fistulas

I have been suffering from intestinal disease since 10 years. At first it was diagnosed as ulcerative colitis but maybe it is a combination of uc and crohn's disease. My main question is that since 4 years I have anal fistulas 4 in number.
I have learned to cope with it but I am a little worried. My questions are
1: are fistulas more than 1 in number common???
2: what risk factors are connected with it.
3:plz share your experiences

[Totie]

Well I just had a fistulatomy in Feb for it. It has come back twice since. I go back to surgeon next week & NOT looking forward to it.

I can't tell you why I have or get them, no one bothers to find out. I have had perianal abscess before however. I have actully been dealing with this issue for two years & yet it is still unresolved. My surgeon told me mine was a horseshoe fistula & claimed to have gotten it all, but I guess not.

Did they do an MRI or CT-scan on you? My surgeon says, those won't help her any, I don't know why, I figure it would show her where it is....

[gopo92]

HoW long did your fistula lasted for??

[Totie]

I am still dealing with the fistula. I had appt. yesterday & now going for an MRI to find out exactly where it is. I am somewhat frustrated by the whole thing.

[tnata2ude]

My 13-year-old son has Crohn's and has had 2 fistulotomies on the same fistula. When he was dianosed, he had 3 fissures at the time, only one turned into a fistula - completely external - very lucky. This is the second time they have cleaned it out after it became "active." We were told it may never heal. It's just a wait and see game. I don't think that helps any, but just know we're all together on this!