Starting Remicade To Heal Fistula

Hi Mag yeah for you wow that didn't take long ..do you need to do a TB rest or did they do that for the Humira? I did the first three and then about one or two after that... I also started B-12 at that time and it really did help I saw a difference within 2 hours of taking the B-12.. I say that it takes a bit of time but it is good to know that it will heal up.. good luck and keep in touch ...I will be keeping a eye out to see how things go for you I know how frustrating it was for me and know how it feels..to me it was like a foreign thing ..and I still have dreams about it so mentally I am not sure that I got over it..gee and that was a couple of years ago .. lol gail

I had a TB test done last spring, but my GI ordered another one that I need to get done with my PCP.  The more I sit and think about it the more excited I actually get.  I feared Remicade for so long, but I think Im getting a good feeling about it right now, I just really hope it doesnt let me down.  No other medication has helped me yet, I really hope this is the one.  Thanks for all your kind words :)

You should also get a urine histoplasmosis test before you start too. I have to have yearly chest xrays and urine test for the remicade. Remicade healed my original rectovaginal fistula. After about the 4th infusion it was totally healed. But I got another one...it has a seton in it. And if it gets delayed at all I will have a fistula break through where my original one was. In Oct of last yr., I had a fistula break through without the remicade being missed or delayed. So, for me it isn't 100%, but it has given me my life back....I can do anything I want now and eat whatever I want. I have been on it since Dec. 2004. Good luck!!! Let us know how your infusion goes.

My daughter has recently started it as well. From what I understand, it can take up to 3 months or longer to reach peak effectiveness. Tomorrow she goes to 75mgs per day. I'm not sure if she will go any higher or not. She had an abdomial fistula that led to an abscess. The GI would like to heal up the fistula totally, and is hoping the Imuran will help with that. 

mag102886

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 MAG102886 said...
I met with my GI today, and he decided to put me on remicade to try to heal my fistula, and also to control my Crohns.  I was on Humira but stopped talking it because it did not help me.  Im kind of nervous about starting the Remi.  Im going to do the infusions, and continue to take Imuran (50mg).  He said the Remi will most likely heal up my fistula, which is a huge relief.  I would honestly feel 70% better mentally if the fistula was gone, its so frustrating and irritating to deal with it.  I really hope it works.  How long should I expect it to take to start healing the fistula?

I have had crohns for 17 years now had numerous bowel resections and ruptures and a fistula that would not heal it was an anal fistula coming out my right check fun right anyway i had it for 3 long years had a silk not put in it and it held it open to heal but did nothing so i to started taking remicade i was scared at first but you will do fine after my 4th infusion which was every 2 weeks they were able to take the silk not out and it was healed all together it felt so good no more drainage no more pain all gone, so good luck with your treatment i hope it works as good for you as it did for me keep me posted. onthecan

onthecan said...

mag102886

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 MAG102886 said...
I met with my GI today, and he decided to put me on remicade to try to heal my fistula, and also to control my Crohns.  I was on Humira but stopped talking it because it did not help me.  Im kind of nervous about starting the Remi.  Im going to do the infusions, and continue to take Imuran (50mg).  He said the Remi will most likely heal up my fistula, which is a huge relief.  I would honestly feel 70% better mentally if the fistula was gone, its so frustrating and irritating to deal with it.  I really hope it works.  How long should I expect it to take to start healing the fistula?

I have had crohns for 17 years now had numerous bowel resections and ruptures and a fistula that would not heal it was an anal fistula coming out my right check fun right anyway i had it for 3 long years had a silk not put in it and it held it open to heal but did nothing so i to started taking remicade i was scared at first but you will do fine after my 4th infusion which was every 2 weeks they were able to take the silk not out and it was healed all together it felt so good no more drainage no more pain all gone, so good luck with your treatment i hope it works as good for you as it did for me keep me posted. onthecan

Hi Onthecan

 

I too have an anal fistula for the last 3 years. It always has discharge, including the stool. No body has been able to find a cure for that. Its a horse shoe fistula communicating with my J pouch.

Do you mean to say that Remicade would cure the Fistula. I heard one infusion costs about USD10000/- I was advised this but my biopsy did not show Crohns. May I request you to provide some more input on this.