Painful and inflamed anal fistula

[PiPiFFS]

Hi, I'm hoping Sheryl is kicking about or someone else with experience of this illness as until today I had never heard of it. My friend has had an anal fistula for a few years now. Till a few days ago it didn't cause him any major problems. The last few days though it has become inflamed and very, very painful. Especially when going to the toilet. As he is here on Koh Tao the medical care is limited but I was wondering if a certain antibiotic would help reduce the inflammation or any other drug that I could get for him that might help ? Any other tips would be appreciated.Thanks all. 

[FBN]

This is not a condition that should be taken lightly; you may be dealing with an abscess forming which will require definite diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, perhaps IV.

No facility on Koh Tao that can either diagnose or manage this.  I am afraid that a trip to at least Samui to one of the main health care facilities is needed.

Pending diagnosis, and if surgery becomes part of the required treatment, I would suggest to have this seen to at one of the major hospitals in Bangkok.

[PiPiFFS]

This is not a condition that should be taken lightly; you may be dealing with an abscess forming which will require definite diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, perhaps IV.

No facility on Koh Tao that can either diagnose or manage this.  I am afraid that a trip to at least Samui to one of the main health care facilities is needed.

Pending diagnosis, and if surgery becomes part of the required treatment, I would suggest to have this seen to at one of the major hospitals in Bangkok.

 

 

Hi, Thanks for the post. he had it diagnosed at bumrungrad in BKK years ago but then it stopped being painful and he just lived with it. now it is back with a vengeance. very painful and bleeding a lot. He is thinking that if he can get the inflammation down things will improve. I've told him he needs to go to samui but is stubborn. Thanks again

[kriswillems]

My neighbor had a similar problem.She had surgery.
If I would be your friend, I would already be in BKK (after seeing what my neighbor went through).
My neighbor suffered a lot, the complications were terrible. It was extremely painful, healed very slowly.
If your friend has too much pain to leave the Island he will be in big troubles. Edited August 15, 2014 by kriswillems

[PiPiFFS]

He is in a great deal of pain and so can't face the ferry at present. Sheryl where are you 

[tifino]

maybe take the ferry NOW, and catch up to Sheryl when you land. You will be an hour closer to hospital

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I had this back in 1965, did the surgery option, cured after a spell and no occurrence.

 

Get to a decent hospital quickly, I'd say.

 

Mac

[PiPiFFS]

maybe take the ferry NOW, and catch up to Sheryl when you land. You will be an hour closer to hospital

 The last ferry to Samui was 3pm. He can't travel. Just trying to get some information on what I can do for him here

[Sheryl]

Not much you can do for him there. Hot soaks may help some along with pain killers but he needs to get to a decent hospital. This means not samui but the mainland. Taksin hospital in surat thani is well spoken of . Or if it is easier to go to chumporn try provincial hospital there.

[landslide]

I had the same problem in 1998, and I can tell you, it is extremely painful..  It was originally misdiagnosed, and treated with antibiotics.  The problem reocurred twice.  I was then sent to a proctologist, who explained what the problem really is.  I had surgery (outpatient) by the proctologist, and it takes about 4 weeks to heal, though you can do most things during that time.  In essence, they open the fistula and allow it to slowly heal.  During the healing time it drains, so you have to keep the area clean and covered with sterile gauze packs.  I have never had a recurrance.  

[PiPiFFS]

Thanks Sheryl and Landslide. When he feels able to face the ferry he will go to Chumphon. Thanks again for all the help.