I had a girl on july 30:) I will have a c-section next time for sure! I love it when people say how horrible and painful a c-section is....if they had any idea what we have been through...not to mention that I can't imagine a c-section can be much more painful than tearing from one end to another!!!
I would LOVE to hear what your doctor says about your next pregnancy, if you don't mind sharing:)
I had no idea that they have PT for your sphincter muscles...very nice! I wonder how that therapy session will be! Yes, I have had four different doctors stick their hands in both holes at the same time to try to find my fistula...very painful...especially because they never can find it!
My episiotomy is just really tender....and no sex. My poor husband..he is a saint!! I am so scared to even try. I have an appointment with a urogyn. at the end of the month.
When did you first notice your RVF? three days after I came home from the hospital, I could feel the gas traveling through my episiotomy...such a strange feeling. When I looked up the symtoms online, I was shocked.
I am going to look into starting a group tomorrow...hopefully this website will let me post the website:) I am just glad to have found some people who can actually relate with me!
I would LOVE to hear what your doctor says about your next pregnancy, if you don't mind sharing:)
I had no idea that they have PT for your sphincter muscles...very nice! I wonder how that therapy session will be! Yes, I have had four different doctors stick their hands in both holes at the same time to try to find my fistula...very painful...especially because they never can find it!
My episiotomy is just really tender....and no sex. My poor husband..he is a saint!! I am so scared to even try. I have an appointment with a urogyn. at the end of the month.
When did you first notice your RVF? three days after I came home from the hospital, I could feel the gas traveling through my episiotomy...such a strange feeling. When I looked up the symtoms online, I was shocked.
I am going to look into starting a group tomorrow...hopefully this website will let me post the website:) I am just glad to have found some people who can actually relate with me!
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let me know what you find out about starting another website - I will try and help if you need it.
I didn't really notice my RVF right away, but I kept myself very medicated for the first month! I did notice that somthing was VERY wrong with my sphincter muscles though - I could not keep anything in - yep - I pooped my pants in walgreens (i'm still trying to get over that). Luckily I had dark pants on and the store was empty:-) With time, that got better though. That is why they don't want to repair my sphincter right now. that was probably TMI - but thought I would share anyway!!
Right before my 6 week checkup is when I noticed the gas. I had no clue what was going on with me!! I didn't mention it to my OB because I guess I was embarrassed and thought it would go away. My colon doctor new what it was before even looking at me. I really love my doctor now and can't for the surgery.
If you don't mind me asking - where does your episiotomy hurt - like the perinium area or inside? Astroglide works a lot better than KY XD (and a big glass of wine) For me, I think it was more mental than physical. I anticipated the pain before it happened. I was pretty sore down there for the first 3 months - but luckily it has gone away. My husband is gonna go crazy b/c I can't have sex again for 6 weeks after this surgery!!! have any doctors said why is still hurts? I really hope this next appointment goes well for you. It's so frustrating when you know something is wrong and people tell you that you are fine.
I will tell you everything the hospital tells on tuesday. I wish there were more info on the web about this.
Hope you are having a great weekend!
I didn't really notice my RVF right away, but I kept myself very medicated for the first month! I did notice that somthing was VERY wrong with my sphincter muscles though - I could not keep anything in - yep - I pooped my pants in walgreens (i'm still trying to get over that). Luckily I had dark pants on and the store was empty:-) With time, that got better though. That is why they don't want to repair my sphincter right now. that was probably TMI - but thought I would share anyway!!
Right before my 6 week checkup is when I noticed the gas. I had no clue what was going on with me!! I didn't mention it to my OB because I guess I was embarrassed and thought it would go away. My colon doctor new what it was before even looking at me. I really love my doctor now and can't for the surgery.
If you don't mind me asking - where does your episiotomy hurt - like the perinium area or inside? Astroglide works a lot better than KY XD (and a big glass of wine) For me, I think it was more mental than physical. I anticipated the pain before it happened. I was pretty sore down there for the first 3 months - but luckily it has gone away. My husband is gonna go crazy b/c I can't have sex again for 6 weeks after this surgery!!! have any doctors said why is still hurts? I really hope this next appointment goes well for you. It's so frustrating when you know something is wrong and people tell you that you are fine.
I will tell you everything the hospital tells on tuesday. I wish there were more info on the web about this.
Hope you are having a great weekend!
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Hey! I just wanted to let you know how my doctors appointment went today. I went to the hospital and filled out all the paperwork and then talked to the nurse about everything. I will be in the hospital for 4 or 5 days so she said by the time I go home, I will be almost pain free - not even as bad as when i came home from having Lexi. i asked her about getting pregnant again - and she said that yes, my pregnancy may be more complicated because of this. She said because my muscles are so weak now - thats why they want me to do the PT because if not, it can result in bedrest or early labor. She also did say that most women go on being fine though. I also asked her about a c-section and she said 100% yes. She said by the time I am done going through all of this a c-section recovery would seem like nothing!!
Hope all is well with you!
Hope all is well with you!
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hello to all. I am new to this site.
I have had 4 surgeries for RVF. This last one was just a week ago to insert a plug. The symptoms returned 2 days ago. I think the plug is still in place. I'm sure I would have noticed it slipping away.
For those of you who have had this procedure...is there still a chance of it working? How long were you in bed? I've been here 7 days..with another week to go. I expected to have off work 1 mth..is that on target?
With the sysptoms back..I wondered if I should just give up the ghost.
I will see my GP tomorrow..but cant get in to the surgeon til next week.
I've tried the advanced flaps..no go.
I developed a cyst...the RVF symptoms appeared 1 mth after my GYNO did surgery to remove the cyst. That was about 3 yrs ago.
I have had 4 surgeries for RVF. This last one was just a week ago to insert a plug. The symptoms returned 2 days ago. I think the plug is still in place. I'm sure I would have noticed it slipping away.
For those of you who have had this procedure...is there still a chance of it working? How long were you in bed? I've been here 7 days..with another week to go. I expected to have off work 1 mth..is that on target?
With the sysptoms back..I wondered if I should just give up the ghost.
I will see my GP tomorrow..but cant get in to the surgeon til next week.
I've tried the advanced flaps..no go.
I developed a cyst...the RVF symptoms appeared 1 mth after my GYNO did surgery to remove the cyst. That was about 3 yrs ago.
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hi everyone, I got my rectovaginal fistula through an abscess which occurred during chemo for leukaemia. Eight years on and four operations I am afraid it is still there. I have a colostomy and would dearly love to get rid of it but unfortunately it looks like I may have to keep it as each op has been unsuccessful and the fistula has just got bigger! I see a colorectal surgeon privately, however, here in the UK it seems to be impossible to find out how good and successful they are in dealing with fistulaes and after care is not advised. I am thankfully still in remission from the cancer so grateful for that at least.
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hey...i am replying to a question about diagnosing RVFs. i have one that started out so tiny that the blue dye-tampon test, an MRI, and a colonoscopy couldn't diagnose. i kept demanding more tests, because i KNEW i had gas and poo coming out.
my doctor was convinced when, before my colonoscopy, he used the colonoscope to do a vaginal exam and saw stool in my vag. he said he was shocked.
so then he did an exam under anesthesia that involved all sorts of gross things, and he found the vaginal side of the fistula, and while holding my butt open with some sort of device, he injected blue dye and peroxide into the vaginal side of the fistula...the peroxide let the blue dye bubble up to the surface where the fistula was in ano.
that's my story. i've had a seton placed, and two plug procedures (one with the old porcine plug, and one with the new "button" plug available from surgisis). they both failed, due to the plug falling out after a few days of inactivity.
now, i guess i'm only left with flap advancement repair. i'm concerned a little about incontinence as a complication, but since all of these surgeries have left the fistula quite wide, i'm pretty constantly incontinent right now.
lauren
my doctor was convinced when, before my colonoscopy, he used the colonoscope to do a vaginal exam and saw stool in my vag. he said he was shocked.
so then he did an exam under anesthesia that involved all sorts of gross things, and he found the vaginal side of the fistula, and while holding my butt open with some sort of device, he injected blue dye and peroxide into the vaginal side of the fistula...the peroxide let the blue dye bubble up to the surface where the fistula was in ano.
that's my story. i've had a seton placed, and two plug procedures (one with the old porcine plug, and one with the new "button" plug available from surgisis). they both failed, due to the plug falling out after a few days of inactivity.
now, i guess i'm only left with flap advancement repair. i'm concerned a little about incontinence as a complication, but since all of these surgeries have left the fistula quite wide, i'm pretty constantly incontinent right now.
lauren
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Hi, I'm not sure if i have a fistula. I gave birth 8 wks ago with a 3rd degree tear. I am still having alot of pain down there cause 2 wks after the birth, they did a d and c on me for leftover placenta and the dr. removed the top layer of stitches annd restitched it to make it tighter he said. Well he made it way too tight and overlapped some areas and left some parts open...anyway for the past few weeks i notice that passing gas is more difficult now...like when i feel like i have to pass gas i have to push kinda hard to get it out and sometimes it still doesn't come out and just goes away. I have felt gas pass into my vagina too and even some air came out of it yesterday morning. Does this sound like a fistula? Do you feel gas passing into your vagina or passing from the vagina with a fistula? thanks...and i hope everyone gets healed soon from theirs.
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I forgot to add...sometimes when i pass gas voluntarily, it does just come out the rectum but sometimes they feel muffled and difficult to come out and sometimes i feel it pass into my vagina...does that sound like a recto vaginal fistula?
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to Lemondrop78... I have a fistula and I can feel gas pass into my vagina, and out of it... if it goes in there, it has nowhere else to go, other than out the body.
I have had my RVF for 6 months now. Mine is not due to childbirth, like most of the others who post here. Last fall, my colon ruptured, due to diverticulitis. I got peritonitis and nearly died at 35 years old. I had a colostomy bag for a little over 2 months for my colon to heal and then had a second surgery to reattach my colon.
A few days after coming home from the hospital I noticed air and then stool coming out of my vagina. My surgeon told me not to worry, that the problem may fix itself. Well, it didn't. It got worse.
After 3 attempts to fix the fistula, including one flap repair, and a large stent placed in my rectum, I still have the problem. Although the symptoms are not as bad, they still exist. I have an appointment to see another "specialist" in 2 weeks. It looks like I may have to have an ileostomy to divert the waste-flow now, to fix the problem. That would mean 2, possibly 3, more surgeries.
My advice to all: do not assume that the easiest means is the best when repairing this problem. A quick fix is not the answer. Talk to as many doctors as possible, colorectal, in particular. Most of the male doctors don't seem to think this is a big deal (my experience, anyway). Find someone who understands your frustration. If he/she makes light of it, go to another doctor.
I have had my RVF for 6 months now. Mine is not due to childbirth, like most of the others who post here. Last fall, my colon ruptured, due to diverticulitis. I got peritonitis and nearly died at 35 years old. I had a colostomy bag for a little over 2 months for my colon to heal and then had a second surgery to reattach my colon.
A few days after coming home from the hospital I noticed air and then stool coming out of my vagina. My surgeon told me not to worry, that the problem may fix itself. Well, it didn't. It got worse.
After 3 attempts to fix the fistula, including one flap repair, and a large stent placed in my rectum, I still have the problem. Although the symptoms are not as bad, they still exist. I have an appointment to see another "specialist" in 2 weeks. It looks like I may have to have an ileostomy to divert the waste-flow now, to fix the problem. That would mean 2, possibly 3, more surgeries.
My advice to all: do not assume that the easiest means is the best when repairing this problem. A quick fix is not the answer. Talk to as many doctors as possible, colorectal, in particular. Most of the male doctors don't seem to think this is a big deal (my experience, anyway). Find someone who understands your frustration. If he/she makes light of it, go to another doctor.
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To Guest...is it when you voluntarily pass gas you feel it in your vagina too or involuntarily or both? Also this odor that people say that have in their vagina from the RVF...what is the odor like?
I hope that your surgeries go well and that you are healed permananently from your RVF.
What is the best procedure to diagnose this? I think if i have it that the hole is small right now...i haven't noticed any feces. Are there any other symptoms besides the gas feeling that can be a sign of a small hole? thanks.
I hope that your surgeries go well and that you are healed permananently from your RVF.
What is the best procedure to diagnose this? I think if i have it that the hole is small right now...i haven't noticed any feces. Are there any other symptoms besides the gas feeling that can be a sign of a small hole? thanks.
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There is another problem i think i might have...does this sound possible? At the bottom of the 3rd degree tear, i noticed that i have a flower around it couple of weeks ago. I went to see an OB and she said it diddn't look infected. Then few days later i had a bowel movement and i felt like i was pushing feces through the end of my tear and that flower thing got bigger. I wiped that part and there was some feces on it. Few days after that i could feel that part getting bigger as i was having a bowel movement. When i wiped it was very big and i went to look in the mirror and the bump was a quarter size with a crease down the center where the scar is suppose to be. It was like a hemmoroid. But i felt like feces was coming out of the crease of the hemmoroid. The hemmoroid shrunk down small soon after and i went in to see another OB and he did an examination and said he didn't think that was happening. But i still feel like it is. The hemmoroid is small now but it is right on top of the bottom of my scar. I want to see a colorectal dr. next month for both this and to see if i have a Rectal vaginal fistula. I was reading online...not sure if the other condition i think i might have is an anal fistula...or maybe something else. Does that sound possible for feces to come out of my tear and hemmoroid forming around it cause of the pressure from the feces coming out? Thank you...sorry for my many questions, i am just a mess of worry.
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I am still trying to figure out how to use this site. What is a thread?
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Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to come back here and have a positive story to tell. I had my fistula removed on tuesday by a specialist at the University of Washington medical center. She said the surgery went great and I have been feeling quite well. I am three days into recovery now. I have even passed gas and nothing has come through the vagina....YEAH!!!!!! I feel normal. I am eating very lightly to help delay my bowel movements to give the sutures on the rectum side more time to heal. My rectovaginal fistula was low and small. I got so discouraged before my surgery because all I could find were stories of surgeries failing. I wanted all of you looking for a positive story to read this and feel some sense of relief. I'm not 100% out of the woods yet, but I feel good and have complete confidence in my doctor. Keep your heads up ladies....there is life after these darn fistulas XD
I just wanted to come back here and have a positive story to tell. I had my fistula removed on tuesday by a specialist at the University of Washington medical center. She said the surgery went great and I have been feeling quite well. I am three days into recovery now. I have even passed gas and nothing has come through the vagina....YEAH!!!!!! I feel normal. I am eating very lightly to help delay my bowel movements to give the sutures on the rectum side more time to heal. My rectovaginal fistula was low and small. I got so discouraged before my surgery because all I could find were stories of surgeries failing. I wanted all of you looking for a positive story to read this and feel some sense of relief. I'm not 100% out of the woods yet, but I feel good and have complete confidence in my doctor. Keep your heads up ladies....there is life after these darn fistulas XD
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Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't been on in a while. I went in for my 10th procedure on March 17th...a complete sphincterplasty and perineal reconstruct and have been recovering since. I feel like this procedure will finally be my last. There is a bit of the incision still left to heal over, and I don't have my control back all the way yet. She said 6 months...so if I have diahrea, I sh*t my pants...but I just take immodium every day to keep it solid.
I tried to read everyone's posts to get updated and Postmonkey, I'm really happy to hear that you have things going so well right now! I had my surgery done at St. Vincent's in Portland, OR. This surgery was with a completely different doctor, and this was her first try...my other dr. failed many many times with different procedures...so I'm very hopeful for both of us!
Lemondrop, How are you doing? Have you seen any doctors? OB/Gyn, colorectal? It is VERY possible that there is a connection from inside you're body to the absess that is possibly filling up. Please go get it checked out and let us know! Also, when I first had RVF, the ONLY symptom I had was when I was sitting in a certain position and I would push to pass gas, it would come from the wrong hole...I didn't pass stool...so my ob/gyn told me that there was nothing there and left it for a year to fester! I am a strong believer that we know our bodies, and if you think this is what is happening, PLEASE PLEASE go get it checked out!
Oh and PLEASE tell me if anyone decides to start their own support site. I would LOVE to be a part of that. I've been wondering for a long time, why has this happened to me, and there has to be a reason...maybe it is so I can help others who are going through it?
Good luck to everyone!
Sorry I haven't been on in a while. I went in for my 10th procedure on March 17th...a complete sphincterplasty and perineal reconstruct and have been recovering since. I feel like this procedure will finally be my last. There is a bit of the incision still left to heal over, and I don't have my control back all the way yet. She said 6 months...so if I have diahrea, I sh*t my pants...but I just take immodium every day to keep it solid.
I tried to read everyone's posts to get updated and Postmonkey, I'm really happy to hear that you have things going so well right now! I had my surgery done at St. Vincent's in Portland, OR. This surgery was with a completely different doctor, and this was her first try...my other dr. failed many many times with different procedures...so I'm very hopeful for both of us!
Lemondrop, How are you doing? Have you seen any doctors? OB/Gyn, colorectal? It is VERY possible that there is a connection from inside you're body to the absess that is possibly filling up. Please go get it checked out and let us know! Also, when I first had RVF, the ONLY symptom I had was when I was sitting in a certain position and I would push to pass gas, it would come from the wrong hole...I didn't pass stool...so my ob/gyn told me that there was nothing there and left it for a year to fester! I am a strong believer that we know our bodies, and if you think this is what is happening, PLEASE PLEASE go get it checked out!
Oh and PLEASE tell me if anyone decides to start their own support site. I would LOVE to be a part of that. I've been wondering for a long time, why has this happened to me, and there has to be a reason...maybe it is so I can help others who are going through it?
Good luck to everyone!
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hi all-wow, another sight more geared to rvf's...i am so happy. I had my daughter 9 mos. agao and left the hospital, not only with a new born, but also with an rvf. ugh..... I had a proceudre about 2 mos. ago-an advancement flap that failed a week later--I cried and cried and felt like what now? about a month ago, I went to a new crs--who talke dto me seemd more experienced etc. he said i have to wait until atleast september, my next appointment with him is in august, to see what the next step will be...i need all the support i can get and excited to find this site..... my rvf is low--it is now bigger than pre-surgery and is complex. any advice etc. about route sto go are so welcomed--I was told there may be some IBD presnent from the last surgeon, but the new one has to investigate that more--i do nopt have crohns and i was surpried to even hear that. best, beegirl ?
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