Chronic Anal Leakage

[cottonsocks]

I was treated a few months ago for a fistula in my anus and had leakage leading up to it. My colorectal Dr thought originally that is why the leakage was happening. She also said it could be my diet and that I may have leaky gut. It has been 2 months since and the leakage started up again. I have also noticed while I am sleeping that my bladder leaks as well. Nothing major, but enough to notice in the am. (I am 39, good health and never had children).

I saw my Dr. today and she said this is a "head scratcher" and is unclear what/why/how the leakage is happening. She said I may want to look into my psych meds -- Prozac and Busiprone. There is no info anywhere on the web indicating this is a known side affect. And I have been taking meds for 17 years.

Has anyone dealt with these sorts of things from gluten allergies, or other sensitivities? I am at my wits end. I have started to cut out chocolate, caffeine, spicy food, citrus, dairy, tomatoes and all gluten products. I'll admit that I have cheated as I feel like I have nothing to eat at all anymore. I will say that I feel the difference from going gluten free -- not exhausted all day everyday! So that's a plus!

I also get incredible itchiness done there. Which was initially diagnosed as pruritus ani, then the fistula was diagnosed. I am feeling so defeated. Especially with having to cut so much out of my diet. ANY FEEDBACK at all would be helpful and comforting. I am in so much shame and defeat.

Thank you!

[dilettantesteph]

Have you been tested for celiac disease? If giving up gluten is giving you a lot more energy, it is a good possibility. Once you go off gluten the tests don't work anymore. You should maybe go back on it quick and get tested. Once you have been off awhile it is really hard to go back on. I get anal leakage and much worse when I eat gluten.

[weluvgators]

I have similar leakage and itching issues that I can control through a very strict gluten free diet. I agree with steph about evaluating your testing options.

Since I have had children, I have had doctors tell me that the bladder leakage was "normal". It really bothers me that they think it is "normal", but I sure am happy that I have been able to eliminate it through diet changes! My initial doctors were pretty clueless at helping me with the anal issues too - I actually had a doctor tell me to eat pizza with salt to help my chronic low blood pressure issues, and that was after explaining to her that I was a very sensitive celiac (I had been referred to her by the endocrinologist monitoring my thyroid issues). I hope you have better doctor experiences than I did. And, yeah, it sucks to have to open up to people about these types of problems!

[cottonsocks]

Have you been tested for celiac disease? If giving up gluten is giving you a lot more energy, it is a good possibility. Once you go off gluten the tests don't work anymore. You should maybe go back on it quick and get tested. Once you have been off awhile it is really hard to go back on. I get anal leakage and much worse when I eat gluten.

When you say "much worse" would you mind expanding? Does your bladder leak as well?

I have a Dr's appt on Tuesday. I am not hopeful. But will definitely ask about Celiac.

[dilettantesteph]

When you say "much worse" would you mind expanding? Does your bladder leak as well?

I have a Dr's appt on Tuesday. I am not hopeful. But will definitely ask about Celiac.

It means I go all over the floor before I can even make it to the toilet. I get urinary problems too. I have wet my bed even as an adult.

When I am strictly gluten free I have none of these issues.

[cottonsocks]

It means I go all over the floor before I can even make it to the toilet. I get urinary problems too. I have wet my bed even as an adult.

When I am strictly gluten free I have none of these issues.

Oh thank you for sharing that with me. I appreciate it.

[dilettantesteph]

You're welcome. It isn't the nicest thing to talk about. It took me awhile to even mention it to my doctors. Not that it did any good. They told me that it was consistent with IBS. I hope you get it figured out. No one should have to live like that.

[Mariah]

I am new to the forum and am also having anal leakage issues. I have a hemorroid that is painful and sometimes bleeds. I was wondering if your leakage had a color to it... I don't want to sound gross, but mine ranges from pink to brown to white, and lately a green color (similar to something I would expect from my nose with a bad sinus infection...) I have heard of mucous, but colored like that? Also, what exactly was your experience with your fistula?

[cottonsocks]

I am new to the forum and am also having anal leakage issues. I have a hemorroid that is painful and sometimes bleeds. I was wondering if your leakage had a color to it... I don't want to sound gross, but mine ranges from pink to brown to white, and lately a green color (similar to something I would expect from my nose with a bad sinus infection...) I have heard of mucous, but colored like that? Also, what exactly was your experience with your fistula?

Hi there, no there is no color. My experience with the fistula was that I had been having anal leakage and hemorroids. So the Dr removed it -- but to be honest, since that surgery I have had the same issues since. Nothing really started to change until I changed my diet. I have since started to think that it is actually my diet that has caused the leakage. It seems that its dairy and food with gluten in it.

Have you been to the Dr? I know it's terribly embarrassing and shameful -- but they have seen it all. It sounds like you have something serious going on and should have it checked out. Good luck!