Ginger 71

I can't seem to heal! I did get another fistula (there is no drain ion this one but I have a drain right next to it) since taking remicade and it has not healed. I even saw a specialist at Mt. Sinai 4 weeks ago and he said that the fistula was not healing because it was infected. He said I should have been on antibiotics all along because remicade won't work if there is infection present. The idiot Drs. I have been seeing should have known that-especially since I told them that myself! The Dr. basically told me that my history is a series of missteps and led to me being sicker than I should be. Now I have to travel 2.5 hrs. by train to get decent healthcare. Sorry for the rant. I'm angry about it.

The Dr. at Mt. sinai put me on flagyl (my favorite-yuck) and it closed for about a week but it just burst again! Another abscess...That is why the fistula keeps bursting-abscesses are forming from the infection. I am so frustrated. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for 1/8/08 and a consult with the colorectal surgeon at Mt. sinai. I can post to you when I get back.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I'm not on the boards so much anymore-my new obsession is the ttC boards because I'm trying to have a baby

 Make sure that they treat the underlying infection. Rectal problems are the worst. How old is she? Does she get constipated? That is how I know something is brewing-the constipation gets bad.

I hope your daughter is feeling better soon!

Ginger 71,

She is 23. She still lives at home right now. She has always had constipation. When she was 15, they told us that she had internal hemmoroids-hope that is spelled right- from being constipated all the time. I just asked her if it was any better, and she said that it seemed to be. I was just wondering why she would get another abcess while she was taking the Remicade. Maybe it will work for her. In your case, maybe the flagyl hasn't had time to all of its work yet. Will this be your first child? I wish you well and I will pray for you.

Jodi

Fallcolors-

I had a bad experience with the fistula plug. It is not generally used for CD patients. I was out of work for 4 months because I got  2 abscesses in new spots when the plug closed the one fistula. Now I have 2 new fistulas (I got another when I started remicade) I saw a GI at Mt. Sinai in Nov. and he said I never should have had the fistula plug and that it was a poor desicion on my colorectal surgeon's part. He thinks I may have complex fistulas and it was not a responsible choice because the surgeon had no way of knowing where the fistulas were originating. All he did was guess.....

I have a colonoscopy on Tuesday at Mt. Sinai and I meet with their colorectal. Hoping for some good news. Maybe they can help me.

Best of luck and do your research very carefully. Address the issue of possibly getting more fistulas/abscesses and see what the surgeon says. That's my best advice. Wish I was more informed!

g