I am on so nervous for my upcoming appointment with a specialist for my bowel/bladder problems. My doctor said that I could have a Fistula. My appointment is not for 3 weeks and I am so scared. Is this life threatening? I have 3 children under the age of 4, and I am terrified of something happening to me. They need their Momma :)

mommaoftwinsplus1

Hi,
I was recently diagnosed with an abscess with a fistula. Usually with a fistula you have an abscess that either broke on its own or a doctor lanced it. They say that 50% of abscesses turn into fistulas. For me I had a pimple, like the size of a mosquito about 1/2" from my rectum. Tender and sore and then it broke, and I thought o.k. great now it will go away. But it didn't . It would drain for a few days with pus and blood, then the abscess would fill back up and then it would repeat itself all over again. A fistula is a track, channel or tunnel that breaks through your skin, it is the external opening. And usually at the other end they will find the abscess.
What makes you think that you have a fistula?
For me I went through using a medicated cream and antibotics that the doctor prescribed over about 6 weeks. Didn't work. Usually the only fix is surgery. They did surgery on me using a plug to fill the fistula. Brand new procedure, was just approved April/May 2005. Suppose to be less pain and less recovery. For me the surgery failed and the plug came out on the 7th. day after surgery. I go back to the surgeon again today.
I don't know if it life threatening, but I imagine that leaving the infection in you, is not good and good cause consequences down the road.
Before this happened to me, I had never heard of a fistula. so I can relate to now you are feeling.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

blueskys

Blueskys,
I think I have a fistula because my doctor said. According to my symptoms...A bladder infection that won't go away after 4 rounds of antibiotics, bowel problems..constipation, hemmeroids. every time I give a urine sample, They find bacteria. I have an appointment with a uroligist on October 26th. I am anxious to find out what is going on. I am nervous because 11 years ago my Grandmother died from bowel problems. Her doctor did not realize that she had a bowel tear and without treatment the bacteria poisened her body and killed her. So I am wondering if what I have is the same thing. I will find out...not soon enough!!