what to do??

Ten years ago, my mom had a D & C and as a result, has a fistula in her colon.  She had no symptoms at first but then over the years, has suffered from numerous infections, embarassing gas from her vagina and most recently a passing of a blood clot through the vagina and fecal material passing through her vagina.  Her dr says there is nothing he can do, that the fistula is inoperable.  Her general dr told her that if she does not do anything, her life is in danger.  She is 65, very healthy otherwise and certainly does not want surgery if she can avoid it.  I am worried since things seem to be getting worse.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

[ksdhelp]

I would go and see a specialist in this area.  There are many surgeons who specialize in fistulas and colo-rectal surgery.  Please don't let it go on any further.  There are things that can be done.  There are numerous web sites that you can go on and they explain what can be done.  I would definitely get a second opinion.

[tjoan910canadian]

Hi, I hope that your mom has made out okay....and had some sort of surgery........to relieve the fistula.....I have Crohn's Disease not diagnosed until 2002...I am 55 now......and in 2004 I started having severe abdominal pain waves in my upper stomach area......I went to a Medical Center and told them I had Crohn's disease.....however where I was living at the time I am English and the area was very French.....and the doctor decided that I had a bladder infection....and treated it as so....It did not help.....so I returned a week later....and again the doctor treated it with another bladder infection....I ended up in emergency and had an ultra sound showing that I had a Fistula on my bowel.....which was growing in size....and I was very lucky that it had not burst which would have caused further and devastating health problems and maybe even death......the fistula was only the beginning.......I also had a very severe case of Crohn's destruction to my small bowel.....I had to be operated on where a great part of my bowel was removed and the fistula was drained....(I spent a month in hospital) again I was lucky as I did not need to have a colostomy bag..........I have been okay with the crohn's over the last years....being careful with diet.  

Fistula's are not something to fool around with and I really hope that your mother did get a 2nd or even a third opinion.......