abscesses am i getting right treatment

First off, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know how frustrating it is with abscesses, heavens!

My number one recommendation is Remicade. I had INCREDIBLE complications with an abscess, which they drained and/or operated on MANY times over the course of a year+ (no resectioning, just draining). Nothing worked to keep the abscess drained, including drains really. The only real lasting improvement I saw was about a month into Remicade - the abscess was healing so quickly that the drain actually hurt because of it. After about a year of Remicade, I was abscess and drain free, and I have remained so ever since. My last abscess surgery was in 2006. I haven't had any Remicade for over 12 months now, and I still haven't had any trouble with abscesses even though I've been in a flare. I hate to be a "promo person" for the big biologic meds, but Remicade saved me from losing my colon, so no complaints here. (my abscess troubles were on my bumm)

Doctor's like to say that "the only way" is to slice ya, and sometimes that may be true. However, after years of crohn's and hanging out around here - I would have to be of the opinion that "the only way" to avoid surgery in your case is to get into remission, ASAP. Easier said than done, I know. My point is - you have to get the entirety of your crohn's under control, and then the abscess has a chance to heal and go away. If you're in a constant state of inflammation and turmoil in your intestines - it doesn't matter how many times it's drained, or how many slices or dices are made I don't think. It'll just come back.

As far as resting your bowels - if you're in the hospital and it is available - I highly recommend TPN. I don't remember what it stands for, but it's basically food in a bag that goes into your vein... it's like the bare-bones essentials of lipids, etc, that your body can soak up without making your guts do a thing. It's pricey, but my insurance paid their normal "chunk" towards it.

I really hope you get some answers soon, and good luck with everything!

Hi Penelope,

May I ask where your abscess is located? Also, was there a fistula present? My daughter had an abdominal abscess 3 months ago. It was at her Termianl Ilium, and had a fistula to it as well. It was treated with a CT guided drained, and a drain line in for about a week. She took Flagyl for several weeks afterward, and seems okay so far. Our GI did suggest Remicade as well, but I'm really not ready to try such a sophisticated drug yet, and have opted for Imuran. 

I have had abcesses and fistulas since I was diagnosed a year and a half ago.  I have been on remicade for about as long and have had six surgeries to try and drain them.  Mine just wont go away.  I know that they can do a bowel resection but other than the abcesses I am not that bad as yet.  My doctors tell me that everyone is different. 

I know how challenging this is, but give it time and see if it will heal on its own.  Dont go for a resection unless you really have too. 

Honestly I wouldn't go for the rescection theory. I had 2 abcesses after my resection a few mobths ago. My resection was for a stricture but I had 2 abcesses one after the other after he surgery. Mine were drained by inserting a CT guided drain. And taking Flagyll and Cipro for 3 weeks. They took as much fluid out as they could at the time. I then had to flush it 3 times a day with sailine through the drain. It has been about 1 1/2 months since my last abcess and I am doing fine.

I would ask about a drain if I were you. They typically only take a week or so to heal depending on the type of drain. I like the idea of the ones that can be flushed because it helps push all the yucky stuff out.

Tanya