CJ- Thanks... oh the balance of diet is hard-I try never to strain, but today did a little and swore I saw a little yuck in the wrong place, but it may just be me freaking out...I think this will always be part of the situation.... What can you do? I would say keep waiting.... no stoolis great-do you get any strange vag. discharge-like a little yellowish-just wondering. I do sometimes....
Jess-yuck you have been around the block and back-what a mess for all of us... Mine may still be there little (which scares me) but I can live with a little gas, no biggy after all i went through... My crs says some women do live with little fistulas, so who knows.... I just hate surgery and the whole thing. I believe the longer you keep the ostomy the better, more time to heal.... I am glad you came back here, I will keep checking in... stay strong.
Flower-hey I never had a dye test, my dr. just said it was gone, but like my posts say i have had some occassional gas pass through, so i know the truth...I think Penny did!
Bea-hey you how are you?
Penny-how are you? B
Jess-yuck you have been around the block and back-what a mess for all of us... Mine may still be there little (which scares me) but I can live with a little gas, no biggy after all i went through... My crs says some women do live with little fistulas, so who knows.... I just hate surgery and the whole thing. I believe the longer you keep the ostomy the better, more time to heal.... I am glad you came back here, I will keep checking in... stay strong.
Flower-hey I never had a dye test, my dr. just said it was gone, but like my posts say i have had some occassional gas pass through, so i know the truth...I think Penny did!
Bea-hey you how are you?
Penny-how are you? B
Beegirl,
You know sometimes I notice my normal vaginal discharge looks yellowish... but I think that's normal right? I don't think that is related to the fistula... do you?? It doesn't look like stool. I usually have a whilte discharge. I am also on birth control pills. Did you get gas through your vagina with the ileo.? If you still have a small fistula then do you think you will just live with it or one day attempt another surgery? I know you have been through so much and are just thankful to be where you're at now. Have you told your doctor about the gas?
Penny, Bea, and Flower- I hope you all are doing okay. Thanks for your thoughts.
CJ
You know sometimes I notice my normal vaginal discharge looks yellowish... but I think that's normal right? I don't think that is related to the fistula... do you?? It doesn't look like stool. I usually have a whilte discharge. I am also on birth control pills. Did you get gas through your vagina with the ileo.? If you still have a small fistula then do you think you will just live with it or one day attempt another surgery? I know you have been through so much and are just thankful to be where you're at now. Have you told your doctor about the gas?
Penny, Bea, and Flower- I hope you all are doing okay. Thanks for your thoughts.
CJ
Flower-do you have a stoma nurse to ask about the stoma? I did not have that experience, but was told that it could pose a problem if it did happen. Ugh, if it is not one thing it is certainly another. I hope that it pops up or something soon. B
Bea,
Your stoma situation has always been a mystery to me. I always thought that once you have a stoma absolutely nothing can get through to the rest of your intestine, and that was the case with mine. Once I had the ileostomy that was it. No food of any kind came out any other way that through the stoma. The only way I knew the fistula was still there was that the fluid they injection through the rectum came out through the fistula after a few days. Could it be that you need to have your colostomy fixed so that nothing can get through and so that your fistula can heal without being bothered by stuff passing through? Good luck with your next MD visit. I hope they can give you some good news!
Penny
Your stoma situation has always been a mystery to me. I always thought that once you have a stoma absolutely nothing can get through to the rest of your intestine, and that was the case with mine. Once I had the ileostomy that was it. No food of any kind came out any other way that through the stoma. The only way I knew the fistula was still there was that the fluid they injection through the rectum came out through the fistula after a few days. Could it be that you need to have your colostomy fixed so that nothing can get through and so that your fistula can heal without being bothered by stuff passing through? Good luck with your next MD visit. I hope they can give you some good news!
Penny
Wow, I went away for a few days and missed a LOT! Bea, I'm hoping that you're feeling better and that your body has adjusted to the stoma the way it should and nothing is passing through. I was wondering if it was remotely possible that the stool that you had pass through the RVF may have already been in the tract and it was just clearing itself. Is that a possibility? I've been trying to come up with a reason for you, but I guess you won't know until you have a doctor check you out.
I went on my first plane ride since my fistula nightmare began. I used to travel A LOT and have been avoiding it due to the nasty little b****r. Travels went well (all four flights without my baby throwing a fit!), although I didn't manage to have a BM prior to my return flight home, leading to much stress that I would be stuck in an airport bathroom trying to clean poo out of my lady parts. Managed to make it home unscathed, and had two poos this morning (I'm guessing to make up for the lack of one yesterday).
Anyway, my reading of the most recent postings left me with a question. CJ, I think it was you who is avoiding gassy foods. Is there a reason for this other than the embarrassment of passing it through the fistula? I was just wondering if I should be avoiding it too, if it would help with the healing. I'm currently trying to keep the BMs firm and have managed to do so without much problem for the last three months. I had diarrhea the other day for the first time since just after my sphincteroplasty in May, but otherwise have been keeping a good consistency without the aid of stool softeners and the like. Anyway, my doctor didn't say anything about avoiding gassy foods, but she tends to leave things out unless I ask about them directly. Thoughts?
Hope you're all well!
RLWmom
I went on my first plane ride since my fistula nightmare began. I used to travel A LOT and have been avoiding it due to the nasty little b****r. Travels went well (all four flights without my baby throwing a fit!), although I didn't manage to have a BM prior to my return flight home, leading to much stress that I would be stuck in an airport bathroom trying to clean poo out of my lady parts. Managed to make it home unscathed, and had two poos this morning (I'm guessing to make up for the lack of one yesterday).
Anyway, my reading of the most recent postings left me with a question. CJ, I think it was you who is avoiding gassy foods. Is there a reason for this other than the embarrassment of passing it through the fistula? I was just wondering if I should be avoiding it too, if it would help with the healing. I'm currently trying to keep the BMs firm and have managed to do so without much problem for the last three months. I had diarrhea the other day for the first time since just after my sphincteroplasty in May, but otherwise have been keeping a good consistency without the aid of stool softeners and the like. Anyway, my doctor didn't say anything about avoiding gassy foods, but she tends to leave things out unless I ask about them directly. Thoughts?
Hope you're all well!
RLWmom
Hi Penny,
My doctors aren't surpised by the stoma letting stuff through. they say it is about 90% effective. I wonder if that is why you had an ileostomy - maybe that is more effective? At first mine let nothing through but it took a long time for the swelling to go down completely - so I think that helped. And it has got more and more (stuff coming through) as time has gone on. Sometimes the stoma is active when I change the pouch and instead of seeing two holes as normal I can only see the one the stuff is coming out of so I think the 'downpipe' sort of gets pushed down and as a result stuff gets into it. that is the only explanation I can think of. However I am on immodium at the moment hoping that might reduce it.
Flower - you don't need to worry because you don't have a loop colostomy so yours can't get through. I have read that stomas can become recessed and I think this makes applying the pouches difficult but it is no more than that.
Having said all that about stuff coming through it was about 3 months before any did and the rectal repair I had at the time of the stoma last October still failed. And I would have thought that 3 months of nothing should have been enough so I think there maybe another problem rather than the incomplete diversion of stool.
Bea
My doctors aren't surpised by the stoma letting stuff through. they say it is about 90% effective. I wonder if that is why you had an ileostomy - maybe that is more effective? At first mine let nothing through but it took a long time for the swelling to go down completely - so I think that helped. And it has got more and more (stuff coming through) as time has gone on. Sometimes the stoma is active when I change the pouch and instead of seeing two holes as normal I can only see the one the stuff is coming out of so I think the 'downpipe' sort of gets pushed down and as a result stuff gets into it. that is the only explanation I can think of. However I am on immodium at the moment hoping that might reduce it.
Flower - you don't need to worry because you don't have a loop colostomy so yours can't get through. I have read that stomas can become recessed and I think this makes applying the pouches difficult but it is no more than that.
Having said all that about stuff coming through it was about 3 months before any did and the rectal repair I had at the time of the stoma last October still failed. And I would have thought that 3 months of nothing should have been enough so I think there maybe another problem rather than the incomplete diversion of stool.
Bea
CJ-If it is just gas, I am living with it!!! I am so tired and done and I don't want to press my luck... Ha... And as is now, the gas is only once in awhile going out the wrong way, so it is not that bad.
Be good, b
Be good, b
Beegirl,
Love your attitude. Maybe that's how I need to be about this whole situtation if will just be gas! Do you still take stool softners?
CJ
Love your attitude. Maybe that's how I need to be about this whole situtation if will just be gas! Do you still take stool softners?
CJ
Hey Ladies-ugh, I have such an upset stomach lately-and a mix of diarrhea then slight constipation-what made me nervous is that yesterday I had a little constipation, followed by diarrhea-and noticed the area where the fistula was was sore-and saw a tiny bit of blood, ugh... then today I went to the restroom and noticed some blood, just like, maybe I was getting my period, then this evening I had bad diarrhea again (like I get a few days before my period) I ran to the bathroom and all came out the right way, but i did notice the slightest bit of yellowish-browish, vaginally-not sure...anyway, it could be my period on its way or a little fecal matter that escaped... anyway, now I am really sore where the fistula was/is-but I had to wipe the area obviously to make sure it is clean...so I am kinda nervous-any thoughts ladies? I wish I was more regular. B
Hi B,
I hear that you are worried the fistula might be coming back. I certainly hope not. I can identify with you that I was very watchful and alert to anything different for a while. I am now to the point where I've decided if it does come back I won't like it but I know now what I have to do, who I have to call, where I have to post! to start remedying the situation. I know you've had it with the surgeries, I totally am with you there. And once you've had your reversal we don't want to look back. I just don't want to worry unless there's really something to worry about. Have you called your MD and told him/her about what's happening? Maybe it's normal or maybe they can tell you what might be helpful. I think there are things you can eat to keep your stool between liquid and hard which would be less likely to cause trouble. In any event I hear you. Keep us posted and hang in there.
Bea, I finally Googled loop ostomy and saw the double hole. I think I was unaware such a thing existed. Mine was just one hole, the other was tied off underneath. I wonder what the benefit of that one is. Hopefully it's what's best for you. Let us know how it's going.
I am doing okay. Goal of every day is stool that leaks less than the day before. I lost a couple of pounds, yeah. Just 23 to go!
Penny
I hear that you are worried the fistula might be coming back. I certainly hope not. I can identify with you that I was very watchful and alert to anything different for a while. I am now to the point where I've decided if it does come back I won't like it but I know now what I have to do, who I have to call, where I have to post! to start remedying the situation. I know you've had it with the surgeries, I totally am with you there. And once you've had your reversal we don't want to look back. I just don't want to worry unless there's really something to worry about. Have you called your MD and told him/her about what's happening? Maybe it's normal or maybe they can tell you what might be helpful. I think there are things you can eat to keep your stool between liquid and hard which would be less likely to cause trouble. In any event I hear you. Keep us posted and hang in there.
Bea, I finally Googled loop ostomy and saw the double hole. I think I was unaware such a thing existed. Mine was just one hole, the other was tied off underneath. I wonder what the benefit of that one is. Hopefully it's what's best for you. Let us know how it's going.
I am doing okay. Goal of every day is stool that leaks less than the day before. I lost a couple of pounds, yeah. Just 23 to go!
Penny
Beegirl,
Try eating a low-residue diet. I went on line and found a low residue diet plan and printed it out. It lists food to avoid and foods to eat. I have been eating this way since my surgery 8 weeks ago because I was struggling with diarrhea. I am the kind of person that gets diarrhea when I get really upset and worried about things. I haven't had diarrhea in 6 weeks. I take 2 stool softners a day so I don't get constipated. I know I can't eat this way forever because it's not as healthy. Like I eat white bread instead of wheat and I eat more canned fruits then fresh... BUT I figure for me this could help some with the healing process. I am going to try soon to start adding more fiber to my diet. I also do not drink diet coke anymore because I think that made me gassy or chocolate. Do I sound crazy?? UGH!!!
When you say you wiped/cleaned your fistula area.... do you know where it is?? I don't know where mine is and I don't try to find it. I bet the blood is just your period coming. So don't worry about that. It's been so long since you've had your surgery that I would think the fistula(if it's even ther) can't get bigger at this point and bleed. You've had months to heal, so even if there is still a whole I really don't think it could get worse. Ask your doctor.
CJ
Try eating a low-residue diet. I went on line and found a low residue diet plan and printed it out. It lists food to avoid and foods to eat. I have been eating this way since my surgery 8 weeks ago because I was struggling with diarrhea. I am the kind of person that gets diarrhea when I get really upset and worried about things. I haven't had diarrhea in 6 weeks. I take 2 stool softners a day so I don't get constipated. I know I can't eat this way forever because it's not as healthy. Like I eat white bread instead of wheat and I eat more canned fruits then fresh... BUT I figure for me this could help some with the healing process. I am going to try soon to start adding more fiber to my diet. I also do not drink diet coke anymore because I think that made me gassy or chocolate. Do I sound crazy?? UGH!!!
When you say you wiped/cleaned your fistula area.... do you know where it is?? I don't know where mine is and I don't try to find it. I bet the blood is just your period coming. So don't worry about that. It's been so long since you've had your surgery that I would think the fistula(if it's even ther) can't get bigger at this point and bleed. You've had months to heal, so even if there is still a whole I really don't think it could get worse. Ask your doctor.
CJ
RLW mom,
Sorry, I think I missed your post earlier... I am just mainly trying to keep my stools firm and I have found that eating a low-residue diet is helping me. I tend to get diarrhea when I get worked up about things. As far as non gassy foods... well being on this diet has made me less gassy which has been nice. I don't pass gas through the fistula that often. It is so embarassing when it happens in front of others.
You seem to be doing better though. Are you not passing stool anymore that much? I am starting to learn that doctors don't always give you important information unless you ask. It's frustrating!
CJ
Sorry, I think I missed your post earlier... I am just mainly trying to keep my stools firm and I have found that eating a low-residue diet is helping me. I tend to get diarrhea when I get worked up about things. As far as non gassy foods... well being on this diet has made me less gassy which has been nice. I don't pass gas through the fistula that often. It is so embarassing when it happens in front of others.
You seem to be doing better though. Are you not passing stool anymore that much? I am starting to learn that doctors don't always give you important information unless you ask. It's frustrating!
CJ
Bea,
Have any doctors talked to you about having a graft repair done? or some sort of muscle repair? You mentioned in a post that the repair still didnt work with the colostomy and you thought maybe something else was wrong? Just wondering.
CJ
Have any doctors talked to you about having a graft repair done? or some sort of muscle repair? You mentioned in a post that the repair still didnt work with the colostomy and you thought maybe something else was wrong? Just wondering.
CJ
Hey ladies,
I know I shouldn't be whining, but I have the most uncomfortable vaginal buring-when I pee or wipe--yuck, I wonder if this is my body saying that the fistula is there...so sad. B
I know I shouldn't be whining, but I have the most uncomfortable vaginal buring-when I pee or wipe--yuck, I wonder if this is my body saying that the fistula is there...so sad. B
Beegirl,
I'm thinking of you - it might not be coming back. Is it possibly cystitis if it stings when you pee? Only a thought. Try and stay positive. I hope your tummy settles down and the stool is firmer again as this will help it heal back if anything has torn. I really really hope it will be alright.
Thinking of you.
Bea
I'm thinking of you - it might not be coming back. Is it possibly cystitis if it stings when you pee? Only a thought. Try and stay positive. I hope your tummy settles down and the stool is firmer again as this will help it heal back if anything has torn. I really really hope it will be alright.
Thinking of you.
Bea