Question:

Dennis, I think you misunderstood the intent of the post.   Ephedrine, caffeine would suppress hunger, and give one a boost in energy. Perhaps you have noticed that many diet drugs today claim they are stimulant free. In any case, my theory is a little stranger than you have envisioned. It is not what you take that will cause crohns or UC.  It is another person that you are in a relationship with, friend or family, that is taking a stimulant that is affecting you.   NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING.   Crohns and UC are not organic illnesses, they are given to us by someone using a stimulant and does not realize that they could be harming someone.   It is a mind/body connection, literally.   It is this strangeness that everyone gets hung up on, they are looking for a more logical answer to crohns and UC. And compounding the strangeness is the fact that you do not have to be in the same room with the person on the stimulant to be ill, you can be miles and miles apart, and will still be sick. Coffee has no meaning for crohns. Xanax, Buspar, Depakote, Flexeril, natural herbs with natural stimulants, Kava Kava, St johns wort, etc. etc. if used by the other person can also cause crohns. So it is not what you were taking that caused your UC, it is what someone else is taking. Hope you do not have a bad case, you can help yourself, I hope.  Please read my layman’s theory on the cause of crohns and UC on  website http://ascc.healingwell.com/info/gailfaq.htm I do wish crohns and UC were gotten in a more conventional way.   It wouldn’t be subject to so much ridicule. But the ridicule doesn’t change anything. That is how it is acquired. I hope you can make it work for you, as under the best circumstances it can negate the illness.   However, keep up with your doctors treatment as they are necessary when one is not well. Don’t let the groups outcry deter you from trying to pursue the theory.   You will be better.  Many others have. and coffee does not hurt or cause crohns. Sincerely Gail

Response:

Gail, I agree with you.   I got UC after 5 months of heavy dieting.  I used a so-called ECA stack, wich is ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin.  If something is a stimulant, that is.  It supresses hunger, gives you a real energy boost and burns fat. Anyway, I stopped taking ECA a week or so into my first UC flare.   Haven’t touch it since, and are currently on 5mg pred and 5.asa for maintanence.   So if you first get UT because of stimulants, what will correct it?^ Only stimulant I use now is coffee….. Dennis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Margie, I will continue to explain anything asked that I believe I know.  Valium will never harm another person in the theory of one person on a stimulant causing crohns to another person.   It, and Ativan and some others I am not familiar with are the type of tranquillizers that calm a person. Chlorpromazine is another, far as I know. But marijuana does cause crohns, I can tell you as I have seen deaths occur from it, it produces a euphoria and then sleep afterwards.  I am not a total authority on this, as I have never used it, but it is what I read.   And the damage I have seem from it, is what Ellen and I have experienced when she was living with me, and her  friend smoked it.  He could not come to my house once I knew it, but he continued to dwell on us (he lived closeby) and was very close to Ellen as he was a boyhood friend to her brothers and still friendly with them.His mother, a diabetic, died within days of having a blood clot in her leg and taken to the hospsital.  I didn’t realize what was happening. Ellen had been telling me his mother was so nervous, she was smoking heavily and her son was trying to hide the cigarettes.  I didn’t connect anything at the time. (I am sure her smoking increased because of stress). She was only 53.   Anyway, for three years he stopped the cocaine that he went on to, came to my house in that time, and then announced he didn’t believe my theory, which I knew spelled trouble and it did. Suddenly for no reason my gums started bleeding while outside,  I went to the dentist and had it taken care of. He has since died of a heart attack (which I think was brought about by the cocaine). He was only 43.   Pity, but he had problems that were too difficult to solve. And the other neighbor mentioned in the theory, his wife went for hip surgery because it prevented her from sleeping with the idiot, (actually he was nice) and he insisted on her being operated on.   When I met him on the street, he way crying, and said her heart almost stopped on the operating table and she had a stroke.   I told him to stop his marijuana, and he could not understand what that had to do with her, especially since she got sick in the hospital.   I tried to explain it works that way, and for a week she was getting better when I asked, and then she died.  He must have gone back on the marijuana.  The theory says he said he had not used marijuana in 25 years.   When I met his brother before all this, his brother said they both used marijuana and there was nothing wrong with it.  After his wife died, his brother said, of course he used marijuana, he was worried about his wife when being operated on.   I never believed him in the first place. Oh, well, this is a lot of talk, just experience that can make one wary. If a person that takes anti-depressants or marijuana (If they are doing harm to someone) could switch to Valium or Ativan, and no one else is involved with stimulants, the person with crohns would be well. I could go on and on, but it gets annyoying to most, so I will stop. But will try to answer questions, as the difference between health and crohns is too important to ignore. Sincerely Gail

Response:

Dear Margie, I will continue to explain anything asked that I believe I know.  Valium will never harm another person in the theory of one person on a stimulant causing crohns to another person.   It, and Ativan and some others I am not familiar with are the type of tranquillizers that calm a person. Chlorpromazine is another, far as I know. But marijuana does cause crohns, I can tell you as I have seen deaths occur from it, it produces a euphoria and then sleep afterwards.  I am not a total authority on this, as I have never used it, but it is what I read.   And the damage I have seem from it, is what Ellen and I have experienced when she was living with me, and her  friend smoked it.  He could not come to my house once I knew it, but he continued to dwell on us (he lived closeby) and was very close to Ellen as he was a boyhood friend to her brothers and still friendly with them.His mother, a diabetic, died within days of having a blood clot in her leg and taken to the hospsital.  I didn’t realize what was happening. Ellen had been telling me his mother was so nervous, she was smoking heavily and her son was trying to hide the cigarettes.  I didn’t connect anything at the time. (I am sure her smoking increased because of stress). She was only 53.   Anyway, for three years he stopped the cocaine that he went on to, came to my house in that time, and then announced he didn’t believe my theory, which I knew spelled trouble and it did. Suddenly for no reason my gums started bleeding while outside,  I went to the dentist and had it taken care of. He has since died of a heart attack (which I think was brought about by the cocaine). He was only 43.   Pity, but he had problems that were too difficult to solve. And the other neighbor mentioned in the theory, his wife went for hip surgery because it prevented her from sleeping with the idiot, (actually he was nice) and he insisted on her being operated on.   When I met him on the street, he way crying, and said her heart almost stopped on the operating table and she had a stroke.   I told him to stop his marijuana, and he could not understand what that had to do with her, especially since she got sick in the hospital.   I tried to explain it works that way, and for a week she was getting better when I asked, and then she died.  He must have gone back on the marijuana.  The theory says he said he had not used marijuana in 25 years.   When I met his brother before all this, his brother said they both used marijuana and there was nothing wrong with it.  After his wife died, his brother said, of course he used marijuana, he was worried about his wife when being operated on.   I never believed him in the first place. Oh, well, this is a lot of talk, just experience that can make one wary. If a person that takes anti-depressants or marijuana (If they are doing harm to someone) could switch to Valium or Ativan, and no one else is involved with stimulants, the person with crohns would be well. I could go on and on, but it gets annyoying to most, so I will stop. But will try to answer questions, as the difference between health and crohns is too important to ignore. Sincerely Gail

Response:

Lately, stress, lack of sleep, and/or eating crap is the only thing that causes symptoms for me anymore. Usually after a 2-3 days of rally racing when the adrenaline is up and then down for the duration and I get little sleep, I have some symptoms when I get back. If I’m worried about school, I get symptoms…When I have volleyball conditioning, and I’m not prepared, I have symptoms…so it seems to affect physical and mental stress equally. Rallying combines physical and mental stress along with lack of sleep and eating crappily and stretches it out for a few days…damn, I should get a new hobby Thanks, Alex

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How does stress affect the occurrence of colitis?  Is there anyone who believes there is a correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis?

Response:

But Gail,   I still have gotten no answer to my question about Valium?  And if that is okay because it is a tranquilizer type medication, what about Marijuana? Unless I misunderstood, I thought you said that Marijuana also causes this connection even though it is not a stimulant.  How?  I am not being cruel, Gail.  I am just really trying to understand.  Thanks for explaining, in advance. Always,   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

Response:

I vote for misinformed. I have multiple chronic ailments, have had for over 30 years. Each one took an unusually long time to diagnose and every time the intermediate diagnosis was "stress." I’m firmly convinced that a stress diagnosis is the last resort of a doctor who is either incompetent or unwilling to do the work to find real causes. Dick Evans

It has finally been said!!!  Whoopee!!!!  I so totally agree with you!  They really don’t want to be bothered looking into those dusty medical books or try other ways to find out what is wrong.  Just chalk it up to "stress" and all is well.  Also for women 35 and up it is "just emotional problems….your are premenopausal…you are menopausal…..you are postmenopausal."  In any event, here is a tranquilizer, a pat on the head and "don’t get so worked up over it. It is perfectly normal."  Ha!!!!  I don’t care where in the PAUSAL phase you are, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea/constipation…none of this is normal.  I am just so glad to see someone say this. Thank you.  Be well, Dick.   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

Response:

But Gail,

this is a newsgroup. please, sent a personal e-mail if you want to speak to someone in particular.   I still have gotten no answer to my question about Valium?  And if that is okay because it is a tranquilizer type medication, what about Marijuana? Unless I misunderstood, I thought you said that Marijuana also causes this connection even though it is not a stimulant.  How?  I am not being cruel, Gail.  I am just really trying to understand.  Thanks for explaining, in advance.

what wasthe question, i can’t find it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Always,   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

Response:

Most researchers in the field believe that a genetic factor plus a triggering event result in IBD. The most frequently identified triggering event is a viral infection of the digestive tract.

That indeed is the most common view nowadays.

Response:

The most common view is not always the correct view.   Gail

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My Dr. said that stress or family history can cause colitis. Then your doctor is misinformed or has not correctly phrased it. I vote for misinformed. I have multiple chronic ailments, have had for over 30 years. Each one took an unusually long time to diagnose and every time the intermediate diagnosis was "stress." I’m firmly convinced that a stress diagnosis is the last resort of a doctor who is either incompetent or unwilling to do the work to find real causes. Dick Evans

hi i agree with you, dick…i was told i had "stress" when as a little girl i had horrid stomach pain and diarrhea..and nausea..and vomiting..was grossly underweight…years later dx with uc and then crohns…which flare up at any old time…the only thing stress does is make the already existing symptoms such as tiredness and pain harder to deal with..no effect on bleeding, no effect on fever… i guess it’s possible that stress can impair the immune system..but it doesnt cause ibd…most of my worst flares were at great times in my life…such as a fun vacation, relaxing somewhere, doing something fun..and at the most stressful times of my life…death in the family, divorce etc…little in the way of symptoms…you are right..its an easy "out" for a doctor who has no clue and doesnt want to bother finding one…women have been hearing it for years when it comes to symptoms of menstruation, menopause, effects of pregnancy..it is always assumed that if you are female you are subject to stress-related phantom illnesses…its good to see a male say something similar(tho i am sorry u had to go thru years of misdiagnosis)… hopefully the medical profession is waking up.. annie

Response:

Don’t mix the terms correlation and causal relation. They have very different meaning.

The original poster asked if there is any "correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis".  If colitis is increasing due to stress than it would indeed have to be a causal relationship.

Response:

"Most researchers in the field believe that a genetic factor plus a triggering event result in IBD.  The most frequently identified triggering event is a viral infection of the digestive tract." Couldn’t be further from the truth. Viral infections are self-limiting. Anyone in a totally stimulant free zone will never have crohns or UC.  (a little impossible in this drug society, but possible.)   Also some people are just not vulnerable to the conditions that create crohns. Gail

Response:

Don’t mix the terms correlation and causal relation. They have very different meaning. The original poster asked if there is any "correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis".  If colitis is increasing due to stress than it would indeed have to be a causal relationship.

You’re cutting away all relevant text. Your last statement here is a true statement. But you stated in your earlier reply: Despite numerous studies no causal relationship between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and stress has been discovered. That is a tricky statement, in review of what the original poster asked! That was all I tried to warn the original poster for. Because not everybody knows the subtle difference between cause and correlation.

Response:

It is correct to say stress does not cause crohns.   If the illness is already there, stress plays an important part on how one deals with it.   It causes an exacerbation of crohns symptoms. If stress caused crohns, every soldier on the front line would have crohns. Anyone wishing a better understanding, e-mail me.  (According to my understanding). Gail

Response:

My Dr. said that stress or family history can cause colitis. Then your doctor is misinformed or has not correctly phrased it. Because there is absolutely no evidence of a CAUSAL relationship. And there is neither any evidence about genetic heritage. What is known is that in some families the occurence is higher than in others, but that does not make it a genetic cause.

I agree about stress, however, there is fairly a substantial body of evidence of a genetic in UC and Crohn’s, specifically on the HLA1 and HLA2 genes. It isn’t a purely genetic connection, because the incidence in related individuals isn’t high enough to identify IBDs as genetic diseases. Most researchers in the field believe that a genetic factor plus a triggering event result in IBD. The most frequently identified triggering event is a viral infection of the digestive tract. Larry

Response:

How does stress affect the occurrence of colitis?  Is there anyone who believes there is a correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis? Despite numerous studies no causal relationship between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and stress has been discovered.

Don’t mix the terms correlation and causal relation. They have very different meaning.

Response:

Now show me the correlation that says stress *before* contracting the symptoms plays any role in developing them.

thats not called correlation, that more like a causal relation. anyway, it has never been shown that stress causes any diseases. But what has been found to be true, is that people who are under stressfull circumstances and who report to be more stressful, are more vulnarable to getting ill. That does not mean that for 100% you will be ill. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dick

Response:

My Dr. said that stress or family history can cause colitis. Then your doctor is misinformed or has not correctly phrased it.

I vote for misinformed. I have multiple chronic ailments, have had for over 30 years. Each one took an unusually long time to diagnose and every time the intermediate diagnosis was "stress." I’m firmly convinced that a stress diagnosis is the last resort of a doctor who is either incompetent or unwilling to do the work to find real causes. Dick Evans

Response:

Yes, there is a correlation.

Let’s see now. I have a disease that causes constant pain. I can’t go anywhere unless there is a bathroom immediately handy. I can’t travel by public transportation unless it has a bathroom. My daily routine is interrupted a dozen times by frantic dashes to the bathroom. I have to carry a change of clothes and cleanup supplies in case of accidents. Of course there’s a stress correlation. Now show me the correlation that says stress *before* contracting the symptoms plays any role in developing them. Dick

Response:

How does stress affect the occurrence of colitis?  Is there anyone who believes there is a correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis?

Despite numerous studies no causal relationship between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and stress has been discovered.

Response:

My Dr. said that stress or family history can cause colitis.

Then your doctor is misinformed or has not correctly phrased it. Because there is absolutely no evidence of a CAUSAL relationship. And there is neither any evidence about genetic heritage. What is known is that in some families the occurence is higher than in others, but that does not make it a genetic cause. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I didn’t have any stress when I got it and no one in my family has it, so how did I get it? lol….

Response:

How does stress affect the occurrence of colitis?  Is there anyone who believes there is a correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis?

Stress itself does not cause disease, but stress is believed to play a part in impairing the immune system (when the level of stress is high enough, when the person in question is vulnarable or has no way to cope with it, and when the situation lasts long enough). Stress is said to make people more vulnarable to disease. Yes, there is a correlation.

Response:

My Dr. said that stress or family history can cause colitis.  I didn’t have any stress when I got it and no one in my family has it, so how did I get it? lol….

Response:

How does stress affect the occurrence of colitis?  Is there anyone who believes there is a correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis?

Response:

i agree totally, maybe meditation or yoga would be a good experiment for those with IBD to try and alleviate stress? Robert

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How does stress affect the occurrence of colitis?  Is there anyone who believes there is a correlation between stress and increased incidence of colitis? i have UC.  it is my belief (as well as that of the medical field) that stress has nothing to do with CAUSING colitis.  however, it is pretty clear that in one who has colitis, stress is often a key factor in increasing symptoms, to the point where stress can even bring one who is in remission into a flare.  not sure the exact link between the two, but i know that even before i had UC, i would sometimes feel stress in the gut.  pretty common, even amongst the relatively healthy… jeff

Response:

Question:

Welcome back, Nora.  What is Colozal?

Response:

Sorry it has taken me too long to reply.  Difficulty with my computer. Colozal is like Asacol except it breaks down in the intestine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Welcome back, Nora.  What is Colozal?

Response:

Thanks for your response. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry it has taken me too long to reply.  Difficulty with my computer. Colozal is like Asacol except it breaks down in the intestine. Welcome back, Nora.  What is Colozal?

Response:

Hello everyone!!  I’ve missed you all.  Do you mind if I return to our friendly group?  I had left during a stressful time in my life when things were heated in hear.  Thanks!  Nora

hi nora welcome back…missed you too…this is like a family…always a place to hang your hat(or use the toilet <g) annie

Response:

great to hear you can join the club of "remission status"! jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Jeff and Susan,  I’m doing well now.  I’ve been on Colozal since the spring and I’ve had no Crohns symptoms since I started taking this medication.  Its keeping me in remission and this summer I am enjoying.  Missed the group.  It is always full of information and support.  Nora Hello everyone!!  I’ve missed you all.  Do you mind if I return to our friendly group?  I had left during a stressful time in my life when things were heated in hear.  Thanks!  Nora

Response:

Hello everyone!!  I’ve missed you all.  Do you mind if I return to our friendly group?  I had left during a stressful time in my life when things were heated in hear.  Thanks!  Nora

Response:

as far as i am concerned.  glad to see you again!  welcome back! jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone!!  I’ve missed you all.  Do you mind if I return to our friendly group?  I had left during a stressful time in my life when things were heated in hear.  Thanks!  Nora

Response:

Hi Nora!  Don’t be silly welcome home!!  How are you doing these days?  Long time no hear from you.   I am happy to see you back here.  UM MOM Susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – as far as i am concerned.  glad to see you again!  welcome back! jeff Hello everyone!!  I’ve missed you all.  Do you mind if I return to our friendly group?  I had left during a stressful time in my life when things were heated in hear.  Thanks!  Nora

Response:

Thanks Jeff and Susan,  I’m doing well now.  I’ve been on Colozal since the spring and I’ve had no Crohns symptoms since I started taking this medication.  Its keeping me in remission and this summer I am enjoying.  Missed the group.  It is always full of information and support.  Nora – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone!!  I’ve missed you all.  Do you mind if I return to our friendly group?  I had left during a stressful time in my life when things were heated in hear.  Thanks!  Nora

Response:

Question:

I  know a lady thats been taking it for many years. She said it helps her alittle. Ive had colitis for 26 years and the last 6 years ive been 90% better from taking quallity multi-enzymes, eating less fat and sugar and walking 40 minutes twice a day. Short Stories http://stan231.freeservers.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I searched google and I see people have taken this, but no one said if it really works.  I’m hoping by now there are some results good or bad.  My wife is taking this and she wants me to take it.  I tried fish oil a long time ago but it didn’t work for me.  So I’m a little skeptical.  I agree it can be good for the health, but does it help Crohn’s disease? -Michael

Response:

i would be cautious.  i have tried many "herbals" with no luck.  don’t know that it will hurt, but likely does little to help would be my bet. jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I searched google and I see people have taken this, but no one said if it really works.  I’m hoping by now there are some results good or bad.  My wife is taking this and she wants me to take it.  I tried fish oil a long time ago but it didn’t work for me.  So I’m a little skeptical.  I agree it can be good for the health, but does it help Crohn’s disease? -Michael

Response:

My friend works for a health food store and she let me try the Herring Oil.  I thought it would taste awful but I really liked the lemon flavor.  What I notice was a very subtle change in my body, a overall good feeling like just after you exercise.  For me I found it didn’t have a direct impact on my Crohns symptoms, but who knows if I continued to take it longer. Take care, Nina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Michael, I have been taking an Omega-3 Herring Oil. It is called Ascenta Nutra Sea. It is leamon flavored and I take 2 teaspoons a day, one in the morning and one at night. I pay $15.99 for a 200ml bottle. My pharmacist swears by this. I can’t really say if this helps or not. My crohn’s is active right now. But, who knows if I had not been taking it I could have become worse. I will continue to take it. It is suppose to help with preventing cancer, reducing inflamation,increased energy, and heart disease. This drug will not do any harm, the only thing it can do is help. I have a friend who is on it and he says that it is helping him, he hasn’t had a flare up in over 3 years. Hear is the web site www.ascentahealth.com Good luck, Denyse

Response:

I searched google and I see people have taken this, but no one said if it really works.  I’m hoping by now there are some results good or bad.  My wife is taking this and she wants me to take it.  I tried fish oil a long time ago but it didn’t work for me.  So I’m a little skeptical.  I agree it can be good for the health, but does it help Crohn’s disease? -Michael

Response:

This is discussed in the book "eating Right for a Bad Gat" by James Scala. He talks about the ratio for omega3’s and 6’s.  I don’t think the essential fatty acids are so potent they can bring about remission "just like that" John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I searched google and I see people have taken this, but no one said if it really works.  I’m hoping by now there are some results good or bad.  My wife is taking this and she wants me to take it.  I tried fish oil a long time ago but it didn’t work for me.  So I’m a little skeptical.  I agree it can be good for the health, but does it help Crohn’s disease? -Michael

Response:

I don’t think the primrose really works, but it can’t hurt to try it? Its more the fish oil which has shown success.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I searched google and I see people have taken this, but no one said if it really works.  I’m hoping by now there are some results good or bad.  My wife is taking this and she wants me to take it.  I tried fish oil a long time ago but it didn’t work for me.  So I’m a little skeptical.  I agree it can be good for the health, but does it help Crohn’s disease? -Michael

Response:

Hi Michael, I have been taking an Omega-3 Herring Oil. It is called Ascenta Nutra Sea. It is leamon flavored and I take 2 teaspoons a day, one in the morning and one at night. I pay $15.99 for a 200ml bottle. My pharmacist swears by this. I can’t really say if this helps or not. My crohn’s is active right now. But, who knows if I had not been taking it I could have become worse. I will continue to take it. It is suppose to help with preventing cancer, reducing inflamation,increased energy, and heart disease. This drug will not do any harm, the only thing it can do is help. I have a friend who is on it and he says that it is helping him, he hasn’t had a flare up in over 3 years. Hear is the web site www.ascentahealth.com Good luck, Denyse

Response:

Thanks nyse.  I may have to try this out. Mary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Michael, I have been taking an Omega-3 Herring Oil. It is called Ascenta Nutra Sea. It is leamon flavored and I take 2 teaspoons a day, one in the morning and one at night. I pay $15.99 for a 200ml bottle. My pharmacist swears by this. I can’t really say if this helps or not. My crohn’s is active right now. But, who knows if I had not been taking it I could have become worse. I will continue to take it. It is suppose to help with preventing cancer, reducing inflamation,increased energy, and heart disease. This drug will not do any harm, the only thing it can do is help. I have a friend who is on it and he says that it is helping him, he hasn’t had a flare up in over 3 years. Hear is the web site www.ascentahealth.com Good luck, Denyse

Response:

In the UK there’s a ‘user group’ from CD and UC…the NACC (www.nacc.org.uk) which issues a regular newsletter. And in every issue, the letters page is full of people saying "X worked like magic"….and others saying "X didn’t So…if it’s not likely to hurt, why not try ANYTHING (within reason!!), in case you’re the person it works for? I have to say I’ve always found the effects of the disease (and, now, of a much shortened bowel even with no active disease) vary so much from week to week, hour to hour, that it’s extremely hard to decide whether any particular therapy has helped, or whether any improvement or deterioration is just part of the ‘normal’ cycle. Good luck anyway andrew (CD 30+yrs)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I searched google and I see people have taken this, but no one said if it really works.  I’m hoping by now there are some results good or bad.  My wife is taking this and she wants me to take it.  I tried fish oil a long time ago but it didn’t work for me.  So I’m a little skeptical.  I agree it can be good for the health, but does it help Crohn’s disease? -Michael

Response:

Question:

I was just diagnosed with Chrons, and am very ill, though the doc says my case is mild.  Everything is passing through my intestines undigested.  I can basically see everything I previously ate in the toilet.  (Sorry to be so gross.)  I’m now on Asacol and even that passes undigested.  I haven’t don’t any homeopathic stuff yet, right now I am too ill and am following my doc’s advice.  I am also nauseous and am currently losing my appetite again.  Keep well and best of luck to you.     Nora – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was dx with crohns in 1999 and then they also found I had gluten allergy. At that time it just seemed like I had a real bad tummy bug that just got worse. Eventually I was going to the loo 4 times in the morning and after I ate anything. I also had tummy cramps but only saw blood once although mucus lots of times oh and got the occasional night sweat. I was given pentasa but it made me break out in nasty rashes and made me feel worse so I gave it up and instead started looking at alt medicine. I kept a food diary, change diet dramatically, saw a homeopath, actupuncturist, nutricianist – you name it….. 4 years later on and I have no pains but I get on average 2/3 days of diarea once a month, rest of the time I am absolutely fine, once a day regular and solid. If I drink alcohol, coffee or eat spicey food I get diarea for 5 days or so then things sort themselves out. I see an really good actupunturist every 4 weeks and take chinese medicine daily. So basically my tummy seems to be very sensitive like someone with IBS but I have no pain. I do however have almost constant headache and sore tongue, fatigue, itchy eyes – alternative dx for this would probably be candida overgrowth (but they say that about most things). What I would really like to know is if anyone else has taken my route and be as successful. Also what could be giving me these other symptoms – have just had B12 and blood checked (for aneamia) both ok. The other symtoms do get worse with my tummy and I am thinking that the food just seems to pass through my gut lining without being digested – does this make sense?

Response:

i have not done what you have done, but i can say that your "gut" with crohns can be just as sensitive, in fact, in my opinion, more sensitive than ibs.  what is the extent of your crohns?  where is it located?  your other sx’s can easily be anything, they sound allergy related to me, could even be your sensitivity to some of the things you are taking, you might want to further experiment with what you are taking (stop one thing at a time, then go on with the next) to see what effect, if any, it could have on your other sx’s. just some ideas for you to ponder. jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was dx with crohns in 1999 and then they also found I had gluten allergy. At that time it just seemed like I had a real bad tummy bug that just got worse. Eventually I was going to the loo 4 times in the morning and after I ate anything. I also had tummy cramps but only saw blood once although mucus lots of times oh and got the occasional night sweat. I was given pentasa but it made me break out in nasty rashes and made me feel worse so I gave it up and instead started looking at alt medicine. I kept a food diary, change diet dramatically, saw a homeopath, actupuncturist, nutricianist – you name it….. 4 years later on and I have no pains but I get on average 2/3 days of diarea once a month, rest of the time I am absolutely fine, once a day regular and solid. If I drink alcohol, coffee or eat spicey food I get diarea for 5 days or so then things sort themselves out. I see an really good actupunturist every 4 weeks and take chinese medicine daily. So basically my tummy seems to be very sensitive like someone with IBS but I have no pain. I do however have almost constant headache and sore tongue, fatigue, itchy eyes – alternative dx for this would probably be candida overgrowth (but they say that about most things). What I would really like to know is if anyone else has taken my route and be as successful. Also what could be giving me these other symptoms – have just had B12 and blood checked (for aneamia) both ok. The other symtoms do get worse with my tummy and I am thinking that the food just seems to pass through my gut lining without being digested – does this make sense?

Response:

I was dx with crohns in 1999 and then they also found I had gluten allergy. At that time it just seemed like I had a real bad tummy bug that just got worse. Eventually I was going to the loo 4 times in the morning and after I ate anything. I also had tummy cramps but only saw blood once although mucus lots of times oh and got the occasional night sweat. I was given pentasa but it made me break out in nasty rashes and made me feel worse so I gave it up and instead started looking at alt medicine. I kept a food diary, change diet dramatically, saw a homeopath, actupuncturist, nutricianist – you name it….. 4 years later on and I have no pains but I get on average 2/3 days of diarea once a month, rest of the time I am absolutely fine, once a day regular and solid. If I drink alcohol, coffee or eat spicey food I get diarea for 5 days or so then things sort themselves out. I see an really good actupunturist every 4 weeks and take chinese medicine daily. So basically my tummy seems to be very sensitive like someone with IBS but I have no pain. I do however have almost constant headache and sore tongue, fatigue, itchy eyes – alternative dx for this would probably be candida overgrowth (but they say that about most things). What I would really like to know is if anyone else has taken my route and be as successful. Also what could be giving me these other symptoms – have just had B12 and blood checked (for aneamia) both ok. The other symtoms do get worse with my tummy and I am thinking that the food just seems to pass through my gut lining without being digested – does this make sense?

Response:

Question:

I actually like some yogurts but I just don’t go out of my way to buy them. I also like tofu but that doesn’t not contain active bacteria to my knowledge. I totally agree that the best way to get live bacterial cultures is to find a good probiotic supplement. You can get a much better range of cultures. Also there are different bacteria that inhabit the small intestines and the large intestines. Even some probiotics are targetted for one or the other. So I actually take 2 different brands, one for the small and one for the large intestines. That way I think I cover all bases. Thanks, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But back to probiotics: you know 15 years ago or better our veterinarians were advising us to put our new born puppies on acidophilus if they or their mother were on an antibiotic. The acidophilus prevented a lot of puppies dying from "fading puppy syndrome". The problem w/yogurt, so I’ve been told, is that most US brands are "pastuerized", thus destroying the most beneficial ingredients. So we used to hunt amongst the brands at the stores to find the one or two brands that weren’t pasteurized. I don’t know if that still holds true as I am NOT a yogurt fan. Much as I hate popping a bunch of pills, I prefer popping probiotic pills to eating yogurt. I don’t like the "grain-iness" of soy products like Ensure, etc. either and tofu turns me off completely so I guess I’m just a persnickity ole broad about a lot of this stuff. But I am a FIRM BELIEVER in probiotics.

Response:

But back to probiotics: you know 15 years ago or better our veterinarians were advising us to put our new born puppies on acidophilus if they or their mother were on an antibiotic. The acidophilus prevented a lot of puppies dying from "fading puppy syndrome". The problem w/yogurt, so I’ve been told, is that most US brands are "pastuerized", thus destroying the most beneficial ingredients. So we used to hunt amongst the brands at the stores to find the one or two brands that weren’t pasteurized. I don’t know if that still holds true as I am NOT a yogurt fan. Much as I hate popping a bunch of pills, I prefer popping probiotic pills to eating yogurt. I don’t like the "grain-iness" of soy products like Ensure, etc. either and tofu turns me off completely so I guess I’m just a persnickity ole broad about a lot of this stuff. But I am a FIRM BELIEVER in probiotics.

Response:

To tell someone to take yogurt is still missing the point. There are good yogurts and there are many bad one. And most yogurts even if they are good only contain the one bacteria. That won’t help if you have UC. So even the doctors who tell you to eat yogurt are very very under informed. There are so many different bacteria that are helpful for different people. It is better for people to try a variety of probiotics to find one that helps them. Yogurt, even when it does contain live bacteria, may only be helpful for a small percentage of people. Many people need other cultures to help them and yogurt may not contain those – even if it is artificially impregnated with more cultures. You are putting out a simplistic view by telling everyone to eat yogurt. Regards, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jeff that’s not proof.  This group is a minority compared to all that see drs and take antibiotics.  I mean proof that drs do not know that at least yogurt helps when on antibiotics.  That kind of proof not the ccfa’s advertisers or people here you say haven’t been told about yogurt because I don’t agree with you that most here were not told about yogurt while on antibiotics.  And My dr’s arn’t special you just have to be informed to make sure you get a good dr and trust me not all are good.  UM MOMSusan The proof is right here in this news group. I’ve seen many people who were prescibed antibiotics post here, yet only a minority of those have reported they were told to take probiotics or yogurt. Look at the post someone recently made on the agenda of the latest GI conference. Probiotics are not even mentioned once. The GI’s are even worse then your average GP – imho. Lucky for you your doctor seems to be one of the few enlightened ones. Thanks, Jeff 2 Show me proof of this.  I am 47 years old and when I was in middle school, back then called Jr high, whenever I took  antibiotics I was told to eat yogurt 3 times a day with the pill.  So show me where you get this info from.   UM MOM Susan The nutritional industry has known for over 20 years that probiotics (including yogurt) are indicated when taking antibiotics. What has taken the medical profession so long to catch up? That is my question. A lot of people have suffered needlessly due to their sometimes myopic vision. Thanks, Jeff 2 Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

Jeff that’s not proof.  This group is a minority compared to all that see drs and take antibiotics.  I mean proof that drs do not know that at least yogurt helps when on antibiotics.  That kind of proof not the ccfa’s advertisers or people here you say haven’t been told about yogurt because I don’t agree with you that most here were not told about yogurt while on antibiotics.  And My dr’s arn’t special you just have to be informed to make sure you get a good dr and trust me not all are good.  UM MOMSusan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The proof is right here in this news group. I’ve seen many people who were prescibed antibiotics post here, yet only a minority of those have reported they were told to take probiotics or yogurt. Look at the post someone recently made on the agenda of the latest GI conference. Probiotics are not even mentioned once. The GI’s are even worse then your average GP – imho. Lucky for you your doctor seems to be one of the few enlightened ones. Thanks, Jeff 2 Show me proof of this.  I am 47 years old and when I was in middle school, back then called Jr high, whenever I took  antibiotics I was told to eat yogurt 3 times a day with the pill.  So show me where you get this info from.   UM MOM Susan The nutritional industry has known for over 20 years that probiotics (including yogurt) are indicated when taking antibiotics. What has taken the medical profession so long to catch up? That is my question. A lot of people have suffered needlessly due to their sometimes myopic vision. Thanks, Jeff 2 Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

The proof is right here in this news group. I’ve seen many people who were prescibed antibiotics post here, yet only a minority of those have reported they were told to take probiotics or yogurt. Look at the post someone recently made on the agenda of the latest GI conference. Probiotics are not even mentioned once. The GI’s are even worse then your average GP – imho. Lucky for you your doctor seems to be one of the few enlightened ones. Thanks, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Show me proof of this.  I am 47 years old and when I was in middle school, back then called Jr high, whenever I took  antibiotics I was told to eat yogurt 3 times a day with the pill.  So show me where you get this info from.   UM MOM Susan The nutritional industry has known for over 20 years that probiotics (including yogurt) are indicated when taking antibiotics. What has taken the medical profession so long to catch up? That is my question. A lot of people have suffered needlessly due to their sometimes myopic vision. Thanks, Jeff 2 Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

Show me proof of this.  I am 47 years old and when I was in middle school, back then called Jr high, whenever I took  antibiotics I was told to eat yogurt 3 times a day with the pill.  So show me where you get this info from.   UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The nutritional industry has known for over 20 years that probiotics (including yogurt) are indicated when taking antibiotics. What has taken the medical profession so long to catch up? That is my question. A lot of people have suffered needlessly due to their sometimes myopic vision. Thanks, Jeff 2 Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

The nutritional industry has known for over 20 years that probiotics (including yogurt) are indicated when taking antibiotics. What has taken the medical profession so long to catch up? That is my question. A lot of people have suffered needlessly due to their sometimes myopic vision. Thanks, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

Before the fancy name, probotics, anytime I was given antibiotics I was also told to eat yogurt even as a young one.  So yes it has but like I said things of late has gotten more confusing and very flooded.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, I agree research is important, but it’s been well known in the nutritional field that you should take probiotics (includes yogurt) if taking antibiotics for 20 years – easily. Medical science has ignored this and even tried to discredit this for many years. Now faced with overwhelming evidence they are fnally coming around. But many people have suffered over these years because the medical profession has dragged their feet on acknowledging these simple known facts. That is why I sometimes get very upset with them – as you know. I hate to see people suffer due to shortsightedness of the medical profession. And I’m not making this up, there are many people who feel this way and for good reason. But not that they don’t have many good treatments for health problems, just that they tend to ignore the alternative approaches of which probiotics is one. Regards, Jeff 2 Well since they are now just starting to test some of these things on whether they are useful or not is why that are just starting to recommend some of these things and mine usually through food intake.  Research needs to be done and safety and so forth for the main stream to accept alternates esp vitamins esp with all the problems that do get into print.  Just my opinion.  UM MOM Susan Ah ha, they are finally catching on. BTW – this has been common knowledge in the alternative and nutritional disciplines for over 20 years, the fact that you should take probiotics of which yogurt is one, when taking antibiotics. Yet the fact that modern science is only now starting to catch on is one of the reasons why I distrusted some (not all) of the medical profession. There is no good reason in my mind why it has taken them so long. Sorry for that interjection but I just want people to understand that this is one good example of where modern medicine has been behind. Of course there are things were they are ahead too. Thanks, Jeff 2 Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. No, Jeff, my gastro never recommended a probiotic but Dr May at the CCFA’s Ask the Specialist did. My pharmacist is one of the few compounding pharmacists in this country and he recommended my taking them too. He suggested Enterobiotic so that is the one I’ve been taking. By the way, my gastro now DOES recommend probiotics to her IBD patients.

Response:

Yes, I agree research is important, but it’s been well known in the nutritional field that you should take probiotics (includes yogurt) if taking antibiotics for 20 years – easily. Medical science has ignored this and even tried to discredit this for many years. Now faced with overwhelming evidence they are fnally coming around. But many people have suffered over these years because the medical profession has dragged their feet on acknowledging these simple known facts. That is why I sometimes get very upset with them – as you know. I hate to see people suffer due to shortsightedness of the medical profession. And I’m not making this up, there are many people who feel this way and for good reason. But not that they don’t have many good treatments for health problems, just that they tend to ignore the alternative approaches of which probiotics is one. Regards, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well since they are now just starting to test some of these things on whether they are useful or not is why that are just starting to recommend some of these things and mine usually through food intake.  Research needs to be done and safety and so forth for the main stream to accept alternates esp vitamins esp with all the problems that do get into print.  Just my opinion.  UM MOM Susan Ah ha, they are finally catching on. BTW – this has been common knowledge in the alternative and nutritional disciplines for over 20 years, the fact that you should take probiotics of which yogurt is one, when taking antibiotics. Yet the fact that modern science is only now starting to catch on is one of the reasons why I distrusted some (not all) of the medical profession. There is no good reason in my mind why it has taken them so long. Sorry for that interjection but I just want people to understand that this is one good example of where modern medicine has been behind. Of course there are things were they are ahead too. Thanks, Jeff 2 Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. No, Jeff, my gastro never recommended a probiotic but Dr May at the CCFA’s Ask the Specialist did. My pharmacist is one of the few compounding pharmacists in this country and he recommended my taking them too. He suggested Enterobiotic so that is the one I’ve been taking. By the way, my gastro now DOES recommend probiotics to her IBD patients.

Response:

Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics.

No, Jeff, my gastro never recommended a probiotic but Dr May at the CCFA’s Ask the Specialist did. My pharmacist is one of the few compounding pharmacists in this country and he recommended my taking them too. He suggested Enterobiotic so that is the one I’ve been taking. By the way, my gastro now DOES recommend probiotics to her IBD patients.

Response:

Speaking of the CCFA website … has anyone bothered to go back there since they discontinued and removed the Ask the Specialist forum? I haven’t. obgyn.net still has their Women’s Health forum and don’t appear to be in any "sweat" about liability issues w/their forum w/the doctors there answering questions. They seem comfortable w/their disclaimer. I’m just not feeling any too charitable towards CCFA since their decision to discontinue that forum. I really, STRONGLY, feel that the Ask the Specialist forum was the GREATEST ASSET IBDers had in their battle w/IBD aside from their own doctors. Which brings to mind …. is Dr Steve Holland still around? I haven’t seen or heard much of him lately.

Response:

Ah ha, they are finally catching on. BTW – this has been common knowledge in the alternative and nutritional disciplines for over 20 years, the fact that you should take probiotics of which yogurt is one, when taking antibiotics. Yet the fact that modern science is only now starting to catch on is one of the reasons why I distrusted some (not all) of the medical profession. There is no good reason in my mind why it has taken them so long. Sorry for that interjection but I just want people to understand that this is one good example of where modern medicine has been behind. Of course there are things were they are ahead too. Thanks, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. No, Jeff, my gastro never recommended a probiotic but Dr May at the CCFA’s Ask the Specialist did. My pharmacist is one of the few compounding pharmacists in this country and he recommended my taking them too. He suggested Enterobiotic so that is the one I’ve been taking. By the way, my gastro now DOES recommend probiotics to her IBD patients.

Response:

When I say probiotics that would include yogurt – as long as that brand has active cultures. Regards, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Probotics and as a matter of fact most of the alternates you talk about are just now starting to be taken seriously and investigated.  So again you are making a blanket statement in a way.  Now if you would have said something like did your dr tell you to eat yogurt and stuff like that during the antibiotic use you would have made yourself much clearer.  You told me to tell you when you weren’t clear! )  Have a good one Jeff.  I’ll try to remember where I got the Jeff from and see if I can get it for a Helen ok? UM MOM Susan Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2 Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

Well since they are now just starting to test some of these things on whether they are useful or not is why that are just starting to recommend some of these things and mine usually through food intake.  Research needs to be done and safety and so forth for the main stream to accept alternates esp vitamins esp with all the problems that do get into print.  Just my opinion.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ah ha, they are finally catching on. BTW – this has been common knowledge in the alternative and nutritional disciplines for over 20 years, the fact that you should take probiotics of which yogurt is one, when taking antibiotics. Yet the fact that modern science is only now starting to catch on is one of the reasons why I distrusted some (not all) of the medical profession. There is no good reason in my mind why it has taken them so long. Sorry for that interjection but I just want people to understand that this is one good example of where modern medicine has been behind. Of course there are things were they are ahead too. Thanks, Jeff 2 Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. No, Jeff, my gastro never recommended a probiotic but Dr May at the CCFA’s Ask the Specialist did. My pharmacist is one of the few compounding pharmacists in this country and he recommended my taking them too. He suggested Enterobiotic so that is the one I’ve been taking. By the way, my gastro now DOES recommend probiotics to her IBD patients.

Response:

Fever and chills always are part of my crohns flare!!!!!!

Response:

Fever and chills always are part of my crohns flare!!!!!!

I have long had unexplained fevers, along with symptoms of Crohn’s and pain in my pelvis/hips/back. After many years of playing Namr the Disease, I may have a diagnosis: ankylosing spondylitis. Crohn’s is often present in those with AS, and AS causes fevers and muscle/joint pain even when in the non-acute stage.

Response:

Hi Terri! Thanks for your response.  Well, I am definitely in a flare.  I know realize what I thought was the virus was actually my crohns.  I guess I was lucky to have enjoyed a 3 year remission.  Hopefully, this flare will be short-lived.  I

Response:

Did you ever take any probiotics after all of those antibiotics????? Any doctor worth their salt would have prescribed probiotics. It has been a known fact for many many years that antibiotics kill off not only the bad bacteria but also the good bacteria in both the small and large intestines. So it is very very important to take probiotics when taking strong antibiotics such as flagyl. This is an important factor. Let me know if they did or did not recommend probiotics. Regards, Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C

I can only relate my own experience. In 1999 we found a new area of Crohn’s activity after a 20 year remission. Flaygl seemed to put that new area into remission. Continued on Pentasa and also alternating Tetracycline and Amoxicillin for baterial overgrowth at a partial obstruction at my old resection. We thought I was back in remission. HOWEVER, active Crohn’s can keep "perking", often for quite some time, without obvious symptoms, and then FLARE big time. The first of this year I began having chills, feeling feverish, on and off except every time I took my temp I was subtemp: 96.4 – 97.6. Then bladder aches and pains, symptoms of a UTI except no burning or itching and a negative urine culture. However, I was dehydrated and was put on IV fluids and antibiotics and sent home on oral antibiotics. Then another bout of feeling feverish, sweats, chills but oral subtemp. Off to ER, oral temp 97.7, but rectal temp 102.2, dehydrated. More IV fluids & antibiotics, more oral antibiotics to take at home. Then, finally, began tenderness and bruised feeling in the lower right quadrant. Right where that new area of Crohn’s was found in 1999! The really surprising thing was that my appetite had been improving, I could eat foods in moderation that I hadn’t been able to eat w/o repercussions in years, BMs were regular once a day, good consistency and form. But a Ceretec white blood cell confirmed there was active inflammation at that new area we had thought was in remission.  Go figure! So FINALLY I have been started on Imuran. Of course, there is the worry of how much more inflammation, scarring and narrowing will occur in this new area before the Imuran kicks in and starts doing its job. And right now I am only at the "starter" dose and not yet to the correct weight based dose. So, yes, chills, fever, even dehydration, can occur w/o diarrhea or other Crohn’s flare symptoms and with Crohn’s "thought" to be in remission and yet be caused by active Crohn’s.

Response:

i had one time, a little over 2 years ago.  worse g.i. flare i have ever had.  didn’t know i had cd at the time, doc dx’ed ibs.  i was in "rolling on the floor" pain from cramps and had over 100 deg fever for a week.  total flare, i.e. could not eat, cramps after eating all the time…etc. lasted about 3 months.  i was dx’ed with cd november of that year. jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C

Response:

Hi Jeff! Thanks for your response.  As the week wears on, I am becoming more and more convinced that I am in a flare!  I have the same symptoms you describe…the severe stomache pains, no appetite, watery diarrhea…When this started on Tuesday, I had about 10 bms that day….along with the chills, fever and other symptoms.  I figured it was the virus, but I should have improved by now, if that was the case.  There is very little in my system, yet I continue to have cramping and diarrhea…I just hope it is a short-lived flare!….By the way, how are you feeling?  Take care…MaryAnn C

Response:

Hi, I would get fever and chills when I had a fistula, i.e. infection associated with my CD.  It could be that the virus has triggered a flare.  The best thing to do is talk to your doctor.  Feel better soon!  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C

Response:

Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C

Response:

It can be the cd and it can be the flu.  What you are discribing my husband who doesn’t have IBD has been going through..See your dr and get it checked. His was going into his chest until I forced him to see his dr.  Why take the chance of making it a bigger problem. UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I need some advice….I have crohns which has been in remission for almost 3 years…this week I had a virus, fever, chills,muscle aches, awful stomache pains, diarrhea, nausea, no appetite…Well, it is 5 days later and the muscle aches are gone….I still have diarrhea (even though I ate hardly nothing this week.) I still have the awful stomach pains and even drinking fluids triggers diarrhea.  My question is….does anyone have fever and chills with their crohns flares?  I am wondering if the virus didn’t trigger a crohns flare? Thanks in advance for your response!  MaryAnn C

Response:

Question:

i am interested in the original post that started this thread…or the "theory’ that is being talked about here. TIA ~Lprd

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howard, I certainly hope you are right, that I am not chasing anyone away.  That some are busy with school, and their children going to school can very well be a factor.  Because as is well known (I think), being very busy with something of extreme interest will help the crohns symptoms subside temporarily.   That is why vacations provide a good diversion.  Of course, I would say going with the person who happens to still be on drugs would negate the advantage of the vacation. No other illness comes close to crohns in its absurdity in that it works whether in one’s presence or at any distance. As for UC, I am not quite as sure about it as with crohns, as I have never known anyone in person with it.  But the illness takes time to build up, does not always happen immediately depending on circumstances  and dependence. That your UC came about after everyone straightened out is your version of it. I have noticed most people do not get the facts straight or really do not know the whole story.  I do not mean to downplay your words, because they are extremely helpful.  It’s just that people draw a blank on my theory. I find it sad because crohns is a bastard of an illness and preventable in many cases.  I will hold to that until someone can come up with something better. I don’t know what medications are taken for migraine so I cannot comment, and surely they must be necessary so I would never say do not take them.  (In many cases, substitutes can be given if they are offending drugs).  But if you can be an honest broker with yourself, it is very easy to determine if any drugs are harmful.  All you need to do is know when the drugs are taken and how you are feeling at the time. Even that seems too much to ask of a person. Crohns is not easy and taxes every bit of logic (yes, logic) to trace its course.  However, I think once established, perhaps scar tissue can cause problems even without drug use, but one thing I feel, is the course of the illness will not progress into new areas and once the irritant is gone, things settle down. Well, this is quite long and rambling but have you read that amphetamines and metaamphetamines are being banned from being made in the US.  That was not always the case, sometimes I think underneath it all there is some suspicion that these chemicals can cause harm.  Of course the big problem is anti-depressants, they appear to be necessary (at least all the drug companies, doctors and literature say so) but it’s possible that a herb like Kava Kava can be just as effective.  But that’s  another story and I can’t prove it because no one will give up their anti-depressants.  Oh well, someone threw us a curve on this one, and I don’t seem to be the right ballplayer to win the  game. Sincerely Gail

Response:

Howard, I certainly hope you are right, that I am not chasing anyone away.  That some are busy with school, and their children going to school can very well be a factor.  Because as is well known (I think), being very busy with something of extreme interest will help the crohns symptoms subside temporarily.   That is why vacations provide a good diversion.  Of course, I would say going with the person who happens to still be on drugs would negate the advantage of the vacation.   No other illness comes close to crohns in its absurdity in that it works whether in one’s presence or at any distance. As for UC, I am not quite as sure about it as with crohns, as I have never known anyone in person with it.  But the illness takes time to build up, does not always happen immediately depending on circumstances  and dependence.  That your UC came about after everyone straightened out is your version of it.  I have noticed most people do not get the facts straight or really do not know the whole story.  I do not mean to downplay your words, because they are extremely helpful.  It’s just that people draw a blank on my theory.   I find it sad because crohns is a bastard of an illness and preventable in many cases.  I will hold to that until someone can come up with something better. I don’t know what medications are taken for migraine so I cannot comment, and surely they must be necessary so I would never say do not take them.  (In many cases, substitutes can be given if they are offending drugs).  But if you can be an honest broker with yourself, it is very easy to determine if any drugs are harmful.  All you need to do is know when the drugs are taken and how you are feeling at the time. Even that seems too much to ask of a person.   Crohns is not easy and taxes every bit of logic (yes, logic) to trace its course.  However, I think once established, perhaps scar tissue can cause problems even without drug use, but one thing I feel, is the course of the illness will not progress into new areas and once the irritant is gone, things settle down. Well, this is quite long and rambling but have you read that amphetamines and metaamphetamines are being banned from being made in the US.  That was not always the case, sometimes I think underneath it all there is some suspicion that these chemicals can cause harm.  Of course the big problem is anti-depressants, they appear to be necessary (at least all the drug companies, doctors and literature say so) but it’s possible that a herb like Kava Kava can be just as effective.  But that’s  another story and I can’t prove it because no one will give up their anti-depressants.  Oh well, someone threw us a curve on this one, and I don’t seem to be the right ballplayer to win the  game. Sincerely Gail

Response:

Maryjo, Thanx for the kind affirmation, but if I have all my druthers, how in the world can I get anyone to respond one way or another to my theory.  Of course it cannot be an instant (or should not be) rejection or confirmation of the validity of the theory.  It takes time to digest the strangeness of it and to act upon it and results are not instant unless one is very fortunate. As is said, I  am chasing everyone away from the newsgroup as I have noticed a decline in posts, I think.  Surely there must be a reason and it is that reason I am searching for, whether it be me or some other reason.  I  am careful to say to continue with their physician and treatament and that the newsgroup is great for tips on treatment and support so as not to scare them off. Would be glad for any suggestions.  I do accept criticism and probably do what I think is best anyway,  I was so off base with Marc Bissonnette’s child and wondered for months how the child was and still think about him. I do ask again, anyone reading the newsgroup who has any personal experience (not opinions, I know what they are) to please post any negative or positive effects the theory may have had for them, even if it seems coincidental. Sincerely, Gail

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Gail You are a kind, caring woman. But for the life of me, I do not see any possible way that your theory of the cause of crohn’s disease, can possibly be true. I cannot think of any disease or ailment that works that way. I do know that someone taking taking illegal drugs (and yes I know your theory includes other drugs as well) most certainly will cause a high level of stress. Certainly that high stress could ‘trigger’ a flare-up of CD. By the time I came down with ulcerative colitis, the people I knew, who had been taking illegal drugs, had straighted themselves out, and were no longer taking drugs. My wife takes a variety of prescription drugs, none of which are on your list, for her migraine headaches. But if that were relevant, my problem surely would have started earlier, not just within the last five years. No Gail, I don’t believe your theory is the cause of the decrease in posts on the newsgroup. It seems to me that the general decrease began about the time school started, of shortly before that. Perhaps as many people are more involved with their children and school things, they have less time to spend posting to the ng. Howard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Maryjo, Thanx for the kind affirmation, but if I have all my druthers, how in the world can I get anyone to respond one way or another to my theory.  Of course it cannot be an instant (or should not be) rejection or confirmation of the validity of the theory.  It takes time to digest the strangeness of it and to act upon it and results are not instant unless one is very fortunate. As is said, I  am chasing everyone away from the newsgroup as I have noticed a decline in posts, I think.  Surely there must be a reason and it is that reason I am searching for, whether it be me or some other reason.  I  am careful to say to continue with their physician and treatament and that the newsgroup is great for tips on treatment and support so as not to scare them off. Would be glad for any suggestions.  I do accept criticism and probably do what I think is best anyway,  I was so off base with Marc Bissonnette’s child and wondered for months how the child was and still think about him. I do ask again, anyone reading the newsgroup who has any personal experience (not opinions, I know what they are) to please post any negative or positive effects the theory may have had for them, even if it seems coincidental. Sincerely, Gail

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I see my post quoted for the second time, so I am thinking perhaps some of you have also experienced the light feeling of normalcy. I say it because It was exhilarating in the light of crohns.  I will go a little further this time as to why I knew it wouldn’t last.  The course of the illness is not a surprise to me, I usually know what to expect.  All my critics, unite, as this may be my last hurrah.  First I want to say, I have written to at least four people E-mail of my theory on the cause of crohns. Not one has bothered to write back with any exclamation.  For instance any response is better than none.  I will give you ideas to write to me on the group, lambasting me, calling me deslusional is old hat, go to hell, you are an idiot, you are cruel to write such a theory, you are a decrepid old lady who has become senile maybe.  Now for the other possibilities,  you struck a chord, I am thinking about it, it merits no thought, will not waste my time answering, it has chased me away from the group (possible) because perhaps others are as loony as Gail, I need time to give it a try, I find it appealing  and will give it a try,  if it works I will take it and run, or I will just run as fast as I can from all advice because one person has the mentality of an outer space alien. How can I get anyone to respond, all comments welcome. In the meantime, Sue, please post the FAQ as I  did promise G-d I would not post the theory to the group until I were completely well.   As I have said before the FAQ places me in the worst lite possible with some untruth to it, but perhaps it is better than nothing. Now back to why I knew the normal feeling would not continue. This is the chronological order of what I have experienced the last several years. Joseph on marijuana, anti-depressants and cocaine, 5 + years. Mary on anti-depressants l 1/2 years. Vanessa on anti-depressants 3 months ( to where I was affected, although she denied being on anything.) Myrna, friend of many years and in a different state on Zoloft since l 1/2 years ago.  I haven’t talked to her since, so don’t know if she is still on. But others  have her place . Ramona on something she denies being on for l 1/2 years.  came to my yard sale and bugged me for a year and a half. Latest and most devastating is Myron, who I have been talking to on the phone almost every day for six years and always said anti-depressants don’t agree with him and he was  not on them.  (True) Suddenly after a falling out, and we no longer are friendly (friends only at all times) and the phone calls have ceased, he out of meanness I didn’t expect said he would take a small amount of anti-depressants all day and think of me so I would not be well.  (He never believed my theory, but all of a sudden it looked good to him). So I am now locked in Myron’s (all names are fictitious) successsful effort to sabotage me. Well, either the world is crazy or you know who is, but I’ll still take my odds athough they seem to be  shrinking. This last episode  has left me lethargic and gasping for breath. ONE LAST APPEAL.  To those  that received E-mail from me, how about an acknowledgement, good, bad or some damn thing. Thank you Gail

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Gail, Just because some of us do not agree with your theory … that doesn’t mean that we find you anyway offensive … You do have a unique individualism about yourself that I find quite interesting …. and you are definitly not stupid ! Maryjo

OURGRANDCHILDRENMY PAGE

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By Gail’s request, the "Gail Faq" Version: 2.0 March 29, 1999 Frequency of posting:  as often as necessary                         GAIL MICHAEL "FAQ" Who is Gail Michael and what is her theory on the cause of Crohn’s Disease? Gail Michael is an elderly woman who lives in Chicago. Gail believes that a person contracts Crohn’s Disease when close friends and relatives on what she terms "uppers" (she includes antidepressants, asthma medications and marijuana) think a lot about the affected person.   According to Gail, physical and/or verbal contact are unnecessary; if a close friend or relative thinks intensely about someone while that close friend or relative is on these drugs, then that is what is causing you to suffer from Crohn’s, even if you totally break off your relationship with that person.   Your own drug use has nothing to do with this theory; rather, some sort of telepathy between the drug-taker and the person with Crohn’s appears to be at work. Prior posts of Gail’s have indicated (in no particular order) that 1.  She believes people on what she terms "uppers" can also give pets     Crohn’s Disease if they think a lot about the pets. 2. At least one physician has counseled her to see a psychiatrist but she    refuses. 3. She has broken off several friendships believing that this people    were causing her Crohn’s by thinking intently about her while on drugs. 4. She once had stomach pains that she believed were caused by a nephew    who was taking an antidepressant after his wife died, and that she    believes ceased because her nephew committed suicide, and therefore    was no longer taking antidepressants. 5. She once accused a man of causing his sister-in-law to have a stroke and    die because he refused to stop using marijuana.  The man told her that    he hadn’t touched marijuana in 25 years. Why is there a FAQ about Gail Michael? Gail often replies to newbie posts by detailing her theory in a way that some find difficult to understand and that many, for various reasons, find provacative in the full sense of that word.  Replies to her posts often constitute flaming, which is disturbing to those who look for emotional support in this newsgroup.  More importantly, she has taken to targeting newbies, especially newbies with suffering children, by email.  This is a group in particular need of strong positive emotional support and information; what they don’t need is for their first email after posting to be disturbing enough to stop them from visiting the newsgroup. What is the solution? The best solution in this imperfect world is to REFRAIN FROM POSTING in reply to Gail. This FAQ will be posted everytime Gail Michael posts so that the person she is replying to knows exactly what her theory is. To people who find her theory interesting or provacative in either a positive or negative way, PLEASE, don’t post.  Please email Gail directly with your comments or questions at .  If you feel the need to complain and include examples of her posts and the reason why they’re a problem.A To people who find this FAQ interesting or provacative in either a positive or negative way, PLEASE, don’t post.  Please email me directly posted in this FAQ, and I will be happy to email you past posts of Gail’s I have saved that back up all of these statements.

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 The following day, all the old tiredness returned hampering thoughts and the energy level drops to an unbelievable tiredness.

Dear Gail:   I am so sorry to hear that you felt all of that come back again.  But at least you can thank God that you did have that one day of feeling total wellness.  Many of us would give much to feel that way even for just one day. You are in my prayers.  Try to stay well and stay positive. Always,   Margie

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Margie, Thank you for your kind words.  Yes, I thank G-d for even one evening and night of wellness.  I was surprised at the lightness of the feeling when nothing attacks the body.  It is especially important to me when there is even a half day of wellness, because I take (hope I am right) it to mean it is the crohns and not the age which are melded together and hard to know which is which causing illness.  After a while abnormal becomes normal,  so it is very important to know if there is a difference.  That is why I stress the cause, because there is reason to crohns.  It really is not hit or miss as it appears. I am probably talking in circles that can’t be easily understood, I know. Everyone I know practically knows of my feelings, so one person I know  alway says "You have to blame someone for your illness all the time"  and I agree, "Yes, I have to blame someone for my illness"  (at the moment, I am really meaning him but do not want to say).  He has the option of not calling, but I think somewhere in his recessed mind, he may believe it.  He is a friend and right now I would like to be more in the process of dropping friends than making friends.   It has become a sad state that we have become a happy drug-oriented society. But the topic is too big, and I do understand these drugs are necessary for crohns. Talk about confusion, I’ve probably managed to confuse many. I do wish everyone could be free of crohns, it’s such a stupid condition, causing illness that should not be. Sincerely Gail

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Hi everyone. I have been diagnosed with Crohns for over a year. Needless to say, it’s not been wonderful. What I was wondering is, I also have Lupus (also not wonderful) and I wondered (Here I said wondered too many times, didn’t I?) if anyone else does. It’s kind of like a double whammy (2 autoimmune diseases) and you know… misery doesn’t love company, it love support! Thanks, Elizabeth

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There was a forum on what are normal feelings when one has crohns.  For one glorious evening and night a few days ago, I experienced exactly that. It felt like 100 lbs were dropped from my body and not a twinge anywhere. The lightness was exhilarating, tho I knew it wouldn’t last.  The following day, all the old tiredness returned hampering thoughts and the energy level drops to an unbelievable tiredness. Gail

Response:

Hi Elizabeth-     I don’t have Lupus, but I do know what it is to have the double whammy.  My whammy in addition to Crohn’s is HIV.  It’s particularly crazy making, since with the HIV I want to preserve immune function, while I’m taking immune suppressing drugs to deal with the Crohn’s.  (At least I’m off prednisone! That stuff made me crazy to boot!)     Hang in there. I think looking for support is the right thing to do. Lar – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi everyone. I have been diagnosed with Crohns for over a year. Needless to say, it’s not been wonderful. What I was wondering is, I also have Lupus (also not wonderful) and I wondered (Here I said wondered too many times, didn’t I?) if anyone else does. It’s kind of like a double whammy (2 autoimmune diseases) and you know… misery doesn’t love company, it love support! Thanks, Elizabeth There was a forum on what are normal feelings when one has crohns.  For one glorious evening and night a few days ago, I experienced exactly that. It felt like 100 lbs were dropped from my body and not a twinge anywhere. The lightness was exhilarating, tho I knew it wouldn’t last.  The following day, all the old tiredness returned hampering thoughts and the energy level drops to an unbelievable tiredness. Gail

Response:

There was a forum on what are normal feelings when one has crohns.  For one glorious evening and night a few days ago, I experienced exactly that.   It felt like 100 lbs were dropped from my body and not a twinge anywhere.  The lightness was exhilarating, tho I knew it wouldn’t last.  The following day, all the old tiredness returned hampering thoughts and the energy level drops to an unbelievable tiredness. Gail

Response:

I am so sorry it came back Gail.  Praise G-d for that one beautiful day!   I know that you did. love, Bonnie — Bonnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There was a forum on what are normal feelings when one has crohns.  For one glorious evening and night a few days ago, I experienced exactly that. It felt like 100 lbs were dropped from my body and not a twinge anywhere. The lightness was exhilarating, tho I knew it wouldn’t last.  The following day, all the old tiredness returned hampering thoughts and the energy level drops to an unbelievable tiredness. Gail

Response:

Crohn’s is NOT cancer and is not generally believed to be related to cancer.  It is often a chronic disease of varying duration,severity and periods of remission. Art Schor – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My mother was recently diagnosed of having this disease, and i want to know a couple of thing:         Is it a cancer?? If it is, is it considered a serious cancer?         Is it cronic? If it is, how cronic is it?? I really appretiate any answers. right now, she’s at the hospital getting operated of it.

Response:

Morris Oliveros) writes: My mother was recently diagnosed of having this disease, and i want to know a couple of thing:    Is it a cancer?? If it is, is it considered a serious cancer?

No, Crohn’s is not a cancer.  However, I believe there is a higher rate of colon cancer among Crohn’s patients.    Is it cronic? If it is, how cronic is it??

It is considered by doctors to be chronic and incurable.  However, remissions are possible.  There are many approaches to healing.  Most recommend surgical and/or pharmaceutical treatment initially to bring symptoms under control.  From there you find all sorts of ideas about what to do next.  Some claim to have achieved cures using gimmicks, while others claim to have achieved remission, or at least a degree of relief, through spiritual and psychological approaches.  Most agree that making sure to get enough rest regularly and having a well-balanced life will help maintain a good quality of life and a minimum of symptoms. I really appretiate any answers. right now, she’s at the hospital getting operated of it.

What you and your mother need is information, and a good place to start is with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) at http://www.ccfa.org From there you can reach many resources, including support groups (in the U.S., at least) and informative books and pamphlets. Wishing you well! Sue IBD Creative Outlet: http://members.aol.com/HobbsHs/IBD/ibd.htm

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My mother was recently diagnosed of having this disease, and i want to know a couple of thing:         Is it a cancer?? If it is, is it considered a serious cancer?         Is it cronic? If it is, how cronic is it?? I really appretiate any answers. right now, she’s at the hospital getting operated of it.

Response:

Gail, I don’t see Bryan as someone one who would easily leave the group because of what someone said.  Maybe they just took a vacation somewhere nice and are enjoying  themselves…I hope so. So don’t feel guilty. love, Bonnie

Response:

Thanks, Bonnie, your optimisim is some relief. Love Gail

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Mrs. Rat, I wish you some weight and fast.  Please get a consultation of several doctors.  Maybe something else is at work.   Maybe, get a malted or ovaltine shake and sip it slowly every few minutes. Gail

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Bryan, Thanx for telling me why I feared Joseph.  What a mistake I would have made if I had killed him like I would have like to. It was actually the fear of a jury like you that deterred me    They would have convicted me for sure, so Joseph was in luck. Gail

Response:

Bryan, If you are reading the newsgroup, please respond, dammit. My stomach is in knots and I can’t concentrate on the posts. Have I done anything that has caused trouble or problems for you.  I am crying out of frustration. Just tell us if you are allright. I will feel guilty until you post. Gail

Response:

I just wanted to talk to someone about this. My husband has had Crohns for 5 years and not doing well.

Response:

what are his principle symptoms? (Email if you want) Andrew

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     After fighting this disease for the past two years I know that my mental health is also suffering. I find that when I am down and depressed that I am unable to face the continual pain and discomfert of the disease raging in my small intestine. But if my spirits are good then I am able to take more. I wish that this all would never of happened. But I am willing to learn from it. Corrently I am wore down. Not only do I have a pending surgery but I control a network at work that has ove 7 million dollars of information on it. The VP of the company that I work for told me that he trusts that I understand that if we loose it then we will all be looking for a job. Currently it is messing up and I am having to spend alot of time trying to fix it. When you mix the two of them together then you get a serious wall. I know that I will win. Giving up is not in my nature. I don’t really know how to quit. What is this B12 stuf. I am intrested. Currently I am back to prednizone, sulfasalazine, and flagle(SP?). Sence the prednizone was reintroduced I am getting better but I am having some strange side effects this time. Dry mouth, Dizziness, fatigue.

Response:

Hi, Ah … sounds like you could use a bit of a break!  I know how hard that can be to do sometimes though!   B12 is a vitamin.  I have to take a monthly shot because they removed the part of the intestine that absords the B12. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –      After fighting this disease for the past two years I know that my mental health is also suffering. I find that when I am down and depressed that I am unable to face the continual pain and discomfert of the disease raging in my small intestine. But if my spirits are good then I am able to take more. I wish that this all would never of happened. But I am willing to learn from it. Corrently I am wore down. Not only do I have a pending surgery but I control a network at work that has ove 7 million dollars of information on it. The VP of the company that I work for told me that he trusts that I understand that if we loose it then we will all be looking for a job. Currently it is messing up and I am having to spend alot of time trying to fix it. When you mix the two of them together then you get a serious wall. I know that I will win. Giving up is not in my nature. I don’t really know how to quit. What is this B12 stuf. I am intrested. Currently I am back to prednizone, sulfasalazine, and flagle(SP?). Sence the prednizone was reintroduced I am getting better but I am having some strange side effects this time. Dry mouth, Dizziness, fatigue.

– Hugs, Robin http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/7945/ You shouldn’t have to pay for you love with your bones and your flesh, you know hell is for children.                                                   -Pat Benatar

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With this  disease blood work-up is very important. I also have to take B12 injections along with Iron injections, also potassium  in a higher dosage (pill form)

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I am new too I am 42 years old and had this since I was 14..  I still have all my colon, which I am grateful for this.  I just would like to know more people with the same problems I have.  The problems we have to face… etc

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Hi welcome to the group my name is stephanie and i am 12 now but i got crohns when i was 10.I have had surgery in january but it wasn’t near as bad as i thought  I like to listen to problems so you can’t write to me. Stephanie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am new too I am 42 years old and had this since I was 14..  I still have all my colon, which I am grateful for this.  I just would like to know more people with the same problems I have.  The problems we have to face… etc

Response:

Stephanie, How are you feeling?  Did you get rid of the cold?  I hope so. Let us know because the last post I remember you weren’t feeling too well. UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi welcome to the group my name is stephanie and i am 12 now but i got crohns when i was 10.I have had surgery in january but it wasn’t near as bad as i thought  I like to listen to problems so you can’t write to me. Stephanie I am new too I am 42 years old and had this since I was 14..  I still have all my colon, which I am grateful for this.  I just would like to know more people with the same problems I have.  The problems we have to face… etc

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well i almost got rid of my cold thanx for asking stephanie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Stephanie, How are you feeling?  Did you get rid of the cold?  I hope so. Let us know because the last post I remember you weren’t feeling too well. UM MOM Susan Hi welcome to the group my name is stephanie and i am 12 now but i got crohns when i was 10.I have had surgery in january but it wasn’t near as bad as i thought  I like to listen to problems so you can’t write to me. Stephanie I am new too I am 42 years old and had this since I was 14..  I still have all my colon, which I am grateful for this.  I just would like to know more people with the same problems I have.  The problems we have to face… etc

Response:

Can any one recommend an approach to treating Crohns disease. I have had it since 1969 (was 12 yrs old) and it is obvious they have not been able to help.   Thank you. Lou

Response:

Lou, Get the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F.Balch,MD and Phyllis A.Balch … (page 147) Some herbs recommended are: Echinacea,Garlic,Goldenseal root,Pau d’arco,Rose hips and YerbaMate. Visit my shop at ….. http://shops.net/shops/BeHealthy for more information on Echinacea and Garlic. You can get a free bottle of ONE LIFE Echinacea original formula (90 ct) pay only $4.00 for S/H. Sponsored by the Fason Foundation (est 1981). If you need more info e-mail your address and I’ll send you more details. Hope this helps, Sincerely, Brad

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Can any one recommend an approach to treating Crohns disease. I have had it since 1969 (was 12 yrs old) and it is obvious they have not been able to help.   Thank you. Lou

Response:

Lou, Get the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F.Balch,MD and Phyllis A.Balch … (page 147) Some herbs recommended are: Echinacea,Garlic,Goldenseal root,Pau d’arco,Rose hips and YerbaMate. Visit my shop at ….. http://shops.net/shops/BeHealthy for more information on Echinacea and Garlic. You can get a free bottle of ONE LIFE Echinacea original formula (90 ct) pay only $4.00 for S/H. Sponsored by the Fason Foundation (est 1981). If you need more info e-mail your address and I’ll send you more details. Hope this helps, Sincerely, Brad

Response:

Question:

Hello Dotsie and Welcome! I’m glad that you are re-gaining your health and your life, it is a wonderful thing.  I have been taking both Pentasa and 6MP for several years and am finally doing well on both.  I have had some ups and downs with the 6MP and am vigilant about having my blood work done monthly; in fact, I just went today. I invite you to read all about my CD story at http://www.skyweb.net/~mgbio/cd/cdbattle.html.  mgbio CD Class of ‘99 http://www.skyweb.net/~mgbio/cd/cd.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am somewhat blown away by my discovery of this list. Yesterday, I upgraded to Netscape 6. When I pulled up the e-mail, I had automatically been signed on to this list. Obviously Netscape was smart enough to read my history or my cookies or something and knew that I would be interested in this list. It feels sort of strange to have my computer know me so well… I’m sorry that some of you are currently in the throws of IBD, but I can’t tell you how bizarrely comforting it is to know that other people go through this. I have probably had Crohns for more than 25 years, but I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Last June, I was having many bad bouts and my CRP and white cell count were consistently quite high. I was working on a government contract that was ending and I had some savings so I consulted with my gastroenterologist and decided to take a break from working for awhile to try to get my health together. However, my Crohns symptoms did not get any better and my blood work (C-reactive protein and white cell count) kept getting worse, so after several months, my doctor finally talked me into having a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was in such denial that I was insisting that she wouldn’t find anything. In my diseased state of mind, I figured that if I wasn’t seeing undigested food or any blood then I couldn’t have any ulcers. Anyway, she found several ulcers and a lot of inflammation in both my colon and my stomach. She switched me from the Pentasa that I had been on for years to Asacol and started talking to me about 6-MP and Remicade. Then she started asking me more detailed questions about  my symptoms. IBD has been a part of my life for so long that my gastroenterologist started realizing that I have a totally skewed view of what is "normal". I’m so used to having abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea that I wasn’t even telling her about it unless I was in bed unable to work for at least 10 out of 14 days. I was not used to having a doctor that actually listens and didn’t dismiss me or shame me into feeling that this is somehow my fault. I really didn’t think that it was unusual to have 8 – 12 bowel movements a day or to be able to feel, i.e. experience pain, everything as it moved through my system or to have to sleep one day a week. I guess I had stopped having any greater expectations. About 10 weeks ago I started on 6-MP (purinethol). I was afraid to take it. It seemed so drastic, to purposely compromise my immune system and risk having liver or bone marrow problems. I am so glad that I trusted my doctor. I had to double the dose after 5 weeks, but it is even worth the constant blood tests. I have much more energy and haven’t had to urgently search for a public bathroom in weeks. The ulcers are still healing, so I still have some pain, but it keeps getting better. Plus, my white count is in the normal range and my CRP is almost normal. I still have to take short naps sometimes during the day, but I haven’t spent a whole day in bed since I started it. I am working on a class project, a volunteer project, studying for a certification exam, looking for a job and enjoying a fairly active social life. The bar has been lifted on my expectations of life and health. I know that my experience with Crohns is not unique, but since reading your post, I have felt a strong urge to share my story. Although I have a lot of people in my life and everyone knows that I struggle with Crohns, I don’t really discuss it with anyone except my gastroenterologist and one friend. Even with them I downplay it because I know that they can’t really understand without actually having IBD. I am sorry that this is so long. Without knowing any of you, I feel such a strong sense of identification here. I hope that some of you will share your stories with me. I’ve don’t think in all of my years of struggle, I’ve ever actually met anyone that actually has Crohns. I always have to hear about someone’s sister or cousin or friend of a friend. Thanks for listening and understanding. Wishing you all a healthier day, Dotsie

Response:

Dot, You will find that the folks here are the most accepting and supportive that you will ever meet. I do not have Crohn’s or UC, but my former fiance’ does. They have listened to my story and have helped me cope with all of the fears and struggles that I am going through. Your story sounds eerily familiar. Please don’t deny your loved ones the opportunity to share in your pain. You can scroll through the postings and find the one called "Failure" and read my story. The people who love you most want to help you. If you don’t communicate with them, you are only leaving your pain to their imaginations or lack thereof. Welcome to the group. Patrick

Response:

welcome aboard dorothy.  too bad you pc had to come find us for you (yeah, strange huh?  like 1984…), but anywho you have quite the story here.  we are quite the supportive group in here and i see where you are a very strong supportive person yourself in how you write, so i am very happy you are in our group. be well, jeffy c.d., class of o1; extreme p.g., class of o2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am somewhat blown away by my discovery of this list. Yesterday, I upgraded to Netscape 6. When I pulled up the e-mail, I had automatically been signed on to this list. Obviously Netscape was smart enough to read my history or my cookies or something and knew that I would be interested in this list. It feels sort of strange to have my computer know me so well… I’m sorry that some of you are currently in the throws of IBD, but I can’t tell you how bizarrely comforting it is to know that other people go through this. I have probably had Crohns for more than 25 years, but I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Last June, I was having many bad bouts and my CRP and white cell count were consistently quite high. I was working on a government contract that was ending and I had some savings so I consulted with my gastroenterologist and decided to take a break from working for awhile to try to get my health together. However, my Crohns symptoms did not get any better and my blood work (C-reactive protein and white cell count) kept getting worse, so after several months, my doctor finally talked me into having a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was in such denial that I was insisting that she wouldn’t find anything. In my diseased state of mind, I figured that if I wasn’t seeing undigested food or any blood then I couldn’t have any ulcers. Anyway, she found several ulcers and a lot of inflammation in both my colon and my stomach. She switched me from the Pentasa that I had been on for years to Asacol and started talking to me about 6-MP and Remicade. Then she started asking me more detailed questions about  my symptoms. IBD has been a part of my life for so long that my gastroenterologist started realizing that I have a totally skewed view of what is "normal". I’m so used to having abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea that I wasn’t even telling her about it unless I was in bed unable to work for at least 10 out of 14 days. I was not used to having a doctor that actually listens and didn’t dismiss me or shame me into feeling that this is somehow my fault. I really didn’t think that it was unusual to have 8 – 12 bowel movements a day or to be able to feel, i.e. experience pain, everything as it moved through my system or to have to sleep one day a week. I guess I had stopped having any greater expectations. About 10 weeks ago I started on 6-MP (purinethol). I was afraid to take it. It seemed so drastic, to purposely compromise my immune system and risk having liver or bone marrow problems. I am so glad that I trusted my doctor. I had to double the dose after 5 weeks, but it is even worth the constant blood tests. I have much more energy and haven’t had to urgently search for a public bathroom in weeks. The ulcers are still healing, so I still have some pain, but it keeps getting better. Plus, my white count is in the normal range and my CRP is almost normal. I still have to take short naps sometimes during the day, but I haven’t spent a whole day in bed since I started it. I am working on a class project, a volunteer project, studying for a certification exam, looking for a job and enjoying a fairly active social life. The bar has been lifted on my expectations of life and health. I know that my experience with Crohns is not unique, but since reading your post, I have felt a strong urge to share my story. Although I have a lot of people in my life and everyone knows that I struggle with Crohns, I don’t really discuss it with anyone except my gastroenterologist and one friend. Even with them I downplay it because I know that they can’t really understand without actually having IBD. I am sorry that this is so long. Without knowing any of you, I feel such a strong sense of identification here. I hope that some of you will share your stories with me. I’ve don’t think in all of my years of struggle, I’ve ever actually met anyone that actually has Crohns. I always have to hear about someone’s sister or cousin or friend of a friend. Thanks for listening and understanding. Wishing you all a healthier day, Dotsie

Response:

Welcome Dotsie! Thank you for sharing your story — I’m so glad you found us too (you have a very smart computer). Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am somewhat blown away by my discovery of this list. Yesterday, I upgraded to Netscape 6. When I pulled up the e-mail, I had automatically been signed on to this list. Obviously Netscape was smart enough to read my history or my cookies or something and knew that I would be interested in this list. It feels sort of strange to have my computer know me so well… I’m sorry that some of you are currently in the throws of IBD, but I can’t tell you how bizarrely comforting it is to know that other people go through this. I have probably had Crohns for more than 25 years, but I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Last June, I was having many bad bouts and my CRP and white cell count were consistently quite high. I was working on a government contract that was ending and I had some savings so I consulted with my gastroenterologist and decided to take a break from working for awhile to try to get my health together. However, my Crohns symptoms did not get any better and my blood work (C-reactive protein and white cell count) kept getting worse, so after several months, my doctor finally talked me into having a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was in such denial that I was insisting that she wouldn’t find anything. In my diseased state of mind, I figured that if I wasn’t seeing undigested food or any blood then I couldn’t have any ulcers. Anyway, she found several ulcers and a lot of inflammation in both my colon and my stomach. She switched me from the Pentasa that I had been on for years to Asacol and started talking to me about 6-MP and Remicade. Then she started asking me more detailed questions about  my symptoms. IBD has been a part of my life for so long that my gastroenterologist started realizing that I have a totally skewed view of what is "normal". I’m so used to having abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea that I wasn’t even telling her about it unless I was in bed unable to work for at least 10 out of 14 days. I was not used to having a doctor that actually listens and didn’t dismiss me or shame me into feeling that this is somehow my fault. I really didn’t think that it was unusual to have 8 – 12 bowel movements a day or to be able to feel, i.e. experience pain, everything as it moved through my system or to have to sleep one day a week. I guess I had stopped having any greater expectations. About 10 weeks ago I started on 6-MP (purinethol). I was afraid to take it. It seemed so drastic, to purposely compromise my immune system and risk having liver or bone marrow problems. I am so glad that I trusted my doctor. I had to double the dose after 5 weeks, but it is even worth the constant blood tests. I have much more energy and haven’t had to urgently search for a public bathroom in weeks. The ulcers are still healing, so I still have some pain, but it keeps getting better. Plus, my white count is in the normal range and my CRP is almost normal. I still have to take short naps sometimes during the day, but I haven’t spent a whole day in bed since I started it. I am working on a class project, a volunteer project, studying for a certification exam, looking for a job and enjoying a fairly active social life. The bar has been lifted on my expectations of life and health. I know that my experience with Crohns is not unique, but since reading your post, I have felt a strong urge to share my story. Although I have a lot of people in my life and everyone knows that I struggle with Crohns, I don’t really discuss it with anyone except my gastroenterologist and one friend. Even with them I downplay it because I know that they can’t really understand without actually having IBD. I am sorry that this is so long. Without knowing any of you, I feel such a strong sense of identification here. I hope that some of you will share your stories with me. I’ve don’t think in all of my years of struggle, I’ve ever actually met anyone that actually has Crohns. I always have to hear about someone’s sister or cousin or friend of a friend. Thanks for listening and understanding. Wishing you all a healthier day, Dotsie

Response:

Welcome to the group, sorry you had to come here though.  Denial and a lot of other emotions are normal so don’t beat yourself up.  Have they checked via (excuse the grossness of this) a anus exam to get stools to see if you are bleeding and just can’t see it?  There is also tests where you collect your stools to check for blood.   Your blood tests say a lot and as disgusting as it is with the preps (use the new vesical (sp?) Pills for clean out they work great, get the colonoscopy with biospy so you know what you are dealing with.  I was sick from Nov. ‘99 and has a dr that was an idiot.  I ended up with surgery in Feb, 2001 after I got different doctors. If my first on new about crohn;s and I never heard of it, I would have probably prevented the emergency expplority surgery.  If you would like to ‘chat’ feel free to email me.  Give me time because I have an important test today.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am somewhat blown away by my discovery of this list. Yesterday, I upgraded to Netscape 6. When I pulled up the e-mail, I had automatically been signed on to this list. Obviously Netscape was smart enough to read my history or my cookies or something and knew that I would be interested in this list. It feels sort of strange to have my computer know me so well… I’m sorry that some of you are currently in the throws of IBD, but I can’t tell you how bizarrely comforting it is to know that other people go through this. I have probably had Crohns for more than 25 years, but I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Last June, I was having many bad bouts and my CRP and white cell count were consistently quite high. I was working on a government contract that was ending and I had some savings so I consulted with my gastroenterologist and decided to take a break from working for awhile to try to get my health together. However, my Crohns symptoms did not get any better and my blood work (C-reactive protein and white cell count) kept getting worse, so after several months, my doctor finally talked me into having a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was in such denial that I was insisting that she wouldn’t find anything. In my diseased state of mind, I figured that if I wasn’t seeing undigested food or any blood then I couldn’t have any ulcers. Anyway, she found several ulcers and a lot of inflammation in both my colon and my stomach. She switched me from the Pentasa that I had been on for years to Asacol and started talking to me about 6-MP and Remicade. Then she started asking me more detailed questions about  my symptoms. IBD has been a part of my life for so long that my gastroenterologist started realizing that I have a totally skewed view of what is "normal". I’m so used to having abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea that I wasn’t even telling her about it unless I was in bed unable to work for at least 10 out of 14 days. I was not used to having a doctor that actually listens and didn’t dismiss me or shame me into feeling that this is somehow my fault. I really didn’t think that it was unusual to have 8 – 12 bowel movements a day or to be able to feel, i.e. experience pain, everything as it moved through my system or to have to sleep one day a week. I guess I had stopped having any greater expectations. About 10 weeks ago I started on 6-MP (purinethol). I was afraid to take it. It seemed so drastic, to purposely compromise my immune system and risk having liver or bone marrow problems. I am so glad that I trusted my doctor. I had to double the dose after 5 weeks, but it is even worth the constant blood tests. I have much more energy and haven’t had to urgently search for a public bathroom in weeks. The ulcers are still healing, so I still have some pain, but it keeps getting better. Plus, my white count is in the normal range and my CRP is almost normal. I still have to take short naps sometimes during the day, but I haven’t spent a whole day in bed since I started it. I am working on a class project, a volunteer project, studying for a certification exam, looking for a job and enjoying a fairly active social life. The bar has been lifted on my expectations of life and health. I know that my experience with Crohns is not unique, but since reading your post, I have felt a strong urge to share my story. Although I have a lot of people in my life and everyone knows that I struggle with Crohns, I don’t really discuss it with anyone except my gastroenterologist and one friend. Even with them I downplay it because I know that they can’t really understand without actually having IBD. I am sorry that this is so long. Without knowing any of you, I feel such a strong sense of identification here. I hope that some of you will share your stories with me. I’ve don’t think in all of my years of struggle, I’ve ever actually met anyone that actually has Crohns. I always have to hear about someone’s sister or cousin or friend of a friend. Thanks for listening and understanding. Wishing you all a healthier day, Dotsie

Response:

Hi, I am somewhat blown away by my discovery of this list. Yesterday, I upgraded to Netscape 6. When I pulled up the e-mail, I had automatically been signed on to this list. Obviously Netscape was smart enough to read my history or my cookies or something and knew that I would be interested in this list. It feels sort of strange to have my computer know me so well… I’m sorry that some of you are currently in the throws of IBD, but I can’t tell you how bizarrely comforting it is to know that other people go through this. I have probably had Crohns for more than 25 years, but I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. Last June, I was having many bad bouts and my CRP and white cell count were consistently quite high. I was working on a government contract that was ending and I had some savings so I consulted with my gastroenterologist and decided to take a break from working for awhile to try to get my health together. However, my Crohns symptoms did not get any better and my blood work (C-reactive protein and white cell count) kept getting worse, so after several months, my doctor finally talked me into having a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was in such denial that I was insisting that she wouldn’t find anything. In my diseased state of mind, I figured that if I wasn’t seeing undigested food or any blood then I couldn’t have any ulcers. Anyway, she found several ulcers and a lot of inflammation in both my colon and my stomach. She switched me from the Pentasa that I had been on for years to Asacol and started talking to me about 6-MP and Remicade. Then she started asking me more detailed questions about  my symptoms. IBD has been a part of my life for so long that my gastroenterologist started realizing that I have a totally skewed view of what is "normal". I’m so used to having abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea that I wasn’t even telling her about it unless I was in bed unable to work for at least 10 out of 14 days. I was not used to having a doctor that actually listens and didn’t dismiss me or shame me into feeling that this is somehow my fault. I really didn’t think that it was unusual to have 8 – 12 bowel movements a day or to be able to feel, i.e. experience pain, everything as it moved through my system or to have to sleep one day a week. I guess I had stopped having any greater expectations. About 10 weeks ago I started on 6-MP (purinethol). I was afraid to take it. It seemed so drastic, to purposely compromise my immune system and risk having liver or bone marrow problems. I am so glad that I trusted my doctor. I had to double the dose after 5 weeks, but it is even worth the constant blood tests. I have much more energy and haven’t had to urgently search for a public bathroom in weeks. The ulcers are still healing, so I still have some pain, but it keeps getting better. Plus, my white count is in the normal range and my CRP is almost normal. I still have to take short naps sometimes during the day, but I haven’t spent a whole day in bed since I started it. I am working on a class project, a volunteer project, studying for a certification exam, looking for a job and enjoying a fairly active social life. The bar has been lifted on my expectations of life and health.         I know that my experience with Crohns is not unique, but since reading your post, I have felt a strong urge to share my story. Although I have a lot of people in my life and everyone knows that I struggle with Crohns, I don’t really discuss it with anyone except my gastroenterologist and one friend. Even with them I downplay it because I know that they can’t really understand without actually having IBD. I am sorry that this is so long. Without knowing any of you, I feel such a strong sense of identification here. I hope that some of you will share your stories with me. I’ve don’t think in all of my years of struggle, I’ve ever actually met anyone that actually has Crohns. I always have to hear about someone’s sister or cousin or friend of a friend. Thanks for listening and understanding. Wishing you all a healthier day, Dotsie

Response:

Question:

I wish you it`s only surface level stuff. In my case i remember it started slowly. I didn’t meant to say that Pepsi/Coke are the official cause, but overall my body fell so fine now not being fed with chemicals that if i had to do something to prevent…lots of cool tasting food would have been thrown out. Drinking a Lots of bubble drink was fun, could stay up all night programming, studying for exam…  university buzzz Dom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been drinking a LOT of pepsi a while back… Since I got sick of course i stopped. This is on my list of possible causes for the disease Slow down.  I didn’t say "coke caused it".  I was trying to ask if drinking alot of coke will cause problems that mimic some of the very mild symptoms.  Like I said I don’t have any of the typical symptoms [such as diareha, cramps, fever, etc...].  What I have so far appears more like a surface level infection than anything else. I just want to see if I can rule things out. Tom

Response:

I’ve been drinking a LOT of pepsi a while back… Since I got sick of course i stopped. This is on my list of possible causes for the disease

Slow down.  I didn’t say "coke caused it".  I was trying to ask if drinking alot of coke will cause problems that mimic some of the very mild symptoms.  Like I said I don’t have any of the typical symptoms [such as diareha, cramps, fever, etc...].  What I have so far appears more like a surface level infection than anything else. I just want to see if I can rule things out. Tom

Response:

Here is the text of those sections of the FAQ. How exactly do you find them misleading?

Dear Sue:   Just for the record, they seem clear enough to me.   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

Response:

Here is the text of those sections of the FAQ. How exactly do you find them misleading? Thanks, 1.6 Q: Are there any factors that predispose to the development of UC        and/or CD?                                                                Smoking appears to enhance the likelihood of developing CD. 1.7 Q:  Are there any factors that protect against the development of UC  and/or CD?                                                                      Smoking appears to protect against the development of UC. There is data that surprisingly few UC patients have had their appendix removed (appendectomy). This suggests that removal of the appendix may protect against the subsequent development of UC. There is no apparent relationship between appendectomy and CD.

Response:

I’ve been drinking a LOT of pepsi a while back… Since I got sick of course i stopped. This is on my list of possible causes for the disease Dom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My doctor today has just suggested that I may have Crohns disease.  So naturally I’ve scoured the net looking for information on it.  I found the FAQ for this group but question 1.6 and 1.7 lead me in circles.  I don’t smoke myself but both my parents have for a very long time [even during pregnency].  I know this has had an affect on my well being since when I was younger I got pneumonia about four times! Anyways, I was wondering some other things. 1.  Is it possible that a poor diet [read: drinking alot of coke/pepsi] can cause problems that mimic some early Crohns symptoms [like extra cellular fluid discharge].  From what I read I don’t have what could even be called a "mild" case of Crohns, I don’t have most of the common symptoms at all.  I know that a poor diet can affect the well being of the colon [such as coke which is just nasty]. 2.  One thing never answered is the condition terminal?  I mean does it get progressively worse or is it just a nusance? Thanks, Tom

Response:

Very well said, Steve!  I tried to say this, but you said it better.  Thank you!  : ) Reesie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 2.  One thing never answered is the condition terminal?  I mean does it get progressively worse or is it just a nusance? It isn’t "terminal," meaning you won’t die from it. It IS chronic, however, meaning that you will probably have it forever. In most people it is cyclic, with periods of remission and periods of symptoms. It’s important to see a doctor who specializes in IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) before you accept the diagnosis. Good luck! Larry To really answer this properly, you need to say, "No, and yes." No, it is generally not considered a terminal illness when treated. Leaving it untreated, it can very easily be terminal. Even with treatment, things can happen — an obstructed bowel could lead to a rupture that can easily be terminal; frequently it may take time to find the treatment that woks best for an individual — and this can be dangerous, though usually not terminal; and, unfortunately, it usually is not diagnosed very easily and can become terminal. I mean, I know of a kid who developed the disease at 12 and nearly died before they figured out what it was and treated it — and his mother had been diagnosed years before. Incidentally, I ran into someone here in this group who knew them and she told me that Walter had done real well and become a nurse. The debate goes on about whether it is progressive. I say, let the doctors debate. In mild cases, you generally on get a small area of inflammation, but in bad cases, the disease destroys tissue and then moves on to destroy more tissue. If that’s not progressive, I don’t know what is! So, no and yes. The important thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to be terminal — but it can be. Never ignore your symptoms and get treatment as soon as you need it! We happen to want people to stick around a while! I hope this helps! steve (H) CD Class of ‘82 ASCC on the WWW: http://ascc.healingwell.com —–=  Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News  =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!  Check out our new Unlimited Server. No Download or Time Limits! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 19 Different Servers!  ==—–

Response:

Crohn’s is technically NOT terminal, but that is not to say that people don’t die from it.  They do.  As far as progressively worsening and there may not be a general answer.  I know people get worse.  Some people have remissions, but "remissions" implies "recurrence,"  which happens.  I know this doesn’t help.  Now, as to your doctor, and do you have Crohn’s disease:  Crohn’s is very hard to diagnose.  There are some "sure" signs.  And there are people far more versed in the medical aspects of this disease who I am sure will come along and give you this information!  : ) Reesie CD class of ‘97 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My doctor today has just suggested that I may have Crohns disease.  So naturally I’ve scoured the net looking for information on it.  I found the FAQ for this group but question 1.6 and 1.7 lead me in circles.  I don’t smoke myself but both my parents have for a very long time [even during pregnency].  I know this has had an affect on my well being since when I was younger I got pneumonia about four times! Anyways, I was wondering some other things. 1.  Is it possible that a poor diet [read: drinking alot of coke/pepsi] can cause problems that mimic some early Crohns symptoms [like extra cellular fluid discharge].  From what I read I don’t have what could even be called a "mild" case of Crohns, I don’t have most of the common symptoms at all.  I know that a poor diet can affect the well being of the colon [such as coke which is just nasty]. 2.  One thing never answered is the condition terminal?  I mean does it get progressively worse or is it just a nusance? Thanks, Tom

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 2.  One thing never answered is the condition terminal?  I mean does it get progressively worse or is it just a nusance? It isn’t "terminal," meaning you won’t die from it. It IS chronic, however, meaning that you will probably have it forever. In most people it is cyclic, with periods of remission and periods of symptoms. It’s important to see a doctor who specializes in IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) before you accept the diagnosis. Good luck! Larry

To really answer this properly, you need to say, "No, and yes." No, it is generally not considered a terminal illness when treated. Leaving it untreated, it can very easily be terminal. Even with treatment, things can happen — an obstructed bowel could lead to a rupture that can easily be terminal; frequently it may take time to find the treatment that woks best for an individual — and this can be dangerous, though usually not terminal; and, unfortunately, it usually is not diagnosed very easily and can become terminal. I mean, I know of a kid who developed the disease at 12 and nearly died before they figured out what it was and treated it — and his mother had been diagnosed years before. Incidentally, I ran into someone here in this group who knew them and she told me that Walter had done real well and become a nurse. The debate goes on about whether it is progressive. I say, let the doctors debate. In mild cases, you generally on get a small area of inflammation, but in bad cases, the disease destroys tissue and then moves on to destroy more tissue. If that’s not progressive, I don’t know what is! So, no and yes. The important thing to remember is that it doesn’t have to be terminal — but it can be. Never ignore your symptoms and get treatment as soon as you need it! We happen to want people to stick around a while! I hope this helps! steve (H) CD Class of ‘82 ASCC on the WWW: http://ascc.healingwell.com —–=  Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News  =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!  Check out our new Unlimited Server. No Download or Time Limits! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 19 Different Servers!  ==—–

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My doctor today has just suggested that I may have Crohns disease.  So naturally I’ve scoured the net looking for information on it.  I found the FAQ for this group but question 1.6 and 1.7 lead me in circles.  I don’t smoke myself but both my parents have for a very long time [even during pregnency].  I know this has had an affect on my well being since when I was younger I got pneumonia about four times! Anyways, I was wondering some other things. 1.  Is it possible that a poor diet [read: drinking alot of coke/pepsi] can cause problems that mimic some early Crohns symptoms [like extra cellular fluid discharge].  From what I read I don’t have what could even be called a "mild" case of Crohns, I don’t have most of the common symptoms at all.  I know that a poor diet can affect the well being of the colon [such as coke which is just nasty].

Poor diet can cause digestive upsets, but they are temporary and go away with improved diet. Crohn’s is not caused by poor diet. The evidence today points to a genetic component and an environmental trigger, the most common trigger being a recent (within a couple of weeks) infection in the digestive system. Smoking has been found to aggravate Crohn’s, but to help Ulcerative Colitis. This doesn’t mean it’s a recommended treatment for UC, however. It’s also a long way from "may have Crohn’s" to a definitive diagnosis. Indeed, a 100% sure diagnosis is very rare. An accurate diagnosis requires biopsy, blood tests, x-rays and endoscopic examination. It is impossible to diagnose from external or reported symptoms alone; most digestive disorders have the same visible symptoms. 2.  One thing never answered is the condition terminal?  I mean does it get progressively worse or is it just a nusance?

It isn’t "terminal," meaning you won’t die from it. It IS chronic, however, meaning that you will probably have it forever. In most people it is cyclic, with periods of remission and periods of symptoms. It’s important to see a doctor who specializes in IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) before you accept the diagnosis. Good luck! Larry — Larry Finch N 40

Question:

I’ll just wait and see if my symptoms (diarrhoea, bloating, pain) get any better. If they don’t at least I’ll be able to breathe properly whilst I’m in pain ,LOL.                             Jackie U.K – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In fact, his Crohn’s symptoms appeared about the time he quit.  or at least they worsened. Mary for 2 years, has not done a DAMN thing for my crohn’s!!! jeff Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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I can’t actually say that my hubbies doc said it was okay to smoke…he just said that now was a lousy time to try to stop.  Go figure.   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

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Dear Flipper:   I’m sure you’ve probably been back posting for awhile now, but this is the first I have seen, so I want you to know I am happy to see you!  Would you please email me your proper email addy so I can change it in my file?  Thanks. I’m glad you sound so well.  I have missed you. Love,   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

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In fact, his Crohn’s symptoms appeared about the time he quit.  or at least they worsened. Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – for 2 years, has not done a DAMN thing for my crohn’s!!! jeff Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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for 2 years, has not done a DAMN thing for my crohn’s!!! jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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UHhh that’s bad :/ hopefully world is changing for good on that topic around here. Dom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – has it ever been recommended to smoke for anyone anywhere in the world? Tobacco was introduced as a specific against the plague.  A letter from a schoolboy in Queen Elizabeth’s days includes the line, "I was never so badly beaten as I was today for not smoking." Children have always had it tough . . . E. P.

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My CD started 6 months after I stopped smoking. I don’t think it’s related though. I think our bodies have enough work fighting CD, and it’s not a good thing to destroy ourselves more by smoking. Noella – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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Because smoking kills!

So does living.

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Docs reckon it’s beneficial to crohns patients to stop smoking, WHY?

Nobody knows. It’s really just an empirical observation by docs, that smoking tends to be bad for CD patients, but possibly protective for UC patients. But it’s worth doing even if it doesn’t help your CD. Wayne Marsh          Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

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So technical NA. Smoking will hasten your demise, ie kill you faster than if you didn’t smoke, except if you get hit by a car, etc etc etc. Better for ya NA?? Debs – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Because smoking kills! So does living.

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has it ever been recommended to smoke for anyone anywhere in the world?

Tobacco was introduced as a specific against the plague.  A letter from a schoolboy in Queen Elizabeth’s days includes the line, "I was never so badly beaten as I was today for not smoking." Children have always had it tough . . . E. P.

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i honestly can’t tell that quitting smoking has helped my crohn’s.  But, it certainly has helped my lungs!  It’s hard to tell with Crohn’s, because I was dx’ed in 97, quit smoking last year, and CD is worse than ever. However, it doesn’t mean that if I did smoke, the smoking wouldn’t make the CD even worse!  I don’t think I’m making any sense, sorry too much Prednisone right now.  BUT  this I do know:  nicotine increases the activity of the colon, which can increase the inflammation of CD.  Does this help at all, or are you just as confused as I am?? lol  Ceresse : )

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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has it ever been recommended to smoke for anyone anywhere in the world? Dom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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Because smoking kills! Honestly nicotine is supposed to help UC and be detrimental in CD. Debs – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

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Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                    Jackie(U.K)

I remain dubious of the research in this case. I don’t mean to advocate smoking, and I know that I should quit, but I wonder about things … especially since I read some interesting research that appeared around 1995. As a mental health worker, we see a lot of mentally ill people who smoke and drink coffee, frequently to excess. At the local state hospital, I have heard horror stories of a substance commonly called "sludge," which is basically instant coffee with just enough water to turn it into a thick paste that patients seem to like. Most people seemed to think that this was some type of manifestation of their illness … but … recent research has indicated that the effects of mild central nervous system stimulants can actually provide relief from symptoms ranging from hallucinations to paranoia. So, what we thought was a sign of the illness turns out to be an attempt to actually treat the illness. It turns out that 50 million madmen can’t be wrong! Now, I have to wonder why it is that people with Crohn’s are more likely to smoke and why people with the worst cases are even more likely to smoke. Doctors would have us believe that our cases are worse BECAUSE we smoke. but they don’t present very reasonable arguments in this regard. They just continue to repeat the statistics that say so many people with Crohn’s smoke so it must mean that it’s bad for Crohn’s. Yeah, with that kind of logic, we could say that most people who get cancer wear clothes, so it MUST be the clothes! And when you add the fact that nicotine has clinically proven beneficial results on UC, it makes me wonder more. So, if anyone has examples of research that actually provides real answers to this dilemma, I would appreciate the info! love, steve (H) CD Class of ‘82 ASCC on the WWW: http://ascc.healingwell.com PS: My doc says I’m just ignoring the evidence because I don’t want to quit smoking, but I tell him that really has nothing to do with it. I don’t quit smoking because I don’t want to quit smoking, the effect on my CD is kind of incidental! —–=  Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News  =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!  Check out our new Unlimited Server. No Download or Time Limits! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 19 Different Servers!  ==—–

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Margie,         Thanks for answering my question so quickly. I suppose I should be a bit more patient, only, 9 weeks seems like a long time when you are working out when your last ciggy was. Sorry to hear you’ve had such an awful time over the last couple of years, was your blood clot caused by smoking?                                 Jackie U.K

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Deat Jackie:   I must admit I am not sure WHY doctors tell those of us with CD to definitely stop smoking, while it may help those with UC. But I can tell you this. About a year and a half ago, I threw some blood clots into my lungs.  I know, after having seen the xrays and reading the reports myself that I should have died. I had been on oxygen for a year and a half.  I am just being weaned off of it now.  It is a most horrible way to die.  It is NOT quick.  There is nothing quite like not being able to breath, feeling extream burning pain when you can gasp some air in and then later finding out you have also suffered some brain damage, although slight, due to lack of oxygen to the brain.  I have very little memory of the past two years.  I just know I was in the hospital for most of that time and then in a rehab facility to learn how to do normal things differently from now on.  I must say that every day, hell sometimes every minute, I wish I could have a cigarette.  I really enjoyed smoking.  It truly was a pleasure for me.  Sounds silly, I know, but it is true.  Now, however, I am quite sure I will never again have another cigarette for fear of more blood clots.  I went through hell and the Lord, for some reason, let me live.  I can only pray I do the right things now, LOL!  But, my point is that the biggest good side effect I discovered was a major change in my CD.  I still have most of the symptoms I had before but not nearly as bad and some have disappeared altogether!  I can’t explain it, but since I quit, I can say it has helped my CD.  There you have a VERY long winded answer to your very simply and wonderfully put question.  Bet you’ll never ask me anything again, huh? LOL! Anyway, I hope this helped.  Stay well. Love,   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

Response:

Has anybody stopped smoking and noticed any improvement in crohns symptoms? I stopped smoking 9 weeks ago, I can breathe much better and my skin has improved( feels softer and tighter) but no improvement in crohns yet. Docs reckon its beneficial to crohns patients to stop, WHY.                     Jackie(U.K)

Response:

Deat Jackie:   I must admit I am not sure WHY doctors tell those of us with CD to definitely stop smoking, while it may help those with UC. But I can tell you this.  About a year and a half ago, I threw some blood clots into my lungs.  I know, after having seen the xrays and reading the reports myself that I should have died. I had been on oxygen for a year and a half.  I am just being weaned off of it now.  It is a most horrible way to die.  It is NOT quick.  There is nothing quite like not being able to breath, feeling extream burning pain when you can gasp some air in and then later finding out you have also suffered some brain damage, although slight, due to lack of oxygen to the brain.  I have very little memory of the past two years.  I just know I was in the hospital for most of that time and then in a rehab facility to learn how to do normal things differently from now on.  I must say that every day, hell sometimes every minute, I wish I could have a cigarette.  I really enjoyed smoking.  It truly was a pleasure for me.  Sounds silly, I know, but it is true.  Now, however, I am quite sure I will never again have another cigarette for fear of more blood clots.  I went through hell and the Lord, for some reason, let me live.  I can only pray I do the right things now, LOL!  But, my point is that the biggest good side effect I discovered was a major change in my CD.  I still have most of the symptoms I had before but not nearly as bad and some have disappeared altogether!  I can’t explain it, but since I quit, I can say it has helped my CD.  There you have a VERY long winded answer to your very simply and wonderfully put question.  Bet you’ll never ask me anything again, huh?  LOL! Anyway, I hope this helped.  Stay well. Love,   Margie CD Class of 67 UC Class of 96

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Question:

I’m 43 and have had crohns since 1994.  Tried every therapy there is, including Remicade.  Have had 3 bowel ressections. Last Feb. I participated in a clinical trial of interlukin 11.  Weekly injections in my tummy with a very small needle for 12 weeks.  am told an oral dose is due out any day. I am still TOTALLY free of crohns symptoms except those that are a result of having lost so much colon. If anyone has the chance to get this drug I suggest you do it.  It was a miracle drug for me.  Ask your GI. feel free to email me directly for more detailed info on the drug, the company and the results. kevin p.s.  pray for the victims and their families.

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This drug looks very good. Are you still taking it ? It’s been in phase III for quite some time. Any ideas when it will be available ? This drug seem like a winner, big time.

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What drug is it please, I did get the beginning of the post. Noella – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This drug looks very good. Are you still taking it ? It’s been in phase III for quite some time. Any ideas when it will be available ? This drug seem like a winner, big time.

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Noella this is the post you missed. I’m 43 and have had crohns since 1994.  Tried every therapy there is, including Remicade.  Have had 3 bowel ressections. Last Feb. I participated in a clinical trial of interlukin 11.  Weekly injections in my tummy with a very small needle for 12 weeks.  am told an oral dose is due out any day. I am still TOTALLY free of crohns symptoms except those that are a result of having lost so much colon. If anyone has the chance to get this drug I suggest you do it.  It was a miracle drug for me.  Ask your GI. feel free to email me directly for more detailed info on the drug, the company and the results. kevin p.s.  pray for the victims and their families. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What drug is it please, I did get the beginning of the post. Noella This drug looks very good. Are you still taking it ? It’s been in phase III for quite some time. Any ideas when it will be available ? This drug seem like a winner, big time.

Please Visit www.ibdcure.com and sign the petition for an IBD postage stamp. All opinions expressed are mine unless otherwise noted. Leah’s Body Sugaring Recipe Remove unwanted hair http://www.for-romance.com/sugar "those that can be offended, will be" … Pastor Don

Response:

I’m not sure if this is the same drug but I remember reading an article several years ago and I believe it was about interlukin 11. The article was really about colon cancer and how interluken (I’m pretty sure) was used as a treatment for it. Coincidentally it is also used to treat parasites in sheep. The article pointed out that the same drug could be purchased for $50 a dose for the sheep but if you had to pick it up at the pharmacy for treatment of cancer it would cost you around $1100 (that’s one thousand one hundred) for the exact same thing. Anyway this is interesting for several reasons. One – people are getting ripped off, and two – what could be the connection between colon cancer and parasites. Maybe more there then what they would like us to believe. My apologies if I have the wrong drug on this and I will try to see if I can find the original source of this info and post a correction if I find I was mistaken. Regards, Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Noella this is the post you missed. I’m 43 and have had crohns since 1994.  Tried every therapy there is, including Remicade.  Have had 3 bowel ressections. Last Feb. I participated in a clinical trial of interlukin 11.  Weekly injections in my tummy with a very small needle for 12 weeks.  am told an oral dose is due out any day. I am still TOTALLY free of crohns symptoms except those that are a result of having lost so much colon. If anyone has the chance to get this drug I suggest you do it.  It was a miracle drug for me.  Ask your GI. feel free to email me directly for more detailed info on the drug, the company and the results. kevin p.s.  pray for the victims and their families. What drug is it please, I did get the beginning of the post. Noella This drug looks very good. Are you still taking it ? It’s been in phase III for quite some time. Any ideas when it will be available ? This drug seem like a winner, big time. Please Visit www.ibdcure.com and sign the petition for an IBD postage stamp. All opinions expressed are mine unless otherwise noted. Leah’s Body Sugaring Recipe Remove unwanted hair http://www.for-romance.com/sugar "those that can be offended, will be" … Pastor Don

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