Gastrointestinal fistula

Hi  sorry you haven't had a response to your post.  I had a different cancer so don't have an answer or advice for you but by replying to you it will bump your post back up to the top where this time someone who has had similar to you might be on the forum and reply to you.

I would discuss your concerns with your medical team as I imagine that even on a low fibre diet it must be possible to make sure you get all the nutrients you need through a more liquid low fibre diet and also through vitamin tablets if deemed necessary.

I hope it does all heal itself naturally. 

Hi  . Good to hear you are safely through surgery If I am reading this correctly your liver surgery was recently ? My mum had quite an extensive liver resection and I can see why you want to consider the protein aspect for the livers regeneration.

I think I would be asking for a referral to a specialist dietitian. They would be better placed to cover both aspects you need to consider as there might be contraindications when treating one aspect over the other .

But I know we were given the same advice on adding protein to the diet to aid  the liver . However my mum was not managing a fistula .

Our helpline staff might also be able to get you some advice on who to contact . 0808 808 0000

Hope you are recovering from the surgery ok ? Early days for sure but you sound as though you are doing well all things considered .

Take care ,

Court 

PS Sorry I missed your post ! 

Thanks for your reply and support..

Thanks for your support and suggestions.

Hi tumtum,

Not quite the same, but 14 years ago my husband had a fistula from his throat to the outside after an operation to remove the larynx. Food used to pour through it onto his clothing, and I thought it would never heal up. The doctors said it was poor healing due to the radiotherapy he had had. It took a good 18 months to finally heal over and gradually get better. There are nutritional drinks you can get on prescription, which would give you more calories, but ask the professionals about it.  Good luck. 

Hi NannyAnny,

Thanks for your message. Although your fistula story was in a different part of the body, it was reassuring to hear that it eventually cleared up.

I have passed 6 months with my fistula discharging gastric acid, overflowing pads, contaminating clothing and burning my skin. At times it feels like it will never end. 

But during the 6 months I did have 3 months of chemotherapy and major surgery. Not much chance for my body to self heal.

I am optimistic that the next few months is the best time for self healing. No medical treatments are planned and I am signed off work. Good nutrition and minimum stress is what I plan.

Hi tumtum,

In my experience it takes time for your body to right itself. The food going through the fistiula gradually got less and less, and eventually stopped. Can you see stuff coming out? Is it getting less?

My husband took to wearing easy iron shirts instead of T shirts as I found them easier to keep clean looking. T shirts seemed to stain easily.