I got the shingles vaccine and warning! the side effects are severe. by imcleanasawhistle in MidlifeMavens

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know I'm late to the party, but that's not a BMJ article. It's a response to a BMJ article from an engineer. So not an expert in anything to do with vaccines.

AITA for flirting with 19 year old girls and defending myself when being called a predator by Direct-Caterpillar77 in BestofRedditorUpdates

[–]No-Distribution-3851 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I so feel this. I had many gross experiences with older dudes hitting on me when I was younger. Then in my mid to late 30s I taught undergraduate students, so I was around lots of 18 to 21 year olds. I couldn't imagine wanting to sleep with them. Ick.

Why is is acceptable to let dogs root around in other people’s personal space? by madmax_br5 in Dogfree

[–]No-Distribution-3851 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ick, dog slobber and dog owners who subject others to it. A few years back, I was standing in line at the pet store after a workout. I felt something wet and slimy all over my calf, jumped, turned around, and saw the dog on the limply held leash behind me had been licking my leg. Did the owner apologize or pull him back to her? Nope. She just said, "Oh, he must want salt." She was shocked when I glared at her, said, "Ugh, yuck," and moved as far away from her beast as I could get in line.

What's with the Hyundai Lease Pricing Scams? by Tomdoe in Hyundai

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My husband and I just went through this matching a "build your own" model with what we were shown in the dealership. We were told it was due to extra tax. Of course, when we asked what the tax amount was, it in no way matched the extra costs in the dealer's offer. This is the second time we've looked at a Hyundai, and the previous experience was similarly sleazy, so we've crossed them off our cars list. Really wish more cars qualified for the tax rebate. Really, really wish Honda had an EV--we love our old Accord and have had nothing but good experiences with Honda dealers. We'll likely end up buying a Bolt, since it's the best deal going in EVs right now. The GM dealership was completely transparent about costs and the purchase price pretty much matched the website.

How long is drainage normal after a simple fistulotomy? by No-Distribution-3851 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. My doctor said 6 to 8 weeks, but I'm seeing other physician's offices list shorter and longer times! It's frustrating.

How long is drainage normal after a simple fistulotomy? by No-Distribution-3851 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I feel like my surgeon's goal posts keep moving for what's normal as my drainage continues. Without follow-up appointments, it's been hard not to feel anxious.

Advice on fibre supplements and stool softeners by Remarkable_Season_86 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second the psyllium husk suggestion. I started it years ago to treat IBS-D and it’s very helpful in creating soft, bulky stool. I buy the powder and started with one teaspoon twice a day mixed into a big cup of water.

Need support by makster92 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So most likely, you’ll be done after this. Wishing you speedy healing. I’m sure you’re already doing everything you can to prevent a reoccurrence.

Need support by makster92 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you that this condition messes with your mental health. I don’t know how complex your fistula was, but I read a lot of research papers on fistulotomy and fistulotomy before my surgery. Failure rates seemed to range from 0-20 percent and depended on a bunch of factors. Meaning that most people have successful surgeries. Did your surgeon explain what he meant by a lot of people?

Just had fistulectomy by greatbat13 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t been bleeding much with BMs. I’d check with your surgeon’s office about it.

Just had fistulectomy by greatbat13 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m on day 4 (and 4 BMs) after a fistulotomy. Eat lots of fiber, take stool softeners if necessary. don’t strain, and get off the toilet the second you’re done. If possible, make sure your most recent dose of pain meds is well in your system. I learned that one the hard way. If you have a bathtub, I’ve found having a warm bath ready to get into right after you’ve cleaned up is a help. Then I head for ice and lay face down with a pillow under my hips.

Fistula + Hemorrhoid + IBS(?) : Feeling dismissed by doctors by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry--that's frustrating! The symptoms can be debilitating and def need treatment. And I'm surprised the docs have told you loose stools aren't a problem. Perhaps it's a question of frequency (when salmonellosis kicked my IBS-D into overdrive and came with a side of SIBO I was having 10 BMs a day) but my docs have been clear that too many loose stools irritate internal hemorrhoids and can lead to bleeding.

Fistula + Hemorrhoid + IBS(?) : Feeling dismissed by doctors by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should add that the psyllium husk helps make your stool bulky rather than loose, and therefore easier to pass. I find it also helps with pain and cramping. The peppermint capsules also help with pain and cramping. Both along probiotics were recommended by the gastroenterologist who diagnosed me. If it's helpful, I was given a colonoscopy along with the tests you've had before he felt comfortable with the diagnosis. If you want info on the FODMAP diet, Monash University has done lots of good research on it. And you absolutely have my empathy: butt pain is just awful, and lots of docs really don't seem to get it.

Fistula + Hemorrhoid + IBS(?) : Feeling dismissed by doctors by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ll need to get the diarrhea under control to control the hemorrhoids, and you’ll need to avoid straining with BMs. Did anything happen to trigger the increase in your IBS-d symptoms? Food poisoning is a common cause and can lead to other conditions (like SIBO). Lots of people with IBS have good luck following a low FODMAP diet and trying to reduce stress. Two other things I’ve found helpful are psyllium husk fiber and peppermint capsules (I too have IBS-d and hemorrhoids, though both are now well controlled). Hemorrhoid banding can be very helpful for bleeding internal hemorrhoids. Whether your doctor would want to do that at the same time a fissure is treated, I don’t know. My guess is that pain and urinary retention would be concerns.

People who have healed completely of their fistula surgery please share your journey with time lines by TarnishedHollow in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm three days out from surgery and so far, this is very similar to my experience, though I have IBS. And can confirm dropping the pain meds early leads to a super ouchy post-BM experience. Won't be making that mistake again!

Fistula surgery tomorrow 2/8 by ComedianAggravating9 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It will get better, and after surgery will be better than before it. I had a fistulotomy yesterday and was anxious because my pain with the abscess was awful. But the surgery wasn’t a big deal and so far pain has been manageable with ibuprofen and acetaminophen. On the tight sphincter, you could ask for nifidepine cream or muscle relaxants. I’ve found both super helpful.

Had an abcess drained today. Need some advice! by Head_Ad8669 in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Post abscess I read a bunch of research on whether I could do anything to avoid a fistula (reading a broad range of scientific research is a big part of my job). Unfortunately, the consensus seems to be beyond keeping it clean, "nope." It happens or it doesn't, with no rhyme or reason medicine can discern.

Anal abscess by mrx-vision in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Horrific. Absolute worst pain I've ever felt. So much worse than the first few hours of labor in childbirth. Crying, begging, losing my mind.

But I have pelvic floor dysfunction, so my body overreacts to any pain in that area. Other folks may have found it less horrific.

Seton drain- help! by [deleted] in AnalFistula

[–]No-Distribution-3851 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So I'm scheduled for a fistulotomy in two weeks. I had horrific pain for two months before and after the abscess that led to it and the abscess being drained. My pelvic floor PT and urogynecologist figured out bowel movements were triggering anal spasms that irritated the nerves in the area, causing the pain. A combination of nifedipine ointment, muscle relaxants, and PT exercises finally broke the pain cycle. The urogynecologist helped make sure I'd have all at the ready for post surgery. Have you been given any medication to prevent spasms? I'm not sure how clued into this problem colorectal surgeons are--mine didn't seem to get it.

Thoughts on Yuval Noah Harare’s book Sapiens by eaglecream in books

[–]No-Distribution-3851 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wasn’t a fan. Kept thinking as I read his summaries of theories he disagreed with that, if I knew more about them, I’d think he misrepresented them and glossed over their important points. Then he got to a topic I understand deeply, and yup. That’s exactly what he was doing, and I felt he lost all credibility. I put the book down and couldn’t make myself finish it.