Scd and fistula/abscess

[Elizajp]

Two weeks ago I was hospitalized after a month long bad flare (lost 25 pounds) and had a perianal abscess drained with a seton placed. Apparently I have a pretty bad fistula leading to the abscess. Prior to this episode my crohns was pretty manageable with a healthy, organic, gluten free diet and an occasional medrol dose pack for the occasional flare. My disease obviously got out of control this time. Currently I am tapering off prednisone (at 30mg) and my crohns actually seems pretty controlled other than the fistula/seton which hurts terribly with all the drainage. The doctor wants to start me on remicade tomorrow. I started SCD a few weeks ago.

Here's my question. Has anyone had a bad fistula heal with SCD alone? Like I said, my usual crohns symptoms are pretty controlled. I'm just wondering how much of a chance I have at kicking this with diet alone. I'm also a new mother so I need to get well fast. I can't risk getting worse/ getting more fistulas. I would love to avoid remicade, but I also don't want to be naive. I know fistulas are difficult. Thoughts?

 

[Lisa]

In all honesty, the chances that you will heal a fistula through diet alone isn't that great - you need to get the underlying cause under control and usually by the time you reach fistulizing disease things are beyond being healed/cured by natural methods. That isn't to say that something like SCD won't help - it very well may do so, and does help a lot of people. However in my experience I wouldn't try to rely on that alone to 'fix' things - I'd me more inclined to use that to help keep things under control.

 

[kel]

The chances that remicade or humira will heal your fistula aren't that great. Personally I would try the diet first. Or better yet do the diet and the drugs.

Taking a warm bath twice a day can help with the seton pain and drainage. Mine was a total pain in the ass at first I remember that quite clearly.

 

[MaryEllen]

Cypro and Flagyl (not sure of spelling) help to quiet my fistula but recently I developed in another area an abscess. And now the fistula is acting up so the recommendation is going back on Remicade.

I tried to do things my way with the healthy diet and supplements. I work out 5x a week and try and get as much sleep as possible but with all my attempts, this disease has a mind of it's own. I understand your desire to control symptoms on your own but don't make things worse for yourself as I did.

I handled Remicade pretty well the first time. I'm hoping it is just as successful this time too.
Good Luck Elizajp!!!!

 

[Elizajp]

Thank you all for your advice! Ended up going for the remicade and figured I would just combine it with the diet to increase my chances at getting this under control. I have a ten month old baby and I need to get well soon! Hopefully if/when the remicade stops working or I get off it I can manage better with the diet already seeing a difference in the fistula drainage/pain thank goodness!

 

[MaryEllen]

Great to hear you are on the road to remission. Hang in there!!!!

 

[Jay Woodman]

The chances that remicade or humira will heal your fistula aren't that great. Personally I would try the diet first. Or better yet do the diet and the drugs.

Taking a warm bath twice a day can help with the seton pain and drainage. Mine was a total pain in the ass at first I remember that quite clearly.

Humira has been recommended for me by my GI to heal my perianal fistulas. Are there other options besides Humira for perianal fistulas?

 

[theOcean]

Remicade, Humira, Imuran/6mp or Methotrexate.

Humira has been incredible for my fistula. Diets I don't think would make any difference. Cut out your trigger foods and work your way towards remission.