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fistulas and ctons

Sun, October 24, 2010 4:56 PM

i have been battling with crohns disease for eight years now and this year has been one of the worst so far. i have had five different surgeries because they found fistulas and had to put cton drains in. this was very disturbing to me because i am a 26 year old female and want to live my life like a normal person. i am just looking for someone who can relate and give me advice on how to feel comfortable in my own body.

shany07
Joined Oct 24, 2010

Sun, January 16, 2011 3:07 PM

Reply posted for shany07.

i am 29 now and have been dealing with crohn's for about 11 years. when i got my first fistula they put a cton in. they kept it in for years and living with it almost felt somewhat normal. then past 3 years thing got real bad with the fistulas down below. things were going bad and not getting better. then my surgeon told me the best thing for it was to get an colostomy. i did not want to get it but afterward my life did a complete 180 and never felt so great. basically back to my old self. so i would say if things with the fistula continue to get bad, that would be a good option, difficult at first but worth it in the end.

joe

vortex7435
Joined Dec 12, 2009

Mon, December 27, 2010 11:42 AM

Reply posted for shany07.

I am not familiar at all with fistulas and it's a rather, mmmm new term so to speak. Is it similar to a hemerorroid? because at first that's what I thought they were until they basically don't go away.

alivein315
Joined May 30, 2009

Sun, November 21, 2010 10:31 PM

Reply posted for shany07.

I have had several anal abscesses and fistulas. The most effective treatment for me was the setons. I had 3 at one time for a while. I am now done to only one. My last surgery was in April so I'm happy that I've made it this long without any problems. My surgeon suggested that I leave this last seton in for the long run. That is my best chance to avoid future abscesses. I am 29 and have been dealing with this since I was 20. I am not happy to have the seton, but it is way better than more surgery. Too many surgeries can damage the rectal tissue and cause incontinence. I would much rather have a seton than wear a diaper. That thought keeps my situation in perspective. Also, if someone cares about you, they are not going to care about the seton. Good luck and chin up!

~Liz

lizchurch03
Joined Oct 18, 2008

Mon, November 01, 2010 8:48 PM

Reply posted for shany07.

I'll be honest, as a guy it might be easier but when I had surgery for my fistula and had to have ctons put in I was in high school so I was pretty freaked out at first. To be honest once I got over it myself it was never an issue, noone really ever noticed, not even in intimate situations.

Again as for you, you won't even notice the ctons after a little while

Best of luck!!

Anthony

antonyde
Joined Jan 11, 2009

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