Visited Dr. S K Singh (Ayurveda)
I came to Delhi from Canada for my fistula treatment in July 2019. After much research from various sources, I selected Dr SK Singh's Sushruta Ano-Rectal Institute ****************** located in Rohini, Delhi, India.
My thanks:
I would like to thank...Read moreI came to Delhi from Canada for my fistula treatment in July 2019. After much research from various sources, I selected Dr SK Singh's Sushruta Ano-Rectal Institute ****************** located in Rohini, Delhi, India.
My thanks:
I would like to thank Dr. S.K. Singh for treating my fistula condition and answering all my questions about the treatment along the way. I would also like to thank the staff at Dr. Singh’s clinic – Raju bhaiya, Dr. Ravinder, Shivam, Saurabh and Sumit for all the support and help.
Below, I summarise my experience with Dr S.K. Singh in detailed manner.
On day-1, the doctor wrote my case history and did a physical examination. Some photographs were taken and put in my records. After the physical examination, he showed me the pictures on a computer screen and explained my condition. He prescribed some ointments (an oil, a cream with a medicated powder) which I applied for 4 days strictly as per doctor's instructions. On the fifth day, my treatment began.
Description of treatment on the day of the procedure is as under:
On day-1, a small incision was made, and drainage of pus was carried out followed by cleaning of the dead tissue cavity. The cavity was dressed with gauze packing. I was told to come for dressing every morning for 7 days. For the first 24 hours, I did not take a shower and Sitz bath.
Thereafter, the doctor put a Graded Kshar Sutra thread through the tract and tied it. This was followed by a rest of 40 minutes at the doctor's facility and a tetanus shot. I was also given ayurvedic medicines for softening stools and aid healing.
I was advised to do regular plain hot water Sitz bath after 1 day (24 hours). Eat light, fibre-rich food. Drink lots of water (up to 3 litres each day). The graded KS thread will be changed every 7 days by Dr SK Singh.
Full picture of my treatment:
Starting with the first Kshar Sutra (KS) insertion in July 2019 to the final cauterization at 1.5 cm of remaining fistula track in Sep 2019 to full recovery by mid-October 2019; I feel immensely grateful to the almighty, my friends and my family for supporting me in this journey of fistula treatment in Delhi, India.
Between July 9, 2019, to Sep 9, 2019, I had weekly thread changes and carefully followed doctor’s instructions including 4 km walk every day, Sitz bath twice daily, keeping the area clean, taking my ayurvedic medicines at the right times and being on a vegetarian diet throughout. I also avoided milk during my treatment as I observed an increase in pus discharge when I consumed milk. Eating milk products like sweets, yoghurt, buttermilk etc. was fine and did not lead to an increase in discharge. I remained curious throughout my treatment and tried to read about KS treatment from various sources. I read many research papers about the treatment. I felt that my curiosity had a calming effect on me because knowing more about my treatment increased my confidence and comfort.
The following portion of my post will explain how my treatment progressed when the fistula track length became very small and came in superficial layers of the skin.
After my fistula track length got reduced to 1.5 cm, the doctor determined that the track is now in the superficial skin layers and not located deep. Once this was confirmed and I felt comfortable after having all my questions answered, the doctor decided to cauterize the area and withdrew the thread. This created an open wound. At that point, my wound was only packed with Kshar medicines. This dressing was done daily for 10 days following the cauterization. Initially, I did feel a little scared about the cauterization. However, when my doctor explained what it is and how it will be done, I felt better and confident.
After about 2 weeks of my treatment following the cauterization, I felt significant improvement. Specifically, I observed the following: there was no pain, I was able to sit cross-legged, there was very less oozing from the healing tissue (i.e. the fluid discharge). After another 2 weeks, my wound was fully healed, and I saw the new scar tissue develop. The doctor made sure that it was the right development in terms of the tissue being soft and supple. Thus, in 4 weeks following the cauterization, I was completely healed and was able to return to Canada with the “fistula free” declaration.
The doctor gave me an ointment and oil to apply as I may feel itchy. The doctor also told me that it is now time for me to get back to undertaking normal life activities like sitting without a cushion, driving etc. especially after becoming used to the cushion for a long time prior to and during my treatment.
A word about the management of pain during the entire treatment:
Three days after the first 4 thread changes each week, I felt a lot of burning sensation after each change. Taking pain killers helped reduce the sensation. However, the best relief was walking and distracting my mind through music, reading the newspaper, watching movies while I rested. It worked for me. Please note that the treatment is not entirely painless but requires strong willpower and determination to manage pain while one is in the process of getting back to life. I always reminded myself – pain is temporary, relief is permanent. I prayed each day which helped me immensely. From the 5th thread onwards, the pain and burning sensation reduced and lasted for about 1.5 days. While each person’s individual experience and methods to manage pain are going to be unique, my message to everyone going through the treatment is that the KS treatment will result in a stronger version of oneself. It makes you stronger to extents that you will not know about yourself until you go through the treatment.
Lifestyle after the treatment:
My doctor told me to pursue life as normally as before and eat everything. However, he also stressed to include fruits and vegetables in my diet to get the daily fibre requirement. He told me that constipation is the least good that you can do to your gut and avoid it any cost. Regarding consuming non-veg food, my doctor told me that I can have it as much as I want; however, do include a portion of fruits and vegetables to get the fibre requirement. Other than that, just generally, avoid sitting for long periods and exercise regularly.
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