All the best !!
Stay strong. Things will be alright.
I don't have any pain when I am doing my routine things but it hurts when I have my physical therapy. My case was not as complicated as you guys. My spinchter was intact. All I had was a fistula repair.
Can someone please tell me how did your doctor evaluate your fistula ?
What kind of test/procedures were done to determine the course of action ?
I just have that one symptom about which I asked.
If a tiny hole is present .. I have decided to let it go.
ShellySue... why are you going through a second fistula repair ?
Stay strong. Things will be alright.
I don't have any pain when I am doing my routine things but it hurts when I have my physical therapy. My case was not as complicated as you guys. My spinchter was intact. All I had was a fistula repair.
Can someone please tell me how did your doctor evaluate your fistula ?
What kind of test/procedures were done to determine the course of action ?
I just have that one symptom about which I asked.
If a tiny hole is present .. I have decided to let it go.
ShellySue... why are you going through a second fistula repair ?
Well, after they repaired my RVF, they had to repair the sphincter...and in the process of that healing, a new fistula developed, not recto-vaginal, just a connection from my rectum to my perinium. They tried to plug it but the hole was too big, so now I've had a seton in place for 3 months, and I go in May 4th to have them retry the plug now that the hole has shrunk around the seton.
My dr. has recommended physical therapy for me as well when I'm through with the surgeries.
To answer your other question, by the time I went in for my initial visit to the right dr. my fistula was really infected and I had a second superficial one as well. I went to see a colorectal surgeon and he just did that scope thing...could barely stand that, so he brought me in for an exam under anestesia, where he could get a good look, cut some stuff open and drain it. They were already pretty sure though when I came in that that's what the problem was b/c of my symptoms.
Oh kinda OT, but how do I get this board to send me e-mails when there are responses to the post? I'm watching it but I don't get notified of this one through e-mail, but have before for another post.
My dr. has recommended physical therapy for me as well when I'm through with the surgeries.
To answer your other question, by the time I went in for my initial visit to the right dr. my fistula was really infected and I had a second superficial one as well. I went to see a colorectal surgeon and he just did that scope thing...could barely stand that, so he brought me in for an exam under anestesia, where he could get a good look, cut some stuff open and drain it. They were already pretty sure though when I came in that that's what the problem was b/c of my symptoms.
Oh kinda OT, but how do I get this board to send me e-mails when there are responses to the post? I'm watching it but I don't get notified of this one through e-mail, but have before for another post.
Rectal vaginal fissures are not only related to birth but age and poor diet also. My mother of 75 years was just diagonised with a rectal vaginal fissure which was most likely from constipation and/or diverticuli, an out pouching of the intestinal wall. I had a male friend who had recurrent urinary track infections and was finally diagonised with an intestinal bladder fistula. Please remember you doctor is working for you. You are PAYING him/her for a service.
Has anyone done the Surgisis Plugs for a fistula? I've had 2 done, and they have both fallen out within a few days. I'm wondering what some other successes or failures may have been?
Also, anyone have successful Mucosal Advancement Flap?
I think that's my next step! Although I've already had one, and then my sphincter repair, so we've got to fix another fistula now.
Also, anyone have successful Mucosal Advancement Flap?
I think that's my next step! Although I've already had one, and then my sphincter repair, so we've got to fix another fistula now.
Hi shellsue-
I have a rectal vaginal fistula too from a 4th degree tear. I had a sphincteroplasty about 19 months ago. I have been talking to my surgeon about the plug and I want to try it. Have you heard of the new "button" technique that has been developed for the plug. It is supposed to hold the plug in better. Have you tried that? Have either of your plug placements caused the fistula to be worse? How was the procedure in general?
It all just really sucks, doesn't it?
I have a rectal vaginal fistula too from a 4th degree tear. I had a sphincteroplasty about 19 months ago. I have been talking to my surgeon about the plug and I want to try it. Have you heard of the new "button" technique that has been developed for the plug. It is supposed to hold the plug in better. Have you tried that? Have either of your plug placements caused the fistula to be worse? How was the procedure in general?
It all just really sucks, doesn't it?
Hi Shellsue -
I have a rectal vaginal fistula too from the birth of my son. I had a 4th degree tear and had a sphincteroplasty about 19 months ago. I have been talking to my surgeon about the plug procedure and I am thinking of having it done. Have you heard of the new button plug that is now in use? It is supposed to hold the plug in better. Have you tried that? How was the plug procedure in general? Did either procedure make your fistula worse?
It all pretty much sucks, doesn't it?
I have a rectal vaginal fistula too from the birth of my son. I had a 4th degree tear and had a sphincteroplasty about 19 months ago. I have been talking to my surgeon about the plug procedure and I am thinking of having it done. Have you heard of the new button plug that is now in use? It is supposed to hold the plug in better. Have you tried that? How was the plug procedure in general? Did either procedure make your fistula worse?
It all pretty much sucks, doesn't it?
I have a very small fistula I discovered approx 2 years ago - Dr.'s have no idea how I got it (No kids to date, crohnes disease etc..) total mystery - tonnes of tests - no answers.
Now I am expecting and have the option to do Vaginal or Cesarean birth. My Dr. is suggesting to stick with natural but I am SO scared my fistula will get worse or that I will need some sort of surgery afterwards. My symtoms were tolerable before that I could live with them.
Should I do the C- section or try for the natural delivery?
HELP....
Now I am expecting and have the option to do Vaginal or Cesarean birth. My Dr. is suggesting to stick with natural but I am SO scared my fistula will get worse or that I will need some sort of surgery afterwards. My symtoms were tolerable before that I could live with them.
Should I do the C- section or try for the natural delivery?
HELP....
Hi everyone, four years ago, I suffered a fistula as a result of my id**t doctor not performing a C-section when my 9 lb son came out of my very small body. I spent the first 18 months of my son's life dealing with this nightmare and I will have permanent continence problems as a result. I had three surgeries: one outpatient that was orchestrated my the offending OB-GYN, that didn't work, then two others in which I had a temporary colostomy in place and then removed. It was a b***h.
My advice: find a colorectal surgeon. My fistula was thankfully repaired, but it took almost two years before I was finally comfortable having sex with my husband. And I will always have a continence problem which is exacerbated by my previously-existing IBS. I also have a lot of scar tissue in the vagina which has gotten better but is still noticeable. My husband is a saint and says that it doesn't bother him. Oh, and the lovely 3 inch scar on my stomach from the colostomy.
Also, in retrospect I wish I had sued. At the time, I was just thankful that my son did not have any injuries. And of course, I still am. But no one should have to endure the suffering that I (we) had to endure during what should be the most wonderful time of your life -- becoming a new mother. And to add irony to the matter, I have handled litigation cases involving personal injury for a large insurance company for 10 years, so I am well aware that I would have gotten a substantial settlement from all of this. I could have sued him myself without the help of an attorney with all the experience I have!!!
I do not have any more children and this problem is the largest reason. But my husband and I are thrilled with our beautiful son and are very happy.
My advice: find a colorectal surgeon. My fistula was thankfully repaired, but it took almost two years before I was finally comfortable having sex with my husband. And I will always have a continence problem which is exacerbated by my previously-existing IBS. I also have a lot of scar tissue in the vagina which has gotten better but is still noticeable. My husband is a saint and says that it doesn't bother him. Oh, and the lovely 3 inch scar on my stomach from the colostomy.
Also, in retrospect I wish I had sued. At the time, I was just thankful that my son did not have any injuries. And of course, I still am. But no one should have to endure the suffering that I (we) had to endure during what should be the most wonderful time of your life -- becoming a new mother. And to add irony to the matter, I have handled litigation cases involving personal injury for a large insurance company for 10 years, so I am well aware that I would have gotten a substantial settlement from all of this. I could have sued him myself without the help of an attorney with all the experience I have!!!
I do not have any more children and this problem is the largest reason. But my husband and I are thrilled with our beautiful son and are very happy.
I am suffering from rectovaginal fistula.. I went to my Gynac despite of telling the problem I was facing he just said I my episiotomy stitches haven’t healed. He operated me. And Later I went to another Gynac she said I have a fistula. I got operated 3 weeks back.. I m still recovering
My 83 year old mother has developed a colovaginal fistula, and is suffering from vaginal pain. What to do?