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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/21/2015 2:10 PM (GMT -5)
Hello all,
I have been dealing with on going anal fistulas for the past 8 years. They will "heal" and then they will come back. I have had over 6 surgeries on the same area. I have discovered these keep reoccurring due to straining while having a bowel movement.

I just had my most recent surgery last week and have been doing research on how to heal and prevent this from coming back. I have found where people suggest pro-biotics, adding resistant starch to your diet, or paleo diet.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with any of these. If so I would really appreciate any insight or feedback.
Posted 1/21/2015 4:12 PM (GMT -5)
Humira seems to have cleared up a rectovaginal fistula that I developed late summer of 2013, I was finally able to get on Humira February of 2014, I do have another MRI to make sure it's completely healed but to me it basically feels healed up...maybe speak to your GI about a biologic to aid with your ongoing fistula issues.
Posted 1/21/2015 4:29 PM (GMT -5)
Some people on the forum have had success with the SCD diet. I have an RV fistula that was not healed after being on Remicade.

Have they considered putting setons in? That would keep them open, but also allow the tissue around to heal (kind of like an ear piercing).
Posted 1/23/2015 1:00 PM (GMT -5)

Since I was diagnosed, I've been resistant to trying any biologics. But after developing a fistula, going through two surgeries, and cursing my seton drain every day for over 6 months, I finally decided it was time to try a biologic. After only a few months on Humira, my fistula healed and the seton was removed.

I was afraid it would abscess and come back, but luckily I've been fistula-free since March 2014.

Good luck to you. I can imagine how frustrated you must feel. Not sure if any of the biologics are an options for you, but hope you can find a way to get your fistula to heal for good. My decision to try Humira was a big one for me, and one that I made with my GI doc after weighing all of the pro's, con's, side-effects, etc.

Posted 1/26/2015 10:03 AM (GMT -5)
I had two huge rectal fistulas that surfaced about an inch from my anos in 2007.  I was diagnosed with Cd in the colon and told the only way to heal these is with remicade.  I decided to try the SCD diet instead, and in 6 months both fistulas were healed as were all my other symptoms of CD like white mucus and blood in my bms. 

I followed the diet with fanatical 100% dedication and ate a lot of homemade yogurt. Yogurt is much better then probiotics since you would have to take 100 pro biotic pills to equal the amount of bacteria you get in one cup of homemade yogurt.

That was in 2007 and i have not had one symptom or fistula from my CD since then and I still follow the SCD diet, but not as fanatical as before. The only druga I have ever taken was pentassa , which I still take.

read the book, "breaking the vicious cycle" it goes into great detail about how a woman cured her daughter wit diet alone.  

The doesn't always work in everyone, but you have nothing to loose and all to gain if it works for you. 

Posted 1/28/2015 12:28 AM (GMT -5)
I am starting remicade soon and have had surgery on my anal fistula in October. It is still draining with no setons in place. Really annoying!!! I have no other noticeable symptoms from the CD and can eat anything. I'm really hoping remicade works for the fistula so I can get back to my previous active lifestyle. Any stories of success from remicade would be great!!!! Cheers
Posted 1/28/2015 7:38 AM (GMT -5)
I started remicade in may 2010 and my fistula closed by late july. It later reopened in january 2011 and stayed open. Fistula is now 5+ years old and should be given a name. :P
Posted 1/28/2015 8:19 PM (GMT -5)
Remicade is #1for healing fistulas
Did it for me
Go for it and don't look back
Good luck
Posted 1/30/2015 10:34 AM (GMT -5)
I has a fistula there as well and Humira was a life saver, it put my crohn's in complete remission.
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