Um, I'm not looking forward to this

[Eskimo]

Other diseases haven't been ruled out, but I'm feeling outstanding today compared to other days and I've been only eating once and juicing the rest of the time I "eat". This may sound gross. But I had a solid bowel movement two days in a row. That's really rare for me.

Changing my diet has made me feel better. My theory is drinking all sorts of vegetable juice is actually a good way to absorb nutrients. I haven't cut out wheat yet, but I assume there is a test for celiac disease?

I had an older friend with GI issues...the dr. said he was in terrible health. He went and got an allergy test and doesn't eat certain things. Now he's doing better.

Ah, I guess I'll just wait to see what they say.

There is a very simple blood test for celiac called anti-transglutaminase. Celiac diagnosis used to require small bowel biopsy but the blood test is now so accurate that I'm not sure how often it is done anymore.

I think the most important thing with diet management in Crohns is to make sure you get enough calories and get enough nutrients. The less bowel surgery you have the better because you are more able to absorb nutrients that way.

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. The management of Crohns is much better today than 10 years ago so don't compare yourself to those who have had the disease for many years. Your outcome will probably be much better.

 

[Sarge]

You are pretty much doped up during the procedure. It is painless. Walk in the park.

I know someone with Crohns Disease. I know it can be debilitating. I hope you make out ok and are feeling better soon.

 

[Faerluna]

Those who are prone to obstructions of the bowel often need to avoid fiber.

Why would that be the case, out of curiosity? In my mind, if you were prone to a blockage, you would think that having extra fiber to keep things moving would be a good thing.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

There is a very simple blood test for celiac called anti-transglutaminase. Celiac diagnosis used to require small bowel biopsy but the blood test is now so accurate that I'm not sure how often it is done anymore.

I think the most important thing with diet management in Crohns is to make sure you get enough calories and get enough nutrients. The less bowel surgery you have the better because you are more able to absorb nutrients that way.

I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. The management of Crohns is much better today than 10 years ago so don't compare yourself to those who have had the disease for many years. Your outcome will probably be much better.

I hope so. I'm doing things on my own, and I honestly feel great today. One day, though, in the last 30 isn't something to get excited about. And I have not cut out gluten yet. But I'm on my way to doing so, just to see if that helps.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

You are pretty much doped up during the procedure. It is painless. Walk in the park.

I know someone with Crohns Disease. I know it can be debilitating. I hope you make out ok and are feeling better soon.

Thanks sarge and everyone else in this thread for the encouragement and understanding. I'm amazed, though, at how well I feel today. I think there is just something to letting your body not eat as much as you normally do.

 

[Eskimo]

Why would that be the case, out of curiosity? In my mind, if you were prone to a blockage, you would think that having extra fiber to keep things moving would be a good thing.

I think it is because there are some people have so many adhesions in their bowel that stools with significant bulk are prone to causing obstructions. Such people need thin, non-bulky stools to avoid obstructions.

It is like I said that everyone with Crohns is different so a one-size fits all approach doesn't work.

 

[Eskimo]

all of this is still with a gluten free diet? The girl that I know with Chrohns gets shots that really help it subside, and she just doesn't eat any gluten and she's generally fine.

But I suppose all cases are not the same.

The shots are probably one of the anti-TNF alpha drugs that were a big leap forward in Crohns. The most popular shot is Humira. Remicade also works but that one is through an IV infusion.

 

[Eskimo]

I hope so. I'm doing things on my own, and I honestly feel great today. One day, though, in the last 30 isn't something to get excited about. And I have not cut out gluten yet. But I'm on my way to doing so, just to see if that helps.

You can try gluten-free if you want but I would get the blood test first to see if it is absolutely necessary.

I have a friend with celiac and it can be pretty darn restrictive when eating out. The other thing is that gluten is also an additive in lots of other things we ingest.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

You can try gluten-free if you want but I would get the blood test first to see if it is absolutely necessary.

I have a friend with celiac and it can be pretty darn restrictive when eating out. The other thing is that gluten is also an additive in lots of other things we ingest.

Yeah, it's really restrictive even at a store. But agree with you about low-fiber. It has been working for me. As we speak, though, I am experiencing some cramping just from the cantaloupe and carrot juice i'm drinking. The sickness in the morning isn't as severe lately and I think that's just because I quit eating 3 meals a day and went to 1 meal. Now, I feel like it's healing or going into a remissive state. But I thought that last time and wound up back in the hospital.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

The shots are probably one of the anti-TNF alpha drugs that were a big leap forward in Crohns. The most popular shot is Humira. Remicade also works but that one is through an IV infusion.

Are these steroids and how do they work?

 

[Hostile]

I'll keep you in my prayers Ben.

 

[Eskimo]

Are these steroids and how do they work?

No, they are not steroids.

They block an important molecule in the inflammatory cascade known as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The development of these drugs has been a major modern medical advancement in the treatment of Psoriasis, Inflammatory Arthropahties (i.e. Rheumatoid arthritis and the seronegative sponyloarthropathies), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

They are quite potent medications but have much less side effects than steroids (i.e. prednisone). The only thing with them is that you usually have to have a definitive diagnosis of one of its indicated diseases, have a severe form of the disease and the disease has to be inadequately controlled on the other immunomodulatory treatments (i.e. 5-ASA, Imuran, Methotrexate).

The medication is quite expensive: $2000/month. Most people who take them will take them long-term.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

Hey man, I just came across this thread. I hope you are feeling better. Will keep you in prayer. Did you have the colonoscopy yet?

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

No, they are not steroids.

They block an important molecule in the inflammatory cascade known as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The development of these drugs has been a major modern medical advancement in the treatment of Psoriasis, Inflammatory Arthropahties (i.e. Rheumatoid arthritis and the seronegative sponyloarthropathies), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

They are quite potent medications but have much less side effects than steroids (i.e. prednisone). The only thing with them is that you usually have to have a definitive diagnosis of one of its indicated diseases, have a severe form of the disease and the disease has to be inadequately controlled on the other immunomodulatory treatments (i.e. 5-ASA, Imuran, Methotrexate).

The medication is quite expensive: $2000/month. Most people who take them will take them long-term.

I'm covered on medication. But thanks for all the insight and info. Today, I guess you could say, is the fun part. I don't want to be on prednisone....

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Thanks Hos, inurface, Cajun, DFW, laythewood28, nyc, Zrin, bbgun, notherbob, otero1, Sarge VTA and Eskimo. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Hey man, I just came across this thread. I hope you are feeling better. Will keep you in prayer. Did you have the colonoscopy yet?

Tomorrow.

 

[Eskimo]

Thanks Hos, inurface, Cajun, DFW, laythewood28, nyc, Zrin, bbgun, notherbob, otero1, Sarge VTA and Eskimo. I'll keep you guys posted.

Good luck, my man.

 

[StevenOtero]

Hoping everything went well!

 

[CowboyDan]

Sorry I'm getting to this thread late, but I hope you start feeling better Ben. Good luck with the procedure and get well soon buddy.

 

[Duane]

Hate to hear that Ben. I'm sure the docs will get you straightened out in no time.