Well, ladies. I think my worst fear may be coming true...a fistula

I am having my "week" right now, and when wiping, I noticed some brown that looked very much like the color of my stool during that bathroom trip.
I thought I must be dreaming, so I checked again...same thing (brown mixed in with red)

I have never had any suspected fistula issues before this...although during one of my periods a few months back, I thought I saw the same issue but I wasn't sure and just thought it must be some old blood. I have passed some air through there 2 or 3 times also...the first time being in December, but that is not entirely unusual in and of itself, right?

Is it possible for a fistula to be active only during that time of the month?

what other signs/symptoms would I be looking out for?

(of course, I am still holding out hope that it was really just some brown blood)

This might sound gross but a good way to see if it is stool is to smell the toilet paper after you wipe. It may be difficult to tell if it is that time of the month but stool always has a pretty potent smell and hopefully if it is you should be able to tell.
I think it's strange that it would only happen at that time of the month. Have you had any fevers? After your little friend goes away you may want to go to your family doctor or GI and give them a urine sample and let them test for the presence of stool. Hopefully it is just old blood though.

I agree with Olive Oil....it is one way to tell and that it is strange to only happen during that time of the month. Sometimes my time of the month is brown for a whole day or so.

Some other symptoms I had but didn't realize yet it was a fistula was feelings like a urinary tract and/or a yeast infection so much so I called my dr to be treated for a UTI and used monistat. It was very irritated down there and then all of a sudden I had an abscess burst and the stool was leaking when I wiped but it was pretty consistent.

Just thought I'd pass along some additional info. Really hoping it is just old blood but I again I agree with Olive Oil, best to get your urine tested to be safe.

Good Luck and let us know if you need anything.

Kim

Thanks!

I made an appointment for Friday so that we can get to the bottom of it.

I really hope it's nothing.
My allergies are going nuts right now, so I can't smell a thing. (but I did try! lol)

Grace I just had to respond because you brought me a well needed little chuckle at your last comment. I hope you find something out at your appointment and I hope your allergies clear up so you can smell

Hi Janet,

I too have a RV fistula. Since June actually. My 11 year old pouch was perfect until then. It seems like a fistula when you describe it, but maybe we all get a little paranoid at times regarding our bodily fluids. But I hope you don't have one!

I am currenty thinking about Remicade/6MP to heal mine, but I am finding it to be very a very BIG/HARD decision.

Good luck...let us know how it goes...we hope to hear good news from you.

Corie-jay

Hi Janet -

Just checking in...how did your appt. go?

I too am a member of the R/V fistula club...such a sad club really. I have yet to have takedown and my surgeon and I are playing the "wait it out" game now to see if it will heal on it's own. If not, surgery, here I come.

Please let us know how you are doing if you are comfortable sharing.

Lisa

Janet,
If you think it is coming out of your vagina put in a tampax at a time when your not having your period, and then if there is something there you can ck it out closely.

I am happy to report that I am fistula free

I had a scope yesterday and everything checked out perfectly.

Thanks for all the help!

Congratulations Grace, that is good news!