Fistula crohns

[Leone]

Hi Friends,
Was disgnosed with crohns in 2003. The GI said there was no cure. I discovered that most patients had portions of their bowel removed or all of it removed, so decided to try alternative. Found a natropath who suggested I take Low dose naltrexone to keep inflammation at bay. This did stop me from having flare ups, unfortunately while I was coping with life the disease was progressing un-noticed. This year I became very ill with two fistulas and multiple ulcers and a bowel perforation. I had emergency surgery and am now on infliximab - about to have my 4th infusion. I hate it that my immune system has been lowered and I am liable to various infections, plus I have put on a hugh amount of weight with a great bloated tummy and I also read lately that this drug can affect your brain. It is all scary stuff. Does anyone know of a natural method to heal fistulas?

regards Leone

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum

I have not had any expereinces with fistula's myself so could not advise on alternative methods of treatment, we do have a sub forum though that is worth checking out to get some info: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76. You may also like to check out our Remi forum as well as there are folks here who are treated with this also without issue:http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58.

Wishing you all the best.

AB
xx

 

[Lisa]

Hi and welcome Leone. Angrybird gave some good links to look at.

I have been on Remicade for over 7 years now with no major complications - ALSO - while it may lower your bodys' ability to fight ~certain~ infections, by no means is your immune system 'killed off' or lowered that drastically in most cases. For example - both my husband and daughter were sick last week with flu-like symptoms....I NEVER got sick! In fact, I'm generally healthier than the 2 of them.....

Hopefully the Remicade will heal your fistulas - they fixed mine up pretty quickly!

paso

 

[Leone]

thank you for your reply. Do you follow all the rules? No sun, wear mask when mixing in crowds, do not eat left overs on the second day? stay away from certain ethnic groups that are known to have high rates of TB?
Can't remember all the rest?
Did your daughter have setons to help heal the fistulas?
regards Leone

 

[Angrybird]

When I was on the Remi I don't recall ever being told to wear a mask in crowds or to not eat leftovers, I was told wear a high factor sun cream but as I have fair skin I do that anyway. The only other thing I had to do is let the nurses know if I had a cold/cough before an infusion to they could check my chest to make sure I didn't have an infection. Otherwise I just carried on like normal.

 

[Leone]

thanks for your reply, all the rules are making my life a misery. Maybe I just wont do them.