A couple weeks ago, esteemed IBD specialist, Dr. Neilanjan Nandi (@fitwitmd) of Penn Medicine, hosted a live discussion with me on my experiences around Perianal Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease. We opened up the discussion to an international audience and allowed for a Q&A on this very deeply stigmatized topic that’s often not discussed or understood very well. To view the video, please watch here:
I have been very open about my struggles with multiple fistulae in female parts. I have lived with 5 rectovaginal fistulae and 1 pelvic transphinteric fistula that was headed to break through at the site of my tailbone, nearly paralyzing me. To read more about my experiences, please visit the following blog posts: Real Talk about Fistulae, My Perianal Disease Feature at Crohn’s & Colitis Congress 2019 & Fistulas: What You Need to Know About This Common Side Effect of Crohn’s, among other posts.
Even though this is a very heavy and difficult topic to discuss, it’s needed in order for patients like us to receive appropriate care and treatment, whether that’s medical, surgical or the combination of the two.
Thank you, Dr. Nandi, for being such a gracious host and for shedding light and educating the international IBD population on this very difficult topic.
To those struggling perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease, my heart goes out to you. Please know you aren’t alone in this battle and together we will face every high and every low.
