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treatment of crohn’s

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

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

A: i think so. theorpy means cure.

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

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

Pharmacy & Vet Tech/Crohnie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: Why are simple herbal treatment for Crohn’s, I.B.S., ignored ?
Why are simple treatment for Crohn’s, I.B.S., ignored ?

Cause is probably a bacterial infection, ( key word parasites) treatment is what people have used for centuries to treat such common infections such as giardia. (By the way it took me 16 years of suffering to be told by a wise doctor that one test to rule out giardia is not enough, and the testing is not very reliable )

Seems my limited research, the common sense approach to ‘intestional problems’ strongly suggests an infection, easily treated with ( a wide spectrum anti-biotic), anti-parasitic herbs such as ginger, wormwood, grapefruit seed extract, together with fiber and probiotics, ie friendly bacteria to help digest the food.

So why are all these simple treatments being ignored ?

Why are we spending millions, on funding to raise funding for research and then spending billions to find a ‘pharmaceutical cure’, when the obvious simple cause and effects are being ignored…?

http://www.abeautifuldifference.com/webdoc.535.html

A: It seems so simple, and so cannot have money made with it.

Q: Does anyone know about Suboxone being used for treatment of crohn’s disease?
i was diagnosed with crohn’s disease about a year ago. nothing has worked for me except for prednisone, which causes very bad side effects after awhile so i can’t take it for more than 3 months at a time. i met a girl today that was telling me about how she has had crohn’s for 11 years now and her symptoms were even more severe than mine and prednisone was the only thing that worked for her other than oxycontin and perks, which i’m not on any pain meds, (and when she was laid off her insurance ran out and turned to heroin to kill the pain) until she started taking Suboxone. She has been part of a study group for it for 2 years now and she said it has finally been approved for not only helping with opiate abuse but also for crohn’s disease treatment. she said it is a life-saver and she feels like a normal person again and has energy and it’s as if she doesn’t even have crohn’s. does anyone know anything about Suboxone for crohn’s disease? the only thing i’m finding information about it being used for is drug abuse. i really want to tell my gi doctor about it. please help.

A: hi stoe, I am a crohn’s pt. for 25+ yrs. Have you check the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s site to see what they have to say about it?
Try calling their hotline, live chat, or posting the ? on their open forum to see if anyone else w/CD has heard of it.

CCFA’s main HQ is in NYC and they do tons of research on IBD and work w/many scientists/pharmacy techs etc. to find the cause, cure, and a better way to treat the disease until a permanent cure can be found.

good luck and definitely give CCFA a look into and call them.

Q: How do I transfer my Crohn’s Disease treatment to England’s National Health Service?
My doctor in America recently told me to transfer my treatment for Crohn’s Disease to the NHS in England since I’ve been studying here and living here for two and a half years, so I could only be under his care in America when I went home for visits.
I’m scared that the NHS will not offer my medication, Mercaptopurin, as a treatment option.
I am also concerned because this medication requires blood work to check for liver damage, but I have an intense fear of needles. This is eased by numbing medication prescribed to me in America, but I am pretty much positive that the NHS would not offer that? If this was the case, is it possible to buy things supplementally? I’m sorry, I’m so confused!
Since I live on scholarships , student loans, and a crappy job, private care is not much of an option.
I should have mentioned that I do have an NHS card / #, so I know I am able get access to care. I was confused where to go from there…

A: I have Crohn’s & can tell you for a fact that the NHS is NOT the lowest treatment you can get. Personally I dont take your drug but it is available. The only problem you may have is with eligibility:
This is from an immigration site. If you have an existing condition then even if you qualify for treatment it may not apply to pre-existing conditions.
I’d check with Citizens Advice(CAB) or your local GP
“However, eligibility under this category will not generally apply if the overseas resident came to the UK knowing that they needed medical care. The exception is if they were specifically referred to the UK for treatment under a reciprocal agreement.”

Q: Has anybody been getting Remicade treatments for Crohn’s disease, but it is not working?
I have had three infusions and I feel nothing. Others have suggested that this has been a wonder of a drug for them.

A: Jasper,

I had remicade infusions for 7 years and in the beginning they worked really well for me but then they lost their effectiveness. From what I understand, it is a miracle medication for some but doesn’t help in the least for others. If it is not working for you, you could discuss the possibility of doing self injections of Humira. I know a few people who did terrible on the remicade but had great results with the Humira. For me the Humira didn’t work either but I hope that you find something that works for you. If you would like to discuss CD further just give me your yahoo messenger or email and I will get in touch with you. I have had CD for 14yrs and I am very knowledgeable about all the meds since I have been on them. :0) Best of luck with the CD, it is not an easy disease to live with.

Q: No sexual arousal after Crohn’s Disease treatment?
I’m a bottom guy, over the course of a year I developed a Crohn’s Disease and it had taken a great deal of my daily activity, I lost almost a quarter of my body weight as in January I was only 82 lbs, while the treatment and medication have shown progressions, and I started to go back to work, the problem is I don’t feel any sexual arousal anymore, I wonder if it’s the disease or the medication but I can’t tell my doctor because I’m not out yet, I feel guilty towards my boyfriend who has gone from understanding to all grumpy lately. I feel so useless and unattractive. what should I do?

A: my aunt has crohn’s, i don’t know that it’s impacted her sexual life, but then it’s a slightly different situation for her.

my advice is to talk to your doctor, doctor patient confidentiality prevents him from outing you and you’ll get your answers from an informed source.

if you don’t want to do that, i’m in nursing school and i swear by webmd

Q: Can I press a medical malpractice or medical negligence suit?
I have Crohn’s disease and was told by my specialist to avoid anti-inflamitories. My former doctor wanted to keep me on them for my knee pain. She also refused to give me anything for pain other than the anti-inflamitories and also wanted to stop me cold turkey off my anti anxiety medication which I have been taking for 8 years without an increase. I found another doctor that gave me my medications without complaint and also agreed the anti-inflamitories would be counter productive to my Crohn’s treatments. My new doc is an Internest. Do I have a suit worth suing for? Can I sue my former doctor for putting more of my health at risk?
Extra info, I had emergency surgery in May of 2006 and found out then I had Crohn’s. I was informed by the surgeon, and the GI specialist at that time to avoid the “Ibuprophen” but my family doc at the time told me to stay on them. She also didn’t think I had Crohn’s even tho it was found by pathology. Then she refused to refill my Xanax .025 and wanted me to stop them cold turkey. Thus is the reason why I wonder if I have a case. I don’t want to use up court time with a frivoulous case, but I don’t want her hurting or mistreating anyone else.
I forgot to mention also that I ended up back in the emergency room that November with a severe flare up of my Crohn’s disease from taking the anti-inflamitories as she had told me to. The ER doc then also told me to stay away from them. I called her office, talked to her personally, and she said I needed to be on them. I hope that makes a clear picture.

A: You don’t have a malpractice case here. While ibuprofen can worsen symptoms of Crohn’s in some sufferers, it is not medically contraindicated as a treatment. Crohn’s is an autoimmune response, and treatment regimens vary widely from physician to physician, as well as from patient to patient.

It does not appear, from what you have said, that you suffered any harm from taking the ibuprofen, since the symptoms disappear when the drug is eliminated.

What you are dealing with here is a difference of opinion between medical professionals, and not a case of clear malpractice.

Q: treatments for crohn’s disease?
Anyone using 6-MP for the treatment of Crohn’s and if so how does it work for you?

A: I took it for about two years. It took a long time to work. It worked to a certain degree but lowered my immune system tremendously. Every cough and sneeze I would catch for people around me.
Once I got better, I tried more holistic approach to Crohns treatments.
You can read about Crohns treatments and medications:

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

All the best to you

Q: For treatment of severe Crohn’s Disease, what are the benefits/side-effects of cortisone vs mesalamine enemas?
At various times, my daughter has been on either cortisone or mesalamine daily enemas, to treat her severe Crohn’s Disease. Right now, it is the cortisone variety. What experiences have any of you Crohn’s patients had with benefits and/or side-effects of either of these treatments? Can cortisone enemas cause side-effects similar to those of oral prednisone (weight-gain, “moon face”…)? Thank you!
My daughter is in the care of a great gastro. practice at a regional children’s hospital. She does take a double-dose of Remicade, every eight weeks. Despite that, she was hospitalized all of November and was on the usual mega i.v. prednisone, TPN, etc. While in the hospital, they had her using some type of suppository and a mesalamine enema. Upon her discharge, they discontinued the suppository and prescribed a cortisone-based enema. She was able to start tapering down on her prednisone fro 60mg/day and is now at 15mg/day. This time around, her body hasn’t noticeably gained weight, but her face in huge. (Of course, I do not hint to that!). My question about the cortisone enemas boils down to whether her being on them could be prolonging the length of time for some of her prednisone-related side-effects to wan away, What are your thoughts?

A: Hi Elisabeth, if your daughter is in a big flare, why isn’t the GI trying Remicade, Humira, or Entocort to get things under control? Is she on any pain meds to be made comfortable? Make sure she is on something as she has that right to be.

When I was younger, I found that the enemas really didn’t help so I was on oral steroids until they stopped working at 80 mg and needed surgery to improve my quality of life.

Check out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation for more information. They have live chats, a hotline, an open forum, plus they have meetings for kids under age 18 as well as their parents.

I know it’s hard to watch your child suffer, educate yourself, ask the GI questions or even attend a CCFA meeting to talk to those who are in the same boat as yourself. Best of luck to you.

In regards to your question 4 days ago:

If I were you:I’d attend one of the CCFA support meetings & ask the members about their experience w/these meds, and then I’d ask the GI or pharmacist. But that’s just me.

Q: Do you have Crohn’s Disease or know of anyone that does??
I need to know some treatments for Crohn’s Disease or anything that is helpful to understand more about Crohn’s. I’m really confused because my brother has Crohn’s and he is extremely sick. I’m really scared because of his condition. Please help!! Anything is helpful!!

A: hi tina, i am a female crohn’s pt. dxed at the age of 12. I’ve had it for 23 yrs.

Have you checked out the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s website? They have tons of information ranging from how to treat it, diet, coping skills, surgery, how it’s dxed, to locating a local support chapter near you to educate pts. as well as their family/friends about IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).

They have a hotline as well as a live chat that is run by healthcare experts who are well versed in IBD. There is also a forum where anyone w/IBD or who has a family member with it can ask questions to others in the same situation.

Is your brother a candidate for the newer treatments like Remicade, Entocort, Humira, 6MP, Imuran, or Methotrexate? These are the meds most GIs are using seeing as steroids have serious side effects after being on them for a long time. Have him ask for pain medication such as Demerol, Tylenol 3, Darvocet as well as something for stomach spasms like Bentyl. He is entitled to be made comfortable until his CD gets into remission.

Feel free to email me if you have questions. I’ve been an active CCFA member for over 15 yrs. I wish your brother a speedy remission.

Q: crohn’s, cholestyramine and entocort?
I have Crohn’s and recently I thought of seeing a new gastroentrologist to see whether he has any new treatment for Crohn’s. I use to take pentasa 500 mg 2 capsules 4 times a day. The only thing I had concern was going to rest room 5 to 6 times a day. The new doctor asked me to stop me taking pentasa and suggested I take Cholestyramine for a month. So far I am in 3rd week and that is making me go to rest room very often and most of the time the stools are floating. I think I should stop this as I am not feeling any better. He was going to start me on entocort after this. That medicine is so expensive and I want to know does it give any relief to Croh’ns disease and is it better than Prednisone. I am asking this because prednisone is cheap. Once I took bactrim for some other symptoms but it had helped to control going to rest room a lot.

A: Herbal remedies often work when drugs don’t, and usually are much gentler on your system. If you consult a master or experienced herbalist (make sure choose one who has treated crohn’s) they should be able to help you, maybe even cure your Crohn’s, or at least manage it so you are more comfortable. Ask them about lobelia inflata and barberry bark, it might help your case. Also chickweed (organic) fresh or steamed.

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