Crohns/Possible Bladder Fistula

Has anyone out there ever had to have a CT scan for a Fistula? They are looking for a possible fistula in or around the bladder area, because I have had also a UTI infection as well and my GI doctor wanted to start me on the drug Humira, and now I have to wait untilo I have the results of the CT scan. I've been pretty worried over all of this as I have also developed pre-eisting liver conditions because of my Crohns, and my GI doctor has said as of last Oct/2010 I had good liver fuction, but doesn't want to do ay more blood work until after the 1st injection of the Humira. Now everything has to be put on hold u til I find out the results of the CT scan, which won't be u til next week. I'm just hoping for the best as I haven't felt that great for a couple of months. Any advice out there would be helpful!! Thanks!!-Silvergriz

Hi Silvergriz,

I was just taken off Humira and my Dr wanted to put me in a Study for Vedolizumab. I just found out yesterday that I have a bad UTI with no symptoms and they think it could be the same thing a bladder fistula. They are having me do a pelvic MRI as I am allergic to the die for a CT scan after having three last year. Have you heard of the poppy seed test? it is suppose to be very accurate but my Dr wont do it because it is not "standard" lol. Good luck! :)

 This reply goes out to Tooth: I guess the reason they did the CT scan for the bladder fistula, is i ended up with a UTI infectionthat my primary cae doctor put me on anitibiotics for 3days and when I went back in 2weeks I still had blood in my urine. So I got kinda worried, I was thinking because of the other fistulas that I had, that maybe I might have one there now too. I thought it was my GI doctor that ordered the test, but it was my primary care doctor. My gi doctor is trying to get my on the drug humira, and have been going back and forth with my insurance and the drug company for over a month it has been a real hassle, now I have to wait on that until I know the results of the CT scan. That day I went in I had to drink some ycky stuff and had an IV and something stuck somewheres else, that was not a fun day for me!! But I also have had kinda of a burning sensation now when I belch, which I've been doing alot lately and also I've been pretty gassy as well!! I've also dveloped pre-existing liver conditions from this darn disease, but so far according to my bloodwork, have been within normal range. I'm just hoping everything turns out okay, I have an appointment next Monday to go see my primary care doctor to go over the results with me. Take care--Silvergriz

Silvergriz

 This reply goes out to lbj: I just had a CT scan last Tuesday and there was no bladder fistula, but I also had to give anotyher sample of my urine and won't know for a couple of days if there is still blood there. My GI doctor wanted to start me on Humira casue my Crohns is worse, it is in my small intestine, but it is now inb my illecoal(I can ne never spell it right), and I think there is some ulceration in my large intestine. My primary care doctor said if my urine shiwed uo as still blood in my urine, he would consider sending me to an urologist. I haven't had a bladder infection in years, so this also concerns me. I had a hystercomy done in 2004, and probably close to when I was first diagonised with Crohns, I started developing pre-existing liver issues with this. But so far everything has been within normal limits, so that's good!! I don't have a OBGYN anymore, just my primary care doctor and my GI doctor. I was hoping that I could started on this Humira soon, so I could see if this was going to help me or not. I guess you can't take this kind of drug if you have any infection going on.I know my primary care doctor suggested anything like that, including my GI doctor. I am so tired of not feeling all that great, but I'm still trying to be opimistic!! Thanks so much and take care!!--Silvergriz

 This reply goes out to lbj: My obgyn retired back in 2007 and in 2004 I had a hysterectomy, and at that time I was also seeing my 1st GI as well and that lasted for 8 wasted years. I now have a primary care doctor that I've seen for a couple of years and he's pretty good and this 2nd GI I see is good as well, but his staff stinks!! hes not doing anymore bloodwork on me until after my 1st Humria shot. The CT scan came back as no bladder fistula and no UTI which is good. I'm now awaiting approval from the drug company again as they denied me the first time because of my high edeuctible and I;m not even working at the momentm so I had to appeal my decision, so I'm hoping next week I'll know something more about if they've approv ed me or not so I can start taking this drug to see if it's going to help me or not!! My Crohns has gotten worse over the years, it primarily was in my small bowel, now it's in my illecoal valve(I can never spell that) which the GI doctor eexplained it to me and I can't remember. I've got 5-7 fistulas now which before I had only one. I also have pre-existing liver conditions because of it, but my GI doctor told me back in January of this year, that my liver function is good. The side effects is what scares me a little bit, I know some can tolerate it well and others just cannot. I'm just hoping for the best!! Take care and thanks again!! Hope all goes well with you also!!--Silvergriz-

I have been on all of the TNF inhibitor meds and it can be deadly to start on one if you have an infection. If your infection is being treated with antibiotics, they may start you but it is worth it to wait. I have had several infections that were just normal infections that turned into staph infections and my most recent, a super infection.Humira, Remicade, and cimzia are incredible medications that have done great things for myself and thousands of others, but you still need to be safe when using them. These are not minor medications and every precaution should be used.Your doctor seems to be a great doctor because of the fact that he is making sure that you have no infections instead of just pushing you out the door with a prescription.

 This reply goes out tp lbj: Humira drug company denied me because of my high deductible which is $3,000.00. My out-of-pocket the last time I checked, was only a little over $400.00, but I ended up also having a CT scan last month, so I'm sure that's probably $1,500.00-$2,000.00 and it all adds up!! This is my 2nd GI doctor I've been to and supposedly he's suppose to be a specialist in Crohns/and liver supposedly, as for probably the last 4yrs or so it's affevting that too. But according to my GI in January, he told me I had good liver function, and din't want to do bloodwork until after tyhe 1st injection of Humira. I really don't have too much faith I guess in this GI doctors up here, I guess I've been to 3 GI's over the last 10years. And in between this last one, I didn't care of that particular GI. Plus the fact I can't really afford to go out of the area, so I'm bascially stuck between a rock and a hard place!!! I ended uo filing for SSDI, but I know that takes a while, and only did that cause my Crohns has gotten worse, and supposedly that Humira is suppose to heal my fistulas, anyway he said there is a 50-65% that it will and ofcourse it does also come with alot of side affects. I am slowing starting to feel better, but it seems like I'm always tired and not very much energy!! Take care and keep me posted on how your doing too!!--Silvergriz--

 this reply goes out to at: Thank goodness I'm finally over my UTI this time. They called me last Friday and said it showed No resolution-so I had to ask the nurse what that meant, and she said there was no evidence of infection, which is good!! I just have been drinking lots of cranberry juice and water too!! Antibiotics, I have to real careful with, this last time, my primary  doctor only gave me 3days worth of Cipro, which I didn't think was long enough, but I'm also really sensitive when it comes to taking any kind of medicine. I did handle that well tho, but I always make sure I take extra probotics so I don't end up with a yeast infection and also alot of them either make me nauseated or have the runs!! Thanks again for all your advice! Take care and hope all goes well!!--Silvergriz