Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

help with fistula odor

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
dragonfly137927
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 2527
Posted 10/2/2007 5:25 PM (GMT -6)
Hi all,

My fistula returned yesterday, the abscess part of it was healing  so I still had a hole under my belly button.  Since more feces and gas is coming out of it I dont know what to do for the odor when it poos and farts.  I changed the bandage 3 times today once was before lunch.  The feces really started after lunch.  I feel bad for the people around me and embarrased as well.  Any tips on odor reduction in this case?

profile picture
chroniemomx2
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 2346
Posted 10/2/2007 6:49 PM (GMT -6)
I have used abs pads before...at least that is what I think they are called.....they are quite thick....would that help if it was thicker??????
profile picture
FitzyK23
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 4219
Posted 10/2/2007 7:05 PM (GMT -6)
If you have a pierced navel hang one of those car air freshners from it!! I know this is no laughing matter I just wanted to make you chuckle.
profile picture
Nanners
Elite Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 14999
Posted 10/2/2007 7:11 PM (GMT -6)
Fitzy you crack me up!  Sorry Stef, but that was a funny one.  But on a more serious note, you poor girl, first the fistula and now the odor.  Thank you God, I have never had a fistula, and seeing everything you are going thru Stef, I sure hope I never get one.  This may sound naive, but are there any kind of scented pads that someone could put over these things?  I can't even imagine how you treat this one.  I am looking forward to hearing others responses.  Sure hope things improve for you soon, Stef.

profile picture
ivy6
Elite Member
Joined : Sep 2005
Posts : 10404
Posted 10/2/2007 11:17 PM (GMT -6)
This is just an idea, but would it help to modify your diet a little? I know that people with ostomies are advised to avoid certain foods if odours are a problem...

I really am sorry you have to contend with this. How horrible it must be for you.

I.
profile picture
JudyK89
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2006
Posts : 1986
Posted 10/3/2007 8:41 AM (GMT -6)
Stef,
Maybe it's time for a wound manager pouch from Convatec. Why don't you call them and ask for a couple samples to see if they make your life any easier. When I called for samples, I received them in a couple days. They have some pretty small ones that noone will even notice.
profile picture
mcleaver1969
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2006
Posts : 267
Posted 10/3/2007 9:24 AM (GMT -6)
Stef,
Girl, I feel sooo bad for you having to deal with this problem. I can't even imagine the embarassment and self-consciousness you're feeling. The suggestions the other members have given you are great, you should definately try them. Perhaps you could cover the opening with a scented feminine napkin, would that help at all?
Anyway, hang in there, we are all with you!

Marci
profile picture
dragonfly137927
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 2527
Posted 10/3/2007 5:26 PM (GMT -6)

I finally taked to my colorectal surgeon today.  Initially he wanted a SBFT then when Iactually spoke to him not hisa receptionist I informed him of pain as weel as less BMs and needing a suppository last night.  I am still passing gas naturally so it cant be a full obstruction, I hope its just the fistula and nothing else.  I got 2 wound managment samples from hollister but the opening is only about 1cm and it goes 2.5 cm deep. 

Today I ate an english muffin for breakfast and some black tea.  For lunch I had  a roll, one of those chicken soup campbell bowl things and some crackers.  After lunch I changed the bandage then I felt wet later....the fistule is right below my off center belly button....thanks to Sx it is off to the right a bit....the fistula is at the actual scar in the center right below where a normal belly button would be.  I went to the restroom to urinate and found that the feces went right under the paper tape causing feces to get on my underwear and scrub pants.  I had no change of clothes so I cleaned up best I could and was happy that I wore navy pants.  I just ate some hamburger helper...still trying to get iron from food...I am not lactose intolerant so we had cheeseburger macaroni.

The CT is set for 5pm tomorrow.  I called my Dr back after I set it up(he is on call tonight luckily)  they told me to drink one of the contrast drinks at 8am, and NPO after 2pm.  Drink the 2nd contrast at 4pm.  My Dr found that to be odd as well.  He is going to call the radiologist in the morning to verify the way to drink them...its my 20th one in a year and I have always done 1 drink 2 hrs pre ct and the other 1 hr pre ct.  Since it is hard getting thru to my line at work he is going to send my order by fax as well as the instructions the radiologist gives him.

My skin is getting raw again from the feces getting on my skin and the skin prep isnt working to prevent that from happening so a GI that was in the office the other week when I went for my Humira loading dose told me to try desitin, so I am trying that.

I am just so frustrated.  Luckily at work they are very understanding.  I left a msg with my team's nurse since our nurse manager is on vacation.  When I left I was still set for a SBFT at 8am so I called saying I will be inearly and will have to leave at 4:30 so I can register and get to the appt on time.  Luckily I work at the hospital but in a building that is right along side. 

profile picture
dragonfly137927
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 2527
Posted 10/3/2007 5:59 PM (GMT -6)
well I used another suppository (sp?) and I had a decent BM considering I am eating less do to the pain from the fistula

Also I tried tegaderm to cover the lower portion of the bandage I have on hoping it wont leak on me overnight since I seem to get more fecal matter at the bottom of the bangade but that is probably from gravity since I have been up when I notice more exudate at the base of the bandage.  I have paper tape over the top of it and around the egde of the tegaderm.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply


More On Crohns Disease

Care And Feeding On A Crohn's Diet

Care And Feeding On A Crohn's Diet

How I Refused To Let Chronic Illness Steal My Dreams

How I Refused To Let Chronic Illness Steal My Dreams


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2022 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.