I think I have a fistula
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I agree, if you are concerned, definitely see a doctor. It can only be diagnosed through some specific routes.
What do you agree with- my attempt to diagnose a fistula via the net?LOL!!!!!!!!!
Yes I agree to consult a doctor.
For some reason I am thinking she has hemmoroids?
I don't know why...... I just thought- oh she had a baby a few days ago- could it be hemmorids?
Yes I agree to consult a doctor.
For some reason I am thinking she has hemmoroids?
I don't know why...... I just thought- oh she had a baby a few days ago- could it be hemmorids?
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1,415 Posts
A quick google search turns up lots of information on fistula.
Here's the main symptoms I found to be consistent from source to source:
Quote:
This would be what you might expect to experience if the fistula is between the vaginal wall and the rectum. There are other locations a fistula can be located, which will produce different symptoms.
I'd think confusing a fistula with hemmoroids would be unusual at best. Hemmoroids, to my knowledge anyway, don't involve gas and/or feces passing through the vagina.
Obviously the only real way to know what is going on is to seek care from an experienced provider who can better assess what is actually going on. Judging from how very recently the OP gave birth, there could easily be some residual trauma and/or swelling that will resolve on its own over the next few weeks, and that could obviously result in the resolution of whatever symptoms are present.
Either way, one of the important things mentioned in several of the articles I peeked at from my brief search was to seek care from an experienced colo-rectal surgeon if you do indeed have damage that necessitates surgical repair, as they are the ones who do this sort of thing most often and most successfully.
Healing thoughts coming your way!
Here's the main symptoms I found to be consistent from source to source:
Quote:
| It is usually the patient that first notices a problem - either gas or feces passing from the vagina. It is uncomfortable, unmistakable, and uncontrollable. Others notice that they have feces coming from the vaginal opening occasionally or even regularly. You may get recurring urinary tract infections caused by unusual bacteria. |
I'd think confusing a fistula with hemmoroids would be unusual at best. Hemmoroids, to my knowledge anyway, don't involve gas and/or feces passing through the vagina.
Obviously the only real way to know what is going on is to seek care from an experienced provider who can better assess what is actually going on. Judging from how very recently the OP gave birth, there could easily be some residual trauma and/or swelling that will resolve on its own over the next few weeks, and that could obviously result in the resolution of whatever symptoms are present.
Either way, one of the important things mentioned in several of the articles I peeked at from my brief search was to seek care from an experienced colo-rectal surgeon if you do indeed have damage that necessitates surgical repair, as they are the ones who do this sort of thing most often and most successfully.
Healing thoughts coming your way!
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2,369 Posts
definately ask a dr or midwife (or do whatever you need to do to investigate it further).
a few days after ds's birth i was *sure* i had a prolapsed uterus and called my midwife in a panic. she got tough with me and told me i could either a) go to the er, b) go see her in the am, or c) get a mirror and look at it. when we finally found a mirror and i saw it was just a big hematoma (my son was born so fast his shoulders likely didn't turn leaving me pretty banged up).
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everything just feels and acts so differently down there after birth that you can easily think something must be wrong.
there is no point in worrying about it without finding out what's up. of course, the pp hormones don't help the situation much i'm sure.
a few days after ds's birth i was *sure* i had a prolapsed uterus and called my midwife in a panic. she got tough with me and told me i could either a) go to the er, b) go see her in the am, or c) get a mirror and look at it. when we finally found a mirror and i saw it was just a big hematoma (my son was born so fast his shoulders likely didn't turn leaving me pretty banged up).
there is no point in worrying about it without finding out what's up. of course, the pp hormones don't help the situation much i'm sure.
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My ds was born two years ago - I noticed air/gas passing about 8-10 weeks after he was born - never went and had it checked b/c no insurance. Just a couple weeks ago, I had my first appt. since giving birth - my gyn said she saw nothing unusual, not even much scar tissue or any sign of the severe tearing I had. I pretty much know I have a fistula, but I don't have feces passing through, so have pretty much decided, for now, to keep praying that it heals on its own (I know, slim chance) b/c I cannot afford surgery and recovery right now anyway.
But, you are not alone... In the past two years, I have searched many of these boards, and found several people with this problem. It is up to you what you decide to do about it, but I know many of us have suffered anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects from feeling alone, scared, and embarassed. Know that other people are dealing with this too, and if you need support, or other advice, keep checking these boards often...
I havejn't had a chance to repost, but thank you for the responses. I had a 4th degree tear after delivering my 10lb 4 oz baby. I required a number of stitches. I have the sensation of passing gas that seems to originate from my rectum but somes out of my vagina, very similar to what the PP described. I went to the doc the next day and he said my stitches were indeed intact, but this strange sensation hasn't subsided. It's been very anxiety provoking to say the least, wondering if at some point my entire genital area is going to rip apart after a sneeze or a cough.
Maybe it's just air?? I remember being worried about this and researching it to realize it was just AIR from the vagina..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queef
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queef
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it's definitely air and it happened to me, too. it gets better once you start doing kegels over a period of time.
I belong to a support group for people with inflammatory bowel disease, many of whom have recto-vaginal fistulae as a complication (even if they haven't had a baby). Often, if the fistulae are small and only involve gas, no feces, they choose not to have them repaired even if they have good insurance, because they do not want to undergo surgery. So that certainly is a reasonable decision.
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