Aa
4th surgery for Anal fistula, may need 5th. help
I am so over these surgeries. I just had my 4th surgery for a fistula and this one did not work. The Dr. did an extensive flap repair and stiched the flap over the tract. Went yesterday for follow up. Infection settled in the flap area and he is talking about a seton placement. This surgery was one week ago. I am getting very depressed as he said the tract is way up in the rectum. I have had the 4 surgeries in 4 months. Can ANYONE help me with this or direct me to a web site for me to look at.
I don't want to spend the rest of my life dealing with this. Thank you
I don't want to spend the rest of my life dealing with this. Thank you
Hey everyone Im 16 years old and had an anal abcess when I was 8 years old. The problem was then eradicated until February of last year when I discovered another abcess in my anus. It was operated on and I then was diagnosed with a fistula. I have had three operations already on this problem and the third was only last week. It is very painful and I can't go to school and am missing out on so many things its making me feel very down. I have a piece of string hanging from the wound which my surgeon has left open which is extremely painful. I'm terrified because he hasn't told me much about my condition and I'm scared I might have cancer of the rectum or a bowel disease! I feel embarrassed with this problem after a district nurse said that it was my fault I had this problem but after reading this message board I am more at ease. I sympathise with you all because this is such a painful condition to have and drains you of all energy.
Goodness what a relief to find you guys. I have had umpteen surgeries for anal and rectal abscesses (every 18 months for the last 16 years). I have also had various examinations under general anaesthetic for fistulas. Many different fistulas have been identified by different surgeons but none treated. I recently was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst (apparently formed before I was even born) that has apparently been causing all the trouble. Since having it removed a month ago the suture line has opened up and I am now having a 6 inch gauze packed into the growing wound daily. I also have wind and what looks like tiny pieces of faeces coming from the wound. Has anyone experienced this wind problem from an open wound? Surgeon suspects another fistula.
Apparently dermoid cysts are very rare and therefore extremely difficult to diagnose (I had previously had MRI scans and other investigations that had failed to pick up on this)so just wanted to point out that this could be a possible cause of recurrent peri-anal disease. Having said that I feel like I'm back at square one again, depressed, losing work and self-esteem, especially since this very slight facal leakage from the wound.
I can only say that my thoughts and best wishes go out to you all, I am so glad to have found a forum for venting the frustrations I'm sure you all feel from time to time and often more often than that.
I am waiting to see the surgeon next Monday but am frustrated that I am going to have to wait even longer for anything else to be done, it seems like a common experience here. Are there any answers?
Take care and I truly hope you find your ways out of this.
Apparently dermoid cysts are very rare and therefore extremely difficult to diagnose (I had previously had MRI scans and other investigations that had failed to pick up on this)so just wanted to point out that this could be a possible cause of recurrent peri-anal disease. Having said that I feel like I'm back at square one again, depressed, losing work and self-esteem, especially since this very slight facal leakage from the wound.
I can only say that my thoughts and best wishes go out to you all, I am so glad to have found a forum for venting the frustrations I'm sure you all feel from time to time and often more often than that.
I am waiting to see the surgeon next Monday but am frustrated that I am going to have to wait even longer for anything else to be done, it seems like a common experience here. Are there any answers?
Take care and I truly hope you find your ways out of this.
Goodness what a relief to find you guys. I have had umpteen surgeries for anal and rectal abscesses (every 18 months for the last 16 years). I have also had various examinations under general anaesthetic for fistulas. Many different fistulas have been identified by different surgeons but none treated. I recently was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst (apparently formed before I was even born) that has apparently been causing all the trouble. Since having it removed a month ago the suture line has opened up and I am now having a 6 inch gauze packed into the growing wound daily. I also have wind and what looks like tiny pieces of faeces coming from the wound. Has anyone experienced this wind problem from an open wound? Surgeon suspects another fistula.
Apparently dermoid cysts are very rare and therefore extremely difficult to diagnose (I had previously had MRI scans and other investigations that had failed to pick up on this)so just wanted to point out that this could be a possible cause of recurrent peri-anal disease. Having said that I feel like I'm back at square one again, depressed, losing work and self-esteem, especially since this very slight facal leakage from the wound.
I can only say that my thoughts and best wishes go out to you all, I am so glad to have found a forum for venting the frustrations I'm sure you all feel from time to time and often more often than that.
I am waiting to see the surgeon next Monday but am frustrated that I am going to have to wait even longer for anything else to be done, it seems like a common experience here. Are there any answers?
Take care and I truly hope you find your ways out of this.
Apparently dermoid cysts are very rare and therefore extremely difficult to diagnose (I had previously had MRI scans and other investigations that had failed to pick up on this)so just wanted to point out that this could be a possible cause of recurrent peri-anal disease. Having said that I feel like I'm back at square one again, depressed, losing work and self-esteem, especially since this very slight facal leakage from the wound.
I can only say that my thoughts and best wishes go out to you all, I am so glad to have found a forum for venting the frustrations I'm sure you all feel from time to time and often more often than that.
I am waiting to see the surgeon next Monday but am frustrated that I am going to have to wait even longer for anything else to be done, it seems like a common experience here. Are there any answers?
Take care and I truly hope you find your ways out of this.
Well, individual stories help because we all have similar cases, but some more similar than others. So, brief Summary:
28 year old male, started 4 years ago. Started as Anal Fissure, which progressed into abcess. Abcess drained, until discovered that the problem was a fistula that led from the top of my sphincter muscle to the top of my but crack, right over tip of tailbone. When that was discovered, opted for advance flap.Din't work. This is over the course of 2 years, of having the insicions packed, abcesses lanced (developed 3 lumps over time)
It's been 2 years now since the last surgery. Everyday I live with a draining fistual. But, so far, as long as I don't drink too much coffee and I eat relatively healthy, and exercise, I've learned to live with this. Being a young male, it's exteremly embarrassing, and in fact, no one knows besides family. And even worse, I'm single. My last girlfriend became my nurse, which destroyed a 5 year relationship. But so far, so good. I'm dating, and having sex, and no one is the wiser. I have 2 giant scars on my ***, but I just say I broke my tailbone and the scars are the surgery for that. It's possible to live with this disgusting, embarrassing, and seemingly incurable condition. But you need to watch your diet and exercise--HUGE. I've noticed the draining increase when I don't do that. And take plenty of showers. . Surgery should be a last resort in replacement of diet and exercise, since surgeries don't really seem to help. It's almost like we need a further advancement in this field before I'll even consider going for another procedure. Anyhow, I'm here with the rest of you, and I'm without insurance, which makes this condition even scarier. Take care all, and spread the word on any advances in the field.
28 year old male, started 4 years ago. Started as Anal Fissure, which progressed into abcess. Abcess drained, until discovered that the problem was a fistula that led from the top of my sphincter muscle to the top of my but crack, right over tip of tailbone. When that was discovered, opted for advance flap.Din't work. This is over the course of 2 years, of having the insicions packed, abcesses lanced (developed 3 lumps over time)
It's been 2 years now since the last surgery. Everyday I live with a draining fistual. But, so far, as long as I don't drink too much coffee and I eat relatively healthy, and exercise, I've learned to live with this. Being a young male, it's exteremly embarrassing, and in fact, no one knows besides family. And even worse, I'm single. My last girlfriend became my nurse, which destroyed a 5 year relationship. But so far, so good. I'm dating, and having sex, and no one is the wiser. I have 2 giant scars on my ***, but I just say I broke my tailbone and the scars are the surgery for that. It's possible to live with this disgusting, embarrassing, and seemingly incurable condition. But you need to watch your diet and exercise--HUGE. I've noticed the draining increase when I don't do that. And take plenty of showers. . Surgery should be a last resort in replacement of diet and exercise, since surgeries don't really seem to help. It's almost like we need a further advancement in this field before I'll even consider going for another procedure. Anyhow, I'm here with the rest of you, and I'm without insurance, which makes this condition even scarier. Take care all, and spread the word on any advances in the field.
Dear All,
I have been reading all your postings for a couple of months now, and believe me when I say I understand your pain.
I was just a normal healthy person with no concerns in the world till this problem started in July'03. I went to my gyn. She said it was a sebaceous cyst/abcess and I had an I&D done. After three weeks of the surgery, the incision broke open, and the doc said I seemed to have developed a fistula : (
I have not rushed in to a fistulectomy, as the doc was suggesting. I was just checking on the web, and found this forum and all you guys, and decided to go to a colo-rectal surgeon. She says my fistula is complicated, and she doesn't want to go for fistulectomy. She is suggesting a seton. Anybody here who has been through this procedure who has been cured?
Also here is a link links which make me understand the procedure:
http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4306/4306a6.pdf
But I know that only a person who has gone through this can understand and give the right advise.
Prayers & Thanks
Lotta
I have been reading all your postings for a couple of months now, and believe me when I say I understand your pain.
I was just a normal healthy person with no concerns in the world till this problem started in July'03. I went to my gyn. She said it was a sebaceous cyst/abcess and I had an I&D done. After three weeks of the surgery, the incision broke open, and the doc said I seemed to have developed a fistula : (
I have not rushed in to a fistulectomy, as the doc was suggesting. I was just checking on the web, and found this forum and all you guys, and decided to go to a colo-rectal surgeon. She says my fistula is complicated, and she doesn't want to go for fistulectomy. She is suggesting a seton. Anybody here who has been through this procedure who has been cured?
Also here is a link links which make me understand the procedure:
http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4306/4306a6.pdf
But I know that only a person who has gone through this can understand and give the right advise.
Prayers & Thanks
Lotta
Hi
I'm 28, living in London, England.
I have been experiencing rectal bleeding now for just over a year, I knew I had this little cut just below my coccyx and thought that it was due to riding a new bike so I wasn't worried.
Just these last couple of months or so though, the bleeding has increased and there is more pain (pretty much all the time), so I went to see my Doctor.
He said I had TWO fistulas and has referred me to a surgeon. I don't have a date for this yet, but hopefully soon.
I have no idea how serious this is, or what it involves, so any information would be good. I have found lots of technical information on the internet, but very little from a patients point of view.
I will let you know how things go.
It's nice to have people to talk to.
Thanks
Z
I'm 28, living in London, England.
I have been experiencing rectal bleeding now for just over a year, I knew I had this little cut just below my coccyx and thought that it was due to riding a new bike so I wasn't worried.
Just these last couple of months or so though, the bleeding has increased and there is more pain (pretty much all the time), so I went to see my Doctor.
He said I had TWO fistulas and has referred me to a surgeon. I don't have a date for this yet, but hopefully soon.
I have no idea how serious this is, or what it involves, so any information would be good. I have found lots of technical information on the internet, but very little from a patients point of view.
I will let you know how things go.
It's nice to have people to talk to.
Thanks
Z
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