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ibd treatment

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

Q: what is the best treatment for IBD(inflammatory bowel syndrome)?
i am having IBD for about 15 months and symptoms are bloating,indigestion,weakness and a blown stomach.

specially those who have recovered from IBD

A: Do you mean IBS or IBD? IBD is very serious and requires a doctor’s care and prescription medications and possibly surgery as listed by the other poster. IBS or irritable bowel, can be controlled at home. Measures that help IBS include avoiding fatty foods, eating smaller, more frequent meals, daily fiber supplements such as Metamucil, and often Acidophilus supplements help as well. It is worth it to try these things out before you see a doctor as that will always be their first recommendation. There are some prescription meds to help IBS if the more conservative methods fail.

Q: Natural Cellular Defense (NCD) by Waiora is effective for treatment in IBD ?
Does anyone know if the product Natural Cellular Defense (NCD) by Waiora is effective for treatment of IBD (crohn´s disease for example) ?

If you have tried it, please tell me about your experience. For how many time did you take it and what were the results.

Thank you very much

A: I would recommend prescription steroids and immune system modulators from your doctor, natural products are not the way to go for these disorders, good luck

Q: What is the treatment for IBD in snakes?

A: sadly there still is no real treatment for the disease and most snake end up being put down before they can pass it on to any more

Q: What is the best treatment for a cat diagnosed with IBD?

A: Hi there

Our cat, Lottie, was diagnosed with IBD about three years ago. Initially the only treatment the vet recommended was a special diet – the Royal Canin Sensitivity Control diet – which she loves (and so does one of our other cats, he regularly tries to persuade me to give him one of her sachets and about once a week he succeeds!)

The diet alone worked perfectly for her for about a year and then some of her symptoms returned so the vet prescribed corticosteroids to use in conjunction with the diet.

Two years on she is not only symptom free but we have found that we can reduce her medication to once every two days rather than once a day. Also we can occasionally vary her diet by giving her plainly cooked treats of white meat or fish.

There are several other brands suitable for IBD besides Royal Canin’s and Seattle has given you some good links.

Good luck with your kitty.

Q: Does an IBD Serology that shows consistency with Crohn’s Disease mean I have it?
Medications for treatment have not worked to include Prednisone. CT scan and Colonoscopy only show inflammation; biopsies of inflammation are negative.

A: Hi JMitch, I am a female crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. Ask your GI if you are a candidate for the newer treatments for crohns–Entocort, Humira, Remicade, 6MP, or Imuran. Entocort is a steroid BUT it doesn’t go into your blood stream, only to the source of inflammation. PLUS it won’t give you a moon face, mood swings, a huge appetite, etc. like prednisone. I’ve been on it since it first came out with no problems.

For more accurate information, check out the crohn’s & colitis foundation’s site. They have stuff on newer treatments, testing for IBD, how it’s dxed, surgery, finding a support chapter near you, as well as a live chat & hotline run by healthcare experts. There is also an open forum where you can post questions to others who have IBD.

Best of luck to you. I feel your pain.

Q: Puri Nethol for IBD: side effects?? Really need to know?
Hi, has anyone ever taken this for treatment of IBD? If so can you tell me if you experienced side effects, and if so which and for how long.
Also, did it work on your IBD or did you end up changing treatment?
Thanks to all of you who takt time to answer.
Also curious about Prednisone side-effects. thanks

A: No, I haven’t but from the link below…

Purinethol
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. No COMMON side effects have been reported with Purinethol . Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Purinethol:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; itching; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark urine; darkening of the skin; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased or painful urination; loss of appetite; nausea; pale stools; severe or persistent diarrhea; sores or white patches in the mouth; stomach pain, swelling, or tenderness; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual growths or lumps; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Prednisone…
Since prednisone has proven to be effective, patients who choose to take it should be aware of a few ways to combat the side effects.
* Bone density loss: Supplementing a healthy diet with calcium will help to keep bones healthy through a course of prednisone.
* Diet: Reducing salt intake can prevent side effects associated with fluid retention. Watching fat and calorie intake can help to prevent weight gain. A nutritionist will be helpful in planning a diet to follow while taking prednisone.
* Dosage: Talking to a gastroenterologist about the best time of day to take prednisone for maximum effectiveness and minimal discomfort could make a big difference. Taking prednisone earlier in the day (only on the advice of a physician!) could reduce side effects such as insomnia or night sweats, and taking it with meals could prevent stomach upset.
* Support: Let family and friends know about the side effects of prednisone. They need to know that it’s the drug that’s causing your mood swings or irritability.

For some patients, the negative side effects of this powerful drug far outweigh the benefits that can be derived. It may quickly stop a flare in its tracks, but at the price of altered physical appearance, mental instability, and other serious health risks. It’s not an easy choice, but every patient with IBD must make the decision to use prednisone based on his or her own needs in conjunction with a gastroenterologist.

Q: Does anyone know of an alternative method for treating an IBD known as Ulcertive Colitis?
I am actually looking for a naturalpathic treatment to compliment the medical not to replace it. A dietician, or medical/herbalist who has documentation of people that they have treated.

A: Hello, I’ve had UC for over 2yrs. Are you looking for an actual name of a dietician or naturalpathic physician … based that on asking for documentation. To avoid the scammers (and there are MANY), contact your local hospital and ask to speak with a dietician. In Canada you have to have a doctor’s referral which isn’t a problem if you have UC. Diet didn’t create the uclerative colitis and foods will not heal the ulcer. However, if you avoid citrus fruits and high fiber, usually you will have an easier time. Diet is unique in that a food I can eat, you might not be able to. Many people consume probiotics. Some follow the specific carboyhdrate diet. Others like me just take the meds, exercise, yoga to reduce stress, monitor foods that I can and cannot eat and go from there. There are also support groups in Yahoo Groups. As for a herbalist, check your yellow pages, meet face to face and ask for creditionals. There is no cure, so do not trust anyone that states there is and they will sell you the cure – no matter how much documentation they produce. As I said, there are scammers everywhere.

Q: You published some articles about treatments for IBD. Can I get copies?

A: link at

http://www.medonline.org.uk

Q: Has anyone had their cat diagnosed with Intestinal Lymphoma?
My 16 year old female, Tabatha, is currently being treated for IBD, but she wll be getting an endoscopy to determine if she may have Lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Has anyone had their cat diagnosed with this and what is the course of treatment like? Is the medication given orally? I will see my vet next week, but wanted to ask you all out there.

Thanks!!!

A: Well I have not had a cat with intestinal lymphoma, but I was in your position….treating her for IBD and using the endoscope to get a biopsy to test for the lymphoma. Luckily, it was negative and she is still being treated for IBD.

The treatment for Lymphoma can be similar to IBD. It all depends on the stage of the cancer, how far it has spread, age and health of the cat, etc.
Prednisone or Prednisilone are both used to treat IBD and intestinal lymphoma. That medication (if you are not already using it) is orally, usually daily.

There are several other drugs that can be used alone or together, depending on what your Vet thinks is best. Most are pills, but there are two injections that your Vet would need to give.

Nutritional support is also a major role, as many of these drugs can cause anorexia and lethargy.

Good luck with your cat!

Q: Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis?
I am a 31 year old female. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis about a year ago, and I probably have some kind of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (yet to be diagnosed). I have tried 6 different NSAID’s, but they all seem to make my digestive problems worse. These drugs are usually contraindicated for people with IBD. My rheumatologist says that he doesn’t think that my disease is advanced enough to warrant the stronger drugs, given their dangers, and I agree with him. Right now I am only taking the NSAID’s when the pain is at its worst, but lately I am needing it all the time. I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for controlling the pain.

A: I am an AS patient, was diagnosed back in 1992 and have been symptomatic since the mid-80s.

One thing I have found about the disease – actually there are a lot of things I have found out about it, but the one that is relevant, perhaps – is that the treatment of AS symptoms and the management of the diseases (and related illnesses) involves tradeoffs. And you have to find the right balance of goodness/badness which will differ by patient.

I assume your doctor is experienced in treating AS patients – if not, you might consider someone with experience until you get your treatment regime set.

I agree with your doctor that going to the biologics may not be appropriate if the AS isn’t severe. My rheumatologist is of the same opinion, and goes to the biologics only for his most severely affected patients.

Indocin is the most effective NSAID for AS, and is usually commonly presribed. If that is not one of your six, then make it your next.

I have been treated for the past 14 years with indocin (now high dose) and sulfasalazine. I have tried other NSAIDs, including naproxen and diclofenac and found them to be useless.

This is probably the best description of AS meds you will find.

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/as_med.aspx

Enteropathic arthritis is related to AS but EA patients frequently can’t take the NSAIDs because of the same reasons you describe. This is a good summary of EA medications – some overlap, of course, with AS – that you may find useful.

http://www.spondylitis.org/about/ibd_med.aspx

If you haven’t already, consider joining the SAA – there is a lot of good information to be found at the site that you won’t find (easily, at least) elsewhere.

http://www.spondylitis.org/

Good luck. AS is not an easy disease.

Q: Do natural parasite remedies really work?
I think my husband might have an intestinal parasite, but I know they are notoriously hard to test for. He’s been having a lot of problems with his stomach and bowels lately that came out of no where (TMI, I’m sorry), and the stupid doctor just diagnosed him with IBD with no testing at all. Well, the IBD treatment isn’t doing anything, and he’s been on it for 3 months.

I thought about getting him a natural parasite remedy (they are all pretty much the same) to see if that might do the trick. But, I want to know if they really work. Anyone ever went that route instead of using prescription meds?
The reason I suspect a parasite is that he is from Central America, and his parents travel there a lot and bring back all kinds of canned meats for him. They all seem kind of suspect to me, sorry if I don’t trust their methods.

A: I would go with Parastroy, it’s a herbal natural medicine that includes a lot of herbs that are known to kill parasites, such as wormwood. I would also take a herbal laxative tea call Smooth move for a week or so, it will help clean out all his bowels. Also, try lemonade (squeeze lemons in water, that’s it). Lemons are acid but in the body they become alkaline. An acidic body is a breeding environment for parasites, whereas an alkaline environment is not good for worms. Did you know that 99.9% of all humans beings have parasites?? Yep! We just don’t think we have it. Anyway, you can get parasites in a variety of ways, including if you have pets in your house. Also by eating contaminated foods. I hope this works!

Q: Anyone with Crohn’s? or know those with IBD…?
I have Crohn’s and have recently started Remicaid infusions. I fell better since starting treatment, ie. i have no more pain, but can still feel movement when food is passing through colon. I also believe I am malnourished. My question is what are things I can do he help become more healthy and start gaining weight. I am at 140lbs, but should weight about 170lbs. What are some good healthy foods that I can digest easily and gain nutrition from? I’m was advised to eat a low fiber diet by the doc.

A: My adult step daughter has a very strict diet. She can have “red” meat maybe once a month, mostly eats chicken and fish, sometimes pork. Salad with no creamy dressings. Careful with dairy products but can and does have at least 2 yogurts a day.

Q: Inflammatory Bowel /Irritable Bowel and health loss?
Having single loose stool in morning (last 2 months). Stool test normal. Doctor says its either IBD or IBS and wants to do colonoscopy. Is there a health or weight loss in these disorders as unabsorbed food passes through the intestine ?. Is there any treatment for IBS or IBD to stop weight or health loss?. I am a thin person and have chronic acute stress issues. My doctor suspects more of a IBD as it just started suddenly. I also have other problems related to high levels of stress. What can be done to stay in good health/weight, though suffering from IBS. Please advice

A: Well – I know of a couple people who have really been helped with fish oil, vitamin E and glutamine. Sounds like meditation wouldn’t hurt too to see if you could bring that stress down a little.

Get Dr. Arkins’ book off of amazon – you can get it for nothing if you get it used. “Vita-Nutrient Solution”. He goes through all the supplements, vitamins, minerals and amino acids which he used in his practice. He ran a clinic in NYC.

Glutamine is an amino acid – it’s cheap (buy it powdered) – and Atkins feels it really helps the wall of the gut. What you have is also described as “leaky gut”, I believe. The wall of your gut is thin and infected and just not happy at all! So you need to feed it. Fish oil is very valuable too.

Fish oil – 3000 to 6000 mgs/day with 400 IU’s of vitmain E.
Glutamine – 5 to 10 grams/day – just put it in a glass and add some water. It’s tasteless.

A couple people I’ve met who have this inflammatory Bowel crap were helped almost right away with this. But read the book because there’s more in there you’ll want to know. You might also want to be taking a big vitamin B bomber. Can’t hurt. I know I read the covers off the first copy of his book I had.

Good luck with that.

Q: I have Crohn’s disease! Anyone else and how do you cope with this terrible disease?
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation or swelling of the digestive tract. It is very painful and life changing! I have had over 20 surgeries, pain everyday, take lots of meds daily, have had multiple complications and find it hard to cope with it at times. I wondered if anyone else has it and what do you do to make things better and what meds you take or treatments other than steriods that have helped? This disease was a direct factor in the end of my 18yr marriage and I wanted to know how this disease has affected others with the disease and their relationships? Thank You!

A: I guess I’ve been ‘lucky’ with my Chron’s, thus far I’ve only had one surgery and currently aren’t taking any medications.

Most of the medications I took didn’t really help me, including Remicade. The one thing that helped me in the past seemed to be good ol’ prednisone.

When I was first diagnosed I felt pretty bad, felt like my life was changed. I’ve gotten used to it. Clearly it’s not as bad as others, but you just get used to it.

Q: Inflamatory Bowel Disease?
My 13 week old puppy was diagnosed with IBD (Inflamatory Bowel Disease). Does anyone have any information about the treatment of this disease? I am concerned about this leading to other health issues, and the side effects of medications.

A: This is probably an answer for a human, but it can’t be TOO much different for a dog, can it?

“Depending on the level of severity, IBD may require immunosuppression to control the symptoms. such as azathioprine, methotrexate, or 6-mercaptopurine. More commonly, treatment of IBD requires a form of mesalazine. Often, steroids are used to control disease flares and were once acceptable as a maintenance drug. In use for several years in Crohns disease patients and recently in patients with Ulcerative Colitis, biologicals has been used such as the intravenously administered Remicade. Severe cases may require surgery, such as bowel resection, strictureplasty or a temporary or permanent colostomy or ileostomy. Alternative medicine treatments for bowel disease exist in various forms, however such methods concentrate on controlling underlying pathology in order to avoid prolonged steroidal exposure or surgical excisement[1].

Usually the treatment is started by administering drugs with high anti-inflammatory affects, such as Prednisone. Once the inflammation is successfully controlled, the patient is usually switched to a lighter drug to keep the disease in remission, such as Asacol, a mesalazine. If unsuccesful, a combination of the aforementioned immunosurpression drugs with a mesalazine (which may also have an anti-inflammatory effect) may or may not be administered, depending on the patient.”

Hope that helps…If not, you could always ask your vet. In fact, I’m surprised they would just tell you your dog has a disease and not tell you what to do about it.

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