crohns

[rocco9]

I'm at the end of my rope with this crohns and diarrhea issue.Any suggestions?I'm so depressed over this whole crohns issue...............

[lizziecee]

Hi Gina, no offence taken. I was only trying to point out that for me personally, an immuno-suppressant is the only med to keep my Crohn's in remission. Some Crohn's patients only get one or two flares and can then go years without one. My Crohn's is called "intractable" and without the methotrexate, I get severe rectal haemorrhages from ulcers and crypt abscesses bursting. I am glad the alternative meds/vits work for you.
Keep well, and I hope the longed for baby comes along.
Liz.

[cinmin1985]

I will go with alternative med/vits if i wish. i used to be that guniea pig that had the meds switched all the time and didnt work. pred, 6mp, remicade, surgery, etc....i dont want this to come off rude but if these quit working for me then i'll go back to the chemicals... but y put chemicals into my body when i dont need them... there is a pill for everything these days .. all i was trying to do was be nice and give someone input on what works for me.....it might work for them it might not. all i know is i am staying on something natural that works... wanting to start a family and all i dont want anything that is not suppossed to be in my body there.... dont take this the wrong way... and i'm sorry if you did.... Gina

[lizziecee]

Hi - go with alternative meds/vits if you wish, but having had Crohn's for some 38 yrs now, dx at 24 yrs, is not the way any gastros or hospital dieticians have advised me.I eat a very healthy diet, although low in fibre, as it is difficult to absorb and give me worse diarrhea and abdominal pains.  I eat very little red meat, mainly fish, pork,chicken, eggs etc. and steer clear of beans,peas and sweetcorn.

I spent some 30+ years on steroids (prednisolone) and in absolute desperation, after many hospital in-patient treatments, iv's, blood transfusions etc., found 7 yrs ago the only med that works for me is methotrexate. I was on oral tablets until I got breast cancer 5 yrs ago, and had to stop mtx. in order to have FEC chemo for breast cancer.
I am now on weekly self injections, 12.5 mg, and am so well. Only have slight loose stools when I rise in the morning and am retaining my weight. I lost some 28 lbs when on FEC chemo.

My gastro says I will always be on immuno-suppressants, and luckily I tolerate methotrexate well, but need monthly blood tests, as it can be very toxic to the liver.

There really does come time in your life with Crohn's, with the constant diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, loss of weight, when you have to decide where is your quality of life, and try and dismiss the possible side effects.  I have found it with methotrexate, which was unheard of here in England 7 yrs ago, when I found it on the internet and had to badger my gastro to have it. It is still not licensed in England because there are so few patients here that the drug company did not apply for the expensive licence, but is available off licence if prescribed by a Consultant Gastro.

A little knowledge is a wonderful thing.

Good luck.
Liz.

[hava]

The Yoga Pranayam (breathing exercises) will  help you relax and also help with the crohns.The systems in the body will start doing their jobs better and in turn will get you better.Concentrate on the breathing everytime, and do it everyday.
Build up your timing gradually. If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after 1 minute.

Bhastrika - Take a long deep breath into the lungs(chest not tummy) via the nose and then completely breathe out through the nose. Duration upto 5 minutes.

Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30  minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.


Bhramri Pranayam -Close eyes. Close ears with thumb, index finger on forehead, and rest three fingers on base of nose touching eyes. Breathe in through nose. And now breathe out through nose while humming like a bee.
Duration : 5 to 12  times

Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Once you are better, continue the pranayam once a day.
Be patient, as the benefits will show over a period of months.Only by doing you will benefit
and feel good because you are helping your body.Those who say I have tried everything....
will be amazed at the result of doing pranayam.

[cinmin1985]

Shaklee... I dont know where to start. It is a big company that has alot of different products. ranging from housecleaning products to vitamins. everything they sell is made from the purest sources on earth and is "environmently friendly" . Like i said earlier I have been taking shaklee for about 2 months now. my moms friend had  had thier daughter on it( she has crohns also) and she has been doing very well, and so far so good for me. this is what i take from them 2 multiviamins, 2 b-complex( good if you need energy), an easy gest ( to help digest food and take care of gas ), a small pearl like pill and that has the good bacteria for you intestines. i think thats it..... but ifyou have questions about it call one of the dealers and ask them. i think you can find them on shaklees site.... i hope this helped.. good luck... gina

[rocco9]

Thanks you, What is shaklee?

[cinmin1985]

I hear ya about the diarrhea issue. I couldnt stand it either. it seems like I've been on a million different medications, and all with their own side effects  and it helps but doesnt help everything. I have been taking shaklee though, for about 2 months and have noticed a big difference. their vitamins seem to help out alot and without side effects! i dont know if this will help you at all.. I'm new to the community here. but good luck with it.