Advice needed | Living with a fistula

Other conditions
1

Hi guys, I'm new to this site and have just got back from the hospital.

I had an external abscess around Christmas time which my doctor prescribed a course of antibiotics rather than drain it. The abscess popped after 3 days and I assumed I was on the mend. However the abscess bursting has caused an anal fistula.

Since the new year I have been to the doctors 8 times, spent 8 days in hospital had and MRI and finally day surgery 3 weeks ago.

The surgeon took out 2/3 of the fistula but could not take out the rest due to it's position within the muscle and fear of incontinence. Completely understandable. he placed a cutting seton in (I think that's what it's called) but this came out 5 days after surgery. I called the hospital and they said to wait for my appointment 2 weeks later (today).

My surgeon says the seton shouldn't have come out already as there's no way it could have worked so quickly. He's also not sure why it came out. I did barely anything for the first week after my surgery so there;s no way I caused it to come out.

Anyway, I'm back on the waiting list to have it all done again. No idea when that will be though so quite frustrating.

What I'd like is some advice from anyone if they are able to offer it. My life has been pretty much put on hold all year and I've not done most of the things I normally would. What advice do you have for living with a fistula? Should I change my diet? Can I drink alcohol? (haven't touched a drop since Christmas just in case), How much can/should I do physically? My sex drive and confidence are out of the window since all this has happened. With the leaking from the fistula and having to wear pads, I've also lost my dignity.

I'm really down in the dumps and could do with some help. I'm a 38 year old male business owner. I'm usually very outgoing, socially and work wise. I usually love meeting new people and doing all sorts of things but now I spend my days working from my bedroom. My wife and daughters forget I'm here.

Any help or advice will be very, very welcome.

Thanks so much for reading if you got this far.

2

Yes very painful. I know this as when I was in my 30's I had these a couple of times.

You definitely need to stay in touch with you doctor about this, who may refer you to a surgeon to have the matter resolved,

It is absolutely essential to regularly change the dressing and keep the wound clean, but I'm sure you know this already.

If it is any consolation these things do clear-up in the end with or without surgical intervention, but in the meanwhile try to look on the bright side.

Just one last point, and that is to discuss with you doctor why this might have happened in the first place, and how to avoid a recurrence.

3

Hi and thanks for your reply and advice.

I have had surgery 3 weeks ago and had a cutting seton put in place but that fell out after 5 days so I'm waiting for another op to try again. It's very disheartening to go through all that for nothing.

The reason I got the fistula is because an abscess I had around Christmas was not drained by the doctor when I visited in emmense pain. Instead they sent me home with antibiotics.

4

Yes, a similar story to me.

I won't lie and tell you it is all fun and games because it isn't.

I had two of them in the space of two or three years, but touch wood I am now 71 years of age and have not suffered since.

They should have drained it, but what can you do - you have to get on with what the situation is now?

It will get better, but you do need your doctor to  monitor why the abscess came in the first place.

They are so painful..it hurts me just to think back.