Humira for fistula

[Lillychamille]

I am doing so good right now, gaining weight, solid bowell movements 1-2 per day, feel like a million bucks EXCEPT for my perianal fistula. It is small, wasn't even seen on MRI, so doc thinks Humira can heal it. Question is, has anyone ever been on Humira for a fistula alone without a flare and how long did it take to heal it?

 

[Kat123]

I am on it now for a perianal fistula without a flare. As far as I can tell it hasn't made a difference in 6 months I've been on it, but I will be having an MRI scan in a few weeks so should be able to tell more then. The sepsis around the fistula was pretty big though and I had a drainage and seton insertion in February, then started Humira in March. So, the seton is still in place and there's still drainage though it's very variable.

Hope that you get more luck with yours

 

[mish2575]

Humira never healed mine, Remicade did. Cimzia also seems to be doing the trick (been on for 1.5 months).

I see a difference within a week for the ones that work but it takes a few months for them to completely heal.

Mine were large and came back after i stopped remicade though.

 

[Kat123]

Hi Mish, How do you know if they are working the drugs? did you have a seton in at the time? Obviously my fistula can't close up because the seton is there, but the drainage doesn't seem to stop which I would have thought it would if the Humira was working.

My gastro says MRI is the best way to tell. Perhaps I should ask to try some other drug if it does not show an improvement. Did you try Humira first before Remicade? My surgeon is suggesting a LIFT procedure to close it up which I'm really not sure about since I don't want to go through the pain of the surgery just for it to fail.

Sorry to hijack your thread Lilly, I should start my own thread!

 

[mish2575]

I do not have a seton. I could tell because the draining would lessen then stop then it would close.

 

[Kat123]

thank you.

 

[Lillychamille]

Kat: no worries about the hijack!

I'm terrified to stop the Humira even if it heals for fear that it will come back! So far my drainage is almost gone and I have a tiny spot of blood from time to time. Does this seem to echo your healing experience?

 

[Kat123]

that's great that the drainage is almost gone. How long have you been on the Humira for? Understandable that you would be scared to stop it if it is helping.

Mine doesn't seem to be healing at all - still quite a lot of drainage - but maybe it was Mish that you were addressing that question to?

 

[MikeinBklyn]

Lilly, my perianal fistula closed in a few days after starting Humira every ten days. It's been 5 years of being fistula free. Humira gave me my life back.

You might have to change the dosage to really get the fistula to close all the way as I had to do. I went from every 14 days to every 10 days and it healed.

Good Luck!

 

[Lillychamille]

Sorry, yes that was directed at Mish

Mike:How long were you on it biweekly before you switched to 10 days?

 

[MikeinBklyn]

I was on for approx 6 months or so. The fistula would almost close then at 10 days open. Going to every ten days closed it in 2 days.

Good Luck!

 

[QuicksWife]

I just had a seton put in on Oct 14th for a parianal fistual. I was told my doctor and surgeon that would be putting me on humira or remicade for this. I'm not sure which on is best for me. The seton seems to be working and draining well. Cleaning the area isn't the easiest sometimes after bowl movement.