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Fistula surgery

Sat, July 26, 2008 5:30 PM

I have had a fistula for 2 years. Wondering if anyone has had success with the surgery. I have had many setons to keep it open but they are a pain in the butt (and I mean that literally!).

How do you deal with a fistula?

Thanks

terri911
Joined Aug 11, 2008

Tue, September 16, 2008 12:00 AM

Reply posted for Terri911.

I used to have a fistula similar to that described by others. Docs treated it with Flagyl and Cipro, but it finally was so absessed that nothing helped. So I had to have it "unroofed" by a surgeon. I went 12 months with an open bleeding wound down there after that surgery. I had to sit on a cushion everywhere I went and it always hurt. I had to use cotton packing all the time. It never healed until I began to use Remincade. That finally cleared it up. Unfortunately, I became allergic to Remicade after about a year and a half. Finally Humira came along. Then when that stopped working, I had my rectum removed and stiched shut. Also had healing problems with that. Your skin wants to heal from the outside in which leads to absesses. So it takes several months using saline "packing" to keep the wound open so that it heals properly from the inside out. You really need to have someone in your household who can help with that, otherwise you need to see a nurse daily to make sure it heals properly. Goodluck

ducks
Joined Aug 11, 2008

Sun, August 24, 2008 11:27 PM

Reply posted for pnjbrah97.

Hi, I have crohns and have luckily never had a fistula but have had just about everything else, and this seems to scare me the most. I had everything removed my first surgery (entire colon, rectum and 2 ft of small intestine, Once I healed from the inside out (I had to pack my butt litterally) it was soooo nice not to have that pain there anymore. My sugesstioon is to have your rectum cavity sewn closed that way you should not have to worry about abcess and fistulas in that area anyway, GOOD LUCK, Steph

steph821
Joined Aug 24, 2008

Wed, August 13, 2008 12:00 AM

Reply posted for Terri911.

I've had surgery last year and no complaints for my anal fistula. It took 3-4 months for it to heal. (I know everyones body is different on healing times.) I suggest you get a really good Doctor and make sure they are listed here on CCFA and covered under your insurance. Get all hospital pre-authorizations in writing and in your hand before surgery. I recommend getting a Advance-Directive written up by a Family attorney before surgery. My last suggestion, don't disclose any details to your employer as it may come back to haunt you in your career regardless of all the existing laws.

Take care, and God bless. - Denny H.

dhunches
Joined Aug 13, 2008

Mon, July 28, 2008 12:00 AM

Reply posted for Terri911.

Wow! Does this sound like me...I had a fistula for 4 years that never healed and surgery didn't help either. I just kept bleeding and continued to have pain. I recently had a diversion done so my rectum could heal. Many fistulas and abscesses. It has been 6 weeks and there has been 80% improvement, not I still have a good deal of pain (nothing compared to what it was) Have you tried remicade? I was put on remicade to heal my "pains in the butt" but I had an allergic reaction (2006). I am on Humera post op to prevent any disease from returning. My entire colon was removed and I will have my rectum removed in the future. The extent of my disease in the rectum was disastrous and I become incontinent. Things to look into. My disease went poorly treated for so long that when I had my surgery the surgeon said reconnection really isn't an option later because of incontinence. wearing diapers are not something I look forward to. Good luck!

pnjbrah97
Joined Jul 25, 2008

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