Ensure and minimize eating. This seemed to help but I never did try all liquid.

Hope you find some relief.