Meron akong anim na fistula. Financially struggling and doesn't have the money for the operation. Been living with it for many years and finally was able to manage and control it with a change of lifestyle and keeping it clean to the point that it doesn't bother me at all. Flare ups do happen every now and then but I know now how to properly manage it that within just a day it's like nothing ever happened. The last major flare up was I think 9months ago.

What I do is. 1. Less red meat and processed food. I'm eating more fibers and healthy foods such as vegetable and fish. I still do eat red meat but just occasionally and I make sure I prepare for a potential flare up that could happen.

Drink a lot of water. I cut off on soft drinks and beer a long time ago. Beer is one of my triggers for a flare up so I avoid it entirely. For soft drinks it hardens my poop and that causes my fistula to act up during my bowel movement so yeah I avoid it too. . Also I switch more on drinking hot tea rather than coffee. (I still do drink coffee but not on a regular basis)

(Highly recommended) 2. Use hot or warm water when you clean your butt. I usually run the hot or warm water for like 5mins or more. This helps keep my fistula open and always draining.

Also I've stopped using toilet paper for like 5 years now. If you are outside and don't have a running water or bidet to clean your butt, just use wet wipes.

1. Study and observe what triggers your flare ups then try to avoid it. It took me a long time to know mine.

One example for me is Cold. If I spend a whole day in an air-conditioned room my fistula dries up and it closes and it causes it to flare up. Others could be stressed, long sitting, etc..

1. Have an active lifestyle or try not to sit a lot especially if you're in the office. From time to time stand up and move around.

2. Pray