Hi Geoff,
I can't help to say hi to you, as I think I know who you are.
It was nice to see you again at the clinic this morning, my treatment is almost done, just need to go back again to have a check in January. I am happy with the result, even though I am still not totally recovered yet, and still need to put on the cream for two more weeks, but I already felt like a healthy person. I start to do yoga again, I can walk as fast as before, and I can run as much as I can...
Sometimes life is like a storm, but then it turns into a rainbow, we just need to keep the faith, stay strong and hang in there....and life is also full of miracles......I came across your post is a totally random thing...
Take good care of yourself!!!
Hi there Geentea,
Yes, I think I know who you are as well. I am so happy to hear that this has been a success for you. I look forward to running and doing yoga again as well.
I also believe that life is full of miracles, I just got to let them in.
Thank you. Take care of yourself as well.
Namaste.
Yes, that is somewhat how they described it to me, minus the "falling off" part. The reason the fistula does not heal is the constant barrage of bacteria going through it and then the body builds up scar tissue within the fistula tract. So the first medication breaks down this scar tissue. I first got an abscess about 10 yrs ago and the fistula quickly developed. I've been trying to heal this channel up now for 10 yrs without surgery. It has been a very difficult ten years of my life.
Thank you for your kind words T.O. I am so happy you are well.
P.S. Congrats on the Grey Cup win.
GeoffJ.
Hi Geoff,
Just wondering how you are - I really hope you are feeling a lot better! I know it's been a long road for you. Will you be able to be home for Christmas?
My thoughts have been and are with you, I can only imagine how hard this has been for the last 10 years, and this treatment is not easy to go through (though much much better than actual surgery!). Just remember the end result should be well worth it.
Let us know how you are, and I'm really hoping much better and hopefully on your way home for Christmas :-).
Torontocustomer
Hi there T.C Well, to say the least this has been more than very difficult. As I may have stated before, this fistula I had was "A" typical, as in not a straight forward one opening in the rectum and one out the butt. This one was about 4 inches long and had 3 openings in the rectum and one out my butt. Unfortunately complications occured two weeks ago with intensive bleeding from my colon. And when I mean intensive I mean dripping out of me like squeezing a lemon, but squeezing one for 3hrs. I made it back to the clinic for the Chinese Doctors to look at me and it was determined that the bleeding was not coming from the fistula. Which was good. Then major bleeding occured and I almost passed out and I won't get into any more detail on that. It felt like I was gonna die for a bit there actually. Or wanted to. I was then rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. When I got to the hospital I stayed in emergency all night on I.V. Thankfully the bleeding stopped and I did not need a transfusion. The next day they did a scope on me to determine what was causing the bleeding. Once again the fistula looked good and the bleeding was severe proctitis or colitis. They figure this was brought on from the trauma from the work on the fistula, that and perhaps dietary triggers. The western doctors felt the work on the fistula was complete so that was good to know. I stayed in the hosiptal for a couple of days and then stayed with a friend here who thankfully is a nurse and she helped me through all of this. The bleeding stopped entirely after about 4 days. But boy was I afraid of losing my colon. However due to all the blood loss I am getting dizzy spells if I get over exerted. I have never bled so much in my life. Wow. So, the answer to your question. It seems at this point the fistula is healing up nicely. Before the excessive bleeding I was not sure that they got it all, perhaps this was due to a communication problem due to language? They want me to come back in April to deal with the colitis. I will wait and see how everything heals up and then decide from there. For those of you who have an in-ano-fistula I have never been through anything more painful on a day to day basis in my life. It was really starting to wear on me phsycologically them going up there every day, After 5 weeks I was a basket case. This proceedure is no cake walk as there is no pain killers period. Time will only tell how well they did. But for some reason I still feel more confident that this was a better way to go than the medical operations that were offered. Then again I did have daily care at the clinic so that was good. Time will tell and I will surely let you know how i am in the months to come. Thank you for your concern and interest. I pray they got it all. Aside from the dizzy spells my guts are working pretty good and have no pain or bleeding. It feels like my body was shouting, "That's enough, STOP!!" I'm hoping to make a break for home on the 24th, I'm really tired of the "Big City" and now after such a traumatic 2 months I just want to be home. Merry Christmas. Namaste. GeoffJ
Hi Geoff,
Wow, I can't believe it - you have definitely had a very rough two months! I am really sorry to hear it. You have been on my mind since you last wrote, but I had no idea of what you had been going through - I can totally understand the psychological exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed! Not only was your fistula 'atypical' as you said, but these complications are very scary. I'm glad you appear to be on the 'other side' of things now, getting better and with no bleeding.
Do you normally have colitis? I know that is one of the causes of a fistula (for me the cause was likely constipation). I know the clinic states they can treat colitis, I'm not sure how but if you have it, it may be worth trying it out.
I hope you are very much through the worst of it, and it's only progress from here. I still can't believe what you have been through! I know how hard it was for me to go through, I also felt at my 'wit's end' until I felt some real progress, and yet I had not near your difficulties.
Please do keep us posted on how you do. I think a lot of people can benefit. I am hoping you DON'T have colitis normally, and it was an isolated thing...
Glad you are going home for the holidays, and can take a break from daily treatment. All the best Geoff, and thanks so much for sharing, it really does help us all.
T.C.
PS I still have some pain... they told me at the clinic it's due to weak muscles due to over straining, and that the treatment is Kegel exercises and not straining... so that is what I have been doing, as much as possible... slowly improving. But when I say 'some pain', this is still 95% less pain than before, and generally not intrusive. Thanks for sharing your experience, it makes me realize that the road to 100% normal again can be zig-zaggy!
I have had colitis in the past but nothing even close to this kind of bleeding. I've never even had cuts on my hands or body bleed this much. Thankfully I am in no pain. Bowel movements are fine but somewhat urgent. I know I can deal with recovering from the colitis flareup, once again, I just pray they got all of that fistual. In my case I do know the fistual was caused from excessive bowel movements and way to much straining from a long time ago now.
Yes, healing sure has been zig-zaggy. Take care and I will keep you posted.
GJ
Thanks for the reply Geoff! What you're saying makes sense. As you say, let's hope the fistulas are gone - all the best and indeed keep us posted. Glad you get to go home for Christmas!
T.C.
My guess is it has horse chestnut in it. There are similar herbal remedies in the States too like hemrid and others. Best of luck to all.
Hi,
Are you going to a NATCM Hemroid Clinic?
Geoff J.
I'm contemplating whether to try this or not. I have been having an on and off pain with my BM. I have made an appointment with them for Saturday in the Toronto office. What should I expect for my first consultation?
Hi Wendy
the pain is considerable. How old are your kids? You will be able to get up and move around, fix lunch for the kids. But you will likely be in a good deal of pain. Also, there will be a time period in the morning that you may not be available to your kids. The first few days are the most difficult. Is there someone nearby? Can they be by themselves for an hour (or more?) There will be some great teachable moments about self-care and what Mommy needs. Good luck! Despite all, it is most certainly worth it.
Rebecca
Rebecca is right, I think the first few days (especially the FIRST day) are the hardest. I had an anal fistula and only a very small external hemorrhoid - the pain with the external hemorrhoid treatment was not a lot but it was a very small single one.
So I would play it safe just in case, especially for the first day or so, and if your kids are young and need constant care maybe see if you can get help. Re the antibiotic - they recommended it for the fistula, but not sure what they will say for the hems - they do give you Chinese herb antibiotic (but it's not as strong as regular antibiotic). You can call and ask them, if they recommend it you can get a prescription.
Re the Guest who asked what to expect during the first visit - they will examine you, diagnose you, tell you what the price will be to treat you, and you decide. If you decide to go ahead with the treatment they will start right then and there (depending on what the issue is), if not, you leave. You can always go home and think about it and then come back if you decide to proceed.
T.C.
Wendy, I wanted to add, don't be too scared of the pain - I think we all mention it because it comes as a bit of a surprise (the advertising tends to hint that it will be 'pain free'), and depending on what you're having treated, the pain can be considerable - it's good to be prepared and to plan around it. But it was never unbearable, it was never greater than what surgical pain would have been like (having had surgery before, I know it was a lot less), and the worst passes relatively soon. Ask them carefully when you go about how much pain you can expect with the hem treatment, and they will tell you what to expect. You can take ibuprofen which may take the edge of it the first day or so.
I met a woman at the Toronto CLinic who had had very severe hems for many years - she was virtually housebound due to them, and could not wear pants due to the pain. She was treated over 2 months. When I saw her it was several months later - she was in the clinic to get pamphlets to take to her family doctor to recommend it to others - she said she was completely well again for the first time in more than 20 years, and was thrilled with the way her treatment had gone.
Hope all this helps - good luck, and do let us know how you do!