Q: What is the link between Appendicitis and Crohn’s Disease?
Hi. I hear there is a link between Appendicitis and Crohn’s Disease? How true is this? I suffered an appendicitis a week ago, and still recovering and am beginning to wonder if it could be Crohn’s disease. My doc said the appendicitis cause inflammation of my cecum too. Any medical advice out there?

A: Your appendix is part of the lymphatic system and crohn’s disease is primarily due to parasites in the intestines due to dysbiosis. The human pathogens found in pasteurized milk from grain fed cows you buy in the store has about 2 – 3% of these human pathogens that survive the heat process. The altered calcium and damaged proteins from pasteurization along with the highly inflammatory milk as a result of feeding the cows grains is a big factor as well. 92% of all crohn’s disease patients have this bacteria in their intestines.

If you look at the pathetic products manufacturers are making for crohn’s patients, it is no wonder this is a chronic illness that requires a life time of drug use to treat the symptoms. Cleaning up the intestines, removing the parasites, getting on a good nutritional diet, and making the digestive system work like it should is the answer, not drugs or surgery.

An inflamed appendix is just that, it is an inflamed body part. Most likely it is inflamed for the same reasons crohn’s disease is there, but is not the cause of crohn’s. The lymphatic system, that the appendix is part of, can be clogged and bogged down with dead cancer cells, debris that the body is trying to eliminate. The lymphatic system has NO pump like the circulatory system does (the heart), so it relies on exercise and movement to help the lymph flow along. You can also take herbs like devil’s claw or cat’s claw to help lymphatic movement.

The medical advice for crohn’s is not good and that should be obvious because they can never seem to help anyone get rid of the disease, just treat the symptoms.

good luck to you

Q: When comparing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is TRUE?
A. the cause of Crohn’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative coitis isnt known.
B. Ulcreative colitis is remitting, whereas Crohns disease is constant.
C.Patints with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
D. Crohns disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract whereas ulcraive colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.

A: D.

Q: What is the typical length of a hospital stay when being tested for Crohn’s disease?
My boyfriend was put in the hospital on Thursday, and he says the doctors want to test him for Crohn’s disease. The thing is though, it doesnt seem like their really doing anything. He says they want him to stay there till the gastroenterologist sees him and does tests, but he hasnt seen the gastroeinterolist yet, and basically he’s just sitting there in the hospital WAITING. He also doesnt even feel sick at all anymore, hasnt since yesterday. How long does it typically take to be tested for Crohn’s disease, and how long should he be in the hospital for?

A: It depends on the doctor. The hospital cannot do anything without the doctor. The tests themselves
are often done on an out patient basis. They maybe trying to regulate his diet in the hospital.

Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of homeopathic medicine for Crohn’s disease?
My daughter was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s. She is experiencing some pain in her gut, gets tired and sometimes has joint pain.

A: My son was diagnosis with Crohn’s disease over 2 years ago. the doctor wanted to put him on Humira (after experimenting with several other drugs) which is anexpensive drug with life threating serious side affects. We did some research and wanted to take a new approach to combat His problem. This is what we found out. The liver is producing too much bile that is toxic to the digestive tract. The types of foods you need to eat are those that DO NOT create excessive acid or bile that help in digestion (simply put). The bile is normal unless it is in large quanity or toxic, the acid attacks the food as well as intestinal linings of your stomach
Your body is high in toxins that you need to remove and stop feeding into the problem by the foods you consume and an overactive liver.

1.) “Foods to eat” : water purified, fish, eggs, potatoes,rice, white bread,meat ground up fine or chewed well, skinless chicken cut fine, tortillas, broth, noodles plain with a little butter, plain yogurt with no extra ingredients, Goats milk or rice milk(rice dreams-Walmart) cherrios rice crispies or chex, plain oatmeal and ‘most important’ 5x/day at each meal and as a snack, legume’s black beans, kidney, pinto, buttered,refried, with no lard or spices except salt to start. Sunshine calcium and D’3, Iron supplements(in moderation)
if you are anemic.
2.) “Foods to avoid!”: fruit juice,dairy!,milk (hardest to digest, a cow use 4 stomachs!) chips!,processed foods of any kind, fast food of any kind, soda ,msg,sugar,corn, corn syrup,corn sweeteners,wheat products,sweeteners of any kind, coffee, teas,sauces, read the back labels (you are going to be surprised) for added ingredients any thing thats added, adds to your body’s toxic level. NO artificial sweeteners. foods that produce too much acid to break down the foods you eat. No alcohol of any kind NO Tabacco. pork, fatty foods.
3.) ‘Foods to eat’: in moderation after you stop bleeding and start gaining weight or are having no discomfort : certain fruits,steak,venison, peanut butter or almond butter, more plain oatmeal A multi-vitamin with minerals with 100% RDA (not large dose’s of any vitamins and 2x daily ,use shaklee as the bench mark for comparison ) of all of the B’s, hard cheese, soy milk,well cooked vegetables” Psyillium powder”.
4.)The beans,psyillium powder and oatmeal are a soluble fiber that absorb bile and remove the toxins in your body,then the liver will produce more bile but less toxic(simplified for lack of space).
5.)This is not an all inclusive list and your Doctor will disagree with the elimination of drugs, all removal of drugs should be done slowly if you decide to stop taking them, but they will add to your body’s toxic level as you continue take them. which will make your Crohn’s worse and make you susceptible to other more serious disease’s. I am not a specialist in any field or giving medical advice. I also hired KarenHurd.com at a fraction of the cost to teach my son to diet properly but you can go to her web site and get free information, but I recommend you pay her for a short time to get you healthy and on a routine faster. She has a very high success rate. Stress will make it worst so exercise and relax. Most importantly Faith, Hope, and Prayer, you will get better. God is faithful what ever the results. E-mail me if you have any questions and I can help. I don’t know if you have crohn’s but changing your diet could help you and most of us in America because of the poor nutrition we unknowingly subject ourselves too. Ibs and colitis is similar but the diet still apply’s. Routine and a little bit of self disipline and you will be drug free and have more money in the pocket. You may have other complications with the Crohn’s because you are now susceptible to all kind of complication’s and other disease’s because of the medicine you take!

Q: What is the difference between Crohn’s disease and Ulceretive colitis?
How to recognize Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis right away?
I appreciate your help.

A: It is very difficult to distinguish between CD and UC based on clinical inspection alone, as both are inflammatory processes that may cause diarrhea and bleeding. However, CD causes involvement of any part of the GI tract, from mouth to anus, and thus manifestations of the esophagus, stomach (i.e. upper GI bleed present as black stool), small intestine (malabsorption), or mouth (such as oral aphthous ulcers) are good clues that you may be dealing with CD rather than UC. In contrast, UC is limited to the colon and thus will not cause the extracolonic effects I mentioned.

Patient information may also help, as CD is seen in younger people (with high prevalence in Jewish people), while UC is most commonly seen in older people.

Otherwise, definitive diagnosis is based on endoscopic and histological evidence of specific etiology.

Q: Is the pain caused by Crohn’s disease and endometriosis enough to justify morphine daily?
This girl I know in her early 20’s has morphine every day. We fear she is addicted. She always looks and sounds strung out, she doesn’t work and is mentally unstable. It seems like overkill to me – I know there are things that can be done for endometriosis, but what about Crohn’s? What do you think?

A: hi, I am a crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. Some crohn’s pt. are in severe pain almost daily because the newer treatments just don’t work for them so they go under a doctor’s care for pain management.

Before you judge this poor girl, she may be suffering w/abdominal pain, fatigue, bleeding, the big “D” or “C”. You just don’t know unless you’ve been in her shoes.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site to educate yourself. There is also a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts who can answer your questions as well as an open forum where you can post this question to others who have IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).

Don’t judge a book by its cover. I know many folks w/Crohn’s who are on pain management medications because they are not able to take the newer treatments. Check out the CCFA site and EDUCATE YOURSELF. If things get worse for your friend, then yes, definitely step in and talk to her family into getting her help.

It’s nice to know that some people actually care when a friend isn’t well.

Q: Do pregnant women with Crohn’s have a higher chance of the multiple marker test returning a false positive?
I have Crohn’s disease and I’m debating to do the multiple marker blood test, but someone told me that they know some Crohn’s patients who had tests that came back positive and the babies were fine. Could Crohn’s effect the test results?

A: if i were you, i wouldnt worry about doing the test. i opted out of it..mostly because they really dont end up telling you anything. there is such a high rate of people getting bad results on it when it doesnt mean anything. and it doesnt give you a yes or no to anything..just a percentage chance

Q: Is there privatized insurance for Crohn’s Disease patients? If so, how much does it cost?
I have Crohn’s (6 years now) and am currently being treated with Remicade. I need to find a private insurance company that will cover me and hopefully pay a significant portion of the medication costs!

A: hi, i am a female crohn’s pt. depending on if you live in the states or the UK, there should be a support group that can help you. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has a website you can go to. They have tons of updated information as well as a live chat and a hotline that you can call and talk to a healthcare expert. They also have a forum where you can post questions to others like yourself.

Hope this information can be of some assistance to you. Best of luck.

Q: What is the worst that can happen if you have Crohn’s disease and take senna?
Senna in laxative form, that is.
I see warnings that say do not take senna if you have Crohn’s disease, but I would like to know what can happen, worst case scenario.

Would appreciate advice from a doctor especially.

Thank you for your time.

A: Not a Doc, just another Crohn’s patient. Senna can aggravate and/or cause serious flare ups with Crohn’s. I’d stay away from it. Doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to chance.

Q: Once a person begins having Remicade infusions for Crohn’s Disease, will they ever be able to stop?
Do Crohn’s patients have to take Remicade indefinitely, in order to stay in remission? If Remicade does need to be discontinued, how is that done? Gradually tapering off? Any other Remicade tips? Thank you.

A: hi elisabeth, i am a female crohn’s survivor like yourself.
I was on remicade infusions but had to stop it because it stopped working. If Remicade works, then the infusion schedules will vary according to the pt. and symptoms.

When it first came out, I had the infusion and it kept me in remission for 1 1/2 yrs. Once my symptoms came back, I went in for another infusion. That lasted 1 yr. My 3rd infusion, after a few weeks, I knew it didn’t take so I cld my GI and he put me on Entocort. When Humira was approved for Crohn’s he cld me and put me on that.

You don’t need to taper for Remicade if it stops working. Most infusions are done in an outpt. setting like in a hospital. Plan to spend 7-8 hrs. because the new protocol is premedication w/Benedryl to prevent hives and shortness of breath. Bring a book, ipod, magazine, etc. to entertain yourself as well as something to eat. The nurses will monitor you every 15-20 minutes to make sure there is no reaction.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has a website w/information on the newest treatments, diet info, women’s issues, surgery, locating a local support group etc. They even have a hotline & live chat that is run by healthcare workers well versed in IBD M-F 9 am – 5pm. Give them a call and see what they say.

I hope the treatment works for you. This disease is a pain in the butt. no pun intended. Feel free to email me if you have questions. I truly understand your concerns and where you are coming from.

Q: What drug has liver damage side affects for Crohn’s disease patients?
The question asks it pretty pointedly. There are multiple drugs for aiding in the remission of a Crohn’s flare up, one of these drugs has very high risks of liver damage. What is the name of it? Please, help?

A: hi be, I am a female crohn’s pt. as well. If you check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site and post your question on their open forum to others who have CD, you will get a better response. They have a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts as well as great stuff on surgery, diet, latest treatments, finding a local CCFA support chapter, etc.

Immunosuppressants such as 6MP and Imuran affect the liver BUT if you have a good GI, he will check the liver for toxicity via bloodwork every 3 months. As soon as it starts to show signs, the med is stopped ASAP. I am speaking from experience when I was on 6MP.

Definitely check out the site and post your question and look around to educate yourself about Crohn’s. best of luck.

Q: What would be a good healthy diet for someone with crohn’s?
I have crohn’s disease and it is hard for me to eat anything that has a lot of fiber in it, like steamed vegetables, raw vegetables, cereals, etc. So my diet mainly consists of carbs and meat. Along with this not so varitable diet and my treatments I am gaining a lot of weight. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can maintain a healthy diet and lose some weight without causing a flare up?

A: Most folks with crohn’s find that a gluten free diet eliminates many symptoms. I know you feel like you don’t want to cut out MORE foods, but I highly suggest you give a high saturated fat (especially from virgin coconut oil) diet a good trial. You might also want to try chia seeds, they are high fiber but the fiber is encased in a gel sack that makes it easier on the digestive system.

Nearly 6 years ago, I started Atkins low carb way of eating to just quit gaining weight. I had to get my out of control appetite under control. I never imagined I could LOSE weight without hunger or exercise, since I’ve become disabled. I never bothered weighing or measuring til I’d noticed that my clothes got huge quick. When my health improved dramatically also, I knew this was my new way of life and since it’s eat all you want (of low carb foods) I know I can do this for life.

My personal carb level is low. I am older & disabled & don’t move much (or cook much) but I eat all I want of meats, eggs, cheeses, yogurt, fats, green vegetables, almonds, berries, flax seeds, chia seeds, shirataki noodles and other foods. Someone active would have a MUCH higher carb level & can usually include all fruits, beans, whole grain products but not sugar & highly refined carbs in unlimited amounts. As long as you have <9grams carbs per hour, you will maintain insulin control & shouldn't gain weight, no matter the calories.

Most overweight & obese people have blood sugar & insulin dysfunctions and can NEVER eat carbs as someone with a functioning body can. They make the mistake of going back to the way of eating that made them fat and that is not possible and yes they will gain all weight back if they eat what they ate that made them obese originally. Insanity is defined as doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way and expecting different results. Many people can return to moderate carb levels but very few can really eat all they want of sugar & maintain weight or health.

You can lose more body fat eating protein & fat (don’t eat protein alone) than not eating AT ALL. To lose weight fast, eat all you want, but nothing but meat, eggs, healthy oils, mayo, butter & half an avocado a day (for added potassium). Keep the calories high & the fat percentage high, at least 65% of calories. Green vegetables & some cheese will continue weight loss but at a slower pace.

The first 2 weeks eat several cups a day of (mostly) lettuce & celery, cucumbers, radishes, mushrooms, peppers & more vegetables thereafter – add 5 grams per day additional every week (20 grams day first 2 weeks, 25grams 3rd week, 30grams 4th week etc) til you gain weight, then subtract 10grams. That will be your personal carb level (everyone is different & depends on how active you are.)

Start with meat, fats & salads for 2 weeks and then slowly add in more green veg, wk4 fresh cheeses, wk5 nuts & seeds, wk6 berries, wk7 legumes, wk8 other fruits, wk9 starchy veg, wk10 whole grains. You will learn how your body reacts to different foods.

The body won’t release fat stores if you lower calories below what it needs. It will slow metabolism to compensate & store every spare ounce as fat. If you continue lowering calories, it will continue lowering the set point, til it can survive off nothing & store fat on anything. The body will only release it’s fat stores if it knows there is plenty of nutritious food.

Eating carbs while trying to lose body fat is terribly inefficient. When in glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) you have to lower your calories (which slows your metabolism) & exercise heavily to deplete your glycogen stores before burning body fat.

The core of Atkins program is converting the body from glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) to ketosis (burning fat as fuel). Dietary fat levels need to be at >65% of total calories, if not, the body will still remain in glycolysis by converting 58% of excess protein into glucose (via gluconeogenesis).

It takes minimum of 3 days to convert a body to ketosis, (but only one bite to convert back to glycolysis). People feel sluggish the first week but most feel better than ever thereafter.

Simple carbohydrates (sugar, flour, bread, cereal, pasta, potatoes, rice) trigger insulin, the only fat storage hormone. Protein releases the fat burning hormone glucagon.

High insulin levels promote inflammation, weight gain, hunger & unbalance other hormones. Controlling insulin levels will balance out other hormones & allow human growth hormone (HGH) to be produced naturally so lean muscle will be gained even without exercise.

Q: What do i expect after a Crohn’s ressection surgery?
I am about to have a ressection done after years of dealing with Crohn’s. Needless to say I am pretty nervous. What are the things to expect after surgery?

A: I had a bowel ressection this summer actually. I can tell you, I was very very nervous at first, and when I woke up from the surgery, it was not pleasant! I had it in my head that after years of dealing with crohns I could deal with some soreness in my stomach, but the worse thing was not that (The morphine made that pretty easy to get through!) it was the NG tube. I also got pretty hungry after 10 days of not eating straight. I would not be worried about Stomach Pains. Not that bad, actually! yeah you’re sore.So what? As a crohns patient, you KNOW what its like to be in pain. Also, you might be pretty dependant on people, needing their help to get up and down. Try and push yourself though. Walk everyday you can, more each day. Your back might hurt from laying in bed, but the more you walk, the FASTER you recover!! I was able to get out of the hospital the day after my NG tube was removed. Also, IVs are very annoying, so be carefull with them…I, and the patient (9 years, appendix removal…) next to me both had problems.

Keep a positive attitude! I bet you knew this was coming at one point. You will feel really crappy in the hospital, but let me tell you, after a month or so, you will be a better you! no more stomach pains, no more apetite problems, no more prednisone if you had to take it, no more !!

I had a bowel ressection – 10 inches of intestine taken out, as well as my appendix, a fistula, and some weird cyst no one knew i had lol. And I recovered faster than the 9 year old patient, who had a lesser surgery. It was the combination of dealing with crohns for so many years and just keeping a positive attitude that got me threw it. Also, books, my laptop, and my family were good company.

Good luck, if you want to know anything else, feel free email me. It has made me a better person…all the bumps in our life make us better people!!

Q: How can you avoid putting on weight when on a course of steroids for Crohn’s disease?
My Girlfriend has been diagnosed with Crohn’s deisease and is due to start her treatment which will start with a course of steroids.

She is absolutely dreading putting on the weight that seems to come with this form of medication.

Does anyone know how much weight she can expect to put on and how she can avoid it?

Thanks for your help.

A: hi graeme, I am a female crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. dxed at the age of 12. Many gastroenterologists are starting to shy away from steroids, Asacol, and Pentasa due to the serious side effects after a long period of time and the fact that they don’t really work to keep a pt. in remission.

Have your girlfriend ask her GI if she is a candidate for Entocort. It is a type of steroid BUT it doesn’t have the serioud side effects like steroids–weight gain, moon face, mood swings, bone thinning, & cataracts. It gets absorbed into the area where the inflammation is & doesn’t go into the blood stream like prednisone that causes side effects.

Other newer treatments are Remicade, Humira, 6MP, Imuran, or Methotrexate. If her MD is persistent on prescribing the prednisone, she should avoid anything, and I mean ANYTHING that has a very high sodium content. It’s the sodium that will cause the weight gain. I learned about this when I was 12 and on it for 13 yrs. until the other meds came out, then I was weaned off of it.

If you go to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, there is more information for you to check out including diet, meds, surgery, coping, women’s issues, as well as locating a local support chapter (highly recommended for you and her to educate yourselves & meet others in the same boat), plus CCFA has a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts and a forum where anybody can post questions to others who have IBD (inflammatory Bowel Disease–aka Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis).

The key to this illness is to eat healthy when in remission, avoid smoking, avoid drinking alcohol, (both interfere with treatments & cause flare ups), exercise, and educating oneself.

Definitely have her see if she is a candidate for the better treatments. Good luck.

Q: Do I have to reveal that I have Crohn’s and digenerative bone disease during a job interview?
I am going for a job interview this week. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and digenerative bone disease about 8 months ago. Before my diagnosis, I miss many, many days of work due to abdominal pain, joint pain, stiffness and the inability to be too far away from my bathroom. This went on for 4 years before I was finally diagnosed. Since I have been diagnosed and gotten the proper medication, I have both undercontrol. The possibility of a flair up at one time or another is relatively certain. Should I disclose this information in the interview or wait til I have the job and only disclose if a flair up occurs and I am forced to take time off?

A: By law, you do not have to disclose anything. (HIPAA Privacy Rule) You only have to answer truthfully questions that directly relate to your ability to do the job, such as Can you lift 20 lbs. on a regular basis (if that’s part of the job), or look at a computer screen for 8 hours a day, etc. I have Crohn’s and I know the worry that a flare may occur and interfere with your brand-new job and make a bad impression. Consult an attorney or go to www.ccfa.org and look for their book on employment rights for more information, or the government Web site: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

Q: When comparing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which of the following is TRUE?
A. the cause of Crohn’s disease is known, whereas the cause of ulcerative coitis isnt known.
B. Ulcreative colitis is remitting, whereas Crohns disease is constant.
C.Patints with both conditions benefit equally well from surgery.
D. Crohns disease can be found anywhere in the digestive tract whereas ulcraive colitis is generally found in the colon and rectum.

A: D.

Q: What is the link between Appendicitis and Crohn’s Disease?
Hi. I hear there is a link between Appendicitis and Crohn’s Disease? How true is this? I suffered an appendicitis a week ago, and still recovering and am beginning to wonder if it could be Crohn’s disease. My doc said the appendicitis cause inflammation of my cecum too. Any medical advice out there?

A: Your appendix is part of the lymphatic system and crohn’s disease is primarily due to parasites in the intestines due to dysbiosis. The human pathogens found in pasteurized milk from grain fed cows you buy in the store has about 2 – 3% of these human pathogens that survive the heat process. The altered calcium and damaged proteins from pasteurization along with the highly inflammatory milk as a result of feeding the cows grains is a big factor as well. 92% of all crohn’s disease patients have this bacteria in their intestines.

If you look at the pathetic products manufacturers are making for crohn’s patients, it is no wonder this is a chronic illness that requires a life time of drug use to treat the symptoms. Cleaning up the intestines, removing the parasites, getting on a good nutritional diet, and making the digestive system work like it should is the answer, not drugs or surgery.

An inflamed appendix is just that, it is an inflamed body part. Most likely it is inflamed for the same reasons crohn’s disease is there, but is not the cause of crohn’s. The lymphatic system, that the appendix is part of, can be clogged and bogged down with dead cancer cells, debris that the body is trying to eliminate. The lymphatic system has NO pump like the circulatory system does (the heart), so it relies on exercise and movement to help the lymph flow along. You can also take herbs like devil’s claw or cat’s claw to help lymphatic movement.

The medical advice for crohn’s is not good and that should be obvious because they can never seem to help anyone get rid of the disease, just treat the symptoms.

good luck to you

Q: What is the difference between Crohn’s disease and Ulceretive colitis?
How to recognize Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis right away?
I appreciate your help.

A: It is very difficult to distinguish between CD and UC based on clinical inspection alone, as both are inflammatory processes that may cause diarrhea and bleeding. However, CD causes involvement of any part of the GI tract, from mouth to anus, and thus manifestations of the esophagus, stomach (i.e. upper GI bleed present as black stool), small intestine (malabsorption), or mouth (such as oral aphthous ulcers) are good clues that you may be dealing with CD rather than UC. In contrast, UC is limited to the colon and thus will not cause the extracolonic effects I mentioned.

Patient information may also help, as CD is seen in younger people (with high prevalence in Jewish people), while UC is most commonly seen in older people.

Otherwise, definitive diagnosis is based on endoscopic and histological evidence of specific etiology.

Q: What is the typical length of a hospital stay when being tested for Crohn’s disease?
My boyfriend was put in the hospital on Thursday, and he says the doctors want to test him for Crohn’s disease. The thing is though, it doesnt seem like their really doing anything. He says they want him to stay there till the gastroenterologist sees him and does tests, but he hasnt seen the gastroeinterolist yet, and basically he’s just sitting there in the hospital WAITING. He also doesnt even feel sick at all anymore, hasnt since yesterday. How long does it typically take to be tested for Crohn’s disease, and how long should he be in the hospital for?

A: It depends on the doctor. The hospital cannot do anything without the doctor. The tests themselves
are often done on an out patient basis. They maybe trying to regulate his diet in the hospital.

Q: What is the worst that can happen if you have Crohn’s disease and take senna?
Senna in laxative form, that is.
I see warnings that say do not take senna if you have Crohn’s disease, but I would like to know what can happen, worst case scenario.

Would appreciate advice from a doctor especially.

Thank you for your time.

A: Not a Doc, just another Crohn’s patient. Senna can aggravate and/or cause serious flare ups with Crohn’s. I’d stay away from it. Doesn’t sound like anything I’d want to chance.

Q: For giving a presentation, is Crohn’s disease an interesting topic?
I’m a student with a presentation on a medical disease at the end of the semester (about 4-5 weeks from now). I’ve chosen Crohn’s disease, but I’m beginning to wonder whether it’s really an interesting disease. Can you help?

A: hi air, I’ve been a crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. I just helped someone from YA last month on giving a presentation on Crohn’s.

Check out the crohn’s & colitis foundation’ site. They have tons of information you can use for your report. I’d be happy to assist w/any Q&A you may have about it.

Contrary to what others may say, it IS NOT deadly. You CAN NOT die from it. You can have complications from it such as liver and pancreas problems as a result from a medication, eye trouble, joint pain, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, etc. There are newer treatments to get these problems under control. Also, the patient must be very compliant and avoid smoking/drinking, avoid doing street drugs, take all meds as prescribed, keep all GI appointments as well as tests, eat right when feeling well and exercise.

Yes, it may be tough at times, but if the pt. works w/their doctors and complies w/the treatment, they can get into remission. Surgery is always a last resort if the medication doesn’t work or there is a blockage.

Knowledge is power. Definitely check out CCFA’s site, use their live chat and hotline, and post your questions on their open forum. Many folks with IBD can also assist you. Good luck.

Q: Do I have to reveal that I have Crohn’s and digenerative bone disease during a job interview?
I am going for a job interview this week. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and digenerative bone disease about 8 months ago. Before my diagnosis, I miss many, many days of work due to abdominal pain, joint pain, stiffness and the inability to be too far away from my bathroom. This went on for 4 years before I was finally diagnosed. Since I have been diagnosed and gotten the proper medication, I have both undercontrol. The possibility of a flair up at one time or another is relatively certain. Should I disclose this information in the interview or wait til I have the job and only disclose if a flair up occurs and I am forced to take time off?

A: By law, you do not have to disclose anything. (HIPAA Privacy Rule) You only have to answer truthfully questions that directly relate to your ability to do the job, such as Can you lift 20 lbs. on a regular basis (if that’s part of the job), or look at a computer screen for 8 hours a day, etc. I have Crohn’s and I know the worry that a flare may occur and interfere with your brand-new job and make a bad impression. Consult an attorney or go to www.ccfa.org and look for their book on employment rights for more information, or the government Web site: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

Q: what are some websites that say that Crohn’s disease can sometimes really be parasites?
links that have statistics or has facts about how crohn’s disease can sometime be misdiagnosed and really be parasites would be really appreciated.
Thanks!

A: hi jelly, i am a crohn’s pt. It is due to the body rejecting the gut and seeing it as a foreign body due to a weakened immune system in the pt.

For more accurate information, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis foundation’s site. It has everything ranging from testing for CD, treatment, surgery, latest treatments, a live chat and hotline run by health care experts and an open forum you can post this question.

good luck. never heard of parasites as I’ve never had them and neither have the others I’ve met.

Q: What age can you operate on crohn’s disease?
My younger brother has Crohn’s disease. He’s about 12 now is it safe for him to go through surgery?

A: Hodel – Not everyone with Crohn’s disease needs an operation. Careful diet and medicines, as needed, often give excellent results. If his doctor (gastroenterologist) truly believess that surgery is required, this will be discussed with the family and the doctor. Operating comes only after other treatments do not give the desired good treatment results.

Q: What are the chances of getting Crohn’s disease?
I’ve been wondering this for a good… 10 minutes. I would like to know the chances of getting Crohn’s disease. I’ve been searching google, but all it tells me is smoking raises it, tells me nothing about the chance without smoking. I was hoping someone else would know, maybe someone with Crohn’s disease.

Thank you!

A: hi range, I am a Crohn’s survivor. You can’t catch Crohn’s disaease like an STD or a cold. It’s an autoimmune illness where the body is attacking the digestive tract as a foreign object and is trying to get rid of it. Medication therapy is used to get things in remission such asa Remicade, Entocort, Humira, 6MP or Imuran.

In order to dx it correctly you need to have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, endoscopy if it is in the mouth, throat, stomach, blood work (Prometheus is the test you’d need), experiencing symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, high or low grade fever, the big “D” or constipation and blood clotting if you area flaring. Smoking will aggravate it as well as birth control (the pill causes blood clots & when you are in a flare the blood becomes sticky thus increasing the chances over 75% of having a DVT, PE, or stroke).

There have been studies done to see if it is genetic. For more information on that, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America site. They have all of the latest information on treatments, studies, medical tests used to dx IBD, etc.

If you still have questions, CCFA has the answers. Good luck.

Q: If you have sex with a condom can you get crohn’s disease?
If you are a straight woman and you have sex without a condom can you get crohn’s disease (bacteria getting inside you) and if you let a man do you anally with or without a condom can you get crohn’s disease? I read that bacteria in the bowels can lead to crohn’s and assume that anal sex would lead to bacteria in the bowel. Anyone know the answer to these questions?

A: The bacteria that cause crohn’s aren’t going to get there from anal sex.
But use a condom anyway – there’s such a thing as AIDS!

Q: What is a simple way to explain Crohn’s Disease?
I dont get what crohn disease is. Can you explain it in a simple way so i may understand what it is.

A: All you need to know about Crohn’s:
1- You’re ALWAYS in the bathroom or looking for one
2- Pain, like…if you touch my gut I’m going to kill you and do not move because it hurts
3- Your immune system attacks itself which causes the inflammation which causes the pain and the oooo where is the bathroom!
4- Barium shoots through you!
5- You’re always are tired

That about sums up Crohn’s for you!

Pharmacy & Vet Tech/Crohnie

Q: How can I support a friend who has Crohn’s disease?
My friend was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. He is taking medication, going to physio, and learning to change the way he eats. Sometimes he is in a lot of pain and is frustrated with his condition. I don’t want to baby him, because I don’t think that’s very empowering, but I want to show him that I take his pain seriously. What kinds of things can I say to him to show my support and to help comfort him?

Thanks for your time

A: This is coming from someone who HAS Crohn’s disease so I hope I can help.
I was diagnosed a year ago and yes, babying isn’t the way to go. What you can do is listen to what he has to say. Even if all he does is rant about how much he hates it, hes telling you because he wants to be heard. Don’t eat foods he used to like in front of him, or drink alcohol excessively in his presence. Honestly, even if its not intentionally, its frustrating. Best you can do is cheer him up with things he enjoys. Like for me, my friends would opt for movies nights that are caffiene-less, popcorn-less and all out tired-high fun (you know when you’re REALLY tired but not). Don’t constently go on about how he should do ‘this’ or do ‘that’ about it. Do be encouraging and a good thing to do is tell him you’ll join his diet plan, take sugar pills at the same time he takes his medication and above all wait it out, because once he gets used to the deal, and his Crohn’s is under control, you’ll be able to find ways to joke about it if he’s like me in any way. Don’t worry, he may be down now, but you can promise him it’ll get better from here.

Q: Is the pain caused by Crohn’s disease and endometriosis enough to justify morphine daily?
This girl I know in her early 20’s has morphine every day. We fear she is addicted. She always looks and sounds strung out, she doesn’t work and is mentally unstable. It seems like overkill to me – I know there are things that can be done for endometriosis, but what about Crohn’s? What do you think?

A: hi, I am a crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. Some crohn’s pt. are in severe pain almost daily because the newer treatments just don’t work for them so they go under a doctor’s care for pain management.

Before you judge this poor girl, she may be suffering w/abdominal pain, fatigue, bleeding, the big “D” or “C”. You just don’t know unless you’ve been in her shoes.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site to educate yourself. There is also a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts who can answer your questions as well as an open forum where you can post this question to others who have IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).

Don’t judge a book by its cover. I know many folks w/Crohn’s who are on pain management medications because they are not able to take the newer treatments. Check out the CCFA site and EDUCATE YOURSELF. If things get worse for your friend, then yes, definitely step in and talk to her family into getting her help.

It’s nice to know that some people actually care when a friend isn’t well.

Q: What are the best job’s for people suffering with Crohn’s disease?
I wondered if there are good job’s that allow for good handling of crohn’s disease.

A: hi mark, i’ve been a crohn’s pt. since the age of 12.
People with this illness can do almost anything if they are in remission. We are protected by the 1990 Disability Act. The employers have to make certain accommodations for CD pts. in order for them to do their jobs. They can not fire us based upon our illness.

for more information on it, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America website. They have information on surgery, medications, treatments, diet, and even information on locating a local support chapter. I belong to the one near me & I’ve even managed to have a few business contacts. You’d be amazed at the # of ppl from all walks of life w/IBD who have successful careers.

Also, CCFA has a live chat & 800 number that is run by healthcare professionals M-F 9 am – 5 pm (EST). You can ask them questions & get straight answers since they are up-to-date on IBD.

My last job was a medical biller at a local hospital I frqeuently go to as a pt. in the ER. My bosses were extremely supportive & come to find out there were 2 other coworkers with IBD so I didn’t feel like the odd woman out.

If you ever run into problems at your job due to your Crohn’s, contact CCFA. They can guide you & tell you what your options are.

Q: How does my Crohns affect my odds with the swine flu?
I have crohns disease and I’m Worried with the upcoming flu season, and how it could affect my health. I am currently on 6-MP or mercaputorinethol, which is an Immuno Suppresant…I wonder if I should stop taking this.

A: Do not stop taking your medicine! Just because you are taking an immune suppressant medication, doesn’t always mean your odds of getting ill are higher. It depends on the individual person.
My husband also has Crohn’s Disease and he has been taking Humira injections for many years. He hasn’t been sick once, even during the flu season.
Never stop a medication unless your doctor recommends it. Good luck!

Q: Crohns Disease is the Anal Gas Infestious Like a cough to People ?
A new friend , has Crohns Disease and has gas that’s really terrible ,is that gas? have a communicable infectious Disease that can spread to innocent bystanders ?
The smell hurt my nose and now i have a sore throat.

A: nope just unpleasant – my dog just farted and is now wafting it around with his tail

Q: What diet does a person with Crohns disease have to follow?
My brother was just diagnosed with Crohns on Thursday, but can not get into the doctor or nutritionist for a week and a half. What are the diet guidelines that he should be following until he can get into the doctor so he wont be aggravating it?
Also… my brother is only 32, is that young for a diagnosis like this?

A: My mom and aunt have crohns and each have a list of different foods they have to avoid- its an individual tollerance thing- but i did look it up and heres a link to check out that should help-

http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-guide/crohns-ibd-overview-facts

If he’s been sick long enough to have crohns he should have a pretty good idea himself what he should stay away from-

best of luck – and crohns can happen at any age

Q: What are the chances of getting the crohns disease?
Okay so my dads mom has the crohns disease and my mom has the crohns disease…what are the chances of me getting the crohns disease?

A: Funny thing about these inflammatory bowel diseases is that having a family history does increase your risks of getting the disease, but it’s not a very clear cut history. You do have an increased risk of getting it, but ironically enough, you also have an increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis, despite being a different condition.

Q: What are the symptoms of Crohns disease?
I was diagnosed 6 months ago with Crohns Disease. By the time of my diagnosis, my colon had already abscessed and perforated and I had to have surgery to remove 3 feet of my colon. What symptoms should I keep an eye out for in order to prevent this from going so far again?

A: Go to webmed.com there is all the info you need .Great site .

Q: What is the best Crohns disease medication?
My Cousin has crohns and just found out he is 30 years old and they are having trouble finding a good medication to treat it nothing seems to be working. we are all very worried about him. Please help and if you have crohns or know about it any advise on dealing with crohns disease would be greatly appreciated.Thank you for your time.

A: Depending on where their crohn’s is most active there are a few drugs to try.

sulfasalazine is a good choice if it is mostly the colon that is affected since it would localize the treatment effects to the colon… however, this is seldom all-inclusive w/ crohn’s.

infliximab is a good choice because it doesn’t have the bone marrow suppression side effects of methotrexate or azathioprine; however, it is REALLY expensive ($20,000/year).

There are lots of drug choices out there, but all are likely going to come with some pretty significant side effects. Drugs that slow cell proliferation (chiefly immune cells) and thus stop the inflammatory effects of the disease will suppress the immune response. Antibodies like infliximab will also block some immune function and leave the patient open to some infections.

I hope this helps. In the end, I hope you find a combination of drugs that works for them.

Q: Can walking pneumonia make somebody with Crohns disease die?
My grandmother who is 63 has had Crohns disease for about 30 years but is in relatively good health otherwise. She just caught walking pneumonia and I am terrified this will cause her Crohns to get worse and kill her. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

A: No she shouldn’t die from it. I’ve had crohn’s for 21 years & i’ve had bronchitis before & it never affected my crohn’s. Walking pneumonia is a very mild form of pneumonia so your grandma should be fine.

Q: Crohns Disease Suffers- Do you know about Sorbitol hurting or Acidolphillus helping?
Sorbitol is an artifical sweetner very widely used – marketed as a “natural product” comes from Tree Bark- I found it to extremely quickly aggrivate my crohns symptioms
Acidolphillus is a natural enzyme which can help Crohns suffers digest their food better-
I am wondering if most people with Crohns are familiar with these additives?

A: hi david, I am a crohn’s survivor diagnosed at the age of 12. I learned that sugar substitutes like sorbitol, nutrasweet, sweet n low, etc. have been known to cause the big “D” in crohnies as well as headaches. A dietician at one of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America educational meeting was telling us about it and to avoid it b/c it aggravates the disease. She also mentioned that acidolphillus in yogurt will assist in digestion.

For more information check out their site for more updated topics. they have a live chat & hotline that is run by healthcare professionals M-F 9 am – 5pm (EST).

Q: Will my son have crohns if the father does?
I want to know that if i ever have a child with my current boyfriend, if the child will have crohns disease. My boyfriend has it and i do not.

A: While Crohns is hereditary..many that have Crohns has no family history. There is no yes or no answer to this question since doctors do not know for sure what even causing Crohns.

Q: I have Crohns Disease and would like to diet. Does anyone have any diet plans specifically for this?
I have Crohns Disease and seem to have put on about 4 stone due to having to take steriods on and off. I would like to diet but find that alot of diet plans focus mainly on fibre related products which I can’t eat. Can anyone help, please?

A: Cant help, but my advice would be to see your doctor and ask for a referral to a dietician.

The treatment for Crohns causes other health issues (like wiight), and these should also be addressed as part of the treatment.

Q: Why is alchohol bad for people with Crohns disease?
I have Crohns disease and always wondered why alchohol is bad for me. Whenever I drink, I get sick but I want to know why I get sick.

A: hi, as a fellow crohnie since the age of 12 I can tell you this: some of the medications used to treat this disease affects the liver. Mix alchohol with these medications & you are asking for trouble. Alchohol is known to irritate the gut thus, that is why it’s making you sick.

Ask your GI if you should be drinking & what meds don’t mix w/it. Also, check out the crohns & colitis foundation site. They have loads of information esp. on diet, meds, exercise, dating, women’s issues, surgery, plus you can even locate a local support chapter where you are so you can meet others like yourself.

Seriously, is it really worth all that pain and misery just to fit in or ease the pain?? Life is too short & dealing with this disease is a pain in the butt. (no pun intended)

Q: Is it safe to have a baby with somebody who has Crohns disease?
My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years and were thinking about trying for a baby. Does it matter that he has Crohns Disease? Can my baby get that?

A: Well genetics only explains part of the problem. People with Crohn’s are 10-20% likely to have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has it as well. There is a gene that has been linked to the disease, and it affects how the body reacts to certain microbes. There are also environmental and immune system influences, and nobody really knows the extent those play. Given the variability in how it affects people, and the 80-90% chance the child will not inherit a defective gene- if your boyfriend carries it – I would say the odds are highly in favor of a healthy baby. But if it really worries you, then you might consider genetic testing and counselling first, and then try to decide.

Q: So my friend was just diagnosed with Crohns disease?
They thought she had appendicitis and the removed her appendix. Now they found out she really has crohns..What does this mean? From personal experience preffereably! Not websites.
She is 15, 5′4″ and 95 if that helps at all!

A: Hi, im 24 M. I have crohns disease. For some this disease can be terrible and painful for others it can be a random issue. Crohns is basically a bad intestine..which can lead to nutritional deficiency (maybe make her shor, like me)… What does this mean…well if she catches it early and eats right possibly nothing. On the bad side she could have horrible stomach aches, kidney stones, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)……….I personally had 6 inches of my intestine removed because it got so swollen food couldn’t pass…i didn’t eat for two weak drank tons of ensure just to get enough calories to stay alive… After surgery I feel great a whole new lease on life!!!!! the only downfall i have IBS and have to go to the bathroom (diaria) at least 4 times a day… sucks when you have a GF and have to use her bathroom super embarrassing…..best of luck to your friend..friends are awesome when your going through ruff stuff so be there for her…

Q: can i get my crohns disease waived for the marines?
I have had crohns disease for about 5 years now I’m almost 17 and i haven’t had a flare up in 5 years or any type of pain i never take my meds. Can i get a wavier for the marines?

A: I doubt it, but you could ask at any recruiting site.

I don’t think they would look fondly on a Marine who suddenly had a flair up (after years without one) in the midst of his first real battle.

Q: If you have Crohns disease do you have to pay for prescriptions?
I have been told that there is a strong chance I have got Crohn’s disease and going for cam up for the third time in a couple of days. If it is confirmed I was wondering if I have to pay the prescription charges. My friend has Crohns and has lots of medication and will do for the rest of her life. I know she gets them free but not sure if all crohns disease sufferers do? Many thanks
sorry forgot to add im in uk

A: Chrohn’s disease is not included in the list of conditions that are granted exemption from prescription charges.

( These are ermanent fistulas (caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy etc), Diabetes, Hypoparathyroidism, Myasthenia gravis, Myxoedema, Epilepsy, requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy, Physical disabilities hampering mobility)

The best option is a yearly prepayment certificate.

Q: Is Crohnes Disease a medical disqualifier for the Coast Guard?
I want to apply to the Coast Guard Academy next year, but I have Chrones disease. I’m worried that that is going to medically disqualify me. I don’t have it as bad as a lot of other people and I’m on Pentasa to help prevent another flare up. I’ve only had one flare up and it was two years ago. Anybody have any answers?

A: Yes. The medical standard is below. And, despite the hope of another person who answered this question, I’m not a doctor. Just someone who did 13 years as a Navy Hospital Corpsman and retired as an officer in the Navy Medical Department in Health Care Administration.

Q: if you have crohnes disease, is it possable to get into the navy with a medical waiver?

A: Not sure…Crohnes was part of the reason I was Medically Retired from the Army after 13 years…having to go to the Latrine a lot is not good for the Military…but you can try…

Q: can you get into the navy sea cadet corp with crohnes disease?

A: The Sea Cadet program is run by the Navy League of the United States. It is not run by the Department of the Navy and is not a branch of the armed forces of the United States.

Q: What’s a good diet for Crohnes Disease?
My 30 year old son just came home from the hospital with this diagnosis and another appointment in a month.
No information at all.

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

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s website as they have updated information on diet, drug therapy, exercise, etc. There is also a live chat & a hotline you or he can call to speak to a healthcare expert.

There is also an open forum where you can post this question and get better answers from those who actually have this illness.

He can make an appointment w/a registered dietician at the hospital he was at as they deal with folks who are on special diets due to their illness.

I truly understand your concern as a parent. My folks went through the exact thing. Luckily, the local CCFA chapter helped educate them when I was being treated at 12 yrs. of age w/it.

Definitely check out CCFA’s site, find a local CCFA chapter near you, attend a meeting to meet others who have IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis), and have your son make an appt. to meet with a registered dietician to get some meal ideas.

best of luck to you both.

Q: can you get into the military with if you have crohnes disease?
i just have to take one pill a day or else ill get stomach aches and throw up, but i dont want that one little thing to ruin my future by keeping me out of the military

A: Crohn’s disease is disqualifying for enlistment or appointment.

Q: help for crohnes disease?
Hi, i have crohnes and none of the methods of treatment have helped. They want to just give me pain killers and tell me to walk it off since i rarely actually get a painful episode.

But recently its been about 2x a week i will go into excrutiating pain seemingly untriggered. I really want this to stop so i can continue working undisturbed. Its embarrasing having to go home saying your stomach hurts. (Which it does, but they dont seem to understand the magnitude of pain im about to experience)

My doctor is trying to do some tests blah blah

would you have any recomendations for now on how to help the pain?

I here that crohnes is a new type of disease with the possible connection to the chemicals and hormones in food now adays causing genetic faults during development. Should i stop eating meat?

A: My friend has Crohnes and she stopped drinking milk and eating dairy, she said it killed her when she was have icecream or a glass of milk. I wish I had better advice for you but you could try it. I suffer from IBS, which is similar so I can totally understand what you are talking about when it comes to the pain. It is embarrassing and it hurts so terribly, people really don’t understand the magnitude of the pain. I have cut out most of my diary and it has helped me as well. I also took up yoga and the stretching has really helped me. Hang in there. I am not sure about the meat…Red meat always messes me up though. It is so hard to digest and if I do eat a steak 2 days later I am in so much pain. I say, if it hurts just stop. Maybe try just poultry for awhile and see if there is a difference. Good luck, keep us all posted!

Q: crohnes.com?
Is anyone allergic to the medications and if so what have you found to help you keep your crohnes undecontrol?

A: glyconutrients have reversed this.

info on my page and blog roll.

Q: Will I get Crohnes Disease?
hi I was recently told that crohnes disease is a genetic one and my dad, my aunt, my grandma and loads of my cousins have it! Could you please tell me what the chances are of me getting this disease. Thanks

A: The causes of Crohn’s are not fully understood. There is a genetic element to its occurrence but this is not a simple case of genetic inheritance.

It is quite possible to have relatives with the disease and never develop it yourself.

If the disease is going to appear it will normally do so in early adulthood.

There is, at present, no way to predict if you will develop the condition but it is considered to be a rare condition so your chances of developing it are small.

Here is a link to an NHS website which will give you more information:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Crohns-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Q: my son was told he has mono rsv and crohnes.how long till hes well?

A: Sadly, if your son has Crohn’s (an autoimmune disease) he will never be rid of it. It will affect him for the rest of his life. Medication is available to treat infections and swelling of the intestines and will hopefully improve his quality of life. It will always be there though and inflammation recurrence is very possible.

Pairing that with the current case of mono and RSV, I’d say he won’t be well for quite sometime.

The mono can take months to recuperate from. When I had it, I was practically a zombie for 5 months. I had hepatitis (my liver was almost 3 times its normal size), strep throat, swollen lymph nodes, low-grade fever almost all the time and a rash that showed up due to the antibiotics for my strep. It took me that long to recover and I had no underlying conditions.

RSV is unfortunately something he’ll have to live through as well. It infects infants primarily and usually they are given high concentrations of oxygen to breathe (oxygen tent).

A doctor will prescribe a treatment regime to keep the Crohn’s in check. The mono can only be treated symptomatically and the RSV is a bad, lower respiratory illness that will probably runs its course in less than 2 weeks, due to your sons already weakened immune system.

During the next few months, ensure he is getting plenty of water to drink, tons of rest, that he is not participating in contact sports or strenuous activities. Serve a balanced diet with very little starch, salt, sugar, fat etc. Stick to lean meats, fruits and veggies as his digestive organs are very compromised right now and cannot process complex carbs or red meat very well. If he is feverish, give him a non-aspirin fever treatment. A humidifier at night may help to open the airways and improve breathing.

I truly hope that your son will be able to get through all of this with as little discomfort as possible.
Take care

Q: im 6 mths preg, and have had a operation for crohnes diease. one doctor is saying that i wld be better hving?
a c-section and another is saying have a normal birth? help this is my first child

A: Make sure that each doctor who gives you advice is fully aware of your condition with Crohn’s Disease. Ask each why he/she recommends the method they do and then tell them what the other doctor has said and ask why they are giving conflicting advice. Ask for another opinion.

During birth there is great pressure on the intestine and when they tell you to ‘push’ it is the same sensation as when you go to the toilet and are constipated. It is possible that the doctor who advises the section is aware of the problems that Crohn’s gives to the bowel and is worried about the birth causing damage.

My daughter (who does not suffer from Crohn’s) has two lovely children, one born naturally, the other by section and she has no preference.

I too suffer from a condition, that of Ulcerative Colitis and if you are in England you can contact NACC (National Association of Colitis and Crohn’s Disease Sufferers) who should be able to help.

Their address is

NACC
4 Beaumont House
Sutton Road
St Albans
AL1 5HH

If you would like to talk to someone who has personal experience of Colitis or Crohn’s Disease, then you can call the NACC-in-Contact Support Line which is open from 6.30 – 9.00 pm on Mondays to Fridays. The number for this service is 0845-1303344.

If you are in another country ask your doctor, the one who treats your Crohn’s, if there is a similar organisation you can talk to.

Good luck with the birth. If it’s a boy you could call him ‘Richard’ after me! (hahaha)

Q: does anyone with colitis or crohnes drink coffee?
i never drank coffee and started drinking about a half cup to see what would happen, because i couldn’t move my BM’s. i had tried EVERYTHING. i had a nice present later that morning and i’ve been regular since. i have spoken to 2 other people this week who weren’t coffee drinkers. one is about to die from her disease, she’s had her 3rd surgery to fix the hole for her bag, there’s nothing to work with. the other had the same experience as me. never drank coffee and once she started she had regular bm’s. she’s doing fine.

A: My hubby has UC and drinks a good bit of coffee. The thing is you kind of have to build up to it. When he was first diagnosed he didn’t drink that much of it, but now a couple of years later he has no problem with it.

Q: I’m really worried that my twin brother may have Crohnes Desease or Chronic Collitus.?
My 28 year old brother has been complaining of stomach discomfort and soreness for months now. I’m worried that he may have Crohns Desease. He is also having flu like body aches and feels shattered. He does not have diarriah or rectal bleeding…..but he has discomfort after food. He gets quite sore. He has a gastro-intestinal hospital test next week and I’m very worried that they may find something. It would kill me if my twin brother had some kind of bowel desease. I have been living with him for the last year and I have been a bit of stressful influence around him. I just hope that I have not contributed to a stressful environment for a desease to come on. He eats fairly healthy diet full of fibre etc and probiotic…….but he still is in sore discomfort in his stomach.

A: Hi Robin…..I do not know what could be causing your twin brothers stomach discomfort,him going to have tests done is the best things he can do right now.And as for you saying that you ‘feel’ that you might have made him prone to this medical condition?No way…..it is human nature for siblings to give each other stress,husband,wives,teacher,student,police,criminal……and so on……whatever is going on with your twin brother is of a medical contribution…And we ALL have stresses in our lives Robin…there is NO way to escape that part of our daily lives.I’m almost positive your twin will totally agree with me,and please do not waste all your time worrying that you ‘might’ have been the primary cause of your twin brothers medical problem.It might be nothing,then again it might be something.But I can almost guarantee that it is NOT of terrible significance,if it were he would already be in the hospital NOW.Please,please do not allow yourself to actually believe that you had anything to do with his medical problems Robin.You are brothers,twins at that,so stressing each other out is normal human behavior.I am happy that you love him soooo much,and that you care.he is lucky to have a brother like you Robin,and I wish him the very very very best next week.And I can almost bet that you are online looking up medical symptoms,and trying to figure out what is going on with your twin brother.And you must have read the word ’stress’ and also maybe you read that ’stress’ can cause certain illnesses.Right? …..I have a serious medical disease myself and it is also said that mental,emotional stress will make my disease much worse.But it did NOT cause my disease,and I try my best to control my mental stresses(not hard to do actually).I have alot to be thankful for Robin,so…..please don’t allow yourself to blame YOU for this,ok?I wish you both the very very best and good luck next week(I’m sure it is not a significant medical issue).Happy new year!!!

Q: PREDNISONE ;Been prescribed to take Prednisone for 28 days, am I at risk for serious side effects?
Just diagnosed with Crohne’s disease in the small bowel. My disease is a pretty mild case however. I am a very healthy young man and my only problem is severe cramping in the abdomen which occurs about once every 2 weeks. The Doctor prescribed me prednisone for a 28 day period (starting at 40mg a day to finally10mg). After reading some horror stories about this drug (moonface, withdrawl, acne, etc.), I am wondering if the cost out weighs the benefit. Can major side effects of prendisone happen after taking it for only 28 days? With a mild Crohnes, are there other ways to contol this disease without prednisone? Any insight about this drug would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

A: hey C. I was diagnosed in 1990 with Ulcerative Coliti s. My Doctor put me on prednisone to. I was up and down mg wise that is for all those years. Looking back now I can’t see what in the world of good it did for me. I got the chip-munk face, I had a problem with it making me very aggresive also. I had poor vision, legs would hurt, and they still ended up removing my entire large intestine before it was over. They did what they refer to as an ileoanl pull through surgery on me. I heard just recently they had made some major break-throughs with Crohns- I pray they have, because it is worse than U.C. although it wasn’t a thrill and I still suffer today with problems that will never go completly away. I was worried about the Prdenisone causing major bones problems for me, and they did a Bone Density and it came out good thank God. It can do some bone damage so you have to be watchful, If it’s just 28-days I wouldn’t worry to much . If it turns out that you have to be on it longer then you will see alot of things going on. I talked to alot Crohns patinets while I was really going through my sick stage with the U.C. so I feel for you and I hope this break through I heard about is true. Good Luck and God Bless you, I can really feel for you!!

Q: what is bruchettes disease?
i dont even know i thats how you spell it, but i know that it has to do with your gi tract, and is kinda like crohnes. if anyone can give me info on it that would be great.

A: Behcet’s is an auto-immune disease that most often attacks people in their 20’s or 30’s. It is rare in the U.S. but more common in Asian areas. No known cure; cortisone treatment used. Can be life threatening.

Q: stomach around my bellybutton , and back hurts ALL the time .?
since January I have been experiencing some horrible stomach pains.
I am a 15 year old girl, does anyone know what could cause this?
my best guess is crohnes disease.
my mom thinks it’s irretible bowel syndrome.
I got blood tests done , xrays.
I feel like the doctors have given up on me.
please help me, name all the possible things.
thanks in advance.
x janet.
I’m a virgin .

A: Definitely go see a doctor right away. If you think it is Crohn’s disease (which is the same as irritable bowel syndrome) try scheduling a colonoscopy, CT scan, or MRI. It is hard to see many things through x-rays.

If it turns out this is not the problem, another possibility might be that you have a large cyst/tumor in the lower abdominal area that is pushing on one of your organs causing the pain. The reason I am including this as a possibility is because I went through the exact same thing where I was feeling horrible stomach and back pains, and it turned out that I had a huge cyst surrounding my ovary and had to have it removed. In order to detect this you need to have a CT scan and an ultrasound done.

Do you go to the bathroom regularly? Your intestines may also be backed up and you might need to take some kind of laxative or have an enema done by a hospital.

If the pain is continuous and very strong definitely don’t hesitate to talk to different doctors about what the problem could be. Try going to an emergency or urgent care center instead of a doctor’s office. Definitely don’t let time pass by without you knowing what is truly wrong.

Q: crohns disease?
I am in so much pain. I have had numerous precedures done to find out that i had crohns disease. the docters have me on an anti-inflamitory and steriods and ant-acids so they said they may put me on more meds. the pain has only gotten more regular. I just want the pain to go away. they told me to stay away from dairy prducts too. i am just so sad and it hurts so much i am sick of docters and medication. they have me on a total of 98 pills a week. i just need some helpful information that maybe i have over looked

A: I am 37 and diagnosed with crohns when I was 13. It can control your life if you let it but I don’t let it. Like the last person said keep away from seeded items they are the worst. I have recently started remicade and am amazed at the great results I am getting. It is an iv drug you receive once a month. I was in a horrible flare up the last 3 years and was just put on Remicade in January 07 and have no pain or problems for the last two months and have been putting back on the weight I had lost(over 25 pounds). Ask your doctor about it and if he doesn’t want to try it see someone else who will. They give people with rheumatoid arthritis Remicade and they swear by it also, as it is basically a anti-inflammatory. Keep your spirit up and if someone thinks your grumpy, tell them they should try to walk a mile in your shoes, I bet they wouldn’t get around the block. Good luck.

Q: Crohns Disease?
Can anyone tell me a bit about Crohns Disease? My boyfriend was diagnosed with it about 6 years ago and doesnt take any medication for it, just has a healthy diet and seems fine in himself. Also we are trying for a baby and was wondering if the disease could lessen his chances of me conceiving? Honest answers please, thanks x

A: Crohns disease is a malabsorption syndrome affecting the colon and can cause, in the worst cases, a great deal of suffering, and recurrent episodes of hospitalisation.
It has no relation to fertility and there’s no necessary relationship to diet either, contrary to popular belief. Nor is it hereditary in the sense that it is genetically determined. However there is some evidence for the view that some patients are more susceptible to Crohns than others, by virtue of personality characteristics that, arguably, are learned within the family. (The typical sufferer – in the worst case – is young, male and emotionally ‘buttoned up’. For complex psychological and somatic reasons, it is the gut that keeps the ‘emotional score’ in life).
Having a diagnosis 6 years ago may imply some future susceptibility. But its not written in stone, and it is not a life sentence or a permanent disability. (Thankfully, people move on. And, hey! – they get WELL again!).
Technically, anyone who has had symptoms of ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ for 6 months or more, merits a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. And on a bad day I think that might cover about 15-20% of the UK population. So it pays to take an optimistic view of things in this life and focus on the approach that says that your ‘cup is half full’……
Be happy together.

Q: Crohns disease?
Hi, im just wondering if there is anyone else one here who has Crohn’s disease or knows someone close to them who is suffering from it. I am 13 and was diagnosed with crohns about 6 months ago, a few days before my thirteenth birthday. they diagnosed me with a colonoscopy & i was kept in the hospital for a week.

Also, what foods have you found bother you the most? For me, it seems to be greasy foods like mcdonalds, hamburgers, cheesburgers, hot dogs, seeds, and foods with a lot of fiber in them.
Ohh yeah i was put on a very bland diet for a while too. I had an ng tube and got my food from that, and i couldnt eat for 5 months. Then the put me on the tube for only 3 nights a week and slowly introduced me to bland foods like plain, broiled & boneless chick, white rice, and saltine crackers. I was in remission for about 4 months and now im not anymore, so im back to square one which pretty much sucks. And yeah, i lost a lot of weight because of it & i was underweight for a little but now im back to a normal weight.

A: I was diagnosed with Crohn’s five years ago, just before my 23rd birthday, but had been sick for several years (since middle school) before my colon finally perforated and the docs figured out what was wrong with me. I’ve spent lots (months and months) of time in the hospital and had several operations since my diagnosis and also did the NG tube thing for awhile, too. My Crohn’s affects my entire digestive tract and even the NG tube got a veto from my intestines this time around, so I’ve been on TPN (i.v. nutrition) constantly since January 2007, but also off and on the past few years. I understand the bland diet and how frustrating it is to keep starting over when you thought you had figured out the perfect diet or when you were excited to be eating “normal” foods again.

It sounds like you have taken time to really get to know about your disease and you seem to have a good handle on foods you can eat or not eat, but here’s some things that have worked for me in the past. Remember, everybody’s disease is different and you have to figure out what works for you:

When you’re sticking to liquids, I recommend Slim Fast – that sounds strange, but Slim Fast has about the same amount of fat and calories as Ensure or Boost and tastes much better. Some of the kids’ nutritional supplement drinks don’t taste too bad, either. And, if you can tolerate Boost or Ensure (yuck from me!!), go for it!! Gerber (yes, as in the baby food company) has a powdered electrolyte supplement you can add to your water bottle which tastes better than Pedialyte; it’s called LiquiLytes instant mix – I’m a fan of the apple and mixed fruit flavors. Other things to try to keep your nutritional status up are breakfast shakes (I buy the Walmart generic version, but think Nestle breakfast shakes type of product), milkshakes (if you can tolerate dairy products at all – great source of calories), and lots of beef/chicken broths. When I can handle something in my chicken broth, I find that the Campbell’s Chicken & Stars doesn’t cause as much cramping for me as the regular Chicken Noodle soup – probably because the noodles and meat chunks are much smaller. As I gradually add more bulky foods to my diet, I eat things like baby foods – the boxed powdered rice or mixed grain cereals are a great place to start and then I work up to some of the bottled custards and baby food dessert items. Remember that baby foods with meat and vegetables are still meat and vegetables and your intestines will not be fooled by the consistency! Once my diarrhea gets better or more under control, I try adding in things like oatmeal (think runny consistency), scrambled eggs (very bland), and similar items. Applesauce and jello (and saltines if you’re up for any solids at all) are always faithful standbys through any flare, but I personally can’t stand the sight of jello after awhile – luckily, there’s lots of flavor choices to keep some excitement in your bland diet life!

Crohn’s is rough, but we’re lucky (maybe not the best word?) to have it at a time when there’s lots of information and support available on the internet. There’s also lots of books with great information and I second (or third or fourth) the recommendation to connect with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. They have lots of great information and are a good link to support groups and other info. There was a very good link for teens (at least there was last spring when I last looked) on the CCFA website.

I’m a high school teacher, but I’ve taught middle school the past 4 years, and several students in my schools have been diagnosed with Crohn’s and the teachers have been wonderful. It’s been my experience that they (the teachers) may not know a lot about the disease, but most of the teachers immediately came to me to get as much information as they could and wanted to know everything I thought they could do to assist the students with Crohn’s. Even though it’s a yucky disease to discuss, don’t be afraid to answer questions your teachers ask, especially about how they can help (take those offers to use the bathroom whenever you need without asking and know that, even if you don’t right now, you’ll need them at some point). You don’t have to share all the gory details, but don’t be afraid to answer questions about Crohn’s, and specifically, about your Crohn’s (because it’s different for every single person).

I hope your Crohn’s decides to give you a break for awhile, but if it doesn’t (or even if it does), feel free to email me with any questions or to ask about anything you’d like to know. Hang in there! (I know, I hate it when people say that to me, too!)

Q: Crohns Disease is the Anal Gas Infestious Like a cough to People ?
A new friend , has Crohns Disease and has gas that’s really terrible ,is that gas? have a communicable infectious Disease that can spread to innocent bystanders ?
The smell hurt my nose and now i have a sore throat.

A: nope just unpleasant – my dog just farted and is now wafting it around with his tail

Q: What are the chances of getting the crohns disease?
Okay so my dads mom has the crohns disease and my mom has the crohns disease…what are the chances of me getting the crohns disease?

A: Funny thing about these inflammatory bowel diseases is that having a family history does increase your risks of getting the disease, but it’s not a very clear cut history. You do have an increased risk of getting it, but ironically enough, you also have an increased risk of developing ulcerative colitis, despite being a different condition.

Q: What are the symptoms of Crohns disease?
I was diagnosed 6 months ago with Crohns Disease. By the time of my diagnosis, my colon had already abscessed and perforated and I had to have surgery to remove 3 feet of my colon. What symptoms should I keep an eye out for in order to prevent this from going so far again?

A: Go to webmed.com there is all the info you need .Great site .

Q: What is the best Crohns disease medication?
My Cousin has crohns and just found out he is 30 years old and they are having trouble finding a good medication to treat it nothing seems to be working. we are all very worried about him. Please help and if you have crohns or know about it any advise on dealing with crohns disease would be greatly appreciated.Thank you for your time.

A: Depending on where their crohn’s is most active there are a few drugs to try.

sulfasalazine is a good choice if it is mostly the colon that is affected since it would localize the treatment effects to the colon… however, this is seldom all-inclusive w/ crohn’s.

infliximab is a good choice because it doesn’t have the bone marrow suppression side effects of methotrexate or azathioprine; however, it is REALLY expensive ($20,000/year).

There are lots of drug choices out there, but all are likely going to come with some pretty significant side effects. Drugs that slow cell proliferation (chiefly immune cells) and thus stop the inflammatory effects of the disease will suppress the immune response. Antibodies like infliximab will also block some immune function and leave the patient open to some infections.

I hope this helps. In the end, I hope you find a combination of drugs that works for them.

Q: Can walking pneumonia make somebody with Crohns disease die?
My grandmother who is 63 has had Crohns disease for about 30 years but is in relatively good health otherwise. She just caught walking pneumonia and I am terrified this will cause her Crohns to get worse and kill her. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.

A: No she shouldn’t die from it. I’ve had crohn’s for 21 years & i’ve had bronchitis before & it never affected my crohn’s. Walking pneumonia is a very mild form of pneumonia so your grandma should be fine.

Q: I have Crohns Disease and would like to diet. Does anyone have any diet plans specifically for this?
I have Crohns Disease and seem to have put on about 4 stone due to having to take steriods on and off. I would like to diet but find that alot of diet plans focus mainly on fibre related products which I can’t eat. Can anyone help, please?

A: Cant help, but my advice would be to see your doctor and ask for a referral to a dietician.

The treatment for Crohns causes other health issues (like wiight), and these should also be addressed as part of the treatment.

Q: Why is alchohol bad for people with Crohns disease?
I have Crohns disease and always wondered why alchohol is bad for me. Whenever I drink, I get sick but I want to know why I get sick.

A: hi, as a fellow crohnie since the age of 12 I can tell you this: some of the medications used to treat this disease affects the liver. Mix alchohol with these medications & you are asking for trouble. Alchohol is known to irritate the gut thus, that is why it’s making you sick.

Ask your GI if you should be drinking & what meds don’t mix w/it. Also, check out the crohns & colitis foundation site. They have loads of information esp. on diet, meds, exercise, dating, women’s issues, surgery, plus you can even locate a local support chapter where you are so you can meet others like yourself.

Seriously, is it really worth all that pain and misery just to fit in or ease the pain?? Life is too short & dealing with this disease is a pain in the butt. (no pun intended)

Q: Is it safe to have a baby with somebody who has Crohns disease?
My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years and were thinking about trying for a baby. Does it matter that he has Crohns Disease? Can my baby get that?

A: Well genetics only explains part of the problem. People with Crohn’s are 10-20% likely to have a parent, brother, sister, or child who has it as well. There is a gene that has been linked to the disease, and it affects how the body reacts to certain microbes. There are also environmental and immune system influences, and nobody really knows the extent those play. Given the variability in how it affects people, and the 80-90% chance the child will not inherit a defective gene- if your boyfriend carries it – I would say the odds are highly in favor of a healthy baby. But if it really worries you, then you might consider genetic testing and counselling first, and then try to decide.

Q: can i get my crohns disease waived for the marines?
I have had crohns disease for about 5 years now I’m almost 17 and i haven’t had a flare up in 5 years or any type of pain i never take my meds. Can i get a wavier for the marines?

A: I doubt it, but you could ask at any recruiting site.

I don’t think they would look fondly on a Marine who suddenly had a flair up (after years without one) in the midst of his first real battle.

Q: If you have Crohns disease do you have to pay for prescriptions?
I have been told that there is a strong chance I have got Crohn’s disease and going for cam up for the third time in a couple of days. If it is confirmed I was wondering if I have to pay the prescription charges. My friend has Crohns and has lots of medication and will do for the rest of her life. I know she gets them free but not sure if all crohns disease sufferers do? Many thanks
sorry forgot to add im in uk

A: Chrohn’s disease is not included in the list of conditions that are granted exemption from prescription charges.

( These are ermanent fistulas (caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy etc), Diabetes, Hypoparathyroidism, Myasthenia gravis, Myxoedema, Epilepsy, requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy, Physical disabilities hampering mobility)

The best option is a yearly prepayment certificate.

Q: is crohns disease a disease of the urinary system?
I know that crohns affects the digestive system but is it a disease of the urinary system.

A: no crohns disease does not effect the urinary system. i know because i had crohns disease and serious food alergies. i over came it with hard core meditation and prayer to god.

why do you ask?

and listen to francy, she explains it

Q: How do i tell my girlfriend I have crohns disease?
my girlfriend and I have been completely honest with each other but i just found out i have crohns disease and i dont know how shes going to take it

A: can you die from that disease or something.?
or will it affect your sexual relationship.?
it is just best to be honest with her.
since you have been doing that all along, it shouldn’t be that hard.
i mean, after all, it’s not something you can decide if you want it or not.

Q: what are some good foods that help alleviate Crohn’s symptoms?
My fiance has Crohn’s and I just recently found out that there might be foods that help his digestive tract. Any ideas?

A: As far as things he can safely eat without irritating his GI tract, there are foods to definitely avoid (colas, alcohol), but unfortunately, the rest of the diet ends up being trial and error.

My friend who was diagnosed with CD at 19 has had great success with just eating sensible, healthy foods, and, oddly enough, making his own yogurt.

I have heard a good deal about blueberries being beneficial for the GIT.

Q: What are your symptoms of Crohn’s Disease???
I have crohn’s disease but I have unnormal symptoms of it. Instead of having diarhea and pains, I am nauseas and weak all the time. What are your symptoms? Are they like mine?

A: My son was diagnosis with Crohn’s disease over 2 years ago. the doctor wanted to put him on Humira (after experimenting with several other drugs) which is anexpensive drug with life threating serious side affects. We did some research and wanted to take a new approach to combat His problem. This is what we found out. The liver is producing too much bile that is toxic to the digestive tract. The types of foods you need to eat are those that DO NOT create excessive acid or bile that help in digestion (simply put). The bile is normal unless it is in large quanity or toxic, the acid attacks the food as well as intestinal linings of your stomach
Your body is high in toxins that you need to remove and stop feeding into the problem by the foods you consume and an overactive liver.

1.) “Foods to eat” : water purified, fish, eggs, potatoes,rice, white bread,meat ground up fine or chewed well, skinless chicken cut fine, tortillas, broth, noodles plain with a little butter, plain yogurt with no extra ingredients, rice milk(rice dreams-Walmart) cherrios rice crispies or chex, and ‘most important’ 5x/day at each meal and as a snack, legume’s black beans, kidney, pinto, buttered,refried, with no lard or spices except salt to start. Goats milk(found in a can) Sunshine and D’3, Iron supplements(in moderation)
if you are anemic.
2.) “Foods to avoid!”: dairy!,milk (hard to digest a cow use 4 stomachs!) chips!,processed foods of any kind, soda ,msg,sugar,corn, corn syrup,corn sweeteners,wheat products,sweeteners of any kind, coffee, teas, cottage cheese,sauces, read the back labels (you are going to be surprised) for added ingredients any thing thats added, adds to your body’s toxic level. NO artificial sweeteners. foods that produce too much acid to break down the foods you eat. No alcohol of any kind (maybe someday).
3.) ‘Foods to eat’: in moderation after you stop bleeding and start gaining weight or are having no discomfort : fruits,salads,steak,venison, peanut butter or almond butter,oatmeal, A multi-vitamin with minerals with 100% RDA (not large dose’s of any multi. and 2x daily ,use shaklee as the bench mark for comparison ) of all of the B’s, hard cheese, soy milk,well cooked vegetables” Psyillium powder”.
The beans are a water soluble fiber that absorb bile and remove the toxins in your body,then the liver will produce more bile but less toxic(simplified for lack of space).
This is not an all inclusive list and your Doctor will disagree with the elimination of drugs, all removal of drugs should be done slowly if you decide to stop taking them, but they will add to your body’s toxic level as you continue take them. which will make your Crohn’s worse and make you susceptible to other more serious disease’s. I am not a specialist in any field or giving medical advice. I also hired KarenHurd.com at a fraction of the cost to teach my son to diet properly but you can go to her web site and get free information, but I recommend you pay her for a short time to get you healthy and on a routine faster. Stress will make it worst so exercise and relax. Most importantly Faith, Hope, and Prayer, you will get better. God is faithful what ever the results. E-mail me if you have any questions and I can help. I don’t know if you have crohn’s but changing your diet could help you and most of us in America because of the poor nutrition we unknowingly subject ourselves too.

Q: What are all of the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Just curious. No questions, just answer mine.

A: Crohn’s isn’t an infectious disease. The symptoms can vary from one person to another but the most common are abdominal pain, especially at the lower right quadrant and diarrhea. Other symptoms are skin disorders, fever, rectal bleeds, weight loss and arthritis.

Q: what are the symptoms of crohn’s?
I was wondering what the symptoms of crohn’s disease are? I’m wondering if I may have it.

A: hi, i am a crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. This is the most accurate information from the Crohn’s & Colitis website:

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon.

What Are the Symptoms?

Persistent diarrhea (loose, watery, or frequent bowel movements), crampy abdominal pain, fever, and, at times, rectal bleeding: These are the hallmark symptoms of Crohn’s disease, but they vary from person to person and may change over time. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss also may occur. However, the disease is not always limited to the GI tract; it can also affect the joints, eyes, skin, and liver. Fatigue is another common complaint. Children who have Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed growth and sexual development.

Some patients may develop tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas occur most commonly around the anal area. If this complication arises, you may notice drainage of mucus, pus, or stool from this opening.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Because Crohn’s is a chronic disease, patients will go through periods in which the disease flares up, is active, and causes symptoms. These episodes are followed by times of remission — periods in which symptoms disappear or decrease and good health returns. In general, though, people with Crohn’s disease lead full, active, and productive lives.

Types of Crohn’s Disease and Associated Symptoms

The symptoms and complications of Crohn’s disease differ, depending on what part of the intestinal tract is inflamed. That’s why it is important for you to know which part of your intestine is affected by Crohn’s disease. Your doctor may also refer to your illness by various names based on the principal area involved. The following are five types of Crohn’s disease, together with their presenting symptoms:

Ileocolitis: The most common form of Crohn’s, affecting the ileum and colon. Symptoms include diarrhea and cramping or pain in the right lower part or middle of the abdomen. Often accompanied by significant weight loss.

Ileitis: Affects the ileum. Symptoms same as ileocolitis. Complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in right lower quadrant of abdomen.

Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease: Affects the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea. Vomiting may indicate that narrowed segments of the bowel are obstructed.

Jejunoileitis: Produces patchy areas of inflammation in the jejunum (upper half of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain (ranging from mild to intense) and cramps following meals, as well as diarrhea. Fistulas may form.

Crohn’s (granulomatous) colitis: Affects the colon only. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and disease around the anus (abscess, fistulas, ulcers). Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohn’s than in others.
How is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?

There is no single test that can establish the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease with certainty. To determine the diagnosis, physicians evaluate a combination of information from the patient’s history and physical exam. They examine the results of laboratory tests, X-rays, and findings on endoscopy and pathology tests, and exclude other known causes of intestinal inflammation. X-ray tests may include barium studies of the upper and lower GI tract. Endoscopy tests may include flexible sigmoidoscopy and, sometimes, colonoscopy, which allow the doctor to directly examine the colon with a lighted tube that is inserted through the anus. During these tests, biopsies may be obtained. This procedure involves the removal of a small piece of tissue for closer analysis. It is important to make sure that an infection is not causing the patient’s symptoms, so one routine test is to examine the stool for harmful organisms. Because Crohn’s disease often mimics other conditions and symptoms may vary widely, it may take some time to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

CD is not deadly but the side effects of the treatments can affect the liver, pancreas, bloodwork, etc. That is why the GI will run monthly tests to make sure things are ok. There is no cure yet, but the newer treatments–Remicade, Humira, and Encort put the pt. in remission faster.

For more information, check out the sources I provided below. They have a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts and an open forum where folks with IBD (crohn’s or UC) can post questions to others who

Q: How long should a Crohn’s flare up last?
Diagnosed with Crohn’s Nov 12, 2007. Symptoms still persist. Is there such a thing as symptom free days? Will I always hurt, even if only minor symptoms persist. I’m not sure what are medicinal side effects and what are Crohn’s symptoms. I don’t feel any better than when I was released from the hospital. It’s been a month now.

A: hi chuck, once your GI finds a medication that works for you, you should start to feel better. I answered a previous post before that you had, so pls refer back to that.

I’d call the GI and tell him that you still feel lousy. Get in and see him again. This is what I do if things don’t get better.

As for the medical side effects and Crohn’s symptoms, call the GI’s office and ask his RN or better yet, I do this, call your pharmacist. They know the most when it comes to side effects of the medications. They can direct you as to whether or not it’s definitely a side effect of the drug you are on or if it’s a crohn’s symptom.

You can call the CCFA hotline and ask the same question. The healthcare professionals are well versed with IBD symptoms.

Are you on anything for pain management like Bentyl for spasms and Percocet for pain? You definitely should be on something for pain mgt. Demand it since you are suffering right now. email if you have questions. take care.

Q: Started Takara foot patches to detox from Crohn’s disease. I hadn’t had symptoms in months, now I am. Why?
Successfully used Takara detox foot patches to treat horrible TMJ pain. Nothing else helped for YEARS, including Dr’s, drugs, etc. I put the patches straight on my face and the back of my neck and they have cured my TMJ pain. They used to turn black, but they are not as much now. I decided to use them to detox my colon because, after years of having Crohn’s, I figured the build up of toxins should go. I put one patch on the bottom of my right foot on the meridian corresponding with the colon/intestines. I had not had Crohn’s symptoms in MONTHS, not even pain. Within FOUR hours of putting that patch on my foot, I was doubled over with Crohn’s pain right in the spot where it always is. I figured the patch was working, so I stupidly left it on for 4 more hours. I was sick for a week. I waited 2 weeks; tried again. I bought a less potent brand of patch and put it on for 4 hours. I had the same pain reaction, so I took it off. I didn’t want to get sick. Why is this happening?

A: Have you consulted with a physician or contact Takara to see what they say?

Typically during detox some old symptoms will come back, but it shouldn’t make you that sick. Perhaps there are other problems that you are not aware of?

Hope your situation gets better.

Q: If I have crohn’s and swine flu symptoms should I go to the doctor?
They started this morning with nagging cough, sore muscles, and a fever of 99 degrees which is now upward toward 100 degrees. What benefit would there be in going to the doctor? I don’t want to take tamiflu or anything because I have food allergies and don’t like taking stuff that has a lot of ingredients.

A: I would say, keep an eye on your temp. Do you have flu like symptoms? The main symptoms of Swine flu are just like regular flu fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose ,body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

The main emergency symptoms of swine flu are:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

I sometimes have fevers and sore muscles with my crohn’s. It’s because I had an infection. Also, some of the medicine we crohn’s people take weaken our immune systems, so we have to be very careful.

If you are very worried you can always go to the emergency room and have a quick test done.

Q: What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
My boyfriend has been to several doctors because he has symptoms similar to IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). But the last doctor he went to just basically said that he might have IBS but there’s no way to diagnose it and there’s nothing you can do about it anyway. But he gets such severe cramps and bloating (and gas) that I want to help him find a better doctor who can help.

What is the difference between Crohn’s disease and IBS? I have heard they are similar, but not sure. And for those who have IBS, is there anything you can do? Or medication that helps?

A: hi digital, i am a female crohn’s pt. dxed at the age of 12.
First, you bf needs to see a GI to test him to see if he has it.

Here is the information from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s site:
What Are the Symptoms?

Persistent diarrhea (loose, watery, or frequent bowel movements), crampy abdominal pain, fever, and, at times, rectal bleeding: These are the hallmark symptoms of Crohn’s disease, but they vary from person to person and may change over time. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss also may occur. However, the disease is not always limited to the GI tract; it can also affect the joints, eyes, skin, and liver. Fatigue is another common complaint. Children who have Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed growth and sexual development.

Some patients may develop tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas occur most commonly around the anal area. If this complication arises, you may notice drainage of mucus, pus, or stool from this opening.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Because Crohn’s is a chronic disease, patients will go through periods in which the disease flares up, is active, and causes symptoms. These episodes are followed by times of remission — periods in which symptoms disappear or decrease and good health returns. In general, though, people with Crohn’s disease lead full, active, and productive lives.

here is the ccfa link on diagnosing it:

http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/diagnose

Here is the difference between IBD (aka Crohn’s/ulcerative colitis) and IBS:

IBD versus IBS
Is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
No. Inflammatory bowel disease, including UC and CD, is different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unlike IBD, IBS does not cause inflammation, ulcers or other damage to the bowel. Instead, IBS is a much less serious problem called a functional disorder. This means that the digestive system looks normal but doesn’t work as it should. Symptoms of IBS may include crampy pain, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, diarrhea and constipation. IBS has also been called spastic colon or spastic bowel.

If you go to the ccfa site, you can find tons of information ranging from diet, the latest treatments, surgery, coping, to finding a local CCFA support chapter near you where you can share info w/others in the same situation. You can learn which GIs are the best in the area, which hospitals are noted of treating IBD pts., which medial facilities to avoid, hear guest speakers such as insurance reps, dieticians, MDs, drug company reps, etc. They also have a hotline and a live chat during the week which is run by health care experts plus they have a forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD.

Definitely get him in to see a GI. I can totally understand where your BF is coming from. I suffered when I was 12 and the pediatrician told my mom I was looking for attention….losing weight, not eating, low grade fever, bleeding, etc. His partner disagreed and got me in to see a GI who dxed me ASAP w/Crohn’s and put me on medication.

good luck to the both of you.

Q: Crohn’s disease symptoms?
Ever since I was sick in October (with flu-like symptoms) I’ve had horrible back pain and diarrhea very frequently. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t bend over or lift heavy things because the pain is so severe. I also have sudden urges to have diarrhea multiple times a day.
These are both symptoms that I know are associated with Crohn’s disease, but would it be possible to have Crohn’s disease without any weight loss? I’ve never had a lot of weight loss, in fact I’ve been the same weight for years.
Thanks!

A: Most common Crohn’s disease symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea. But these are non specific symptoms for Crohn’s, these could be any gastrointestinal disease. More specific to Crohns are fevers, loss of appetite, flatulence, etc.

More on Crohns symptoms:

http://www.journey-with-crohns-disease.com/crohns-symptoms.html

You don’t have to have all the symptoms to have Crohns. Sometimes patients with mild Crohns symptoms can go symptom free and the way to diagnose would be doing a series of blood tests, scans, etc.

Crohn’s or not you need to take care of your health, get some rest, do light excercise, take liquid multivitamins. Acupuncture is great.

I hope you feel much better, Inna

Q: Crohn’s disease symptoms and so forth?
My ex husband is saying he has stage 4 Crohn’s Disease…I have looked everywhere and can’t find anything over stages of this disease…I guess either you have it or you don’t…Cancer has stages not this disease from what I see…Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong…I want to know when you have this disease….What can you physically not do and so on because…He won’t pay child support and I’m taking him to court…I have proof the he goes shopping all the time and even hand washed three cars by hand…I was told he’s filing for disability…Yeah he sounds real sick…So please anything at all you know about this disease will be much appreciated…Thank you

A: Well the disease itself is debilitating or can be for some people. Many times people with Crohn’s have a hard time keeping a job depending on how many flare ups they have within the month.

There are no stages but his condition could be worse or better than someone else with Crohn’s. Usually in severe cases or even the debilitating cases, surgery will be required and part of the small intestine is removed and/or an Ostomy is placed.

Q: Does smoking marijuana help ease the pain in crohn’s disease?
I want to know if medical marijuana helps with the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease such as intestinal pain due to obsturction, bloating, flagulence, and etc. I also would like to know if it helps with physical symptoms like arthritis pains and scoliosis.

A: It helps with alot of pain – that is why they have medical marijuana. It helps aids victims gain weight and take pain away. They also give it to terminal cancer patients. I went to school with a girl who had bone cancer and her parents finally let her smoke it to ease the pain. It worked.

Q: Using a worm to help with crohn’s disease?
One of my coworkers told me that you could have (i think a tapeworm or roundworm) put inside you to help with the symptoms of crohn’s disease. Has anyone heard of this?

A: In a small study, and in cases where it did not respond to ther treatments, yes. http://www.altabates.com/health/healthinfo/reutershome_top.cfm?fx=article&id=19740

Consult with an MD who deals with many Chrohn’s patients. There are many treatment options and a specialist in this area is who you should be talking to!

Q: Anyone have crohn’s disease like symptoms but can’t be diagnosed?
I’ve been sick for the past 3 1/2 years. When I initially became ill, I lost 30lbs within a month. Everytime I ate I would get a fever, nauseus (dry heaving soon followed), cramps and diarhea. Followed by horrible muscle aches and a rash.

It’s better now, and I get flare ups like this every once in awhile, but struggle still with fevers, aches, and eating. I get terrible stomach aches and my right side swells right under my ribs which they thought was my galbladder but turns out not so.

Doctors say that they think it’s Crohn’s but can’t pinpoint the imflammation so they can’t diagnose or treat me, so they say I have “IBS/Crohn’s”.

Has anyone gone through this? Is there hope that I’ll grow out of this, or get diagnosed so I can be treated?

A: Oh man do I feel your pain!!! I went for 7 years without being diagnosed with Crohn’s, finally ended in the hospital for 10 days with a complete obstruction. Have you had a colonoscopy or small bowel follow through x-rays? If not and your dr. doesn’t want to, ask to be referred to a gastroenteroligist. If he or she still won’t, find a new dr. Having Crohn’s undiagnosed for a long period of time can be very dangerous!! You can email me if you need more info.

Q: Crohn’s disease?
I have crohn’s disease which in my opinion is under control, due to my specific carbohydrate diet. However, I have HUGE SUGAR cravings and I am constantly hungry and losing weight. Today I ate every hour and I’m not taking about little meals!!!!! I cannot stop having these cravings for sugar which I resist most of the time. However, when i start eating complex carbs again my crohn’s symptoms come back. Ohh yeah Iii’m bloated as well. Any one with the same symptoms?

A: I am a crohnie like yourself. I’ve had it since I was 12 yrs.old. Certain foods will cause your stomach to bloat so be sure to keep a food journal so you can figure out what’s causing your gas pain. Also, the SCD diet, from what a registered dietician told me, can cause the excess gas as well. you need to be eating a well balanced diet (if your gut can tolerate it). if you can’t eat raw, try steamed or even steamed to the point of mush so you can get the nutrients you need. don’t omit bread, pasta 100%. you can have toast in the AM w/juice an cereal..just don’t go overboard. you need protein in your diet such as fish, chicken, some red meat that is 90% fat free in order to gain the weight you are losing.

Also, you need to be under the care of a good GI who is well versed in IBD (inflammatory bowel disease–Crohns or UC). not all of the newer meds out there are bad. I am on 1 and I’ve been in remission for over 1 yr.

for more information check out the crohns and colitis foundation of america site noted below. you will find the latest info on medications, diet, surgery, coping skills, womens issues, local support chapters, etc.

Good luck to you.

Q: is my Crohn’s medication working ALREADY?
I’ve been put on methotrexate and sulphasalazine for my crohn’s symptoms, a week ago, I’ve had diarrhoea and sickness for almost a year, it got to the point i couldn’t cope with feeling ill, drained and weak any longer. I’ve been told it will take at least 3 weeks to start working, but after a week I already feel a bit better, it makes me dizzy the new meds, but somehow my ‘output’ is suddenly thicker (I have a stoma), can it be they are working so soon? I’m also on prednisolone and have been for over a month, but so far have only stopped the arthritic pains, the bowels stayed the same

A: It is possible, that is for sure.

Try to get off the pred ASAP…it destroys your bones. Ask your doctor to do a bone density study on you…if you have been on high doses.

Q: Crohn’s disease symptoms?
Ever since I was sick in October (with flu-like symptoms) I’ve had horrible back pain and diarrhea very frequently. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t bend over or lift heavy things because the pain is so severe. I also have sudden urges to have diarrhea multiple times a day.
These are both symptoms that I know are associated with Crohn’s disease, but would it be possible to have Crohn’s disease without any weight loss? I’ve never had a lot of weight loss, in fact I’ve been the same weight for years.
Thanks!

A: Most common Crohn’s disease symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea. But these are non specific symptoms for Crohn’s, these could be any gastrointestinal disease. More specific to Crohns are fevers, loss of appetite, flatulence, etc.

More on Crohns symptoms:

http://www.journey-with-crohns-disease.com/crohns-symptoms.html

You don’t have to have all the symptoms to have Crohns. Sometimes patients with mild Crohns symptoms can go symptom free and the way to diagnose would be doing a series of blood tests, scans, etc.

Crohn’s or not you need to take care of your health, get some rest, do light excercise, take liquid multivitamins. Acupuncture is great.

I hope you feel much better, Inna

Q: Crohn’s disease symptoms and so forth?
My ex husband is saying he has stage 4 Crohn’s Disease…I have looked everywhere and can’t find anything over stages of this disease…I guess either you have it or you don’t…Cancer has stages not this disease from what I see…Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong…I want to know when you have this disease….What can you physically not do and so on because…He won’t pay child support and I’m taking him to court…I have proof the he goes shopping all the time and even hand washed three cars by hand…I was told he’s filing for disability…Yeah he sounds real sick…So please anything at all you know about this disease will be much appreciated…Thank you

A: Well the disease itself is debilitating or can be for some people. Many times people with Crohn’s have a hard time keeping a job depending on how many flare ups they have within the month.

There are no stages but his condition could be worse or better than someone else with Crohn’s. Usually in severe cases or even the debilitating cases, surgery will be required and part of the small intestine is removed and/or an Ostomy is placed.

Q: Anyone have crohn’s disease like symptoms but can’t be diagnosed?
I’ve been sick for the past 3 1/2 years. When I initially became ill, I lost 30lbs within a month. Everytime I ate I would get a fever, nauseus (dry heaving soon followed), cramps and diarhea. Followed by horrible muscle aches and a rash.

It’s better now, and I get flare ups like this every once in awhile, but struggle still with fevers, aches, and eating. I get terrible stomach aches and my right side swells right under my ribs which they thought was my galbladder but turns out not so.

Doctors say that they think it’s Crohn’s but can’t pinpoint the imflammation so they can’t diagnose or treat me, so they say I have “IBS/Crohn’s”.

Has anyone gone through this? Is there hope that I’ll grow out of this, or get diagnosed so I can be treated?

A: Oh man do I feel your pain!!! I went for 7 years without being diagnosed with Crohn’s, finally ended in the hospital for 10 days with a complete obstruction. Have you had a colonoscopy or small bowel follow through x-rays? If not and your dr. doesn’t want to, ask to be referred to a gastroenteroligist. If he or she still won’t, find a new dr. Having Crohn’s undiagnosed for a long period of time can be very dangerous!! You can email me if you need more info.

Q: What are your symptoms of Crohn’s Disease???
I have crohn’s disease but I have unnormal symptoms of it. Instead of having diarhea and pains, I am nauseas and weak all the time. What are your symptoms? Are they like mine?

A: My son was diagnosis with Crohn’s disease over 2 years ago. the doctor wanted to put him on Humira (after experimenting with several other drugs) which is anexpensive drug with life threating serious side affects. We did some research and wanted to take a new approach to combat His problem. This is what we found out. The liver is producing too much bile that is toxic to the digestive tract. The types of foods you need to eat are those that DO NOT create excessive acid or bile that help in digestion (simply put). The bile is normal unless it is in large quanity or toxic, the acid attacks the food as well as intestinal linings of your stomach
Your body is high in toxins that you need to remove and stop feeding into the problem by the foods you consume and an overactive liver.

1.) “Foods to eat” : water purified, fish, eggs, potatoes,rice, white bread,meat ground up fine or chewed well, skinless chicken cut fine, tortillas, broth, noodles plain with a little butter, plain yogurt with no extra ingredients, rice milk(rice dreams-Walmart) cherrios rice crispies or chex, and ‘most important’ 5x/day at each meal and as a snack, legume’s black beans, kidney, pinto, buttered,refried, with no lard or spices except salt to start. Goats milk(found in a can) Sunshine and D’3, Iron supplements(in moderation)
if you are anemic.
2.) “Foods to avoid!”: dairy!,milk (hard to digest a cow use 4 stomachs!) chips!,processed foods of any kind, soda ,msg,sugar,corn, corn syrup,corn sweeteners,wheat products,sweeteners of any kind, coffee, teas, cottage cheese,sauces, read the back labels (you are going to be surprised) for added ingredients any thing thats added, adds to your body’s toxic level. NO artificial sweeteners. foods that produce too much acid to break down the foods you eat. No alcohol of any kind (maybe someday).
3.) ‘Foods to eat’: in moderation after you stop bleeding and start gaining weight or are having no discomfort : fruits,salads,steak,venison, peanut butter or almond butter,oatmeal, A multi-vitamin with minerals with 100% RDA (not large dose’s of any multi. and 2x daily ,use shaklee as the bench mark for comparison ) of all of the B’s, hard cheese, soy milk,well cooked vegetables” Psyillium powder”.
The beans are a water soluble fiber that absorb bile and remove the toxins in your body,then the liver will produce more bile but less toxic(simplified for lack of space).
This is not an all inclusive list and your Doctor will disagree with the elimination of drugs, all removal of drugs should be done slowly if you decide to stop taking them, but they will add to your body’s toxic level as you continue take them. which will make your Crohn’s worse and make you susceptible to other more serious disease’s. I am not a specialist in any field or giving medical advice. I also hired KarenHurd.com at a fraction of the cost to teach my son to diet properly but you can go to her web site and get free information, but I recommend you pay her for a short time to get you healthy and on a routine faster. Stress will make it worst so exercise and relax. Most importantly Faith, Hope, and Prayer, you will get better. God is faithful what ever the results. E-mail me if you have any questions and I can help. I don’t know if you have crohn’s but changing your diet could help you and most of us in America because of the poor nutrition we unknowingly subject ourselves too.

Q: Crohn’s disease and symptoms?
I have CD and was wondering about some of the sores in the mouth and was also wondering if people gets sores on their genital form CD.

A: I’ve had CD (diagnosed) for 16 years. The mouth sores are called aphthous ulcers. Talk to your gastro about “swish and swallow” mouthwash/medicine for those.

You can also get sores around the genitals, as well as sores on the extremities.

A great resource to talk to people and ask questions about crohn’s disease is the IBD Sucks forum. The people there have the disease, and can talk to you about how the disease might affect you.

http://qurlyjoe.bu.edu/webx?14@31.pos1eHQPmc8^1@/

Q: What are all of the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease?
Just curious. No questions, just answer mine.

A: Crohn’s isn’t an infectious disease. The symptoms can vary from one person to another but the most common are abdominal pain, especially at the lower right quadrant and diarrhea. Other symptoms are skin disorders, fever, rectal bleeds, weight loss and arthritis.

Q: Started Takara foot patches to detox from Crohn’s disease. I hadn’t had symptoms in months, now I am. Why?
Successfully used Takara detox foot patches to treat horrible TMJ pain. Nothing else helped for YEARS, including Dr’s, drugs, etc. I put the patches straight on my face and the back of my neck and they have cured my TMJ pain. They used to turn black, but they are not as much now. I decided to use them to detox my colon because, after years of having Crohn’s, I figured the build up of toxins should go. I put one patch on the bottom of my right foot on the meridian corresponding with the colon/intestines. I had not had Crohn’s symptoms in MONTHS, not even pain. Within FOUR hours of putting that patch on my foot, I was doubled over with Crohn’s pain right in the spot where it always is. I figured the patch was working, so I stupidly left it on for 4 more hours. I was sick for a week. I waited 2 weeks; tried again. I bought a less potent brand of patch and put it on for 4 hours. I had the same pain reaction, so I took it off. I didn’t want to get sick. Why is this happening?

A: Have you consulted with a physician or contact Takara to see what they say?

Typically during detox some old symptoms will come back, but it shouldn’t make you that sick. Perhaps there are other problems that you are not aware of?

Hope your situation gets better.

Q: What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease?
My boyfriend has been to several doctors because he has symptoms similar to IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). But the last doctor he went to just basically said that he might have IBS but there’s no way to diagnose it and there’s nothing you can do about it anyway. But he gets such severe cramps and bloating (and gas) that I want to help him find a better doctor who can help.

What is the difference between Crohn’s disease and IBS? I have heard they are similar, but not sure. And for those who have IBS, is there anything you can do? Or medication that helps?

A: hi digital, i am a female crohn’s pt. dxed at the age of 12.
First, you bf needs to see a GI to test him to see if he has it.

Here is the information from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s site:
What Are the Symptoms?

Persistent diarrhea (loose, watery, or frequent bowel movements), crampy abdominal pain, fever, and, at times, rectal bleeding: These are the hallmark symptoms of Crohn’s disease, but they vary from person to person and may change over time. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss also may occur. However, the disease is not always limited to the GI tract; it can also affect the joints, eyes, skin, and liver. Fatigue is another common complaint. Children who have Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed growth and sexual development.

Some patients may develop tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas occur most commonly around the anal area. If this complication arises, you may notice drainage of mucus, pus, or stool from this opening.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Because Crohn’s is a chronic disease, patients will go through periods in which the disease flares up, is active, and causes symptoms. These episodes are followed by times of remission — periods in which symptoms disappear or decrease and good health returns. In general, though, people with Crohn’s disease lead full, active, and productive lives.

here is the ccfa link on diagnosing it:

http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/diagnose

Here is the difference between IBD (aka Crohn’s/ulcerative colitis) and IBS:

IBD versus IBS
Is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
No. Inflammatory bowel disease, including UC and CD, is different from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unlike IBD, IBS does not cause inflammation, ulcers or other damage to the bowel. Instead, IBS is a much less serious problem called a functional disorder. This means that the digestive system looks normal but doesn’t work as it should. Symptoms of IBS may include crampy pain, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, diarrhea and constipation. IBS has also been called spastic colon or spastic bowel.

If you go to the ccfa site, you can find tons of information ranging from diet, the latest treatments, surgery, coping, to finding a local CCFA support chapter near you where you can share info w/others in the same situation. You can learn which GIs are the best in the area, which hospitals are noted of treating IBD pts., which medial facilities to avoid, hear guest speakers such as insurance reps, dieticians, MDs, drug company reps, etc. They also have a hotline and a live chat during the week which is run by health care experts plus they have a forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD.

Definitely get him in to see a GI. I can totally understand where your BF is coming from. I suffered when I was 12 and the pediatrician told my mom I was looking for attention….losing weight, not eating, low grade fever, bleeding, etc. His partner disagreed and got me in to see a GI who dxed me ASAP w/Crohn’s and put me on medication.

good luck to the both of you.

Q: Crohn’s and Marijuana?
I heard from some people and websites that Crohn’s Disease symptoms can/may be eased through Marijuana use.
Is this true?
I mean, can anyone on here tell me if they do better smoking pot?

A bill legalizing medical marijuana may be passed in NJ soon and i would like it to because if marijuana eases my pain and nausea, i want it as medicine.

A: yes here in massachusetts they have decriminalized pot and now just made it a fineable offense, like a speeding ticket.

i have heard that marijuana can ease several diseases, and you should look into that for more information.

Q: What makes IBS so different to Crohn’s disease or Coeliac, symptom wise?
I’ve had IBS for 22 years and was diagnosed without any internal examinations when I was 14. I have always suffered bad cramps, bloatedness, food intolerances and just wondered if anyone knows if there are many differences between the conditions?

A: coeliac is an intolerance to gluten found in wheat products, it can be diagnosed by blood test, crohns is immune system disorder l causing ulcers pain and bleeding in the bowel again can be identified by blood test. ibs is usually diagnosed when nothing else can be found, i would suggest u go to doctor and get them to refer u to a consultant so an y other diseases can be ruled out. u then need advice on how to deal with the ibs if thats what it is.

Q: Does smoking marijuana help ease the pain in crohn’s disease?
I want to know if medical marijuana helps with the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease such as intestinal pain due to obsturction, bloating, flagulence, and etc. I also would like to know if it helps with physical symptoms like arthritis pains and scoliosis.

A: It helps with alot of pain – that is why they have medical marijuana. It helps aids victims gain weight and take pain away. They also give it to terminal cancer patients. I went to school with a girl who had bone cancer and her parents finally let her smoke it to ease the pain. It worked.

Q: Crohn’s Disease and recent painful symptoms?
I’ve had Crohn’s disease over half my life so I pretty much know how to deal with certain problems but lately they’ve been pretty bad.

I’d say for about the past month I’ve been getting bloated over foods that would generally have no effect on me. So I’ve been trying to avoid salt. Also, I’d say about the last week, no matter what I eat, it goes straight through me. And it can be anything from dairy to bread. (I rarely include any kind of dairy in my diet. I use soy, rice, and hemp alternatives.) I found rice milk is easier on my stomach than hemp or soy, but like I said, the last two weeks it has been with anything I eat. I made vegetarian food with my friend tonight thinking I might feel better than I do when I eat out, but no change. Also, sometimes the bloating gets so bad I cannot stand. Once, a few months ago, I had bloating so bad, I had to leave work. I went home crying and feeling nauseous. Now, it hasn’t gotten that bad lately, but I know the potential to become that ill is always there.

I was just wondering if anyone has any routines or remedies they follow. I drank some peppermint tea a little bit ago with two teaspoons of sugar, hoping it would settle my stomach. I think next cup I’ll make it sans sweetener.

If anyone has any suggestions they know from experience that work, I would love to hear them.

A: hi nikki, I am a female crohn’s pt. since age 12. I truly understand the gas pain problem as I’ve gone through it many times.

Have you tried Beano? It helps alleviate gas while you are eating. Have you talked to your GI about trying out the newer treatments to get the symptoms under control? Humira, Remicade, and Entocort are the latest ones that most docs use as Asacol doesn’t work on most patients and steroids have too many serious side effects after using them for many yrs.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site. They have some great information ranging from diet, surgery, women’s isssues, problems with gas, how to deal with pain, as well as a live chat & hot line run by healthcare experts well versed in IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis). There is also an open forum where you can post this question to others who have Crohn’s. Give it a shot and see what they say.

You will get more answers on CCFA’s site as there are many folks with IBD who can truly relate to what you are dealing with than here.

Definitely look into it. I hope you feel better. Also, give your GI a call. He can assist you with the nausea, bloating, and the food not being properly absorbed in your body. Feel better. My heart goes out to you.

Q: Using a worm to help with crohn’s disease?
One of my coworkers told me that you could have (i think a tapeworm or roundworm) put inside you to help with the symptoms of crohn’s disease. Has anyone heard of this?

A: In a small study, and in cases where it did not respond to ther treatments, yes. http://www.altabates.com/health/healthinfo/reutershome_top.cfm?fx=article&id=19740

Consult with an MD who deals with many Chrohn’s patients. There are many treatment options and a specialist in this area is who you should be talking to!

Q: Can someone tell me if my partner has crohn’s disease?
My partner suffers from IBS and cannot eat gluten or dairy products because of it. Also I have noticed he always seems to feel run down and unwell even though he has a relatively easy life with little stress. He suffers badly from mouth ulcers and constantly has a runny nose. A friend of mine who suffers from Crohn’s said these are all symptoms of the disease but could it be something else that I am missing?

A: I B S is only diagnosed when they cant find what is causing the trouble,it has no consistent symptoms and if you are prepared to accept that ,also does not progress to worse symptoms Digestive problems are the worst to diagnose and often the true cause is only found when its to late to do anything about it,or on post mortem after death.If your partner is feeling worse keep going back until they find the true cause

Q: what are the symptoms of crohn’s?
I was wondering what the symptoms of crohn’s disease are? I’m wondering if I may have it.

A: hi, i am a crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. This is the most accurate information from the Crohn’s & Colitis website:

What is Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although it can involve any area of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, it most commonly affects the small intestine and/or colon.

What Are the Symptoms?

Persistent diarrhea (loose, watery, or frequent bowel movements), crampy abdominal pain, fever, and, at times, rectal bleeding: These are the hallmark symptoms of Crohn’s disease, but they vary from person to person and may change over time. Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss also may occur. However, the disease is not always limited to the GI tract; it can also affect the joints, eyes, skin, and liver. Fatigue is another common complaint. Children who have Crohn’s disease may suffer delayed growth and sexual development.

Some patients may develop tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin. Fistulas occur most commonly around the anal area. If this complication arises, you may notice drainage of mucus, pus, or stool from this opening.

Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Because Crohn’s is a chronic disease, patients will go through periods in which the disease flares up, is active, and causes symptoms. These episodes are followed by times of remission — periods in which symptoms disappear or decrease and good health returns. In general, though, people with Crohn’s disease lead full, active, and productive lives.

Types of Crohn’s Disease and Associated Symptoms

The symptoms and complications of Crohn’s disease differ, depending on what part of the intestinal tract is inflamed. That’s why it is important for you to know which part of your intestine is affected by Crohn’s disease. Your doctor may also refer to your illness by various names based on the principal area involved. The following are five types of Crohn’s disease, together with their presenting symptoms:

Ileocolitis: The most common form of Crohn’s, affecting the ileum and colon. Symptoms include diarrhea and cramping or pain in the right lower part or middle of the abdomen. Often accompanied by significant weight loss.

Ileitis: Affects the ileum. Symptoms same as ileocolitis. Complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in right lower quadrant of abdomen.

Gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease: Affects the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea. Vomiting may indicate that narrowed segments of the bowel are obstructed.

Jejunoileitis: Produces patchy areas of inflammation in the jejunum (upper half of the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain (ranging from mild to intense) and cramps following meals, as well as diarrhea. Fistulas may form.

Crohn’s (granulomatous) colitis: Affects the colon only. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and disease around the anus (abscess, fistulas, ulcers). Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohn’s than in others.
How is Crohn’s Disease Diagnosed?

There is no single test that can establish the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease with certainty. To determine the diagnosis, physicians evaluate a combination of information from the patient’s history and physical exam. They examine the results of laboratory tests, X-rays, and findings on endoscopy and pathology tests, and exclude other known causes of intestinal inflammation. X-ray tests may include barium studies of the upper and lower GI tract. Endoscopy tests may include flexible sigmoidoscopy and, sometimes, colonoscopy, which allow the doctor to directly examine the colon with a lighted tube that is inserted through the anus. During these tests, biopsies may be obtained. This procedure involves the removal of a small piece of tissue for closer analysis. It is important to make sure that an infection is not causing the patient’s symptoms, so one routine test is to examine the stool for harmful organisms. Because Crohn’s disease often mimics other conditions and symptoms may vary widely, it may take some time to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

CD is not deadly but the side effects of the treatments can affect the liver, pancreas, bloodwork, etc. That is why the GI will run monthly tests to make sure things are ok. There is no cure yet, but the newer treatments–Remicade, Humira, and Encort put the pt. in remission faster.

For more information, check out the sources I provided below. They have a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts and an open forum where folks with IBD (crohn’s or UC) can post questions to others who

Q: DIet + Crohn’s?
I’ve been living with Crohn’s for about 5 years now (diagnosed for about 2) and I have been religious about taking my pills. 2 lialda in the the morning and my librax whenever I get pain.

I just feeling like I should be doing more with my diet to help though. I don’t ever eat peppers. If I eat more than 1 piece of shredded lettuce I beat myself up. And I try my best to have small meals, though its hard to do when the cafeteri on my campus is 1/2 mile walk away and my meal plan gives me 2 meals a day.

What else could I be doing? I heard something about hot and cold foods? Is there anything else I should avoid or do more often?

A: Every body have their own triggers what one person can eat another one can not.

Talk to the people at your school and get a doctors note if necessary. about small meals it is the amount of food that should concern them not the amount of times you eat.

if they will not let you do that
are you aloud to take some of the food to your room??

if so get a combination of cold and hot foods (make sure that they will not go bad)

or at the very least go to a food store and buy healthy snacks so you can eat the way you should.

I would also keep a journal keep track of what foods you are eating and how they effect you.

keep track of how you are feeling and how many b.m’s a day you are having and all of that good stuff
it really helps when you go and see your doc when he asks you how are you doing?? you know bring the book with you.

you may also find out that you can not eat some food when you are under stress that you can normally.

foods that are high in fibre tend to help.
as fibre soaks up the excess water in your bowel.

there are some herbs that can help if you want a list please feel free to email me
but I would take it over with your doc first before you try any of them.

just remember what works for one does not work for another.

Q: What is the best diet for crohn’s disease or IBS?
If you have recipes or “tricks” on what helps the gut… please let me know.

A: Plain foods, no spice.
No fried foods.
Yougurt to maintain the healthy balance
Stay away from things that constipate as well

Q: What is the best diet for Crohn’s disease and why?

A: hi psy, I am an actual crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. Diet will vary in each person as their digestive system is affected differently by the illness. One person may be able to tolerate fresh fruits and veggies while the other can only tolerate steamed or mashed fruits and veggies.

If you check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site, they have all of the information you need ranging from diagnosing IBD, how it’s treated with newer drugs, diet info, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is even an open forum where you can post this question to others who have Crohn’s.

Another suggestion is to set up an appt. with a dietician at the hospital you most frequent. They deal with specialized diets in people who have a variety of illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, IBD, etc. and need a special diet in order to maintain proper nutrition.

Definitely check out CCFA. All of their information is accurate and up to date. The forum is great as well. You will meet so many others like yourself.

Q: What would be a good healthy diet for someone with crohn’s?
I have crohn’s disease and it is hard for me to eat anything that has a lot of fiber in it, like steamed vegetables, raw vegetables, cereals, etc. So my diet mainly consists of carbs and meat. Along with this not so varitable diet and my treatments I am gaining a lot of weight. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can maintain a healthy diet and lose some weight without causing a flare up?

A: Most folks with crohn’s find that a gluten free diet eliminates many symptoms. I know you feel like you don’t want to cut out MORE foods, but I highly suggest you give a high saturated fat (especially from virgin coconut oil) diet a good trial. You might also want to try chia seeds, they are high fiber but the fiber is encased in a gel sack that makes it easier on the digestive system.

Nearly 6 years ago, I started Atkins low carb way of eating to just quit gaining weight. I had to get my out of control appetite under control. I never imagined I could LOSE weight without hunger or exercise, since I’ve become disabled. I never bothered weighing or measuring til I’d noticed that my clothes got huge quick. When my health improved dramatically also, I knew this was my new way of life and since it’s eat all you want (of low carb foods) I know I can do this for life.

My personal carb level is low. I am older & disabled & don’t move much (or cook much) but I eat all I want of meats, eggs, cheeses, yogurt, fats, green vegetables, almonds, berries, flax seeds, chia seeds, shirataki noodles and other foods. Someone active would have a MUCH higher carb level & can usually include all fruits, beans, whole grain products but not sugar & highly refined carbs in unlimited amounts. As long as you have <9grams carbs per hour, you will maintain insulin control & shouldn't gain weight, no matter the calories.

Most overweight & obese people have blood sugar & insulin dysfunctions and can NEVER eat carbs as someone with a functioning body can. They make the mistake of going back to the way of eating that made them fat and that is not possible and yes they will gain all weight back if they eat what they ate that made them obese originally. Insanity is defined as doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way and expecting different results. Many people can return to moderate carb levels but very few can really eat all they want of sugar & maintain weight or health.

You can lose more body fat eating protein & fat (don’t eat protein alone) than not eating AT ALL. To lose weight fast, eat all you want, but nothing but meat, eggs, healthy oils, mayo, butter & half an avocado a day (for added potassium). Keep the calories high & the fat percentage high, at least 65% of calories. Green vegetables & some cheese will continue weight loss but at a slower pace.

The first 2 weeks eat several cups a day of (mostly) lettuce & celery, cucumbers, radishes, mushrooms, peppers & more vegetables thereafter – add 5 grams per day additional every week (20 grams day first 2 weeks, 25grams 3rd week, 30grams 4th week etc) til you gain weight, then subtract 10grams. That will be your personal carb level (everyone is different & depends on how active you are.)

Start with meat, fats & salads for 2 weeks and then slowly add in more green veg, wk4 fresh cheeses, wk5 nuts & seeds, wk6 berries, wk7 legumes, wk8 other fruits, wk9 starchy veg, wk10 whole grains. You will learn how your body reacts to different foods.

The body won’t release fat stores if you lower calories below what it needs. It will slow metabolism to compensate & store every spare ounce as fat. If you continue lowering calories, it will continue lowering the set point, til it can survive off nothing & store fat on anything. The body will only release it’s fat stores if it knows there is plenty of nutritious food.

Eating carbs while trying to lose body fat is terribly inefficient. When in glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) you have to lower your calories (which slows your metabolism) & exercise heavily to deplete your glycogen stores before burning body fat.

The core of Atkins program is converting the body from glycolysis (burning glucose as fuel) to ketosis (burning fat as fuel). Dietary fat levels need to be at >65% of total calories, if not, the body will still remain in glycolysis by converting 58% of excess protein into glucose (via gluconeogenesis).

It takes minimum of 3 days to convert a body to ketosis, (but only one bite to convert back to glycolysis). People feel sluggish the first week but most feel better than ever thereafter.

Simple carbohydrates (sugar, flour, bread, cereal, pasta, potatoes, rice) trigger insulin, the only fat storage hormone. Protein releases the fat burning hormone glucagon.

High insulin levels promote inflammation, weight gain, hunger & unbalance other hormones. Controlling insulin levels will balance out other hormones & allow human growth hormone (HGH) to be produced naturally so lean muscle will be gained even without exercise.

Q: Brother with Crohn’s – diet and alchol?
My brother has bad Crohn’s and still drinks alchol. How bad is this for him?
Also he is having to take about 140 pills a week – is this a normal quantity.

A: Drinking is not good for anyone with Crohn’s disease, especially if his medication includes a antibiotic medicine. Crohn disease patients may suffer from dehydration and depression, so this may be why he drinks. Drinking dehydrates the body, so drinking is making his disease worse. Tell your brother that he is hurting himself by drinking.

Q: Crohn’s Disease- Diet?
Heyo, my question relates to the diet of Crohn’s disease patients, I have Crohn’s disease myself, and find that I can eat basically any food and it doesn’t really cause a flare up of any sort. However, every few months I’ll get a flare up from hell! because of this, its very hard to pinpoint what foods actually cause the flare ups, so i was wondering, is there….
1. Any possible ideas of how to pinpoint the cause of flare ups
2. Any particular foods known to cause flare ups
3 Lastly, if there is any correlation with stress and flare ups.

Anywho, thanks for the time
All the best
-Anthony

A: hi anthony, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Definitely check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site as it has great information on diet, stress, surgery, latest treatments, a live chat and a hotline run by health experts. There is an open forum where you can post questions to others who have Crohn’s and can honestly answer your concerns as they are/have been in your shoes.

Also, start a food diary and jot down what you ate, how you felt during and after you ate. If you had to run to the bathroom asap due to the big “D” or if you had the big “C” afterwards. I learned that from attending a local CCFA support group meeting. The member was the wife of a local physician and she has UC.

Look into attending a local meeting as well as the educational meetings in your area as some of the speakers are also patients themselves. I’ve already heard drug reps., insurance reps, dieiticians, and even local GI surgeons speak. Well worth educating yourself by attending these free events. best of luck to you.

Q: Diet for Crohn’s disease?
We’re having a friend with Crohn’s disease over for dinner tonight, and I want to make sure I don’t cook anything that will make her sick. Long story…but she doesn’t know that we know she has this disease, and I don’t feel comfortable bringing it up with her.

Is there anyone out there living with the disease, or who knows about it and can fill me in?

Also, does this menu sound OK – all I know about the disease is that sufferers should avoid spicy food:

grilled chicken marinated in lemon, olive oil, thyme
sauteed asparagus and snow peas
white rice

I am trying to keep it as neutral as possible. Thanks!

A: It’s hard to say, since you can’t ask her and you don’t know the details of her condition, but it should be fine. I have Crohn’s disease and grilled chicken and white rice are some of my “safety foods” and I have never heard of anyone having problems with them, or read anything about problems with them. The one hangup could be that if she’s on a low-residue diet for a stricture (narrowing of intestines, which is common with Crohn’s), then she may need to only eat vegetables that are very well-cooked, almost mushy. (And some vegetables shouldn’t be eaten at all on a low-residue diet.) This could be done by steaming or baking the vegetables. But it’s very kind for you to be considerate, and I would just cook the meal and not worry about it and if she chooses not to eat something (because she’s not supposed to), just don’t mention it and offer her more of the other foods she can eat.

Q: A Diet for Crohn’s Disease?
One of my best friends has Crohn’s. He cannot eat raw foods, such as: vegetables, fruits and nuts. He also has trouble with dairy and some starchy-carbs. Such foods cause “flare-ups” of his Crohn’s. Pretty much the only food he has no trouble digesting is meat.

What kind of recipes can be prepared for him?

A: hi marci, I am a crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. Basically, it is a crap shoot as to what crohnies can eat and what they have to avoid.

If you check out the Crohn’s & Colitis foundation’s site, they have information on diet, the latest treatments to get it into remission, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is also an open forum where patients and their family/friends can post questions to others who have IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis) to get answers.

CCFA has a bookstore with books on diets for IBD patients. I have the American Dietetic Association guide to better digestion by Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD. It is my bible because it explain in easy to understand language what happens to the body when the illness flares, gives the patient the big “D” or big “C” and what foods are best to eat during these times.

Definitely check out CCFA’s site and look into getting the book from your local library. Also, post this question on the open forum as you will get better answers there than on YA because those folks have actually gone through what your friend is dealing with and won’t give you false information.

I hope he feels better.

Q: Crohn’s disease diet question?
Can you recommend some good websites to find out more information on this topic? My husband has crohn’s and is having awful flare ups and needs to get on a diet of some sort. Thank you in advance.

A: hi arj, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Diet alone will not get it into remission. He needs to be put on one of the newer treatments such as Entocort, Remicade, or Humira. He should be eating foods though that will not aggravate his gut when he feels lousy.

For more information, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site. They have stuff on diet (what to eat when flaring), surgery, the latest treatments, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts well versed in IBD. There is also an open forum where you can post questions to others who have Crohn’s. Family members are encouraged to check out the site to educate themselves on what pts. have to deal with daily.

Definitely ask your husband’s GI if he can be on one of the newer treatments and take something for pain as we are entitled to be made comfortable when out of remission. I hope he feels better.

Q: What should people with Crohn’s Disese avoid in terms of diet?
I have just been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disese (Age 17) and have just started the drugs for it. I am wondering if there are certain foods in particular to avoid to get symptons down (i.e. bloatiness). I am quite fussy anyway and my diet basically consists of bread, dairy, broc, potatoes, cereal, fruit squirtz, chicken, potatoes and noodles. Any suggestions?

A: The best thing is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, but it is VERY restrictive. SOme will say to say away from dairy, some certain bacterias, some gluten. During a flare-up stay away from anything thats an irratant (salad, spicy food, alcohol), as well as anything with seeds that can get stuck in open sores (pop-corn, strawberries, etc).

It mostly will be up to what works for you, and what your doctor thinks. Experiment and pay attention…

Q: High risk Crohn’s disease diet help?
My dad is 52 and has high risk crohn’s disease. I don’t know the details of it but I know he didn’t really take care of himself, so his flare ups are more often. I’ve done some research on it but, the diet seems like he can basically just drink water. I was wanting to know of things that he could eat that would be nutritious. Maybe from someone who has high risk or someone who knows someone that does. Just anything he can eat that wouldn’t cause flare ups. Thank you.

A: Well both my dad and i have crohns and so doe my bf..we all agree, as long as he stays away from dairy cause that stuff make all of us way worse.

Q: Crohn’s disease diet..?
So they think i have crohn’s disease and there is a very strict diet for it. I want to be able to deal with this disease without meds, what are some meals i could eat that couldnt affect it? So far i’ve only been eating certin fruits,veggies, and nuts.

A: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkws36YJKIkYBNQFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyazBrNHFmBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA1NTMDFfOTc-/SIG=11g116500/EXP=1250179767/**http%3a//greattastenopain.com/

This site outlines why certain combinations of food exacerbate your condition and how to avoid the subsequent pain and long-term effects.
Your specialist will have the most up to date information on managing the symptoms and you shouldn’t ever consider a drastic diet change without their advice but this lady’s experience and advice has helped hundreds of people, including someone I work with who has diverticulitis.

All the best.

Q: what is the best diet for one who suffers from crohn’s disease?
My 29 yr. old son is recently diagnosed and honorably discharged from the Navy. He is suffering so badly.

A: STAY AWAY FROM POPCORN!!! I have crohn’s and i had pains for like two hours after having a little bit of popcorn. Stay away from dried fruit and nuts aswell. If he’s not on steriods yes, see if he can have endocort. it has very few symptoms. try probiotics aswell.

Q: What is the best diet for one who suffers from Crohn’s disease.?
My 29 year old son is recently diagnosed and honorably discharged from the Navy as a result. He is in SO much pain and suffers So badly! The weight loss has been drastic.

A: hi cheryl, I am a crohn’s female since age 12. First, pls thank your son for defending our country and welcome him back home for me. My husband was in the Navy for 6 yrs. right out of high school. So I always make sure to go up to anybody in uniform and thank them personally. We live near an air force base & I see military persons all of the time.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site as it has all of the latest updated information on the newer treatments, diet, surgery, locating a local support chapter near you, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is also an open forum where pts. and family members can post questions to others who have CD.

He is entitled to be made comfortable while flaring. Have him ask his GI for pain medication such as Tylenol 3, Darvocet, Percocet, etc. Also, an antispasmatic such as Bentyl. The latest meds to get a pt. into remission faster are Remicade, Humira, and Entocort capsules.

Again, please thank your son for me and definitely check out CCFA’s site. great stuff!!!

Q: I have crohn’s disease and am vegitarian. What do you suggest me eating? What would be good in my diet?
I was told high fiber foods but need some suggestions of high fiber foods to eat. I tried eating nuts the other week which was a mistake. It was one of the worst pains ever in my stomach. Apparently cashews or peanuts are not good for crohn’s. It caused a serious flare up and a lot of pain. Can anyone suggest foods that may be good for me and may even make me feel better?

A: No! High fiber foods are horrible for someone with crohns. I had surgery about 2 months ago because of crohn’s. They removed 16 inches of my small intestine because it was so inflicted with ulcers. Eat foods that are very low in fiber. Fiber will scrape your intestines, thus causing more ulcers, and like me, it can cause intestinal bleeding. Cashews and peanuts are not good because they can actually become lodged in the areas of your intestines/colon that are inflammed. Eat foods low in fiber, being vegitarian does not help, but if you steam (i am talking like steam the crap out of them) your vegetables, it helps to lower the fiber in them. Please take care of yourself and get some expert advice, you do not want to go through what I had to, and to be honest, I have heard of worse.

Low fiber
Make a food log. When you eat log it all and then if you have a problem, try to pinpoint what food caused it and stop eating it. This is really helpful.

Hope this helped. God Bless

Q: why do some people discrimate againist people with crohn’s/colitis/ibs?
i don’t understand this. people think this is funny. i suffer problems like this and sometimes my friend thinks it is funny.

A: It has to do with their immaturity. For some reason, many people think that bathroom functions are funny and the fact that some people have diseases that cause them pain and diarrhea, makes even more amusing to them. I understand that people who have to wear colostomy bags get this sort of abuse, too. Try to imagine what kinds of names they get called. It’s not pretty.

Q: Can clinical tests effectively distinguish between colitis and Crohn’s Disease?
Hello,
I had a colonoscopy done a week ago due to some severe abdominal pain and was subsequently put on Asacol. I got the biopsy results back today, and I either have infectious colitis or Crohn’s Disease. Based on my research, it is difficult to conclusively distinguish between colitis and Crohn’s. If I have infectious colitis, will I be on medication indefinitely? Or, is there anyone out there who knows what some distinguishing factors between the two might be? I am aware of the CCFA, but I would like some advice from people who are actually experiencing colitis/Crohn’s.

A: Crohn’s disease can effect anywhere from your throat to your rectum. Colitis only effects your colon. Your doctor should be able to tell which it is by a test or two.(Not quite sure which ones though it’s been awhile) You can always call and ask them though.

Q: Why should IBS – Colitis – Crohn’s sufferer’s read this?
I’ll answer my own question here as I wasn’t sure how else to get this information out there for everyone to read and judge for themselves.

http://opendiary.com/entrylist.asp?authorcode=A504373

I strongly urge you to read this story. It’s my own battle with severe ulcerative colitis. I’m not a Dr. & I’m not selling anything. This is just valuable information.

I suffered for years and years before making a life or death decision. What I learned saved my life, and if you suffer as I have, hopefully you’ll look into the same answer that I found & start feeling better yourselves.

It’s a miserable illness and there is no official cure. I can tell you this though…I have it as severe as one can, all throughout my large intestine up to the ileium, and today…I can eat ice cream and fruit with the skin on it, and thai food, and so can you. Please read on & get well soon.
Thanks CumQuaT for sharing that. I too have had the ulcers in my mouth, in fact I had those for the first time 2 months before my initial break out of Colitis, but it was passed off from the Dr as stress (considering my life at the time it made perfect sense) He explained the occurrence similar to “hives” (which one can get when extrodinarily stressed.)

This is also why I’m a firm believer that in time Dr’s will come to acknowledge that stress (along with other factors) indeed can “cause” Crohn’s & Colitis…not just cause the relapses.

Deal with the stress factors in your life if you want to help deal with these diseases at least.

As for coffee…well… I’m drinking some now, lol…with cream I might add Carbonated beverages are the only thing I shy away from, not entirely…but mostly.

A: So what’s your question?

Q: do you have ulcerative colitis/crohn’s disease?
I was in the hospital Thanksgiving 2005 and they were going to take my colon out. I had been hopitalized 4 times in less than 2 years and I couldn’t function. I literally crapped in my pants without knowing it. I was in so much pain they were dripping some really fantastic pain med into me– I was afraid I’d be an addict by the time I left the hospital.

I said “no”. My doctor got mad, kicked me out of the hospital. I started taking some SHAKLEE probiotics, detoxed on alfalfa and about 20 other bottles of stuff. Started getting better, then went to a doctor an hour and a half away from where I lived and started taking NAET treatments. The first time I had a flare-up I was scared to death I would end up in the hospital again. My new doctor told me to come down and I’d be fine. He did a treatment and it was gone within a few hours. Please– don’t let any doctor tell you that you have to take meds the rest of your life and you’ll never get better. It’s a lie.

http://www.naet.com
When I get real stressed I will have flare-ups, but he can take care of it. I can also eat anything I want to. Things that used to tear my stomach up.

A: THinking4U!

Good for you on the decision making. Take control and decide for yourself where your health will go. That is power and you used it! Take some more initiative and heal your issue for good. Learn about juice fasting and cleansing of the colon and liver.

“The body knows how to heal itself you just have to assist it”.

Here are a few other tips to follow.

Here is some info and remedies to help with your condition.

Causes
Crohn’s disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor diet and nutrition, food allergies, imbalanced levels of hydrochloric acid, impaired immunity, infections, lack of exercise, “leaky gut” syndrome, pharmaceutical drugs, and stress.

Note:
Pharmaceutical Drugs: The following drugs can all cause and exacerbate various gastrointestinal disorders, including Crohn’s disease: Accutane, Alka-Seltzer Antacid and Alka-Seltzer Pain Reliever, Anturane, Genuine Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Plus Aspirin, Bayer Regular Strength Enteric Aspirin, Bufferin Analgesic Tablets and Caplets, Ceptaz, Clinoril, Cuprimine, Ecotrin Enteric Coated Aspirin, Feldene, Ilosone, Lamprene, Leukine for IV Infusion, Lopid, Marplan, Meclomen, Novantrone, Paraplatin, Piroxicam, Prokine I.V. Infusion, Retrovir, Rynatuss, Supprelin Injection, Suprax, Ticlid, Tolectin, Toradol IM Injection, Trecator-SC, Trilisate, and Voltaren.

Quick Action Plan for Crohn’s Disease

1. Diet is of primary importance. Avoid all sugars, refined flour products, and carbohydrates, milk and dairy products, processed foods that contain preservatives and artificial sweeteners, alcohol, hydrogenated and trans-fatty oils, as well as foods that are common allergens.

2. Emphasize organic, fresh vegetables and non-citrus fruits, organic grains, as well as organic, free-range meats and poultry and wild-caught fish.

3. Drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day. Gallon a day if you can.

4. Enema containing butyric acid two to five times a week. (Add one tablespoon of butyric acid to one quart of warm water.) Do a Colon Cleanse to clean out the toxins in the body. A liver cleanse will help new blood penetrate the sick areas and help the healing process.

5. Supplements with vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, taken with a multivitamin/multimineral formula. Essential fatty acids, especial omega-3 oils, are also recommended.

6. Stress reduction through the use of various mind/body medicine techniques, such as biofeedback, hypnotherapy, meditation and relaxation exercises.

7. If you smoke, stop and if you are currently taking aspirin or other NSAIDs, consider replacing them with safer, more effective natural remedies.

8. Soothing baths two to five nights and alternating hot and cold water packs placed over the stomach and upper abdomen.

9. Juice remedies include aloe juice; wheatgrass juice; cabbage, papaya, and carrot juice; and carrot, beet, and cucumber juice.

10. Juice of half a lemon with warm water, especially in the morning.

11. Allow yourself to receive emotional support to help you embrace some of the common underlying issues identified with Crohn’s, such as abandonment, anger, disappointment and rage, which often settle in the gut. Seek out a therapist or other skilled practitioner that can guide you through emotional healing work.

Best of health to you

Q: Crohn’s Ulcerative Colitis problems!!!?
I just got diagnosed with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis, my GI doens’t know yet. I don’t really feel to bad which seems great in comparison to what i’ve heard others say. I have about 4BMs a day, blood isn’t apparent. Many people say to keep a food journal to see what causes pain. What if i don’t have pain!? I guess I have a mild case! So can people give me advice and tell me what works for them or any other good info about Crohn’s Colitis.

A: I got diagnosed three years ago with Crohns disease, I have tried many medications but only one works for me, its saved my life. Its called remicade/inflximab. I am allergic to the others.
I have heard that food affects others however not only do i find this is not the case for me, but i see the flaws in this Research.
Firstly if you cut out dairy (like most say helps), how do you know if your feeling better because of the lack of dairy or because you are in remission? I have heard go vegan, high protein, no dairy, low fibre… but in the end its just like getting advice to go on a diet, everyone swears a different thing is best. LOL
My advice is if you want to pursue the food direction you can, but you need to know what helps you. From what i have read over the years some food help some and hinder others. You’d need to fast and introduce foods one at a time, then cut them out and do others. You might need to do this a few times to bet more conclusive results. I’d see a nutritionist to help you with this so you know that your results are better.
I am part of the crohns and collitus association of Australia. Your probably in America, but i know joining these groups are great. They give you great advice from others, they give information about what helps what doesn’t. new medications and treatments. Updates on research, and what is being done and tested for causes and cures. So much benefit. There are heaps online and they are all really good.

Its not going to be an easy road, and some suffer more than others. You will need to see a gastrologist and have a colonoscopy and/or endoscopy. This will diagnose your disease properly, so you know which one you have and how bad. i am in the top 5% of worst cases for Crohns. Its hard, my job has suffered, i have now developed fistulas which have cased me 6 surgeries and still more to come. Its been painful, tiring, degrading, depressing and costly, but im not giving up. There is always someone in a worst position and you need to remember when things get tough you need to overcome the hurdle. There is a lot of support for you out there and your not alone.

You might be glad to know that some people who are diagnosed with IBD’s get one bad fflareup and go into remission for the rest of their life. others like me, suffer from it almost everyday. everyone differs in medication success, food ssuccess other treatments like aacupuncture Essential oil therapy etc. none of these works for me, but may for you.

Good luck!

Q: Crohn’s Colitis & Pregnancy?
I was officially diagnosed with Crohn’s Colitis on Tuesday, I have a 4 year old daughter and not planning on having any more well I wasn’t but now it just got me thinking maybe one day I might change my mind but don’t know how it will effect things, I talked to my consultant about this and he said as long as i got pregnant while the disease was in remission then it should stay in remission during pregnancy. anyway, has anyone got any experience with this or know someone who has been pregnant with crohn’s?
thank you in advance.xXx
I actually have that website in my bookmarks didn’t know there was a bit on pregnancy.

thank you LAURA T

A: I’ve just been diagnosed with crohns too, i joined the NACC who have just sent me thru a load of info in the disease, there is a section on pregnancy FAQ’s in that. if you look on their website there is also an information sheet that you can download on pregnancy in IBD. www.nacc.org.uk

Q: Can anything besides Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis cause bowel inflammation?
I went to the GI doctor recently for abdominal pain, and they did a few tests, and the doctor said that the CT scan showed inflammation of the bowel. I’m wondering if it can just be something benign or if there are other conditions that can cause this other than Crohn’s or colitis?

A: Infection can cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis), diverticulitis causes inflammation in the sigmoid colon (this is more common in older adults).
Did you get a diagnosis? If not ask your doctor what the inflammation means in the context of your case.

Q: Mannapol? Aloe Vera…Crohn’s/Colitis….?
My daughter is being tested for Crohn’s Disease soon and in the meantime we have have been doing some research on different ways to treat symptoms,as there is no known cure in the medical field. It has been suggested thar we try Mannapol and are wondering if anyone has any info regarding Mannapol. It is freeze dried aloe vera and is said to be a cure-all for many disorders……please serious answers only. My daughter is young and we seem to have caught it early but with Crohn’s you never know how it will be as no two people affected the same. She has an uncle with Crohn’s and he is said to be one of the worst cases according to the Mayo Clinic and his doctors.
She has no symptoms what-so-ever, during a CT scan for a kidney/UTI problem they noticed inflamation in her lower bowel. We went to see a gastro. doctor and he says there is not just inflamation but actual thickening of the wall. He suggested a colonoscopy and and an endoscopy, because of the finding and because of the family history (uncle has Crohn’s). He suggested Remicade – I am looking for info on all possible treatments.

A: I am sorry your daughter is being considered for such a problem. If you try this product, just start cautiously. It may work. Try lots of acidophilus, too.

I have had bowel problems and just had to have two colonoscopies within two months.
I had a barium x-ray in between. Due to the nastiness of the barium, I started to make and eat lots of applesauce. The pectin in the applesauce has helped me more than anything. I have tried lots of different fibers and herbs.

Aloe juice is very healing to the bowel. It helps ulcerations to heal and is mildly laxative. Some aloe formulations are very harsh laxatives, so start very slowly, please.

What ever your daughter has going on in there, there will be something to help her. Never let her give up hope!

Q: where can we find best treatment in USA for Colitis or Crohn’s disease?
one of our friend’s son has a Colitis disease and we are looking for a help in USA, where can we find best treatment in USA, please help. thanks

A: Check sites like centerwatch to see what kinds of clinical trials are out there. Usually facilities who perform many clinical trials for specific diseases are the leaders in their field. Good luck.

Q: could this be crohn’s/colitis?
my doctor said this was stress. when i was born, i had bowel problems and anal fissures. then as i aged it went away. at 15, they came back. now at 22 it is worse. some other symptoms i have are diaherra, mucous in the stool, blood in and out of the stool. pain in the right lower part of my abdomen is happening. the pain stops when i bend over. i know i have posted this before, but i need some more opinions. i had an endoscopic thing done. i have inflammation of the stomach and lower bowel too. i also have hot flashes.

A: Try these websites for medical information concerning your question.
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/symptom-checker/?s_kwcid=symptoms|855616194 . Mayo symptom checker
http://www.webmd.com has symptom checker
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html
My best,
Hope

Q: Any ideas on ways to cheer up my mom who is suffering from Crohn’s Disease (Colitis)?
She can’t eat much, she’s received more than enough flowers, she can’t leave the house, and I don’t live in the same city as her. She’s really down due to being stuck and home for weeks and terribly sick. Ideas??

A: I have Crohn’s and the best present to me was comforting words and prayer. A present that made me laugh was a case of very soft tissue paper and a variety of reading material. (My friend with Crohn’s gave me that)

Q: What were your first signs of Crohn’s or Colitis?
I’ve been seeing a Gastro doctor for about 6 months now. I feel like I am on a roller coaster I go a couple weeks where i am fine – no episodes, and then for a week or 2 I can’t keep food in me. I eat and 15 minutes later I have to go to the bathroom. I get dehydrated and Cramping really bad. Recently I have become really depressed, and I hardly eat because I don’t want to get sick. does this sound like you? What were your first signs?

A: Hi Jessie, I am a female crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. My first signs at an early age were fatigue, some blood, the “big D” or “big C”, fever, joint pain. Symptoms will vary in each person though.

As I got older, it got worse–severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting at times, more blood, more D, to the point of living in the bathroom 24/7.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation really helped me out when I needed emergency surgery due to my large colon being overrun by fistulas, abscesses, and inflammation. I was given an ileostomy to save my life and the local support chapter was there so I could meet others who were in similar situations.

If you check out the site, you will find stuff on how it’s dxed, how it’s treated, the latest medications to get it in remission, surgery, women’s issues, to locating a support chapter near you. There is also a live chat and a hotline you can call during the week. Both are run by healthcare experts. Try posting your questions on their open forum seeing as there are many folks with IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis) who can answer your inquiries as they have been in your shoes.

I can relate to being depressed and not wanting to eat due to the pain it causes. Call your GI and get in to see him immediately as you shouldn’t be throwing up constantly. He can give you something for the pain and nausea so you can keep food down.

I wish you the best of health.

Q: what’s the different between ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease?

A: Hi, this website compares the two

http://www.crohns.org.uk/

Just click on Ulcerative Colitis then click on Differences between CD and UC

If you have any other questions about Crohn’s then get in touch as i have suffered since 2004.

Q: Crohn’s Disease/Colitis – A little upset?
Alright so, my problem is that I might have Colitis or Crohn’s disease. Thursday I woke up with a stomach ache and it kind a little worse over the day but it wasn’t really bad, I’ve had worse. I had a little bit of cramps too. So I got a fever with it around 8:30 and my mom took me to the ER to get a check up, and about 30 – 40 mins being there my stomach ache was virtually gone but my mom wanted me to go through with the CT Scan they originally were going to do. So I did all the stuff they wanted me to do before it, drank some water with some weird stuff in it and got a blood sample and they gave me morphine and IV for some reason. After the morphine I felt like CRAP (Bad dizzyness and woosyness) then about an hour later did the CT Scan, they found out I didn’t have what they thought I did which was a appendicitis, but my doctor said I have a slight inflammation in my intestine which could indicate colitis or Crohn’s disease, then the next day I woke up with a bad stomach ache but I think that might of been from all the crap the hospital gave me because my arm was also in pain from the IV and stuff. I woke up today and felt almost 100% better but now have a little discomfort in my stomach (No pain at all, just feels kinda weird) and have a little diarrhea, but my doctor had prescribed me a stool softener (don’t need to take it now) and also gave me vikidin, which I have no idea why unless he thought my stomach ache was THAT bad but it wasn’t at all. So I’m going to take some medicine tonight (probably some diarrhea type like Pepto bismal) and see if my stomach ache is gone completely tomorrow (It’s been getting ALOT less worse over time)

but basically my question is, what chance is there that I have Crohn’s disease or Colitis? And if it turns out I do is there any severity to it? I’ve been reading about it and said it’s not that bad of a disease, and it’s possible to have remissions(periods of time you have very little or no symptoms at all) for months/years at a time, and the worse thing you would experience is a bad flare-up, so if I do have it is there any real thing to fear? (I don’t mean like death or anything) Just like severe pains or anything? I’m kind of shakey at the moment and I know I shouldn’t since my doctor doesn’t know for sure, but how hard is it to deal with this disease with your life?

I’m going back for a check-up maybe around Monday. And I turned 17 Dec 8 if that helps.
My doctor didn’t say specific Colitis or Crohn’s disease, he thought I had appendicitis at first, but took the CT Scan and said I was perfectly fine (everything with me was including my blood and all that) the only thing was I had slight inflammation in my intestines, no blocking or anything. And he said it could indicate either colitis or crohn’s. And I’m going back for a check-up soon and I’m going to ask my mom to tell them to get those specific tests done for me to check if I do, and I don’t have to worry about my weight for now, and I’ve been eating alot lately (nothing has upsetted my stomach so far) Just to make sure. And no, I don’t have a bad pain in my stomach, as I said just a little discomfort like stomach ache feeling, but I think that’s caused from the Diarrhea since I usually get a stomach ache when I have it.
And about the pain meds, yeahhh. My mom was really shocked when she saw the prescription, she doesn’t even want to give me the medicine (I’m not gonna take it) she said she’ll only give it to me if my stomach ache gets excrusiatingly bad, but if it gets bad enough to where I need vikidin I think I’d rather go the ER instead.

A: hi xx, I am a crohn’s survivor for many yrs. dxed at age 12.

If you check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site, they have all of the accurate information you are looking for such as treatment, diet, surgery, coping, as well as locating a local support chapter near you as well as a hotline, live chat, and an open forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD (crohn’s or UC).

If you are in pain, you are entitled to be made comfortable until things are under control.

Definitely check out the site. It’s worth it!!

Q: Is there anything that I can do to releive cramping pain from Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis?
I am 8 weeks pregnant and am taking Pentasa for my diseases. Please help, the pain is so bad that I have to be off work for the next two weeks on bed rest.

A: Try Himalayan Goji Juice. I have a friend in his 60’s that has had Chron’s for years, plus he also has leukemia .
He has tried everything.
He was overdosing on his pain meds and was considering suicide due to the pain. His brother worked with a guy that was a distributor of Himalayan Goji Juice and bought a bottle for him. Immediatley he noticed his pain went away. He has been taking this juice for 4 months now and has reduced his meds to half of what was actually prescribed. He is gaining weight for the first time in years. And he actually goes out now. (Before he was so miserable that he hated to leave his house). He was still taking his meds to control his diarrhea with the Goji and he actually ended up so constipated that he had to go to the hospital to get flushed out. So his doctor was able to pull him off his diarrhea meds for the first time since he was diagnosed. Also, he recently had his blood work done, and the doctor said that he has never seen my friends blood look so good.
Himalayan Goji juice is perfectly safe for pregnant women. In fact, it helps relieve a lot of pregnancy discomforts (i.e. morning sickness).
Here are some links to find out more about Himalayan Goji Juice: www.natureshealthsecret.freelife.com
www.gojihealthstories.com (to read more peoples stories on Chron’s disease)
www.learnaboutwellness.com (to see a video study done by a Johns Hopkins doctor on how goji repairs your blood)
www.pubmed.com (type in Goji’s latin name “lycium barbarum” to see 75 scientific studies proving Goji works)

Q: Crohn’s Disease- Diet?
Heyo, my question relates to the diet of Crohn’s disease patients, I have Crohn’s disease myself, and find that I can eat basically any food and it doesn’t really cause a flare up of any sort. However, every few months I’ll get a flare up from hell! because of this, its very hard to pinpoint what foods actually cause the flare ups, so i was wondering, is there….
1. Any possible ideas of how to pinpoint the cause of flare ups
2. Any particular foods known to cause flare ups
3 Lastly, if there is any correlation with stress and flare ups.

Anywho, thanks for the time
All the best
-Anthony

A: hi anthony, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Definitely check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site as it has great information on diet, stress, surgery, latest treatments, a live chat and a hotline run by health experts. There is an open forum where you can post questions to others who have Crohn’s and can honestly answer your concerns as they are/have been in your shoes.

Also, start a food diary and jot down what you ate, how you felt during and after you ate. If you had to run to the bathroom asap due to the big “D” or if you had the big “C” afterwards. I learned that from attending a local CCFA support group meeting. The member was the wife of a local physician and she has UC.

Look into attending a local meeting as well as the educational meetings in your area as some of the speakers are also patients themselves. I’ve already heard drug reps., insurance reps, dieiticians, and even local GI surgeons speak. Well worth educating yourself by attending these free events. best of luck to you.

Q: High risk Crohn’s disease diet help?
My dad is 52 and has high risk crohn’s disease. I don’t know the details of it but I know he didn’t really take care of himself, so his flare ups are more often. I’ve done some research on it but, the diet seems like he can basically just drink water. I was wanting to know of things that he could eat that would be nutritious. Maybe from someone who has high risk or someone who knows someone that does. Just anything he can eat that wouldn’t cause flare ups. Thank you.

A: Well both my dad and i have crohns and so doe my bf..we all agree, as long as he stays away from dairy cause that stuff make all of us way worse.

Q: Crohn’s disease diet..?
So they think i have crohn’s disease and there is a very strict diet for it. I want to be able to deal with this disease without meds, what are some meals i could eat that couldnt affect it? So far i’ve only been eating certin fruits,veggies, and nuts.

A: http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkws36YJKIkYBNQFXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyazBrNHFmBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMwRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA1NTMDFfOTc-/SIG=11g116500/EXP=1250179767/**http%3a//greattastenopain.com/

This site outlines why certain combinations of food exacerbate your condition and how to avoid the subsequent pain and long-term effects.
Your specialist will have the most up to date information on managing the symptoms and you shouldn’t ever consider a drastic diet change without their advice but this lady’s experience and advice has helped hundreds of people, including someone I work with who has diverticulitis.

All the best.

Q: Crohn’s disease diet question?
Can you recommend some good websites to find out more information on this topic? My husband has crohn’s and is having awful flare ups and needs to get on a diet of some sort. Thank you in advance.

A: hi arj, I am a crohn’s pt. for over 20 yrs. Diet alone will not get it into remission. He needs to be put on one of the newer treatments such as Entocort, Remicade, or Humira. He should be eating foods though that will not aggravate his gut when he feels lousy.

For more information, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site. They have stuff on diet (what to eat when flaring), surgery, the latest treatments, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts well versed in IBD. There is also an open forum where you can post questions to others who have Crohn’s. Family members are encouraged to check out the site to educate themselves on what pts. have to deal with daily.

Definitely ask your husband’s GI if he can be on one of the newer treatments and take something for pain as we are entitled to be made comfortable when out of remission. I hope he feels better.

Q: Crohn’s Disease and diet.?
For those afflicted with Crohn’s disease, what foods/drink cause flare ups of your symptoms? What kind of things do you avoid.

A: Well, I don’t have a colon, so that plays a huge role in what I eat and avoid, vs. someone with Crohn’s who has most or all of their colon. And unfortunately I have pretty much been in a steady flare now for a few years, so it’s hard to say what foods play a role in causing a flare. Most research seems to point out that food doesn’t really CAUSE a flare, but could play a role in making it worse maybe or make you feel worse obviously.

I’ve heard some theories about a lot of refined sugar in a person’s diet contributing to Crohn’s, so even for that reason I try to limit sugar, even though I have a sweet tooth. haha. But not as bad as some people I’d say. But just like many people with this terrible disease (and I’ve had a severe case), I avoid stuff in general that’s hard to digest, like nuts, seeds, popcorn, most fruits and vegetables, etc. I do try to drink fruit/vegetable juice to make up for that, since fruits and veggies play a very important role in overall health.

And even stuff like pizza I try to avoid or limit, even though I love it like a lot of people do. But I do that since it’s another example of something hard to digest, all that dough and cheese. Not to mention it sucks how stuff can come out of my rear end more acidic and burn, since I don’t have a colon. ha. Which can happen with products with tomato sauce for example, such as pizza. So for that reason too I have to watch what I eat, like spicy stuff or something that I know might burn coming out of me. It seems like some people do better limiting or avoiding wheat and stuff with gluten, kinda like how people with celiac disease have to do that. So I try to limit wheat and bread for example. Like I said though, unfortunately I’ve been in a flare for a few years now, and something that might only bother me somewhat if my intestines looked great might bother me more in ways right now. Anyway, I hope this kinda long answer helps. haha. You should check out random Crohn’s web sites/message boards online if you’re looking to maybe connect with people online. And check out the national Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation web site if you never have. The site is www.ccfa.org. You can even contact them over e-mail and/or phone.

Q: Crohn’s disease sufferers diet question?
I need to know about nutritional drinks for kids with Crohn’s . I have a friend with an 11 year old son who has Crohn’s. I have a lot of nutritional shakes and drinks here and I wanted to send them to her.

One of the shakes I have is Carnation Instant Breakfast Very High Calorie. It is in a can and is very high in fat. I also have Breeze,Enlive and Ensure Plus. I purchased them for my mother but she passed away in March and I want to give the drinks to someone who can use them. I know that the child can drink regular Ensure.

My question is for Crohn’s sufferers. Can you eat foods that are high in fat? What nutritional drinks do you use? Are there any foods or supplements that help with the symptoms?

I am going to ask the child’s mother,but he is in the hospital right now and I don’t want to bother her.
These drinks are lactose-free.

A: Here is a Blob for Crohns sufferers..it will give you all the foods to not eat and what you can.Milk is a No No

http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/kelly-building-a-crohns-disease-community/importance-of-diet-in-crohns-disease/

Q: What is the best diet for crohn’s disease or IBS?
If you have recipes or “tricks” on what helps the gut… please let me know.

A: Plain foods, no spice.
No fried foods.
Yougurt to maintain the healthy balance
Stay away from things that constipate as well

Q: What is the best diet for Crohn’s disease and why?

A: hi psy, I am an actual crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. Diet will vary in each person as their digestive system is affected differently by the illness. One person may be able to tolerate fresh fruits and veggies while the other can only tolerate steamed or mashed fruits and veggies.

If you check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site, they have all of the information you need ranging from diagnosing IBD, how it’s treated with newer drugs, diet info, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is even an open forum where you can post this question to others who have Crohn’s.

Another suggestion is to set up an appt. with a dietician at the hospital you most frequent. They deal with specialized diets in people who have a variety of illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, IBD, etc. and need a special diet in order to maintain proper nutrition.

Definitely check out CCFA. All of their information is accurate and up to date. The forum is great as well. You will meet so many others like yourself.

Q: Diet for Crohn’s disease?
We’re having a friend with Crohn’s disease over for dinner tonight, and I want to make sure I don’t cook anything that will make her sick. Long story…but she doesn’t know that we know she has this disease, and I don’t feel comfortable bringing it up with her.

Is there anyone out there living with the disease, or who knows about it and can fill me in?

Also, does this menu sound OK – all I know about the disease is that sufferers should avoid spicy food:

grilled chicken marinated in lemon, olive oil, thyme
sauteed asparagus and snow peas
white rice

I am trying to keep it as neutral as possible. Thanks!

A: It’s hard to say, since you can’t ask her and you don’t know the details of her condition, but it should be fine. I have Crohn’s disease and grilled chicken and white rice are some of my “safety foods” and I have never heard of anyone having problems with them, or read anything about problems with them. The one hangup could be that if she’s on a low-residue diet for a stricture (narrowing of intestines, which is common with Crohn’s), then she may need to only eat vegetables that are very well-cooked, almost mushy. (And some vegetables shouldn’t be eaten at all on a low-residue diet.) This could be done by steaming or baking the vegetables. But it’s very kind for you to be considerate, and I would just cook the meal and not worry about it and if she chooses not to eat something (because she’s not supposed to), just don’t mention it and offer her more of the other foods she can eat.

Q: has anyone heard of a cure for Crohn’s disease by a diet. the SC diet?

A: Dietary adjustments are usually necessary to’ minimize pain’, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
A number of medications are available to help decrease
the cramping and pain associated with Crohn’s disease. These include loperamide, tincture of opium, and codeine. Some fiber preparations (methylcellulose or psyllium) may be helpful, although some patients do not tolerate them well.

Q: A Diet for Crohn’s Disease?
One of my best friends has Crohn’s. He cannot eat raw foods, such as: vegetables, fruits and nuts. He also has trouble with dairy and some starchy-carbs. Such foods cause “flare-ups” of his Crohn’s. Pretty much the only food he has no trouble digesting is meat.

What kind of recipes can be prepared for him?

A: hi marci, I am a crohn’s pt. since the age of 12. Basically, it is a crap shoot as to what crohnies can eat and what they have to avoid.

If you check out the Crohn’s & Colitis foundation’s site, they have information on diet, the latest treatments to get it into remission, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is also an open forum where patients and their family/friends can post questions to others who have IBD (crohn’s or ulcerative colitis) to get answers.

CCFA has a bookstore with books on diets for IBD patients. I have the American Dietetic Association guide to better digestion by Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD. It is my bible because it explain in easy to understand language what happens to the body when the illness flares, gives the patient the big “D” or big “C” and what foods are best to eat during these times.

Definitely check out CCFA’s site and look into getting the book from your local library. Also, post this question on the open forum as you will get better answers there than on YA because those folks have actually gone through what your friend is dealing with and won’t give you false information.

I hope he feels better.

Q: what is the best diet for one who suffers from crohn’s disease?
My 29 yr. old son is recently diagnosed and honorably discharged from the Navy. He is suffering so badly.

A: STAY AWAY FROM POPCORN!!! I have crohn’s and i had pains for like two hours after having a little bit of popcorn. Stay away from dried fruit and nuts aswell. If he’s not on steriods yes, see if he can have endocort. it has very few symptoms. try probiotics aswell.

Q: What is the best diet for one who suffers from Crohn’s disease.?
My 29 year old son is recently diagnosed and honorably discharged from the Navy as a result. He is in SO much pain and suffers So badly! The weight loss has been drastic.

A: hi cheryl, I am a crohn’s female since age 12. First, pls thank your son for defending our country and welcome him back home for me. My husband was in the Navy for 6 yrs. right out of high school. So I always make sure to go up to anybody in uniform and thank them personally. We live near an air force base & I see military persons all of the time.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site as it has all of the latest updated information on the newer treatments, diet, surgery, locating a local support chapter near you, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is also an open forum where pts. and family members can post questions to others who have CD.

He is entitled to be made comfortable while flaring. Have him ask his GI for pain medication such as Tylenol 3, Darvocet, Percocet, etc. Also, an antispasmatic such as Bentyl. The latest meds to get a pt. into remission faster are Remicade, Humira, and Entocort capsules.

Again, please thank your son for me and definitely check out CCFA’s site. great stuff!!!

Q: Can crohn’s disease be controlled through a well maintained diet?

A: A well controlled diet can help, but it is not a guarantee that it will ward off any flare ups. There are good medications out there that can send the Crohn’s into remission, but there is no cure. A person’s diet can help allieviate some of the symptoms and can certainly help to maintain control of the disease, but since no one is certain what causes it in the first place, no one can accurately predict what will prevent it and what will not.

Q: I have crohn’s disease and am vegitarian. What do you suggest me eating? What would be good in my diet?
I was told high fiber foods but need some suggestions of high fiber foods to eat. I tried eating nuts the other week which was a mistake. It was one of the worst pains ever in my stomach. Apparently cashews or peanuts are not good for crohn’s. It caused a serious flare up and a lot of pain. Can anyone suggest foods that may be good for me and may even make me feel better?

A: No! High fiber foods are horrible for someone with crohns. I had surgery about 2 months ago because of crohn’s. They removed 16 inches of my small intestine because it was so inflicted with ulcers. Eat foods that are very low in fiber. Fiber will scrape your intestines, thus causing more ulcers, and like me, it can cause intestinal bleeding. Cashews and peanuts are not good because they can actually become lodged in the areas of your intestines/colon that are inflammed. Eat foods low in fiber, being vegitarian does not help, but if you steam (i am talking like steam the crap out of them) your vegetables, it helps to lower the fiber in them. Please take care of yourself and get some expert advice, you do not want to go through what I had to, and to be honest, I have heard of worse.

Low fiber
Make a food log. When you eat log it all and then if you have a problem, try to pinpoint what food caused it and stop eating it. This is really helpful.

Hope this helped. God Bless