@angiejimez -- hello, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Though this thread has been inactive for some time, I moved your post here in hopes some of its members might return and tell you a bit about their own experiences with anal fistula.

You may be interested in some of this information on anal fistula from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-fistula/symptoms-causes/syc-20352871.

Some other Mayo Clinic Connect members who may have some thoughts for you on your fistula are @vdouglas, @dawn_giacabazi, @luv2float, @anon01345522, @hopeful33250 and @kanaazpereira.

If you feel comfortable, would you mind telling us more about when you were diagnosed and what types of symptoms you have been experiencing?

Hi
I had an perianal abscess in May 28- 2017 and had surgery to drain it. A fistula formed and in July 14 -2017 had a seton put on. Then in
October 20-2017, I had an advancement flap procedure done, but got very sick a week later. So, on November 2- 2017, the Dr. told me
that the procedure had failed and had to put a seton on again because I had another abscess starting. My doctor left town and referred me to another doctor, also a colon specialist, and he wants me to have surgery on February 9-2018 for an exam and to change the seton from silk to (I don't know what), and that the original abscess had left me with a big hole or dent. Just wanted to hear from people that have gone thru this. I just don't want to be going thru so many surgeries. According to my doctor, I do not have Crohn disease just had some real bad hemorrhoids that might have started the abscess, but these were removed on my July 14, 2017 surgery.
Would love to talk to people what it's like. Thank you

Hi Angie,

I have not had my issues that I described in my post yesterday for very long. The hemorrhoids though I have had for many years but now they are much bigger. I have them inside and outside. My last colonoscopy was in Nov. '16 and they did find a polyp in the anal area of the colon and removed it. It came back as benign so then my Gastroenterologist and also my newest gastro dr as well, both said I don't need to have another colonoscopy for 10 yrs because it was benign. Now the over the last 6 mnths or so I have had on and off bleeding. Yesterday evening though was the worst yet as it was much more blood than past times when it was just a couple of spots on the tissue. It happened after a colon call. (that's what we call it in my household. lol) and it had been a normal bowel movement. Not constipated, actually a little loose but not diarrhea. I do have some cramping pain sometimes afterward, but I always attribute this to the IBS. I have not ever been diagnosed with Crohn's or anything like that. I do have tortuous colon and also diverticulosis (not 'itis' which is the actual inflammatory flareup). So I am gathering as much info as I can through this Mayo connect so that when I tell my gastroenterologist, I can include what I have info about.
Darlia