Hello everyone,
Bea, I've forgotten if you have your next surgery planned. Are you expecting it soon? Having to deal with both the ostomy and the open fistula must be a pain. I hope it's not going to be too long.
I have been feeling somewhat discouraged. My PT suggested I see a nutritionist to figure out what kind of diet I should be on. I've read some things go through you faster and other's take more than a day. How do you know when what goes in comes out? Needless to say I haven't found that perfect diet. I am doing fewer enemas which is good. I slowed down on the chocolate, a sad situation, and other high fat foods. I have to call the pharmacist today to find out what foods would be equivalent in the gastrointestinal system as imodium. Not sure there is any, really. I think it works on your intestinal lining to slow things down. Maybe a low fiber diet?Due to my discouragement I haven't been doing my exercises as required by the PT as often as I should which is a no-no.
I'm possibly going to take the bike to a local trail today. We'll see. Maybe with a couple of Advil it will work out.
B, good luck to you next week. I hope you only have good news. It seems things have been going better for you. But I know what you mean. Just having the appointment used to stress me out because there was such a long run of bad news each time. I remember one appointment I was thrilled I didn't have to have an invasive test as expected, then 4 minutes later the MD was telling me I needed another sphincteroplasty. Talk about roller coaster. In any event, I hope it's all good.
Sorry for the long post. It helps to get it out and it feels good to have listeners! Thanks again for being here.
Penny
Bea, I've forgotten if you have your next surgery planned. Are you expecting it soon? Having to deal with both the ostomy and the open fistula must be a pain. I hope it's not going to be too long.
I have been feeling somewhat discouraged. My PT suggested I see a nutritionist to figure out what kind of diet I should be on. I've read some things go through you faster and other's take more than a day. How do you know when what goes in comes out? Needless to say I haven't found that perfect diet. I am doing fewer enemas which is good. I slowed down on the chocolate, a sad situation, and other high fat foods. I have to call the pharmacist today to find out what foods would be equivalent in the gastrointestinal system as imodium. Not sure there is any, really. I think it works on your intestinal lining to slow things down. Maybe a low fiber diet?Due to my discouragement I haven't been doing my exercises as required by the PT as often as I should which is a no-no.
I'm possibly going to take the bike to a local trail today. We'll see. Maybe with a couple of Advil it will work out.
B, good luck to you next week. I hope you only have good news. It seems things have been going better for you. But I know what you mean. Just having the appointment used to stress me out because there was such a long run of bad news each time. I remember one appointment I was thrilled I didn't have to have an invasive test as expected, then 4 minutes later the MD was telling me I needed another sphincteroplasty. Talk about roller coaster. In any event, I hope it's all good.
Sorry for the long post. It helps to get it out and it feels good to have listeners! Thanks again for being here.
Penny
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hey ladies,
Penny, I hope you got on the bike. it was beautiful here, sunny and breezy...I did a million things with my daughter...It was a great day! I can't wait until summer break now. Only 25 more days. I go back to my Dr. this week, thanks for wishing me luck. I am nervous. I feel like I just got my life back with getting use to the ostomy and I don't want to hear what is next. I hope to wait until the end of the summer to do anything. I mean maybe the longer I wait the better. Plus I don't want to spend the summer recovering from surgery. I want to get back in shape from all the other surgerys and feel good, you know? It is hard to get started, I know, with excercise. But you can do it Penny...just a little a day, then reward yourself-Thinking of you!
Bea, hope you are well too...
CJ and Drewsmom-hope you guys are well too! Beegirl
Penny, I hope you got on the bike. it was beautiful here, sunny and breezy...I did a million things with my daughter...It was a great day! I can't wait until summer break now. Only 25 more days. I go back to my Dr. this week, thanks for wishing me luck. I am nervous. I feel like I just got my life back with getting use to the ostomy and I don't want to hear what is next. I hope to wait until the end of the summer to do anything. I mean maybe the longer I wait the better. Plus I don't want to spend the summer recovering from surgery. I want to get back in shape from all the other surgerys and feel good, you know? It is hard to get started, I know, with excercise. But you can do it Penny...just a little a day, then reward yourself-Thinking of you!
Bea, hope you are well too...
CJ and Drewsmom-hope you guys are well too! Beegirl
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Hi everyone,
I am new to this group, after spending the last few hours reading most of the posts here. I have had a RVF with gas only symptoms (yes, you could say I'm "lucky") since I gave birth to my son 2 years ago. He was considered big at 9 lbs. 4 oz. and I had a very difficult delivery with him. I pushed for 3.5 hours and broke my tailbone in the process. I was extremely swollen afterward and the midwife who delivered him (whom I hadn't met until delivery) did a terrible job at repairing my "2.5 degree" tear. Another midwife told me the repair didn't make any sense - just suture material balled up, no rhyme or reason to it at all. I was/am a major advocate of natural childbirth, so I was the one who refused a C-section. I felt like my baby and I were both fine (albeit exhausted) and so I persisted with getting him out vaginally. My mind might be changing now that I have seen what can happen when you push your body too much.
I noticed that something wasn't right when I would pass gas while sitting or lounging in bed days after delivery. It was shocking to feel gas coming from my vagina, but thought maybe I was confused or maybe this just happens for a few days after you have a baby. Well, it never went away. I have learned to control it (make it come out from where it should) for the most part, but it's still uncomfortable knowing that there is a hole down there, however small it may be.
I've had most medical providers seem skeptical that I know what's going on. They try to tell me it's just air that gets sucked up into the vagina and released back out when I stand up or move. It's not.
I am now 31 weeks pregnant with my second child and have recently switched providers. I have been planning another drug-free, vaginal delivery with this little one but am having some major anxiety about it now. I realize I am fortunate not to have the problems I could be having with this type of injury and I do not want to make things worse by trying to push another baby out. I have been hoping that the delivery would tear things open enough that it would heal properly this time. From what I've been reading, that doesn't seem to happen most of the time.
I am 1.5 months away from having this baby and I'm shocked that I'm even thinking about a scheduled C-section, because it goes against what I have fought against for so long. I have to weigh the risks and I'm just not sure that it's worth having me possibly have to undergo surgery while raising two small children and while my husband is in school. We have no medical insurance either. Anyway, just wanted to post and say that I feel such a sense of comfort reading other women's stories here. Thank you for listening.
:-D
I am new to this group, after spending the last few hours reading most of the posts here. I have had a RVF with gas only symptoms (yes, you could say I'm "lucky") since I gave birth to my son 2 years ago. He was considered big at 9 lbs. 4 oz. and I had a very difficult delivery with him. I pushed for 3.5 hours and broke my tailbone in the process. I was extremely swollen afterward and the midwife who delivered him (whom I hadn't met until delivery) did a terrible job at repairing my "2.5 degree" tear. Another midwife told me the repair didn't make any sense - just suture material balled up, no rhyme or reason to it at all. I was/am a major advocate of natural childbirth, so I was the one who refused a C-section. I felt like my baby and I were both fine (albeit exhausted) and so I persisted with getting him out vaginally. My mind might be changing now that I have seen what can happen when you push your body too much.
I noticed that something wasn't right when I would pass gas while sitting or lounging in bed days after delivery. It was shocking to feel gas coming from my vagina, but thought maybe I was confused or maybe this just happens for a few days after you have a baby. Well, it never went away. I have learned to control it (make it come out from where it should) for the most part, but it's still uncomfortable knowing that there is a hole down there, however small it may be.
I've had most medical providers seem skeptical that I know what's going on. They try to tell me it's just air that gets sucked up into the vagina and released back out when I stand up or move. It's not.
I am now 31 weeks pregnant with my second child and have recently switched providers. I have been planning another drug-free, vaginal delivery with this little one but am having some major anxiety about it now. I realize I am fortunate not to have the problems I could be having with this type of injury and I do not want to make things worse by trying to push another baby out. I have been hoping that the delivery would tear things open enough that it would heal properly this time. From what I've been reading, that doesn't seem to happen most of the time.
I am 1.5 months away from having this baby and I'm shocked that I'm even thinking about a scheduled C-section, because it goes against what I have fought against for so long. I have to weigh the risks and I'm just not sure that it's worth having me possibly have to undergo surgery while raising two small children and while my husband is in school. We have no medical insurance either. Anyway, just wanted to post and say that I feel such a sense of comfort reading other women's stories here. Thank you for listening.
:-D
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New Guest,
I was in the same situation as you! I developed a fistula from the birth of my first child. I too, didn't realize what was wrong with me because I only had the gas coming through my vagina. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my second that I realized I had a fistula. I got a horrible stomach virus and passed feces through my vagina. I immediately called the doctor and came in. He agreed that I must have a fistula, but said he never saw it. So, I too wasn't sure how to deliver my next baby. I was worried it would make things worse, but also thought maybe they could fix it during the vaginal delivery.
I went ahead and decided to have a vaginal delivery. Other than tearing and having episotomy, I had good labor so I really wanted to try to have another vaginal delivery. My doctor said he would try to repair it during the delivery. Well, he did try to repair it but it didn't work. It also did not get worse which I am thankful for!
Now, 3 years later after having my second child, I have decided to get this problem fixed. I went to see a Colon Rectal Surgeon a few weeks ago and I am having surgery this month. I am fearful that it could get worse due to the posts I have read from others. The CRS feels that he can repair my fistula and things will be fine. So, I am just trusting him. Even though I only have gas symptoms... I just don't want to live with it. It's not natural and it is embarassing. I feel like I have to try to get this fixed.
So, I think you should talk to your OB and maybe try for a vaginal birth and see if it can be repaired during the delivery. See what the doctor thinks. I will tell you that if I ever decide to have another baby after getting my fistula fixed I will need to have a C-section. I am not sure if we are having anymore children, but if we ever decide to I will have to have a C-section. I get disappointed when I think about that, but it's not the end of the world. The outcome is a baby and that is all that matters!
Good luck with your decision!
CJ
I was in the same situation as you! I developed a fistula from the birth of my first child. I too, didn't realize what was wrong with me because I only had the gas coming through my vagina. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my second that I realized I had a fistula. I got a horrible stomach virus and passed feces through my vagina. I immediately called the doctor and came in. He agreed that I must have a fistula, but said he never saw it. So, I too wasn't sure how to deliver my next baby. I was worried it would make things worse, but also thought maybe they could fix it during the vaginal delivery.
I went ahead and decided to have a vaginal delivery. Other than tearing and having episotomy, I had good labor so I really wanted to try to have another vaginal delivery. My doctor said he would try to repair it during the delivery. Well, he did try to repair it but it didn't work. It also did not get worse which I am thankful for!
Now, 3 years later after having my second child, I have decided to get this problem fixed. I went to see a Colon Rectal Surgeon a few weeks ago and I am having surgery this month. I am fearful that it could get worse due to the posts I have read from others. The CRS feels that he can repair my fistula and things will be fine. So, I am just trusting him. Even though I only have gas symptoms... I just don't want to live with it. It's not natural and it is embarassing. I feel like I have to try to get this fixed.
So, I think you should talk to your OB and maybe try for a vaginal birth and see if it can be repaired during the delivery. See what the doctor thinks. I will tell you that if I ever decide to have another baby after getting my fistula fixed I will need to have a C-section. I am not sure if we are having anymore children, but if we ever decide to I will have to have a C-section. I get disappointed when I think about that, but it's not the end of the world. The outcome is a baby and that is all that matters!
Good luck with your decision!
CJ
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Hi All,
Guest - good to hear from you. I am sorry that you have an RVF too. It is very hard to make a decision and I don't envy you. I can only say that you must seriously consider the fact that the repairs of RVF are difficult to heal and an RVF will almost certainly never heal on its own. If it gets worse as a result of another delivery I understand it would probablyt stay worse. However my RVF is not the result of childbirth so I am not in such a position to comment. I can only wish you well and hope that your new provider is good.
Bee girl, B - good to hear from you. Good luck with the Dr's appointment. I am OK but still waiitng for my operation date. My job is safe though! (for now).
Penny hope you are OK too...
Bea
Guest - good to hear from you. I am sorry that you have an RVF too. It is very hard to make a decision and I don't envy you. I can only say that you must seriously consider the fact that the repairs of RVF are difficult to heal and an RVF will almost certainly never heal on its own. If it gets worse as a result of another delivery I understand it would probablyt stay worse. However my RVF is not the result of childbirth so I am not in such a position to comment. I can only wish you well and hope that your new provider is good.
Bee girl, B - good to hear from you. Good luck with the Dr's appointment. I am OK but still waiitng for my operation date. My job is safe though! (for now).
Penny hope you are OK too...
Bea
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HI all,
I delivered my first baby in Jan this year, had an episiotomy and then a 4thg degree tear-a RVF noted a few days later. I am having a small amount of stool once a week via the vagina and almost daily gas though generally quiet and not noticeable to others. No signs of vagina infection yet. Am seeing a colo-rectal surgeon in the US who says i will probably need surgery following only some improvement with silver nitrate.
Am visiting in the UK (London) and was wondering if anyone can recommend a surgeon i can see here (private or NHS) that they are impressed with.
Also has anyone healed without surgery?
I am also curious, of those that had RVF following childbirth...how many did not have an epidural?
I did not have an epidural and I remember by OB-GYN saying that as he had to use a local anaesthetic at the tear site (which caused swelling), the tear repair was difficult-so i am wondering if maybe thats why i ended up with a fistula. And maybe a reason to have an epidural (though i really wanted to avoid any epidural).
You all seem so supportive in the tough situations!
Thanks guys and good luck to you all!
I delivered my first baby in Jan this year, had an episiotomy and then a 4thg degree tear-a RVF noted a few days later. I am having a small amount of stool once a week via the vagina and almost daily gas though generally quiet and not noticeable to others. No signs of vagina infection yet. Am seeing a colo-rectal surgeon in the US who says i will probably need surgery following only some improvement with silver nitrate.
Am visiting in the UK (London) and was wondering if anyone can recommend a surgeon i can see here (private or NHS) that they are impressed with.
Also has anyone healed without surgery?
I am also curious, of those that had RVF following childbirth...how many did not have an epidural?
I did not have an epidural and I remember by OB-GYN saying that as he had to use a local anaesthetic at the tear site (which caused swelling), the tear repair was difficult-so i am wondering if maybe thats why i ended up with a fistula. And maybe a reason to have an epidural (though i really wanted to avoid any epidural).
You all seem so supportive in the tough situations!
Thanks guys and good luck to you all!
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It always makes me sad to see new people join, but glad that we all find this place.
Upset, Yes, I have heard of some pople healing without surgery. Your rvf may get smaller, before i had my first surgery I noticed a significant difference (8 mos. after giving birth) After my surgery, my rvf got much bigger. ugh. Now if you read the posts I have an ileostomy, hoping that I will heal....eventually. Good luck. B
Bea and Penny, Hey ladies...I will write more on Monday after my appointment.
All of you wonderful and strong ladies, have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B
Upset, Yes, I have heard of some pople healing without surgery. Your rvf may get smaller, before i had my first surgery I noticed a significant difference (8 mos. after giving birth) After my surgery, my rvf got much bigger. ugh. Now if you read the posts I have an ileostomy, hoping that I will heal....eventually. Good luck. B
Bea and Penny, Hey ladies...I will write more on Monday after my appointment.
All of you wonderful and strong ladies, have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! B
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Hello Upset and all,
I can hear you're trying to figure out how your fistula came about and how to make sure it doesn't happen again. I think fistulas can happen with any surgery, unfortunately. I got mine after a sphincteroplasty, others got them after other intestinal or vaginal surgeries. I don't know that there's any sure fire way of avoiding them. I had a natural childbirth many years ago that resulted in a tear that affected my sphincter but that had nothing to do with my recent fistula. And my fistula may have healed itself after a year and a half of having an ostomy. I have a question for you. Who suggested the silver nitrate and how exactly did they use it?
Thinking of you B this week. And you, too Bea. Hoping time passing takes you both toward your goals. This weekend is supposed to be a great one weather wise. I have been trying to get out, I know I've been way too attached to the TV. I did take my bike out on a bike path which proved successful. I have so many exercises from my PT they take up my exercise on my elliptical time in the mornings. Got to figure that one out.
Seize the Day!
Penny
I can hear you're trying to figure out how your fistula came about and how to make sure it doesn't happen again. I think fistulas can happen with any surgery, unfortunately. I got mine after a sphincteroplasty, others got them after other intestinal or vaginal surgeries. I don't know that there's any sure fire way of avoiding them. I had a natural childbirth many years ago that resulted in a tear that affected my sphincter but that had nothing to do with my recent fistula. And my fistula may have healed itself after a year and a half of having an ostomy. I have a question for you. Who suggested the silver nitrate and how exactly did they use it?
Thinking of you B this week. And you, too Bea. Hoping time passing takes you both toward your goals. This weekend is supposed to be a great one weather wise. I have been trying to get out, I know I've been way too attached to the TV. I did take my bike out on a bike path which proved successful. I have so many exercises from my PT they take up my exercise on my elliptical time in the mornings. Got to figure that one out.
Seize the Day!
Penny
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Hi ladies,
SO, I went to the Dr. today and I have a date for a surgery to check the fistula and for possible reversal... I am a little skeptical if it healed, but my crs said it looked good and he did not see a fistula... so, at the end of July ladies..... I guess, we will see... Any thoughts on reversal, Penny? Be good ladies. B
SO, I went to the Dr. today and I have a date for a surgery to check the fistula and for possible reversal... I am a little skeptical if it healed, but my crs said it looked good and he did not see a fistula... so, at the end of July ladies..... I guess, we will see... Any thoughts on reversal, Penny? Be good ladies. B
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Hi B,
NOt sure if I've logged in or not.
That sounds like very good news. That would be great to have this done and over with. For advice on the reversal, I'd make sure you can run to the bathroom when you feel the urge. In my case, I was hooked up to poles with an RN that wasn't used to responding to calls in a timely fashion resulting in unnecessary accidents. Morphine doesn't work well for me so I switched to Lelauded (not sure of the spelling) which allowed me to sleep. I'm sure they'll give you info on foods, etc. when the time comes. You feel like you're ordered to eat unhealthy, white bread, no raw fruits or veggies, for a time. I'm just now eating more raw veggies but I think that's more to do with my sphincter. It is a surgery, so you have to give yourself time to heal.
Penny
NOt sure if I've logged in or not.
That sounds like very good news. That would be great to have this done and over with. For advice on the reversal, I'd make sure you can run to the bathroom when you feel the urge. In my case, I was hooked up to poles with an RN that wasn't used to responding to calls in a timely fashion resulting in unnecessary accidents. Morphine doesn't work well for me so I switched to Lelauded (not sure of the spelling) which allowed me to sleep. I'm sure they'll give you info on foods, etc. when the time comes. You feel like you're ordered to eat unhealthy, white bread, no raw fruits or veggies, for a time. I'm just now eating more raw veggies but I think that's more to do with my sphincter. It is a surgery, so you have to give yourself time to heal.
Penny
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hi all. Thanks for your comments.
B- why did you have ur surgery if ur rvf seemed to be healing well at 8 months post partum? Do u know of any rvfs that have healed without having an ostomy?
Penny- yes I guess I am trying to understand it all. I was shocked that rvfs seem to happen a fair amount in this world of modern medicine. Are u waiting to find out if ur rvf is healed? Did u do anything to encourage healing other than the ostomy (which is tough enough!) like change diet etc? My crs recommended silver nitrate. A cotton ear bud like stick with it on was inserted thru the rvf every 2 weeks. Have u heard much for or against silver nitrate?
Hope u r all well and good luck to u guys.
B- why did you have ur surgery if ur rvf seemed to be healing well at 8 months post partum? Do u know of any rvfs that have healed without having an ostomy?
Penny- yes I guess I am trying to understand it all. I was shocked that rvfs seem to happen a fair amount in this world of modern medicine. Are u waiting to find out if ur rvf is healed? Did u do anything to encourage healing other than the ostomy (which is tough enough!) like change diet etc? My crs recommended silver nitrate. A cotton ear bud like stick with it on was inserted thru the rvf every 2 weeks. Have u heard much for or against silver nitrate?
Hope u r all well and good luck to u guys.
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Hi B,
Great news - I am so pleased for you. I thought you had been getting stuff through still so maybe hope for me yet? It could still happen! Did they do a barium enema test? My consultant is on compassionate leave so I am having a bit of a gap before my next op. Maybe it will improve in the meantime.
Anyway you are the next good news story! If only mine would heal too ... I must keep the faith.
Penny good to hear form you too. I am interested in what you say about morphine - I don't much like the effect it has on me - what little I have had so far.
Keep well all! Bea
Great news - I am so pleased for you. I thought you had been getting stuff through still so maybe hope for me yet? It could still happen! Did they do a barium enema test? My consultant is on compassionate leave so I am having a bit of a gap before my next op. Maybe it will improve in the meantime.
Anyway you are the next good news story! If only mine would heal too ... I must keep the faith.
Penny good to hear form you too. I am interested in what you say about morphine - I don't much like the effect it has on me - what little I have had so far.
Keep well all! Bea
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Bea and Penny, Thank you....
Again nothing is for sure until they see what the deal is, he may find a small fistula and fix it.... but he says he thinks it looks good. Yes, Bea, I did have stuff coming through not all that long ago...so I am a bit skeptical that it is fully healed. I am crossing my fingers...
it is such a long journey with so many ups and downs. Just when you think your good, you are let down...so I am just gonna take it one day at a time...Bea, i think we'll both get there...I can not tell you how comforting it is having all of you guys!
B
Again nothing is for sure until they see what the deal is, he may find a small fistula and fix it.... but he says he thinks it looks good. Yes, Bea, I did have stuff coming through not all that long ago...so I am a bit skeptical that it is fully healed. I am crossing my fingers...
it is such a long journey with so many ups and downs. Just when you think your good, you are let down...so I am just gonna take it one day at a time...Bea, i think we'll both get there...I can not tell you how comforting it is having all of you guys!
B
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Hi...sorry that earlier message from 6/10 was from me and i guess it didnt have my name as i didnt sign in...sorry
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hi ..sorry that 6/10 message at 06:40 was from me...i guess i forgot to sign in....sorry guys
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