Crohn's Disease
Crohn's Questions » Crohn's Disease » crohn’s treatment

crohn’s treatment

Read and learn more about crohn’s treatment. For more, visit the Crohn’s Disease website DrCrohns.org

Q: Are hookworms an effective treatment for Crohn’s disease ? If so is the therapy available in the USA ?
What countries is it available in ?

A: Oh, my goodness! Yuck! I looked it up, and yes, there are studies showing that hookworm can be effective treatment of Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and various other immune disorders. What a shocking discovery, but I don’t know if I could expose myself to it. I just typed your question in my search engine and found it. The lady I read about went to Africa and went barefoot. They can also cause undesirable side effects such as anemia. Thanks for an interesting question that made me curious enough to look it up. I learned something new today, because of you and it is a good thing to learn new things at my age.

Q: Does anyone have information on the use of injectable methotrexate for treatment of Crohn’s Disease?
My 15-year-old daughter is experiencing a severe Crohn’s Disease flare-up that has been resistant to several in- and out-patient medical therapies. Her G.I. doc now wants to try weekly, injectable methotrexate. Any information you can share? Thank you.

A: Methotrexate belongs to the class of drugs known as anti-metabolites. Antimetabolites impede the body’s natural chemical processes, such as DNA production and cell division. They are helpful in cancer treatments. The FDA is approving cancer treatments for Autoimmune Diseases such as Crohn’s. If you’re uncomfortable giving her a shot they do it in infusions. Before doing this, did your gastro say anything about Remicade or Humira? I have Crohn’s Disease and I’m on Remicade. If she is on 6 MP (Imuran) do not do this new drug. As you know she can only take Tylenol…that is about the basic that I can tell you off hand. I’m sorry she is in a flare, they’re trying to get mine back into remission and I hope they do the same for her. Good luck.

Pharmacy & Vet Tech/Crohnie

Q: Has anyone tried Dr. Ray Lala’s healing mineral treatment for Crohn’s disease/Ulcerative Colitis?
While I will appreciate other remedies, I am specifically looking for results from the Dr. Lala treatment.

A: hi sm, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Have you checked out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site for information?

They have tons of stuff ranging from diet, newer treatments to put pts. in remission faster, locating a local support chapter, as well as a live chat, a hotline, and an open forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are so many scams out there which will take our hard earned $$$ by offering false promises of a cure.

When a cure is found for IBD, I am sure it will hit the newpapers first as well as our GIs.

good luck to you.

Q: For treatment of Crohn’s Disease (vs. Ulerative Colitis), do you recommend Prednisone or Entocort?
Since Crohn’s affects the whole digestive system (rather than the more localized areas in UC), I was wondering if any of you CD patients have had better (or at least adequate) flare treatment on Entocort, rather than on Prednisone. I’d love it if my daughter with CD could be treated with something other than Prednisone… Thank you.

A: I’ve had CD for about 10 years now. I was put on Entocort about a year and a half ago, and i love it! I have only had 2 flares since i’ve started taking it, and only had to be hospitalized for one. When the flares get acute, my doc puts me on the prednisone along with the entocort, but thats usually just for a two week period till everything calms down. As far as using Entocort for maintanence, i can’t say anything bad about it – I love it, its like a miracle drug to me!

Q: Treatment for Crohn’s Disease?
My boyfriend’s mother has crohn’s disease and she has had some problems with it. She recently took a vacation to visit us (12 hrs away), and the day she got back home she went to the hospital for chemotherapy treatments. She told my b/f that it was nothing to worry about that it was just treatment for her crohn’s. I don’t know much about crohn’s/treatments, but I have never heard of chemotherapy as a form of treatment for this disease. She has lied to him once before when she was having renal failure and she told him that it was just a simple kidney infection. Is chemotherapy a treatment used for crohn’s disease?

A: i think so. theorpy means cure.

Q: what is the best treatment for Crohn’s?
I have crohn’s and have trouble…pain and other symptoms, what can I do other than watch what I eat and take drugs??? (prescription drugs) I am just not well….please help.

A: hi big, I am a crohn’s pt. myself for over 20 yrs.

If you check out the crohn’s & colitis foundation’s site, they have an open forum where you can post questions to those who have CD, use their live chat and hotline run by healthcare experts, look up information on the latest treatments–Remicade infusions, Humira shots, Entocort capsules, pain mgt., diet, latest surgical techniques, finding a local CCFA support chapter near you, etc.

I am on pain mgt. for a hernia, Entocort to keep things under control for over 5 yrs., had Remicade and Humira a few yrs. ago, attend the local support chapters to meet drug reps, dieticians, local GIs, and to get information on which hospitals and MDs to avoid when treating a flare up.

You have that right as a patient to be made comfortable when in pain. Ask your GI or primary care MD for Darvocet, Percocet, etc. as well as a muscle relaxer, and an antispasmatic like bentyl for the stomach spasms.

I feel for you. Definitely check out CCFA and post on their forum. Family members are welcome at CCFA’s site and local meetings to educate themselves on what we go through.

I hope you feel better.

Q: Crohn’s treatment?
My girlfriend has been diagnosed with Crohn’s recently, the doctor has prescribed anti-inflamatory medicine and also steroids with in the next few weeks, what good does the steroids do and what effects or side effects could it have ?

A: Be patient and supportive.
Please research all you can on Chron’s.
It’s a nasty bathroom problem.
The Steriods will help her feel better and immediately reduce the inflamation. Steroids are used in the worst time of your treatment to get instant relief.

www.CrohnsOnline.com
www.livingwithUC.com that’s what i deal with, same treatment.
Email me anytime, just be supportive and make sure she eats bland foods, and drinks water and gatoriade.

the other medication that she is perscribed, asacol, pentasa, or rowasa, is an anti-inflamitory that works in the lower intestine, and will help her not feel crampy and hopefully she will be going to the toilet less.

I would suggest you have some imodium AD on hand, some Gas-X and Bean-o.

She will most likely be very tired, and not in a very pleasant mood. She will be feeling better in a couple weeks.
Go to her Doctor appts. with her, and ask questions.
She will be happy that she has someone with her, and that you care, and want to understand her ongoing condition.

I belong to this website.
It tells you all about Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis.
It’s important that she feel comfortable when you all go out, know where the toilets are, and buy her soft toilet paper, and if she’s having a real bad time of it, –Just email or IM me.

Mystic_Gift@yahoo.com
Mystic_Gift IM anytime. I have a lot of people who have this, and we all just need support. We are scared, and we hurt, and it’s draining. And SEX is the last thing on our minds.

Bland foods. Make her a grilled cheese, avoid spicey foods, and stress.

I hope i’ve helped!
I will list the site that has a support group, newsletter and 10 things to help you cope and understand.

she’s and you are not alone, a lot of people have this stinky problem and no one talks about it!!

I hope she uses her meds, and gets quick relief.
I admire you for asking and wanting to be more informed.
Yes, the meds are expensive, but worth it.
Just validate her feelings, don’t ask why, ask what ONE thing can i do to make your life easier this hour?

Gatoraide always helps me! cuz going to the bathroom a lot, you get dehydrated.

here are 2 sites that I rely on for comfort and information.

Crohn’s Disease Community
www.LivingWithCrohnsDisease.com
- Crohn’s Disease patient resources. Find information on symptoms.

Join the Crohn’s & Me Community
www.CrohnsAndMe.com
you have to Register to learn and connect with other Crohn’s patients.

Get Crohn’s Disease Facts
www.CrohnsOnline.com

Q: What is the treatment for Crohn’s Disease?
Is there a diet regime for Crohn Disease?

A: While diet does not cause Crohn’s, certain foods have been shown to irritate the condition in some people. In particular, milk, alcohol, hot spices, and fiber appear to be the most aggravating foods for some people with Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, individuals with strictures (areas of narrowing of the bowel) may develop increased symptoms by eating things such as nuts, seeds or popcorn. People with Crohn’s disease should eat a nutritious diet that contains protein; enough calories to maintain weight; vitamins A, B-12, C, D, and folic acid; and the minerals calcium, iron, and zinc.
Here are some websites that have tips and recipes.
http://www.remicade.com/crohns/crohns_lifestyle/crohns_diet.jsp

http://ibscrohns.about.com/od/dietandrecipes/?terms=diet+free+recipe+smoothie

Q: Question about Crohn’s treatment?
OK, no medicine has worked in the past except methotrexate, which helped and then we stopped, and I haven’t been better with Crohn’s since. (It’s in my colon). We’re doing it again, the weekly injection, and the ugly yellow medicine burns my skin, and makes me feel HORRIBLY sick. I have had seven doses, I’ve heard it can take up to twelve. My doctor doesn’t think I could physically or psychologically cope with many more injections, and has suggested the tablet. Two other people agree, but one woman said that maybe I’d cope better if I HAD no other option, and just sucked it up. I’m scared though, if the injection would have worked, and the pill doesn’t, if I’ll regret coming off the injection, and wondered what would have happened if I’d stuck to it another five weeks, no matter how sick it made me. (I was on 25 milligrams and my doctor only wants me on 15 with the tablet). Should I just go to the pill after 12 injections, or see if it works now? Im 14 desperate and very ill
P.S. I’ve tried EVERYTHING, literally, and without success. It’s either Methotrexate injections, methotrexate pills, or surgery.

A: HEY, you need more options! If someone’s telling you to suck it up, be nasty to them! You have every right to!

Have you tried an immunosuppressant drug? I’m on 6MP and maybe that’ll work for you. Crohn’s colitis isn’t very different from small bowel Crohn’s like I have. Ask your GI about the 5 ASA group(they’re like aspirins). I suggest Pentasa and what about Entocort?

Frustrating, when the treatment is a series of trial and error drugs, isn’t it? Been there, done that! I hate injections myself. At least try prednisone, that stuff is VERY effective! Keep us updated, please! Good luck!

Q: Stem cell treatment for crohn’s disease?
I have read a few articles stating this is a promising treatment with effects lasting longer than most prescribed drugs for this illness. I also read that skin cells can now be reprogrammed into making stem cells, which would please a lot more people since no embryos would be destroyed, right?

My question is when will this treatment be readily available for all crohn’s patients?

A: Well, the transplant is the same old bone marrow transplant that has been around for 50 years. Its called a stem cell transplant now because we now know that its the stem cells in the marrow that make the transplant work.

So, if it does work with crohn’s (but still not available to the public) all they are really doing is testing the statistics. If you are looking for the information for a a patient, they should try talking to their doctor to see if they can get into any of the trials for this.

A bone marrow transplant is the single treatment in an overwhelming majority of the diseases that adult stem cells can treat. It completely replaces the immune system, so it is pretty versatile for treating anything that originates in or damages the immune system. Crohn’s is an autoimmune disease, so it makes sense that this transplant may be able to treat it.

The stem cells in this case would come from one of two, maybe three sources… bone marrow, peripheral blood, or possibly cord blood. Skin stem cells would not be used in this case.

Embryonic stem cells are still used in research, and contrary to popular belief, the limited success of adult stem cells does not negate the need for embryonic research. But, to be clear, embryonic stem cells are not a part of this treatment.

Be warned though, this transplant is incredibly traumatic, phenomonally expensive, puts you at significanly higher risk for at least half a dozen cancers, comes with a min of a one year recovery time frame during which you will be out of work, and may leave you with life long medical complications needing meds.

Q: Starting Remicaid treatment for Crohn’s disease?
Would like to hear from people who are already with this teatment.

A: I have tried Remicade, and it didn’t seem to work well for me for long at least, and I had to stop taking it since I got a scary reaction once (trouble breathing, uncontrollable shaking), and some people DO get allergic reactions to it. But from what I know, it’s always given in a hospital setting and most people take Tylenol and maybe Benadryl beforehand, to help prevent a reaction. Humira (similar to Remicade), is less likely to cause a reaction since it’s made with human protein instead of mouse protein. I always found that interesting. haha.

To the other people who answered, just know that there is NO Crohn’s diet that works for everyone, and a gluten free diet is NOT always superior to meds, at least not for most people with Crohn’s. It might help some people or be superior to meds for a small number of people, but certainly not most people with Crohn’s. Not eating wheat or things with gluten is sure hard to do anyway, and I still don’t know how people with celiac disease do it, but I’m sure some of them cheat sometimes at least, and eat wheat products. haha. Rice bread and stuff like that tastes kinda crappy to me anyway, and I sure couldn’t just eat that all the time.

And it’s wrong to say people with Crohn’s actually have celiac disease a lot of the time. If anything, a lot of the time people with Crohn’s are told they have ulcerative colitis, but later on (like in my case unfortunately), find out it is Crohn’s. Celiac disease is pretty easy to diagnose from what I know anyway, by scoping someone and taking biopsies, and maybe taking specific blood tests too.

Q: Alternative medicine for Crohn’s Diesase treatment?
Do any of you know of or have tried effective alternative treatments for Crohn’s disease? Please be as specific as possible – I am looking for things that will help. Thanks

A: L-Glutamine, an amino acid that is the main source of energy for the mucosal cells that line the intestines, and helps them heal. Dosage is adjusted for each patient. The common dose range is 6 to 25 grams divided into 3 doses per day, 30 minutes before meals. Glutamine may increase T-cell attack in Crohn’s disease. In the Crohn’s patient glutamine may also be metabolized into citrulline, which is converted to arginine, a substrate for nitric oxide sythesis. Excessive nitric oxide has been shown to contribute to tissue injury and inflammation in Crohn’s disease. L-glutamine seems to be effective in ulcerative colitis.

A clinical study of ulcerative colitis patients demonstrated that feeding 30 g daily of glutamine-rich germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) for four weeks resulted in significant clinical and endoscopic improvement, independent of disease state. Disease exacerbation returned when GBF treatment was discontinued.

It has also been suggested that cabbage juice consumption may provide benefit to patients with gastric ulcers and gastritis, by virtue of its high glutamine content.

Q: Crohn’s Treatment?
Has anybody been taking Entocort?
how did effect you, what were the side effects, how long did it take for the side effects to go away, did it stay, how are you feeling now, u better worst?, any suggestions?

Thanks

A: Hi OM, I am a female crohn’s survivor who has been on Entocort for a while. My GI prescribed it for me b/c steroids have serious side effects if on them for a long time, which I was and needed to get off of them.

The great thing about Entocort is that it goes right to the source of inflammation. It doesn’t get absorbed into the bloodstream like prednisone, thus, no side effects like the moon face, mood swings, weight gain, increased appetite, etc.

I haven’t had any problems while being on this. It is a 3 mg capsule & the normal dose is 3 capsules a day. One thing though, there is no generic for it so the copay can be high. Ask the gi if he has any samples he can give you. That is what I did when I knew I was short on cash and just needed a month’s supply to tie me over.

The crohn’s & colitis foundation has a website with tons of information as well as a hotline and a live chat that is run by healthcare workers well versed in Crohn’s during the week.

Feel free to email me if you have questions.

Q: Infliximab treatment for Crohn’s?
Has anyone undergone infliximab treatment for their Crohn’s Disease? What was the process like? How many treatments did you need? And how long until you saw results? Would you recommend this treatment? And how much does it cost now that it is on the PBS?

A: Infliximab (trade name: Remicade) is a “synthetic” antibody designed to neutralize a substance in our body called TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha is believed to play a big role in some inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infliximab

For Crohn’s Disease, Remicade is often given as an intravenous infusion over about 2 hours. You can find more information about the use of Remicade in Crohn’s here (supplied by the manufacturer of Remicade):
http://www.remicade.com/remicade/crohns/crohns_studies/remicade_for_crohns.html

http://www.remicade.com/remicade/assets/Med_Guide.pdf

If you already know all this information, but simply want to talk to others who had infliximab, you will probably have more luck on discussion forums specific to Crohn’s rather than here at Yahoo Answers:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/

http://www.ccfacommunity.org/Forums.aspx

Good luck.

Q: Ever heard of Myoconda, a possible new treatment for Crohn’s?
It’s been approved by the United States FDA, they’ll probably have to do one more clinical trial before ppl can get it.

http://www.giacondalimited.com/pages/products/myo_conda.html

A: It is a Combination Antibiotic Therapy, seems to give promising results.
Thanks for the useful info.

Related Posts

Write a comment