Here is my story, I hope someone could help and give some advice on continuing to have surgery after 3 failed attempts.
January 1996, I gave birth to my wonderful 16 year old son. Shortly after going home I noticed loose stool and gas coming through my vagina. I was referred to a colonrectal surgeon. Went through a number of tests to be sure that I could undergo the advancement flap surgery. In 1997, I had the advancement flap surgery. It was not successful and I still had gas coming through the vagina. The Dr. said I could do nothing or go through this much more invasive surgery. It was up to me. At the time I really didn't have health insurance and money was tight so opted to do nothing. It never healed on its own.
In 2010, I seen a gynecologist to see about an IUD. They couldn't do it because of the fistula. He said, "I'm surprised you haven't had that fixed I would think it would be fairly simple". (WRONG) This lead me to again seek information about finally getting this situation off my back. After all, I have a good job with great benefits so why not. It sure would be nice to not have to always worry when in public or around people that gas may pass through my vagina and not being able to stop it.
I was referred to the same surgeon that did the first. Again, went through a number of tests. She did not recommend the advancement flap again since it failed the first time. So my option was to do nothing or have the invasive sphinterplasty surgery. This surgery cuts the perineum area between the rectum and vagina, pulls a flap down over the fistula and you are sewn back up. The post op instructions where to have formed stools as much as possible, no baths, no lifting, etc. and I had to use a water enema to help with bowel movements so that I didn't push. About 6 days after surgery as I got out of bed I felt a lot of pain like the whole thing ripped open. Unfortunately, my doctor was out for sometime right after my surgery so I was left to talk with the doctor on call. As long as there is no bleeding don't worry about it. Okay, so a few days after that severe bleeding. I went in and packed to stop the bleeding. This surgery was the most awful in the world. I was devastated. What I ended up with is the original rectovaginal fistula but now I also have a perineal opening. Wow, is all I can say. Why me?
So after many people suggested, I sought another surgeon. Unfortunately, this surgeon said the same thing had happened to her with other patients but its not common. I decided to stick with this surgeon and give it a try. I just want this fixed already. Went into surgery on June 26th thinking I would be coming out with a temporary ilestomy and the repair of both the rectovaginal fistula and the opening in the perineum. When I awoke no poo bag. What? "Stay on a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks", is what I was told. Apparently, everything came together really good so the doc opted to not do the poo bag. Good news, right? Well after staying in the hospital for 2 days they sent me home. I felt good, not a lot of pain. Everything was going good coming out of my rectum. Again, 6 days after surgery I noticed stool coming out of the perineum opening. The next day I was bleeding. Not as much as the last surgery so I was able to stop it myself but thought I should be seen anyway. When I called, low and behold my docter is out for week. We got a pattern here. So I seen a fellow docter and he didn't see any opening at that point but didn't doubt what I was telling him. He put me on 2 antibiotics and I was to see my doctor the next week. Two days later I am allergic to one of the antibiotics and can't stop having diarrhea. It was definitely coming out of the perineum area as I had no urge and kept going to the bathroom for 9 hours straight. I decided to eat some oatmeal to slow it down as my bottom was extremely sore. Next day, rash all over my body. There is stool coming through my vagina and perineal opening. I see my doctor tomorrow. Thank goodness because I feel awful.
Now I will need to come to terms with living with this the way it is or another surgery. I just can't believe that is so hard to fix. I am hoping that there is someone out there that has had multiple surgeries.
Loading...
Had a follow up today with the surgeon. After having a severe allergic reaction to antibiotics and put on steriods the surgery is a failure. On the rectal side the flap opened at the bottom. The fistula is very low which may be why it isn't working. I have stool and gas coming through the vagina also. She said the vagina side was intact but I can't see how it could be. I felt like she didn't believe me. I was pissed. She should have gave the stoma like we agreed.
Option 1: Do nothing and live with it. Sucks for sure but maybe its just in the cards for me. I am using estrogen cream on the outside of the vagina and metro gel on the rectum to hope for help in healing. Anyone know of herbal baths that could help or anything else?
Option 2: Get a stoma now and hope for the best. Not sure I want to do that now because I'm not looking forward to another suregery.
Option 3: After healed go through surgery again using skin from the labia and a stoma. This surgeon has done this 10 times in her experience with 1 failure. I just don't know. I am thinking I would not have her do it though I would likely go back to my first surgeon. She would have given me the stoma this time. The stoma doesn't guarantee anything however but it should help, right? And I really wonder why this surgeon didn't just do it anyway knowing this is my 3rd time around.
The RVF is very low which means the OB that delivered my son over 16 years ago is totally incompetent.
So frustrated and devastated!!!
Loading...
Could anyone suggest whether I should get the stoma now even though we know that the flap on the rectal side has opened?
Loading...
I really wish I would have found this site before I decided to go through with surgery. Perhaps it would have changed my mind. I keep posting and reading on here to get me through inbetween the crying bouts. I just keep hoping it is all a bad dream and I will wake up soon.
Loading...
After so many surgeries does sex become impossible? Is it possible to keep having these invasive surgeries and end up mutilating yourself so much that you can no longer have sex?
Loading...
Rita- I am so glad I found this. I have been suffering with my RVF for two years. I am 31 and had two children. They both were fourth degree tears and the first one healed and the second one never did. My RVF is really low also. I had a seton placement and then an advanced flap replacement which failed. I was doing great for four days until gas came out the vagina. The next day stool came out and I freaked! I was crying and so depressed. I called the doctor and the nurse practitioner of the surgeon wanted to see me. She used a scope and saw that the stitches were still intact but were coming loose in one area. I have to wait until August 2nd before I can be seen again by the surgeon. I am emotionally a wreck. I would rather be in physical pain than have to go through this. It burns so bad and stool gets into the vagina. I try to keep it clean with baby wipes, tampons, and showering. Nothing seems to get it all though. I am embarrassed and ashamed. I don't feel like a woman. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. How do you cope and how do you keep yourself clean? I am scared to go out into public for fear of needing to have a bowel movement. I want this healed. I had horrible doctors in the past who didn't believe me. Now I like this surgeon, but I wish it would have worked. I am afraid nothing will ever heal me. I pray you find the solution to your surgery. I think eventually the right thing will finally work for you. It has to. They shouldn't give up until they get it right!
I think you will be able to have sex again. I know I am hoping things could go back to normal so I can actually feel sexual. My husband tries to cheer me up and tell me I am beautiful, but it is hard to feel anything but disgusting and ugly when you go through this. We have to keep our heads up and be praying for a miracle. We aren't the only ones out there with this problem.
Loading...
I have joined a Facebook group that is private "living with obstetric fistula". Let me know if you would like to join. I don't think I will do anything further hopefully I can manage ok when I finish healing. It totally sucks though. Unfortunately I have already had 3 and there just isn't going to be much skin left at this point and the last thing I would want is for it to become even worse. I believe you have less of a chance for success the more surgery you have. I pray for you to heal enough that you can live with it. Seriously weigh the risks of undergoing another surgery. If I could do it all over I would be just fine with gas coming through my vagina.
Loading...
Keeping yourself clean can be a real task. I don't really have stool coming through my vagina it comes through the perineal opening. This is the skin in between the rectum and vagina. Yes I have an entirely separate and extra hole. I use a hand held shower and/or baths or a squirt bottle helps. It seems like it takes awhile for it all to work it's way out. Try to have formed stools as much as possible. I have started probiotics to help with that. With probiotics get the good ones they need to be refrigerated.
Loading...
I think my surgery made it worse. I have stool coming through and it never did this that bad before. It started out with just air and I didn't do anything about it until almost two years later. Doctors just kept dismissing me. I was fed up and went to a doctor who actually examined me. He told me I had a fistula. I cried and cried because finally someone believed me. I only had my seton placed in June and the surgery in July. I will do whatever it takes but I won't be able to live my life with stool coming through. I think I have it coming through the skin between the rectum and vagina too and through the fistula. I use q-tips, tampons, wipes to keep me clean. I need to get a squirt bottle. Thank you so much. I will join your group on facebook. I just need encouragement. Some days I am o.k. others I am just wanting to hide in my bed for days. I can't though I have small kids. My husband is losing patience with me. He is trying, but he can't fix it and that is frustrating for him.
Loading...
Hi! I have always wondered why I have gas or air I thought coming out if my vagina. I have 3 children. As I was having my 2nd I Time the nurse I was in very bad pain. She said that that couldn't be because the monitor was only showing small ones. Not so! She finally checked it and it was not on right so when she put it on right she immediately went to get the Dr. she had also checked me. I hadn't asked fir any more meds in the epidural because with my 1st those made you totally numb. She was 8lbs 12oz and I got her out but it was because the Dr mentioned forceps and I was like, nope! So back to my 2nd. When the Dr arrived I guess be assumed I could push her out without the episiotomy. WRONG! Well I did but Let me tell you, they said I basically gave natural childbirth because I had the epidural for hrs and didn't ask for more. When she came out she ripped me from front to back and side to side. It was the most horrible feeling and I can only explain it like the pain of a wide rubber band running down you arm ripping the flesh. It was terrible. She weighed 7 lbs 3oz. A tiny baby compared ti her sis. So he was sewing me up and more or less flirting with the nurses. I was offended and hurting like you know what and they are joking. Well, after 24hrs in there we go home and I mean, I had so many stitches. I took a shower and had been noticing a stick feeling like something was sticking me. I got a mirror to see and one if the stitches was loose. like untied nearly. Well I thought it was best ti just not touch it and wear loose sweats. Well, I went to the bathroom because the sticking was worse. I pulled my drawers down and at 1st I freaked. I thought it was a spider. (A little funny now but still not much) Well, I made an appt to go back and by the time I did another had came out. I mean I was shreaded. He tells me what I'm whining about isn't anything compared to some he saw in New York. (Where he was from) He said it'd be on and it'd heck right. Well lets just say it didn't and I also lack any feeling what so ever down there. none at all. no creams, no pills, no hormones. Nothing Will fix it. Nerve damage cannot be fixed so therefore I never Will have the feelings and excitement I had before. It has turned my life upside down. I would not have sex with ny husband but maybe once a month and I don't get wet nor Di I ever have any discharge (which may be hormonal) but I. wouldn't tell him why high I told my best friend who then used that info to her advantage. It was devastating. He has since became the beat and most understanding man but I had finally good him after our last child. I went yo specialist who could fix the looks. I don't thing they can. He actually some the bottom part of the left lip of my vagina down so on 1 side I have 2 pieces and then that. It is a horrible mess. It has affected me so badly. I even went to him the 3rd time hoping he'd did it himself. at least the looks. BUT after reading what you girls are going through, I know it goes deeper than the looks and lack of feeling. We use lube and all but I cry a lot because I so miss that desire!! I an going to my Dr and asking fir a referral like I have ti ti the gyn because I have been so shamed I haven't had an exam since that affair. That was many yrs ago. Anyway, I am so sorry that you all are going through this but I know now, I would not get that surgery that leave got more mangled. Im 'sorry that you are going through this. Anyone! Each if you but I feel a little better knowing I am not the only one with problems. You get it? Right?? Ok, well, I have told you all more than I tell anyone. I feel a connection with anyone who has been botched up. I am sorry you are going through this. Have a good day!!
Loading...
There r many typos. because this green thing stays in the way. I'm on a phone that has tiny buttons. but I went to him the 3rd time hoping he'd did what he did. nope ! I finally told my husband because I was ashamed but I. grew after that affair he had and decided instead if fighting about sex, fight for him and give him a reason to fight for me. I told him and we have had the best marriage since as far as communication and love. He always loved me and never treated me bad. He thought I just didn't want him, #1 and she was turning my words around so many times. Anyway. If something doesn't make since it is this green thing that easy TOPIC|SUBSCRIBES|NEW TOPIC. I can spell and talk right. I don't even have spell check and this phone has words I don't even know and also words I spell wrong so it is liable ti put anything. Ok! You all have a wonderful day :)
Loading...