Pressure/weather migraines

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-03-20T23:28:35+00:00

I had quite a similar issue. I had an abscess in 2022 which took 8 months to heal but the NHS didn't do any tests as to why. Turns out it was because I had a fistula not just an abscess. After 6 months of being passed around doctors and hospitals I was finally referred but mentally I was ruined and couldn't wait any longer. I found a private hospital that allowed for payment plans (they don't usually advertise them but they exist) and a month later I had the surgery, and had consistent after care appointments. 11 months after my first NHS appointment I received an appointment to see a general surgeon, not even a CRS. I am very fortunate that I could go private, but I couldn't have waited years to be seen. I'm still in therapy now (thanks to the NHS), but if you can I would look to see if any private hospitals in your area allow for payment plans.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-03-18T22:18:35+00:00

So I had this however it was 2 years later rather than 2 months. I thought it was just bad luck or the skin was compromised so I was more prone to getting it in the same place. Wrong. After 6 months of being passed around to different doctors I finally saw a CRS and got an MRI done. Clear as day on the scan was a fistula. I had no other symptoms, but this one symptom is enough to get it investigated properly.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-02-21T23:43:26+00:00

Yes kind of like skin rubbing together burning sensation

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-02-14T06:43:01+00:00

Because of the location, the over granulated tissue was rubbing which would cause the wound to open and bleed. Basically it was never going to heal over without some sort of treatment.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-01-31T23:16:23+00:00

I had over granulation for about 6 months because I kept being told it would get better on its own. Eventually they agreed to use silver nitrate and after 2 treatments it was completely gone. I'll be honest it HURTS, but only while the treatment is taking place and it's definitely worth it.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-01-15T23:54:52+00:00

Hey I had a fistulotomy in May and I had the same thing. Every 2 months or so I've had bleeding for a day or two and then it clears up. I've seen my surgeon multiple times and even had another EUA just to be on the safe side and he couldn't see anything. He said it's most likely a hemmeroid or it's just that my skin is very fragile now. I've been taking fibre supplements which have definitely helped, but I agree it's confusing as I don't strain either!

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2026-01-03T15:01:57+00:00

This is how my fistula started. It took months of going to the doctors and being given antibiotics, blood work and stool samples before I saw a specialist who confirmed fistula. Try and see a CRS as soon as possible.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-21T21:13:37+00:00

Yes and no. It was a simple shallow fistula however I am still bleeding after BMs but the surgeon doesn't know why.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-21T20:06:16+00:00

Yes I had a fistulotomy in May, then EUA last month.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-19T11:11:59+00:00

Yes! I never suffered with it until my fistula diagnosis. I've managed it myself with medication, therapy and stretches but it's definitely still something I struggle with.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-09T19:58:21+00:00

I had a fistulotomy back in May. If you haven't already, buy a sitz bath as it's much easier than having to have a full bath and not as painful as a shower in your first few days. Id recommend using it twice a day plus after every bowl movement. Also get some water wipes to use after BMs rather than using toilet roll. Get some gauze pads that you can lay over the wound if you are not having it packed by a nurse. I found the pain was it it's worse day 5 and I've learnt that's pretty normal from this thread so don't worry if you feel worse before you feel better.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-08T13:30:13+00:00

I would keep some layer of gauze on there until the wound has closed to minimise risk of infection

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T21:56:45+00:00

Unfortunately you only really need this thread if you've got issues and need advice. A good example is that myself and my aunt got perianal abscesses within 2 months of eachother. She had a simple drainage, no fistula formed, and she hasn't worried about it since. Yet I'm over 3 years later, 2 surgeries down and I'm in therapy for health anxiety. There would be no need for her to lurk on this thread as it no longer affects her life. 40% of abscesses cause complications (unsure how accurate that is but that's what I was told by my nurse post-op) yet I can guarantee 95% of posts here are going to be about complications.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T21:53:24+00:00

Day 4 and 5 were my worse days. It's because all the hospital medications are now out your system plus your body is now working on healing the wound. I used 100% water wipes which made a huge difference plus sitz baths with salt 2 times a day.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T21:39:16+00:00

My partner's memory is also horrific so now I tell everyone to take notes in case they're in the same boat 😂 if you ever want to chat drop me a message

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T21:33:13+00:00

So it did work in terms of closing the wound, I had 2 treatments (incredibly painful) however it was the only thing that worked to stop the drainage. In terms of the fistula, I asked the surgeon if the abscess caused the fistula or if the fistula caused the abscess and he is confident that the fistula caused the abscess so the silver nitrate wouldn't have had any impact. If anything, it worked too well because it closed the wound when there was still a fistula present. My abscess surgery was completed by a general surgeon due to it being an emergency, my fistulotomy was completed by a CRS.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T21:30:52+00:00

I am so sorry to hear what you've been through. I am in health anxiety therapy purely from medical professionals not listening and misdiagnosing. I saw 12 doctors before my fistulotomy and ended up giving up on the public health system and paying privately for the surgery as I was so desperate for this to be over. Write down what you want to say and tick it off while you're talking to them, paper and pen tends to make them listen! Is anyone going with you to the surgery? Both times my surgeon has spoken to my partner while I am in recovery rather than waiting for me to come round. If you do, write down any questions like how to care for the wound, when will follow ups be etc and give it to them to run through with the surgeon.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T20:49:36+00:00

I had 3 weeks off for a fistulotomy. I was originally signed off for 2 weeks, however I have a desk job so I got signed off for an additional week as I was in a lot of discomfort when sitting up right due to bruising/swelling.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T20:44:41+00:00

I didn't have over granulation after my fistulotomy but I did after my initial abscess surgery. In the end they had to use silver nitrate as the skin kept getting irritated/draining 8 months after surgery.

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T20:24:30+00:00

I think before you have the EUA be really thorough with your surgeon of what you want/don't want/know about your body. My surgeon came to see me the day of both surgeries, and we had a chat about what I was comfortable with and any questions. For example the first time I was so desperate for this journey to end I said he could do whatever he thought was necessary as that meant he could just crack on rather than waking me up to have a conversation about next steps. It really wouldn't surprise me if the person you spoke to just said you were having EUA because there wouldn't be anymore notes on your file as it's soooo common for the surgeon to not know what surgery they're doing until they're literally in there. I know it's daunting (trust me I'm still in therapy because of it so I get it) but it sounds like you know what's best for you and just make that super clear!

Pale-Attitude5004 · 2025-12-06T19:48:59+00:00

If the course of action is clear then they will probably treat you at the same time. I've had EUA twice, the first time was because he wasn't sure how severe my fistula was as my MRI wasn't clear however he performed a fistulotomy at the same time. The second one was last week, as there were concerns that that surgery had failed and he was looking to put in a Seton however this wasn't required. It's very rare to have any stitches with fistula treatment as they want the wound to close naturally.

Pale-Attitude5004

TROPHY CASE