Crohn's disease and Fistulas
Thu, August 27, 2009 3:05 PM
Hi, My name is Mary Ann. I've had Crohn's d. for over twenty years now and it still drives me nuts.
I'm 45. I went into menapause very early from taking 6 mp. I have anal fistulas and was told long ago they would never heal. It has been terrible having these. Mine are on my but, so atleast that makes it better. I've heard they can be on your belly etc. The other day my fistulas were acting up. I noticed however that this awful smelly stuff was coming out of my vagina. I went to a regular MD. and she looked and said I had a small fistula in the very back of my vagina. I was so upset! The doctor said it wasn't exactly the end of the world. I called my doctor and she said they could give me Remicade, or even take my colon out. My Doctor said they would do exploritory surgury on me and see what they could do to help me. I'm sad, but maybe there is hope.
Joined Jul 15, 2009
Tue, September 01, 2009 7:18 PM
Reply posted for MaryAnn.
I've had crohns for for years and had a couple of fistulas to my bladder. It was not pretty at all I keeped getting UTIs and i had stool coming out when I urinated and of course the pain was horrible. I went in and out of th hospitals and was on flagyl and cipro for a year before I found the right doctor that knew what was happening to me and put me right in for surgery. It was so bad that I almost died because of the toxins that were backing up in my system. While in surgery they also had to take a foot of my intestine out. I have not had a fistula since (knock on wood).I still have to run to the bathroom though and have stomach pain at times. And I watch what I eat and I have tried Remicade Humeria and other meds but so far nothing has really helped me.
Joined Sep 1, 2009
Sat, August 29, 2009 12:00 AM
Reply posted for MaryAnn.
I am 53 and have 2 rectal/vaginal fistulas. I was told that surgery can be done but can also make things worse cause if they take out the fistula it might create an even larger hole. There is also a surgery where they go on one side of the fistula and pull it through to remove it but was advised to try living with it.
I was put on remicade 2 years ago with the hope that it would heal them. STILL THERE! Its not bad at all if I'm doing fine and no diarrhea, but any watery stool will come through to the vagina and leak out. The most annoying thing is that I have alot of gas and that will come through the fistulas all the time. I have no control of it at all. I don't know about you but mine smells awful. EXTREEMLY SMELLY AND EMBARASSING!
Please let me know about your surgery and if you decide to have it. I would love to hear from someone who has the same problems. Don't have anyone with crohns to talk to. No support groups in my area.
Joined Aug 29, 2009
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