Daycare.com Forum
Natural, Holistic and RAW Lifestyle>Crohn's Disease Anyone?
daycarediva 10:56 AM 09-06-2013
I have had issues with (what I thought to be/was diagnosed as having) IBS my entire adult life. In the last 6ish months, it has escalated to the point that I made an appt with my doctor to have it checked out. I had a barium xray done today, as well as lab work. I was put on a prescription anti-diarrhea med and prednisone that tapers up over the next 10 days and PRN vicodin. Then I have to have a colonoscopy done. (EEK, the barium enema was BAD ENOUGH).
There is blood in my stool (sorry, tmi) and I have ulcers in my intestine.
I have a very healthy diet, manage stress well, I don't smoke and only occasionally drink. I also have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) so the combination of cramping in my abdomen is pretty bad.
Anyone have this? know someone who does? Does a diet change help? Hurt? I am super concerned about the prednisone, I was on it once before for severe pneumonia and gained 15lbs in a month.
There is blood in my stool (sorry, tmi) and I have ulcers in my intestine.
I have a very healthy diet, manage stress well, I don't smoke and only occasionally drink. I also have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) so the combination of cramping in my abdomen is pretty bad.
Anyone have this? know someone who does? Does a diet change help? Hurt? I am super concerned about the prednisone, I was on it once before for severe pneumonia and gained 15lbs in a month.
Play Care 11:06 AM 09-06-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
I have had issues with (what I thought to be/was diagnosed as having) IBS my entire adult life. In the last 6ish months, it has escalated to the point that I made an appt with my doctor to have it checked out. I had a barium xray done today, as well as lab work. I was put on a prescription anti-diarrhea med and prednisone that tapers up over the next 10 days and PRN vicodin. Then I have to have a colonoscopy done. (EEK, the barium enema was BAD ENOUGH).
There is blood in my stool (sorry, tmi) and I have ulcers in my intestine.
I have a very healthy diet, manage stress well, I don't smoke and only occasionally drink. I also have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) so the combination of cramping in my abdomen is pretty bad.
Anyone have this? know someone who does? Does a diet change help? Hurt? I am super concerned about the prednisone, I was on it once before for severe pneumonia and gained 15lbs in a month.
My twin sister has Chron's. She has what is considered a "moderate" case and has had two surgeries to remove sections of intestines - the most recent was last summer. I know she was on Humeria and does take steroids but not all the time. Oh, and she has said the worst part of the colonoscopy is the prep part, the actual procedure isn't a big deal (I think they put you under? ) Sending good thoughts your way! I have had issues with (what I thought to be/was diagnosed as having) IBS my entire adult life. In the last 6ish months, it has escalated to the point that I made an appt with my doctor to have it checked out. I had a barium xray done today, as well as lab work. I was put on a prescription anti-diarrhea med and prednisone that tapers up over the next 10 days and PRN vicodin. Then I have to have a colonoscopy done. (EEK, the barium enema was BAD ENOUGH).
There is blood in my stool (sorry, tmi) and I have ulcers in my intestine.
I have a very healthy diet, manage stress well, I don't smoke and only occasionally drink. I also have PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) so the combination of cramping in my abdomen is pretty bad.
Anyone have this? know someone who does? Does a diet change help? Hurt? I am super concerned about the prednisone, I was on it once before for severe pneumonia and gained 15lbs in a month.
http://www.crohnsandcolitisinfo.com/...ast_ggl_035467
daycarediva 11:24 AM 09-06-2013
That is what I am concerned about. I need to find a substitute asap. The technician that did the xrays said that they don't look too good and asked why I didn't come in sooner. My doctor won't call me back until Monday, and I have an appt with a GI guy but that's 2 weeks out.
I need to find a substitute asap. The technician that did the xrays said that they don't look too good and asked why I didn't come in sooner. My doctor won't call me back until Monday, and I have an appt with a GI guy but that's 2 weeks out.
Scout 01:04 PM 09-06-2013
Originally Posted by daycarediva:
That is what I am concerned about. I need to find a substitute asap. The technician that did the xrays said that they don't look too good and asked why I didn't come in sooner. My doctor won't call me back until Monday, and I have an appt with a GI guy but that's 2 weeks out.
Maybe it's just me but, that tech probably should not have told you anythingThat is what I am concerned about.
I need to find a substitute asap. The technician that did the xrays said that they don't look too good and asked why I didn't come in sooner. My doctor won't call me back until Monday, and I have an appt with a GI guy but that's 2 weeks out.
? I would think that would be a violation of some sort, especially if they are not a physician and all it accomplished was making you worry for the rest of the weekend!
My SIL has Chrohn's and is ok most of the time but, when she does has flare ups, I guess it can be pretty bad. She does have to use the restroom right after eating most times and does get the colonoscopy's done frequently for her age as well. She too, hates the prep more than the test! I hope you feel better after they find a treatment plan that works for you!
MrsSteinel'sHouse 01:10 PM 09-07-2013
My Aunt has it. I was just there. Yes, she is very cautious on what she eats. She is in her 70s and has had it all her life. Diagnosed in her 30s. Chicken, white rice, green beans and bananas are her staples.. like almost every meal. Oh malt o meal for breakfast.
Michael 01:33 PM 09-07-2013
My brother-inlaw has it. Please consider a gluten free diet. It's worth a try. I was having intestinal issues also for many years and it all stopped when I got rid of the gluten. If it sneaks into my food even in small amounts I feel it. Lost 20 lbs along the way. 
mamac 11:41 AM 09-06-2013
I don't have much experience with Crohn's disease other than a friend that was a co-worker of mine years ago. She worked the call center and I was her emergency back-up when she needed to use the bathroom immediately. I don't recall how severe her's was but I ended up visiting a few years after moving away to find that she had had parts of her colon removed. She looked great (was always underweight) and she said she finally felt normal.
As far as the prednisone, I have been on that every day for the past 25 years. I've found that as long as I am on 10mg or less per day I don't experience any weight gain or fluid retention. 20mg will really give me a chubby face and 40mg...forget looking cute. During my most severe illness I actually got stretch marks on my thighs after I was hospitalized years ago and they pumped my body full of it. I went from 110lbs to 140lbs in 8 days.(I wouldn't worry about that though seeing as your dr's are tapering the dose up.) Any weight you gain shouldn't be a problem once the dose is lowered because most of it will probably be fluid retention anyway, unless you give in to the side effect of having an increased appetite. (I once learned the hard way.)
Once your illness is under control your dr should be able to lower the prednisone back down again and possibly even eliminate it all together. My dr's have tried to take me off of it but my body won't cooperate. Currently I am on 7.5mg/day and I am able to maintain my weight of 108. (until the cold weather gets here and I put on my "winter padding". lol
) I know all the literature out there says that prednisone is the evil drug that shouldn't be used long term, but I have had no serious side effects. I have regular bone density tests and they've all come back at normal or above for my age.
Good luck with your diagnosis!
As far as the prednisone, I have been on that every day for the past 25 years. I've found that as long as I am on 10mg or less per day I don't experience any weight gain or fluid retention. 20mg will really give me a chubby face and 40mg...forget looking cute. During my most severe illness I actually got stretch marks on my thighs after I was hospitalized years ago and they pumped my body full of it. I went from 110lbs to 140lbs in 8 days.(I wouldn't worry about that though seeing as your dr's are tapering the dose up.) Any weight you gain shouldn't be a problem once the dose is lowered because most of it will probably be fluid retention anyway, unless you give in to the side effect of having an increased appetite. (I once learned the hard way.)
Once your illness is under control your dr should be able to lower the prednisone back down again and possibly even eliminate it all together. My dr's have tried to take me off of it but my body won't cooperate. Currently I am on 7.5mg/day and I am able to maintain my weight of 108. (until the cold weather gets here and I put on my "winter padding". lol
) I know all the literature out there says that prednisone is the evil drug that shouldn't be used long term, but I have had no serious side effects. I have regular bone density tests and they've all come back at normal or above for my age.Good luck with your diagnosis!