by Ever the Optimist » 08 Sep 2012, 14:26
Hi Michyv, Hi Sarah,
So sorry to hear you both are going through all this horrible anal stuff....I had a fistulomy around 9 weeks ago.
Michy - Good luck with your follow-up. It'll be interesting to see what happens. I think that different individuals vary with their pain levels and thresholds post op but to be in unbearable pain doesn't sound right? Do you suspect any sign of an infection? I recall having pain and discomfort at 2 weeks post op but nothing to the extreme and I didn't need pain killers for it. Was your op dealing with a simple, superficial fistula or something more complex? I'm glad you are going back soon and hope you get some reassurance on it all and some form of pain relief.
Sarah - Hi, you sound like the state I was in pre-op. Just fed up with the pus and inflammed state of the fistula! Well, let me reassure you that if your fistula is simple and superficial with no interaction of the internal sphincter muscle, then it will be simply "deroofed" to let the tract heal from the inside out over a few weeks. A really straightforward, simple 20 minute procedure with high healing rates. You will be absolutely fine and asleep for the op and will have some post op discomfort but none of that itching and soreness like pre-op. It will be gone!!...If the fistula is closer to the muscle, there are other simple methods of treating it and CRS' will strive to avoid any risk of causing incontinence. I've not come across one story on this site where that has been the case, so try to find some reassurance here that should not become an issue for you. Most fistulomies are really successful and there's some great threads on here too from people who've been there and got through it - Just search on "fistula".
All the best to you and feel free to message anytime :)
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups