After 1 yr of painful fissures, an early diagnosis of proctitis, then bleeding and mucous, and now recurrent feelings of having to use the bathroom with nothing coming out along with soreness of my butt muscles, my GI is saying he thinks it is Crohns.
My small intestine series came back negative for Crohns, but the doctor says it can affect any area from mouth to anus.
Right now, I am starting a month of Cipro and Flagyl, then he wants to try some Remicade IVs on me. He says Remicade is the most current thing for Crohns and will help with the rectal inflammation I have. Once that settles down, the fissures should have a chance to heal.
My question is - since he's really only surmising that it is Crohns, will taking remicade be harmful to me if I don't have Crohns? What if it is only a bad case of proctitis? Since that is an inflammation problem, I would think the Remicade would be helpful, but I don't want to do it unless I know for sure I won't be harmed by taking it if I don't actually have Crohns.
Also, does anyone else have a diagnosis of Crohns where it is not in the small intestines?

Hi! First, I am not an expert. my mom has ulcerative colitis and I was doing some research about drug therapies. Remicade came up as a potential solution. Wanted to ask you if you have read the information on Remicade. PLease do so since there are many side effects. Turns out her gastro doesn't recommend that drug. However, in your case this may be the only alternative.
Take care!
Kathy:)

Hi JBar, Why not get a second opinion before taking Remicade? I'm taking Remicade now and I'm fine, BUT I wouldn't take it unless my doctor knew for sure what the problem is...drugs always have side effects and the long term effects are still unknown with this new drug.

KF

Hello, Yes first be sure you have crohns before starting Remicade.
The office that I work for gives Remicade. We give it for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients and also crohns patients.

All drugs have side effects. Just be sure to have a TB test and chest x-xay before starting treatment. I'm sure your Doctor will tell you that. Our patients do very well on Remicade. We have had some people with reactions as well. Rapid heatbeat and vomiting. A nurse will be with you at all times and you will be premedicated just incase of allergic reaction.

I think Remicade does wonders for people that suffer in pain. But the choice is yours. As far as the fissures go. I had major problems with them and suffered for 2 years in pain. I had to get surgery...I tried everything.

The surgery (LIS) went very well and I have my life back. I can't believe I waited so long to have it done. I'm 100% better.


Good Luck...:angel:

Hello,

My father suffered from severe RA. He had been on Enbril and was doing fantastic. However, Medicare stopped paying for it and his doctor put him on Remicade. My father had a history of heart problems including congestive heart failure. I stress to anyone with any type of heart problems to check with their cardiologist regarding the side effects of Remicade. This medicine killed my father.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! :)

Sorry about your father, Desertflower. This doesn't seem like a medication they should use before understanding a patient's history. My doctor wants me to get a TB test before he gives it to me.

I have looked into the information on the internet about it, and some of it sounds like the drug is promising. However, if I don't have Crohn's I am worried about taking something that isn't necessary.

I am sick of fissures and pus, and my doctor also thinks I may have a fistula, but I don't really have the digestive issues most Crohn's patients have. I have always been one to get gas pains and have to make multiple trips to the bathroom (since about 6th grade), but nobody ever said they thought it was Crohn's before now. It's never really interfered with my life, except for occasionally having to use some public restrooms that weren't the best of places when I couldn't hold it.

The cipro and flagyl have eased some of my issues, and I've been feeling better with it. I wish that stuff would heal everything because it is working well.

Well, I decided to get a second opinion before letting my doctor put the Remicade in me. I have decided to go to a nationally recognized colo-rectal surgeon at a University hospital to see if they can give me a definitive answer on what is wrong and why my butt won't heal. If he tells me my doctor is right, then I'm okay with that, but I have to know for sure before I agree to anything.
Do you guys think it's a good idea for me to obtain copies of my records or let the new doctor do all his own testing? Also, I am thinking I'd better write down a summary of everything that has gone on with my problem since last year so I don't forget to tell him anything.