Well, I posted the latest on this saga in the Women's section, but I had another question and thought I might get more replies here. There's a possibility that my surgeon will try Remicade to see if it helps with the fistula, as he doesn't want to do surgery until after December, due to inflammation issues (TD was only in June). However, I'm unclear about the effectiveness of the Remicade in my case. I get the fact that it could be used in Crohn's patients sucessfully, but is it as effective for fistulas in cases of UC? They have reviewed my pathology time and time again and are still reasonably certain that I don't have Crohns. Just trying to gather all the info that I can....not much else I can do at this point.
Thanks for the help!

I was on Remicade for 2 years fighting UC but did not have a fistula. It worked great for quite awhile but eventually lost its effectiveness. It worked for a variety of things for me because what it did was fake out my body into thinking everything was well so it would quit attacking itself. Because it fakes your body out, it also makes you have a lousy immune system. Every little cold turned into a big deal. I had a dose every 6 weeks. I had to plan 1 whole day for the infusion because I would have allergic reactions if they gave it to me too fast. I also had to take the next day off to recover from all the Benydryl I got to fight the allergic reactions....It was worth all the hassle though to feel better from the UC. I don't know if it "cures" anything. I thought it just lets your body stop attacking itself so you could heal on your own. I am not an expert on Remi so I could be totally wrong.
hope this helps
David
Go Colts

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Indy_Dave,

Well, I hope it works for you Michelle. I have had really good luck with the biologics. Remicade closed my fistula for over a year and I felt really well too. Humira has finally decided to work as it appears my fistula is closed right now since I haven't noticed any of my usual symptoms in almost a month. Is it permanent, I don't know. But, I get along pretty well and I have Crohn's.
As for UC, I also used Remicade before surgery when they thought I had UC. So whatever it all means, I still had good luck with Remicade for quite some time. In the end, I believe it was c. diff that caused me the greatest problems and eventually needed to have surgery. As for UC vs. CD in a fistula situation, I'm not sure there is much difference. However, my only concern would be that your fistula is due to surgical trauma and NOT IBD. Have they said, since they are telling you it's not CD?
Overall, if your doctors are suggesting Remicade and they think it will be successful, I say go for it, keep an open mind, take a deep breath, and hope for the best.
Have you read this?
RV fistulas

Michelle,
I have never been in the girl's room so I didn't know much about your problem until I went and looked there after I wrote my first post. I read your saga and am so sorry your going through all this and will say some prayers that the remicade (or any of the other treatments) work for you soon.
hope you feel better soon
David

Michelle,

I have had 2 incidences of RV fistula (see my background summary in Rant and Rave - mourning j-pouch removal posting) - - or maybe 1 fistula and a now a different track. The first time I was on Remicade and 6MP and the fistula closed. I developed some anti-bodies to Remicaide and later some problems with just 6MP. However, I am glad that I took the therapy for it helped me. I am now on Humira. It is helping me keep steady but it is not radically helping my fistula (by closing it) or my refactory pouch - - but I am glad that I have tried it.

Good luck to you.

Lala

Lala, how long have you been on Humira?

Thank you for the replies! I am hoping that something will work, as they want to delay surgery for a couple of months and I will be hopefully starting a new job within the month. I certainly don't want to have to go out on medical leave right after taking a new position. I'll keep everyone posted after the hysteroscopy tomorrow.

Shelby,

I have been on Humira since end of Sept. 2006.

Lala