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I just have a questions how do you know if you have a fistula is it pretty obvious? I have started to have I guess gas or air bubbles dont know what you call it coming from my vagina not bad but its happening daily I havent noticed any bad odor from it but just not sure what it could be since its a new thing that has just started.

 Reply posted for msalanui.

I have vaginal and rectum fistulas, they both drain stool and have alot of air that passes out.  How I know when I have one is it feels like I have something in between my butt and vaginia and then I go to wipe and there is stool there.  I have had fistula removels, where they went in and sliced open the fistulas, did not work very well.  I have done the remicaide also for about 5 years and my body has rejected the med now so I no longer am able to do that.  But in the begining it did work this might be something to talk to your gi about.

 Reply posted for teacher74.

Well I have vaginal gas like air bubbles you can feel some women can have stool come out of the vagina also I was just feeling the bubbles.

 Reply posted for msalanui.

What are the signs/symptoms of a vaginal fistula?

 Reply posted for msalanui.

I suspected I had a vaginal fistula while doing the colonoscopy prep as matter was coming out of the vagina. I have recently undegone a gyn exam, a contrast medium CT scan, a colonoscopy, a barium enema x-ray---none of which could find the very small opening from the rectum into the vagina. Last week I saw a colo-rectal surgeon who found a 2mm opening under an office exam.

As the rectal area is so diseased and inflamed and scarred, a plug or flap will not work--it may cause a severe infection.  The only alternative is an ileostomy which might be temporary to give the area time to heal.  The reversal of that process would take place several months later and both surgeries are major. The other choice is to contine on Cimzia and hope for it to heal and deal with the gas and occasional fecal leakage with douching and vigilant hygiene.

I would suggest getting the exams done and hopefully getting the plug or flap surgery before your disease advances too far and major surgery is the only answer. This is the worst part of the past 20 years I have had this disease.  Good luck!

 Reply posted for msalanui.

I have Crohn's and have had a recto-vaginal fistula for some time. Most of the time it doesn't bother me unless my Crohn's flares up. It's a relief to know there's other women with the same thing, talking about it isn't exactly easy. My gynecologist and GI doctors are aware of it, but don't seem to think it requires special treatment as long as it's not giving me real problems. I was on for some years, and am now on Humira.

I've also have hemherroids (sp?) that bother me now and then, which are rather embarrasing also. I suppose I could get surgery for them, but I hate surgery and unless it's absolutely necessary, would rather not have it.

 Reply posted for msalanui.

I have had a fistula (rectal - vaginal) for over a year.  I too didn't realize what was going on at the begining.  Air/gas is how my started and then grew into a bigger problem.  They can run a dye test to identify the location and from there different treatments can be offered.  If you can take Remicade I understand that has worked well.  I am allergic, so not an options for me.  I have had 4 outpatient surgeries trying to suture, plug, flap and now glue.  If the glue doesn't work they I go back to the ostomy bag .  So you have a lot of options and most find solution through any of the above.  Good luck

 Reply posted for chatkat576.

I would talk to my doc I spoke with mine and she started me on an antibiotic she said would close it if it is a fistula and to go see my gyno and have her check for a fistua.

 Reply posted for ladytrucker709.

I have a permanent ileostomy and still have my rectum.  I have been suspecting fistulas for a while off and on and they only thing they see at this time is active crohn's in the rectum.  This evening I passed air out of that and it is the first time since my surgery.  Do you know if that is normal?

 Reply posted for ladytrucker709.

Thank you its pretty embarassing for sure luckily its not bad but I will for sure speak with my doc about it.

 Reply posted for msalanui.

 I have the same problem sometimes and I told my doctor and he put me on cipro and flagal,  and so far it went away. But you need to tell your doc because it could be a infection or a fistula. A fistula is nothing to mess with I had on to my bladder a couple years ago and had to have surgery to close them. I hope I do not have to go through that again. but you need to talk to your doc that deals with your Crohns and your OB/GYNO also . If mine comes back there talking about going up there with a scope and camra and see whats going on . I hope this helps.