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Remicade and Fistula...how long to heal?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/24/2007 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone used Remicade to heal a Fistula with or without a plug and how long does it take to heal??? I am considering it.  I thought it would take years since they say that they are very tricky to heal up but someone on hear advised me that theirs only took a few weeks.  I also have just recently discovered that I have Cervical Dysplasia which can be effected by taking Remicade and could possibly worsen turning into Cervical Cancer.  I am stuck between a rock and hard place. Do I take the chance with the Remicade since apparently that is the only thing that can heal or will help heal my Fistula or do I not do the Remicade and just have the plug put in and pray it works.  I have also heard that plugs can cause more abscesses and Fistulas... This feels like a never ending circle! =P
Posted 10/24/2007 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Don't have an answer for you but facing the same thing. I'm going with the Humira first to see if that helps heal the fistulas. If that does not work I may try Remacade. Only picked Humira first because it is a little less expensive. I'll be interest in the replies to this topic. Take care, I'll be thinking of you.
Posted 10/24/2007 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
I asked my doc about Humira and she said it was used after remicade for people who stop responding to the remicade. I would love to try something besides Remicade first. Hope it works and let me know how you do!
Posted 10/24/2007 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I started remicade in Dec. of 2004, and I am still on it. It healed my rectovaginal fistula with only 4 infusions, and I was also on imuran, and a high dose of flagyl. In Sept. of 2006, my surgeon found another fistula, and I have a seton in that, so unfortunately, remicade isn't 100%.....
Posted 10/24/2007 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Chronie... what does your doctor suggest you do with the fistula that you have now?
Posted 10/24/2007 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Well, after having around 8 surgeries in 2 years because of abscesses, I am in no hurry to have another one. Because it does not cause me any discomfort, and I don't even feel the seton, we are leaving it alone for the time being. It is slowly healing. I see my surgeon in Nov., so we will see what he says then. The surgery options for fistulas are not very appealing to me, so the last thing I want is a failed fistula surgery when I can just leave it along, and it doesn't bother me.
Posted 10/24/2007 10:23 PM (GMT 0)

It took less than 6 months for my fistulas/abscess problems to go away with Remicade.  I love the stuff.  But, I understand that cancer is a scary possibility.

Everyone obviously has to decide for themselves, but I personally would go for the Remicade.  Abscess and Fistula problems detract from your everyday quality of life.  Being a crohnie seems to come with a lot of increased risks, let alone the others that you have stacked against you.  But what's the point if you spend everyday worried about what's draining where?  ((shrug)) It's a very personal decision though.  I wish you the best in your deliberations.

Posted 10/24/2007 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
I tried the surgery route-I had a failed fistula plug. After a month, the plug incrporated into my body but I got 2 new abscesses in different spots. So they put a drain in and it's still there. Basically, I went through a yr. of pain and got a new fistula in the same spot I had the plug placed after starting remicade. I have had 4 infusions. My next is in 3 weeks but I may not go. After my 2nd infusion, I got the new fistula and just this week I got another abscess that turned into a fistula. I now have 1 fistula with a drain and 2 open sore type fistulas. I have never been this sick in my life. I used to get  abscesses in 1 spot but now I have 3 fistulas. Well, I had about 26 abscesses but they were all in the same spot. Now my butt is like swiss cheese and I am getting sicker and sicker.

I know there are people who have had great experience with remicade. I am just not sure I have crohn's -the Drs. were never really sure anyway. I may have just had a complicated fistula that was made worse by taking remicade.I am definitely a rare exception. Most peole on this site do very well with remicade!

Best of luck!

Ginger

Posted 10/25/2007 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Ginger- I am so sorry. Abscesses are a KILLER and I can just imagine what you must be going through. Hang in there and hopefully they can figure out what is going on with you really soon!!
Posted 10/25/2007 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Remicade for few years now.  It has not healed my fistula.
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