Azathioprine and fistula's?

[PaulsPain]

Hi.

I am new here and freshly diagnosed. I just started Azathioprine 3 weeks ago. I am now taking 100mg working on ramping up to 150mg.

My main issues are in my peri-anal region. I have a fistula with a draining seton. I am wondering how effective is Azathioprine is for fistula's? Have people had them close with Azathioprine alone? I have been searching the site and can't arrive at a general consensus.

The main reason I wonder is my GI brought up starting me on both Azathioprine + Remicade. All these meds scare me - especailly the combo of these two. I think after he sensed this he just started me on the aza. He wants to wait 3 months, see how I feel, and then pull the drain.

I am wondering if I should just cut to the chase and start Remicade. I keep reading about how many people have good luck with Remicade closing fistula's.

Thanks.

-Paul

 

[Lydia]

Aza helped me once. Well I started with a flagyl, pred, and aza combo, but after a few weeks I was just on aza. That time my fistula closed and I went into remission. I stayed on aza for a year and I stayed in remission for 3 more years. It worked for me but I wasnt as fast as the remicade. It took a few weeks where the remicade closed my fistula in 4 days.

 

[Carrie171087]

This is great information thanks very much.