Hi everyone,
well, after two years of fissure problems bugging me every couple of months - now I have another fistula! I saw my CRS yesterday and he said he needs to get me in as soon as possible and it's going to need a seton. I've heard of them, but they don't sound fun!
How is everyone???

Oh no, Val! I'm so sorry you have to go through this
I've read your posts and can see that you've already been through so much. I really hope the seton works and you are healed very soon.

sorry val you had a fistula diagnosis.
do you know how long you felt this one coming on or is it recent? what made you go back to the doc to check it out?
take care!

So sorry. I echo happyass' question..did you feel this coming on or what it basically overnight? What is the story here?
Again, sorry. We will help you through.

Hi - thank you!
Over the past two years, after the LIS, and fistula operation, etc., I have had the fissure retear every two or three months. Sometimes there was a reason, like when I started on a diet that limited carbs and I had to cut out most of my fruit - that hurt! (Although I have lost a LOT of weight since I started it in September!) But usually there was no reason, it just started hurting, was really bad for about 3 weeks, then it would bleed, and just go again.
About a month ago, I had what I thought was a thrombosed hemmie - it was excruciating and I couldn't sleep or sit down. After 3 weeks of icepacks and creams, it settled down but there was a tiny area (actually on the original fissure site) that was sore, like a very sharp pain. I just left it for a week, hoping it would settle (!) but then it just started to bleed at random times, and then it started discharging. I knew what it was then, for sure, another flippin' fistula! :( So I phoned up my CRS and made an appointment.
I have read about the cutting setons - they sound horrific and torturous! I'm not looking forward to this!!
Thanks so much for your support.

Hey Val - I'm so sorry you have to go through this! Setons do not sound like fun at all, to say the least! Do you think this fistula developed from the earlier one? Have other conditions been ruled out? When are you having the seton put in? I hope that's not too many questions!
I read somewhere that a seton can work its way through the muscle in about 3 months (?). I hope you don't have to keep yours very long. And I really hope you can get this treated and fixed in the quickest and least painful way possible!
Meanwhile, you've got a whole community of people who are
here to support you. Please keep us posted.

Hi Hopetoheal, no, of course it's not too many questions!
Well, it's in the same place as last time, so I don't know if it's from the earlier one - I do hope not as it was laid open in 2008, that would be a long time for it to track! There is also pain opposite the first one - I hope it's not tracked all the way round!
Are you thinking Crohn's by other conditions? That crossed my mind too, but they haven't done any tests, I will have to ask about that.
I think I might have a loooong wait to have it put in, as my private surgeon has just referred me on the NHS, which will mean waiting ages. That isn't a pleasant thought as it's painful and I feel really tired and out of sorts.
How are you today?

Hi Val - it must be so hard not knowing what the heck is going on. I really hope the fistula hasn't tracked around on you! I was thinking about Crohn's, actually. They really need to check you for that, IMO. I'm definitely not an expert, but I'm sure I read that fistulas need particular attention in Crohn's cases because they can be difficult to heal and will need meds to help.
I can't believe how long they are making you wait to get treatment ... well, unfortunately, I can believe it, since I'm Canadian and we have ridiculously long wait-times here in Canada too. But, really, that upsets me so much! Do you think your GP might be able to push them a little bit on the grounds that this is rather an emergency? We here in Canada often have to get quite pro-active and assertive to get specialist treatment. I really hope you get treated soon!
I'm doing ok today - so far so good, thanks for asking :D I'm just allowing my family to pamper me and I'm resting as much as possible.
I hope you are doing well today, Val. I really feel for you. This must be quite anxiety-inducing and I really hope you don't have to wait too long to get medical attention!

Hi Hope,
glad you're feeling ok today, that's great that you're being pampered :D - you certainly deserve it after all you have been through!
My GP is rushing it through (well, their idea of rushing anyway!) but I have to be referred back to my CRS, who is private as well as NHS, and then he has to refer me for the operation - how ridiculous. I've already seen him privately, but that doesn't count, it all has to start again as per their stupid system.
My operation was done privately before and I really didn't want to go to an NHS hospital again - I've had two operations go badly wrong before at their hospitals I don't want it to be third time unlucky, especially in such a delicate area!

I definitely understand your anxiety about surgery at NHS if you've had bad experiences there before. Yikes! That is too much to worry about! So it sounds like you don't have a choice here - private surgery with a different surgeon just isn't an option? (Sorry, I don't know how the UK sysem works.)
This is so frustrating! I am worried about complications from my LIS because I honestly don't know what I'd do. I don't want to have any more procedures done at the clinic where I was tortured; but then I would likely have to wait at least six months to see a different surgeon. There really is a lot wrong with how all this works. It just shouldn't be this difficult to get proper, timely treatment ... sorry for the rant, there - I just really sympathize with the situation you are in with hospitals and surgeons. Boy, butt issues are not trivial. I wish doctors would treat them with more respect!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Val, and hope that you get an excellent surgeon very soon.