What do I risk by living with it?

I have a perianal fistula, and have a simple seton in it. Check that out, let's it drain and calm down... But yours is vaginal, I assume? They do setons there, too. Ask about that. It's not a "fix," but it makes life with a fistula easier.

Hi. I was wondering, how or what are the symptoms of a vaginal fossils? I don't have fecal coming from that area but I have pain inside to left often after walking, pushing to go to the bathroom and a inner burning Luke feeling. Same burning and pain that I feel in my butt.

Thanks
Heidi

*fistula

I don't think there is a risk; just an annoyance.


Sue

Heidi, besides discharge and frequent vaginal infections, air from the vagina is a very telling symptom. The pain you decsribe could be due to a fistula, but it could be many other things too.

By the way, you don't need to create a new post to correct typos. You can edit your own post by clicking on the "eraser" icon in the lower right of your post.

Jan

Ok, I'm sorry.

No problemo.

What diagnostics have you had to try to pin down the cause of your symptoms. Definitely sounds like something isn't right in there.

Jan

I only have had in office exams, as my GI is being so kind and doing these at no cost because I don't have insurance at the moment. He is a good GI, but I keep mentioning my symptoms but I get no concrete answer. He did say the wall was inflamed. :/

Gin,
I am living with my RV fistula for 5 years now, with no change in it since the beginning. I didn't try any fixes for it as I love my pouch more than I hate my fistula. I don't like it (obviously), but it doesn't really bother me either. My surgeon says that it can stay like this forever and not get worse.

So far,so good.
CJ

CJB, that's interesting that you have had your fistula for 5 years. I'm male and currently have a perianal abscess - drained a week ago. My surgeon said we need to watch it for signs of a fistula forming and if that happens that more surgery is required to fix it. I didn't think there were other options. Is there anything else any of you could explain about abscesses and fistulas? I know there is a 50% chance of this developing into a fistula. I just want to get back to a "normal" life and work.

I have a perianal fistula, very simple one that doesn't involve my pouch.

I had an abscess drained, then cyclical pain... Filling, then bursting, over and over, so we confirmed fistula by MRI... So my surgeon placed a seton drain. It is a length of surgical rubber band, essentially, that goes through the anus, then through the fistula, then out the drainage "hole" near the anus. The ends get tied together, and it then forms a loop. It can be very tight, a "cutting" seton, that "cuts through" the tissue, forming scar tissue behind it to heal the tract, or a "draining" seton, which hangs loose, allows the inflammation to chill, and lets the fistula drain without the fill/burst cycle. Kinda think of an anal "piercing" with a rubber band, and you'll get the picture. I have a draining seton. My surgeon doesn't want to mess with cutting my sphincters, because we already took a hit there... Doesn't want to risk incontinence (nor do I, as I'm totally continent and without leakage issues).

It doesn't cure you of your fistula (a draining seton), but it made life livable again.

Down the road, might have something done, but for now, I just live with it. It's barely noticeable to me these days, have had it for coming on 5 months). I wear a 2X2 gauze pad near it as it puts out a wee bit of mucus, I take an occasional sitz bath, but mostly do nothing extraordinary these days. Went to Puerto Rico, in the rainforest, bio bay, ocean... No issues. I work as a critical care nurse, and it currently doesn't affect me at all. Again, I rarely feel it. Wiping needs to be a little more gentle, use a Tuck's or baby wipe at times, since it could break if I was too rough, but it's pretty sturdy overall.

PM me if you have more in depth questions.

I agree, when I had my RV fistula, a seton took care of the majority of symptoms.

GinLyn, I'm so sorry you have another one of these buggers. I've closely followed the story of your other fistula repair and have been rooting for you.

My CRS at Cleveland Clinic said she has a number of patients who have decided to just live with their fistula/setons. Without a seton, however, there would always be the worry of repeat abscessing. I agree with others - the draining seton isn't much of a problem physically, depending on where it's located.

In addition, it seems to be the case that many CRSs won't attempt fistula repairs unless a seton has been in place for some time to aid in the healing of the skin around the interior hole and thus increasing the chances of a successful repair. Seton placement is typically done during an EUA.

Just to say, had a patient today who has had issues with perianal abscesses over the past few years. The abscessing keeps making him septic, periodically, and he winds up in the ICU with the need for BP support, and an OR I&D (cutting, cleaning out, and packing) under anesthesia each time.

So... Leaving things go *may* be ok, but if you're like this fella, maybe not.

I'm not even sure why I don't need a seton. Maybe RV fistulas are different than other fistulas? I'm pretty sure I had an abscess that burst and is now my fistula.My surgeon found it strange since it was at least 10 years afer my surgery when it occured. But the tract remains open and I haven't had a single issue with it (besides the obvious fistula symptoms, of course). I know the tract can heal just like an earring hole in your ear, which pretty much never closes either.
Maybe I am just lucky in my misfortune?
CJ