Humira or Remicade for fistula? Which is better?

In one study, patients with your type of fistula had a 78% successful closure of it with Remicade.
www.medscape.com/viewarticle/472657

In clinical trials, Humira closed 58% of fistulae in one year.

I've heard that Humira is slightly better for CDers especially with fistula healing (worked well and quickly for my rectovaginal fistula I had) but my GI offered either of the 2 (Remi or Humira) to choose from myself since he explained they are virtually identical in how they work and how well they work it's simply a matter of some people having better results with one over the other and the fact that Humira is made with a human protein (so no need for Imuran type meds to help prevent antibodies from developing from using Humira or Remicade) but with Remicade, Imuran type meds are needed/recommended to help reduce the higher risk of developing antibodies from it due to being made with a mouse protein.

I think your GI is very off in his thinking though, my GI won't even let me go back down to biweekly shots with Humira (BTW, my fistula was already healed before I went to weekly Humira, that's how quickly it worked, about 2 months for the fistula relief) so my GI would definitely never recommend anyone go off their biologic once it gets them into remission because you will most definitely rebound back into a flare and there's a small chance that if you go back on Humira (or any other biologic) it may not work as well or even at all or take much longer to work again. Based on that info your GI gave to you, I would be seeking a second and third opinion from other GI's and see what they say about your current GI's plan to take you off your biologic once you're in remission/fistula is healed...I'd be shocked if they agreed with your GI.

I was on Humira for 9 months but developed a colon abscess and had to stop using it. I ended up having surgery, but when they went in to remove my rectal stump, it had adhered to my vaginal wall due to a fistula. So, apparently the Humira did heal the fistula. I had so much inflammation and infection everywhere, so I am sure that didn't help matters, but it was surprising that it healed that way.

The disease is rearing it's ugly head again after 2 years post surgery, in the remainder of my colon, which is my ascending colon. My GI wants me to try Remicade now. I am hopeful and nervous at the same time, but I guess we have to try something. I am praying it works and doesn't cause unpleasant side effects.

Thank you all. Really appreciate your replies. Well, the insurance company is for remicade. We're still in the negotiation process.
Though I have always wanted to reach a definite diagnosis, having it now is causing me perplexion. I feel I'm lost. I need to have some time off and start re-planning things. I'm not angry with the diagnosis; I'm just overwhelmed. Things happened very quickly. Till last week, I didn't have any definite diagnosis. Now, I do. Things at work are too hectic these days. I have insomnia and keep thinking a lot.
I read a lot about this disease. Thanks to you and to HW.

I would say Remicade for sure. But I agree with the others, it makes no sense to go off of it once it's working.

Remicade seems to have a better track record for fistula healing. Agree with the other posters. Once started, it makes absolutely no sense to discontinue it. You could also experience anti-bodies to Remicade as a result, which would make it difficult to go back to in the future.