Poo from vagina

[braid]

Sorry for graphic title but searching for people who have experienced this and got better. I have discovered I have a rectovaginal fistula and poo is escaping into my vagina. Had my last child 7 years ago so not a post birth thing. Have been suffering from piles over past year and had a particularly nasty attack last month. Think may be related. Currently waiting to see a surgeon. Does anyone have advice on what to do re hygiene and diet in the meantime? Any knowledge and experience of surgery also appreciated.

I have nursed people who have had these fistulas repaired (in the dim and distant past), and as far as I remember, they all recovered well and were very happy with the results of their operation.

I wonder if there are any sites/groups offering support and information on the net?

Just had a quick google, and the Crohns disease forum has a section on these fistulas - might that be of any help to you?

Crohns Forum.

Thanks, it has been a shock as you can imagine. Internet so far has frightened me with vague talk about surgery failing. Would like to see some stats but don't know where to look.

My 88 year old step-grandmother had this problem in 2011 but I'm afraid I don't know what the exact cause was. She had a fairly major op with a temporary stoma (think only a couple of months) and then that was put right. She recovered well. She turned 92 at the beginning of the month!

Staying, thanks for link and Mintyy for success story.

Anyone else been through this themselves?

I had a fistula between bowel and bladder (got Crohns) and was pooing from my wee hole. Had a bowel resection and bladder repaired. Bladder been fine, though since had further bowel surgery for the Crohns.

Was in hosp for two weeks and off work for further eight. The op kept me functioning for 15 yrs.

Gobblin thanks, glad to here op was successful.

I had a bowel to bowel fistula caused by Crohn's disease & recently had a resection to remove it & a narrowed bowel. Had the op a month ago & I feel great. Think he took about a foot of bowel in the end but I've healed really well & didn't need a stoma. With regards to hygiene I can't really help but as someone else said the Crohns forums are great for advice, also the NACC website has leaflets about fistulas so you may find some tips there. Hope you don't wait too long to see a surgeon.

I'm not diagnosed with Crohn's as yet. Have to admit I knew very little about it until I googled rectovaginal fistula. Of course I'm hoping I'm a medical oddity and don't have Crohn's but I certainly have something wrong to have caused this. Am looking at the forums also. Glad your surgery went well MrsPinot.