fistula and abscess

dragonfly137927

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Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 2527

Posted 9/16/2007 1:38 PM (GMT -7)

Hi all

I was wondering in more detail what the difference is between a fistula and an abscess?

Ides

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Posts : 7195

Posted 9/16/2007 2:04 PM (GMT -7)

Fistula

Abscess

dragonfly137927

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 2527

Posted 9/16/2007 3:11 PM (GMT -7)

Thank you for that info, I often wonder if this is a fistula as opposed to an abscess. What makes me wonder that more is that it came back after finally healing on Sept4th that was the 1st day I didnt need any gauze even to cover the area. Even when I had a fistula they didnt see it on the CT scan. The pain is radiating around the area that "popped" too. the areas around it are at least 3 inches to the left of the spot that drained and about 1.5 inches to the right. I had told my doc that I was having some pain and it hurt to cough, sneeze etc. The pain intensified last night and even more so this morning. Luckily I was able to open it up so that it now can drain out. I hope that this thing will go away and stay away. I dont think I can deal with this thing coming back its on its second time now, had abscesses after my ostomy surgery too and a wound infection thanks to the air for brain resident...I personally think she belongs as a doc in the morgue...least that way she cant kill anyone or have malpractice suits against her.

gemini kiwi

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Joined : Nov 2006

Posts : 1136

Posted 9/16/2007 4:14 PM (GMT -7)

Oh Stef in a word. BUGGAR.
Tess

crohnie42

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Joined : Dec 2006

Posts : 371

Posted 9/16/2007 4:31 PM (GMT -7)

My fistulas always turned into abcesses

chroniemomx2

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Joined : Apr 2005

Posts : 2346

Posted 9/16/2007 5:58 PM (GMT -7)

An mri is better at finding fistulas than a ct scan.....

The thing with the abscess is that if it seals over (aka heals) with even one little bit of infection left, then all that will do is multiply once it is closed and then start causing pain, and all that over again. I had a rectal abscess, that would come back about every 3 months, until 11 months later my surgeon finally found the fistula track.....those fistulas can be so hard to find.

Eryn

New Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 16

Posted 9/16/2007 6:36 PM (GMT -7)

After many CAT scans, they still couldn't tell whether I had fistulas. I finally had a bowel resection and they had to fix many fistulas that were actually there and take out abcesses.

gemini kiwi

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Joined : Nov 2006

Posts : 1136

Posted 9/16/2007 6:49 PM (GMT -7)

Eryn,
I had a similar situation, no mention of fistulas from the CT scans either , but during surgery the found "several well formed almost tublar fistula tracts" according to my medical notes.
Tess.
PS...........Welcome to HW also.

gachrons

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 4527

Posted 9/17/2007 8:01 AM (GMT -7)

Hi I guess the fistula is a track and the abs is infection .The fis can have infected stuff in it. and makes the track from different parts of the bowels or intestines to other body parts they can also be started from surgery. Hard to heal as they heal over then drain again.How are you doing with food now are you eating good and getting protien as it helps heal .Keep in touch and looking forward to hearing how your new job goes sounds like it would be interesting work. We all know you have computer expercience so that is good .Best Wishes lol gail

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