R
ruthymg
Guest
Hi, again
I've read several of your posts concerning remicade and am unsure about its longterm success. I had surgery in June this year to remove some small intestine which had become badly affected with fistulas that were joined to my rectum. After the op, I have been left with a loop illeostomy. My gastroenterologist is hoping to start me on remicade/infliximab, but I am not sure that this is the right option for me. I have few crohns symptoms at the mo as I have had the worst of the diseased area cut out but I am still waiting for the fistulas that are in my rectum to heal properly (an MRI will show what stage they are at) apparently remicade is supposed to be good in preventing more fistulas, but I was also told by my gastroenterologist that Imuran was also good at preventing fistula formation. However I have been on Imuran for the best part of 3 years and I still have had major problems with extremely painful and complex fistulas. The fistulas were caused by a loop of small bowel that had become stuck in my pelvis and had become attached to my rectum causing infection. Should Imuran (if it was working properly) have prevented the fistulas in this situation? and does remicade do a better job? I wonder if remicade could have prevented what I've just been through. Is it worth me taking remicade now that my symptoms are mild and my fistulas have almost healed? Once I have my illeostomy reversal will the imuran prevent further fistulas? Can anyone help? I see my gastroenterologist next week and don't want to go to him without being armed with questions I may need to ask or make the decision of trying a treatment that may be detremental. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. :confused2:
Ruth
I've read several of your posts concerning remicade and am unsure about its longterm success. I had surgery in June this year to remove some small intestine which had become badly affected with fistulas that were joined to my rectum. After the op, I have been left with a loop illeostomy. My gastroenterologist is hoping to start me on remicade/infliximab, but I am not sure that this is the right option for me. I have few crohns symptoms at the mo as I have had the worst of the diseased area cut out but I am still waiting for the fistulas that are in my rectum to heal properly (an MRI will show what stage they are at) apparently remicade is supposed to be good in preventing more fistulas, but I was also told by my gastroenterologist that Imuran was also good at preventing fistula formation. However I have been on Imuran for the best part of 3 years and I still have had major problems with extremely painful and complex fistulas. The fistulas were caused by a loop of small bowel that had become stuck in my pelvis and had become attached to my rectum causing infection. Should Imuran (if it was working properly) have prevented the fistulas in this situation? and does remicade do a better job? I wonder if remicade could have prevented what I've just been through. Is it worth me taking remicade now that my symptoms are mild and my fistulas have almost healed? Once I have my illeostomy reversal will the imuran prevent further fistulas? Can anyone help? I see my gastroenterologist next week and don't want to go to him without being armed with questions I may need to ask or make the decision of trying a treatment that may be detremental. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. :confused2:
Ruth
