Hi everyone!
I decided to join this forum because I've been emotionally struggling with my situation lately and was hoping for support from people who've been there.
I'm a 30 y.o. female, who was diagnosed with Crohns at the age of 13. I've had several hospitalizations as a teen and one bowel resection about 10 years ago. After Remicade came out, I was in remission for almost 10 years (!!!) however, when I started a new, very stressful job, suddenly things started going downhill.
Interestingly, I didn't have a regular "flare up" this time around...no abdominal pain, a huge number of bathroom trips or weight loss. Instead, I developed a horseshoe perianal fistula in January 2009. I've had 7 minor (in comparison to the bowel resection) surgeries in a year and a half. Numerous infections. One failed cook plug placement. I'm currently living with 2 setons, or as I like to call them, butt piercings...the last one having been implanted only a week ago, so I'm still pretty sore.
What I'm trying to do for myself at the moment is lead a less stressful lifestyle, which begins with me quitting my job. I'm hoping the setons help keep everything draining and leave me infection free for a long period of time. I don't want any more hole closure attempts once things settle down because I want to start a family within the next year or so.
I have a few questions for my fellow Crohns buddies:
1) Has anyone been pregnant with an open perianal fistula? I spoke with my surgeon and GYN who are both supportive of me getting preggers once things have been calm for a while. However, I would like to hear the personal experience of anyone who's gone through this.
2) Has anyone with a firm diagnosis of Crohns had any success with a plug or flap procedure?
3) Has anyone decided to live with a seton for the long term? Was that successful for you? For how long?
My main concern about fixing the fistula is bowel incontinence. I would rather live with a seton for many years and wait for new scientific breakthroughs that rush into a surgery that carries the risk of fecal incontinence.
I keep thinking about the BP oil spill...all holes seem difficult to plug! lol!
Thanks in advance to all those who respond.
I decided to join this forum because I've been emotionally struggling with my situation lately and was hoping for support from people who've been there.
I'm a 30 y.o. female, who was diagnosed with Crohns at the age of 13. I've had several hospitalizations as a teen and one bowel resection about 10 years ago. After Remicade came out, I was in remission for almost 10 years (!!!) however, when I started a new, very stressful job, suddenly things started going downhill.
Interestingly, I didn't have a regular "flare up" this time around...no abdominal pain, a huge number of bathroom trips or weight loss. Instead, I developed a horseshoe perianal fistula in January 2009. I've had 7 minor (in comparison to the bowel resection) surgeries in a year and a half. Numerous infections. One failed cook plug placement. I'm currently living with 2 setons, or as I like to call them, butt piercings...the last one having been implanted only a week ago, so I'm still pretty sore.
What I'm trying to do for myself at the moment is lead a less stressful lifestyle, which begins with me quitting my job. I'm hoping the setons help keep everything draining and leave me infection free for a long period of time. I don't want any more hole closure attempts once things settle down because I want to start a family within the next year or so.
I have a few questions for my fellow Crohns buddies:
1) Has anyone been pregnant with an open perianal fistula? I spoke with my surgeon and GYN who are both supportive of me getting preggers once things have been calm for a while. However, I would like to hear the personal experience of anyone who's gone through this.
2) Has anyone with a firm diagnosis of Crohns had any success with a plug or flap procedure?
3) Has anyone decided to live with a seton for the long term? Was that successful for you? For how long?
My main concern about fixing the fistula is bowel incontinence. I would rather live with a seton for many years and wait for new scientific breakthroughs that rush into a surgery that carries the risk of fecal incontinence.
I keep thinking about the BP oil spill...all holes seem difficult to plug! lol!
Thanks in advance to all those who respond.
