My Anal Fistula Story
When I started having problems I went to the internet for help. I am posting this info in the hopes that it may help someone to have a clearer understanding and more peace.
On Feb. 17, 2012 I ate something that gave me diarrhea. After using the restroom I had a small bit of discomfort that never went away. After several days I began to wonder what my problem was? After another week I started searching the web and found all types of scary possibilities and some very nasty pictures of various anal procedures. It seemed to me that a hemorrhoid was the most likely cause. I read that an internal hemorrhoid would cause pain, discomfort and a small bit of occasional blood streaked on stool (which were my symptoms). I was not in a lot of pain, I just knew something was not right. My worry about it was 10 times worse than the discomfort. I bought some Prep H and started using the little tip applicator to squirt some into my rectum in hopes that it would gradually subside; it did not seem to help. Tried Prep H suppositories also. Waste of money.
About a month later things were a bit more uncomfortable and not improving. Then one Saturday morning I had a very bloody bowel movement; which completely freaked me out. I went into full anxiety mode. I knew that I should see a doctor and planned to do so as soon as I could get an appointment. Ironically I ran into an acquaintance that day who was sitting on an inflatable rubber donut. I asked him why and he said that he had just had anal fistula surgery. I explained my problem and he said it sounded like what he had experienced. Now I was very panicked, I could not even imagine having butt surgery and prayed that would not happen to me. I was embarrassed and afraid to see a doctor. I was afraid that he would stick something up my butt and I did not want that to happen for a variety of reasons, starting with the discomfort and pain that I knew would ensue.
Within the next 2 days a big "boil" erupted about an 1.5 inches behind my rectum. It was uncomfortable but only mildly painful. My nervousness about it was worse than the discomfort. I made a doctor's appointment for later that week. The boil burst open about 48 hours later and started leaking puss and such. At this point I felt like I knew what my problem had been for the past 5 weeks and now it had literally come to a head. I relaxed a bit feeling that this boil would now heal and I would get better. It did start healing and everything improved. I saw a doctor a few days later and he told me that it had been a peri-anal abscess (basically a boil, infection, pimple). All he did was look, he did not stick anything in my butt (thank the good lord). He said that if it had not burst on it's own, he would have needed to cut it open and drain it. He explained that about 50% of the time this abscess would leave a small tunnel under the skin that would never completely seal up, called a fistula. He referred me to a specialist, a colo-rectal surgeon, to further investigate. The surgeon was booked solid for about 5 weeks. Over the next 3-4 weeks I slowly healed and everything seemed much, much better. The boil leaked for about a week and I wore panty liners to be sure not to have any embarrassing incidents. I am male, so this was not very appealing to me, just embarrassing.
Prior to seeing the surgeon, I did much research about anal fistulas and understood the process. Once again I was afraid that the surgeon was going to stick some sort of scope up my butt to see the problem. He didn't. He did put a toothpick sized probe into the boil "hole" to see if it had sealed up. That was a little painful for a milli-second. I did not know what he was doing and it was over before I figured it out. Unfortunately the surgeon said that the hole was still "open" and that it required minor surgery to correct it.
I now officially had an anal fistula. He explained that it was no big deal and was of no particular danger or urgency. If you don't mind a small bit of anal leakage you could live with it forever probably. The problem is that it will nearly always get re-infected and cause more new abscesses, fistulas and complications. I scheduled the surgery for early June 2012, almost 4 months after the original problem started. He told me that the surgery was best done under general (asleep) anesthesia. I would be off of work for about a week and until you can stop taking the strong pain medication. Prior to this point, I'd had a mountain of anxiety but now I kind of accepted it and felt more calm about it. I wasn't afraid of pain, it's just the thought of someone cutting into my skin freaks me out, especially my anus! The wound is not stitched up afterward, they leave it open to heal from the inside out. That's not very pleasant, but necessary.
The surgery in my case was no big deal, just took about 10 minutes. It truly is usually a very minor surgery. I took 2 ativan before going in as I was very nervous (told the doctors). I ate fine that afternoon. When the pain meds wore off it felt like I had a bee sting in my anus. I took percoset (oxycodone) about every 5-6 hours and it worked fine to control the pain. I needed the meds for 3-4 days and then stopped taking them. I was of course afraid to use the restroom, but did so the next day with no particular pain or problems. There was some blood as was expected. Because of the open wound, you can't really wipe. I used the shower/bath every single time (and still do 7 weeks later). Your doctor should explain how to keep stool soft and about taking "sitz baths" (look it up).
7 days later I saw the surgeon for a post-op checkup. He said it was healing fine and then rubbed through the wound with a little stick or something. That hurt. He said it was important to keep the upper areas of the would from healing too quickly. It must heal from the bottom up, or you may continue to have a "tunnel" in the flesh.
Back to work I wore panty liners again for 2 weeks or so. Bleeding and leakage was not a big deal and diminished over time. Pain was not any issue. Things were pretty much normal except for the obvious wound in your ass. I tried to be careful with my diet so that I would not need to use the toilet at work and succeeded with that.
One month post-op and the would still looks about the same, certainly not healed. I am completely comfortable with no pain. Still have occasional blood streaks on stool, but I've had that for months now, so it's no big deal.
At the time of writing it has now been 7 weeks since surgery. All is well but still not fully healed. I'd say that it's 80% healed. The gash is now mostly closed, but there's still raw new tissue on top of it. Actually, there seems to be a bit of extra tissue there, but I'm sure it will all work itself out over time. I'm going to guess that the full healing will be completely back to normal after a total of 3 months after surgery. And mine was a simple, uncomplicated case. I read and heard about "one month" healing time. That's crazy talk. But I'd say that after one month you should feel entirely back to normal (except for the wound).
I hope that sharing my story helps to make at least one person feel calmer and more prepared for this situation. I read so many dramatic and negative comments about this problem and it scared me. Don't be scared, it's not always that bad. I'll try and post again when I'm 100% healed and back to normal.

Hi Chris,
Your experience mirrors mine!...Same symptoms, same surgery and healing process.
Thanks for posting to show exactly what you've been going through. There's a few other fellow fistula sufferers, who have just been through the procedure, so will really appreciate your input....
I'm just over a month post op and everything seems to be healing nicely, no discharge etc, but I still have slightly uncomfortable BM's sometimes and moments of feeling sore again with a few twingy pains. Nothing major but I also think 1 month for full recovery is untrue and also plan on 3 months for what I hope, will be full recovery!!
Good luck in your healing. Keep us updated :)

As indicated in my post, I'm going through the 'exact' same thing. May I ask how the initial examination was like? Were you sedated?
How was the operation itself? Like how long did it take?

This is a quick follow up. On August 31, which is 11 weeks after the fistulotomy, I am completely healed externally. As recently as last week I did still have some blood streaks on my stool, but none this week. I'm assuming that it's not 100% healed internally, but very close.

Glad to hear that you are healing so well, ChrisB, and hope you don't mind that I have put a link to your experience, on the Websites, Information and Facts board on the forum, so that those worrying about abcesss and Fistulas can find the link in the future!
Good and continued healing to you!

Hi Chris,
Good to hear you are doing so well and thanks for the follow-up too. I just had my follow-up with my CRS and she also confirmed the area had externally healed and looked good. (I'm 10 weeks post-op) Can I just ask if you have any discomfort at all now during BM's, any itching? any physical sensations at all in the area?
Reason I'm asking is because although the area is healed externally, I'm also certain it's not entirely healed internally. I would also rate my healing as 85 - 90%. I do still get very mild discomfort and itching ocassionally in the area.
My CRS said that there should be no discomfort or pain at this stage but I'm not so sure!!
Are you having any experience of this? - Thanks :)

Chris, your story inspires me bro! Thanks a million, I too did tht exact same surgery on 2012-09-05.. 1 month seemed a bit short for the healing but I went with wht the CRS said.. I would take your word.. Frm the looks of my wound, which is healing, 1 month is a liitle to tight.. Three is more like it.. Please keep updating us! Thank you, thank you Chris for taking the time to share with us!

how are u feeling now?

September 24, 2012. Externally 100%, but still some blood streaking occasionally on stool. No pain at all, no discomfort. A little itching and the teeniest feeling that there is still a bit of healing to happen internally.

ChrisB wrote:September 24, 2012. Externally 100%, but still some blood streaking occasionally on stool. No pain at all, no discomfort. A little itching and the teeniest feeling that there is still a bit of healing to happen internally.

I'm on my 7th week and i see very very little drainage, like yellow. I was wondering when full recovery would take place?