Fistulas mean severe disease?

[Clevelandnative64]

I have a question about fistulas, does having fistulas mean your disease is severe? Some articles i read say fistulas happen mostly in long standing disease. Ive only had symptoms for four months before I was diagnosed and they weren't too severe. Of course, i could have had the disease longer than symptoms present but im pretty young so probably not that long. Im just wondering how doctors generally classify fistulizing crohns... I have perianal fistulas btw with no abscesses

 

[ronroush7]

I don't know the answer to your question but Crohns Disease is a life long disease.

 

[ronroush7]

Eveeryone is different. Different people respond to how bad the disease is.

 

[user 425190]

Im not sure what the answer is. I tend to think it is just another type of manifestation of the disease. I can say treatment after diagnosis is important. Without treatment I imagine fistulas will get worse. What medication are you on? My fistula was pretty bad when I was first diagnosed. Humira helped a little, but Remicade has made a big difference. I hardly feel my fistula now.

 

[my little penguin]

Children and infants can have Crohns
Some have no signs of disease on the outside
But damage is being done on the inside
My son was dx at age 7

Hope meds help

 

[onolox]

Fistulas are just another manisfestation of the disease. Nothing more or less.

 

[Tuff]

I have fistulizing Crohn's. My GI told me that my Crohn's is severe. Fistulas are a complication of Crohn's.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/basics/complications/con-20032061

 

[firebob]

My understanding is that Fistulas come from abscesses. Everyone abscess for different reasons.