Some of you know that I gave up the med rollercoaster over a month ago. Now that this phase has progressed a little further, I thought I'd share my story with this alternative.
I was on the typical list of Crohn's meds, and a month ago or so had been heading for the stronger meds with more risks, more side effects. I have to say, like a lot of people I'm sure, I became severely depressed and disconnected on the meds alone. I had to be homeschooled, could not get out of bed most days due to fatigue, and suffered some emotional disturbances that are uncharacteristic of me altogether. All things that this forum could have told me would happen. Before the meds, I felt like I had a handle on things, taking the disease one step at a time. Once the side effects began adding up I considered my life with treatment even worse than my life without it. I began searching for alternatives.
For anyone considering natural treatment, keep in mind that in my case, I initially had no support. My team of loving family and friends who had held my hand in and out of the hospital suddenly could not connect with me anymore. Once they heard my dream of a disease without medication, they retracted in fear. And that's what it was - fear. I had felt it, and I couldn't blame them for feeling it. I had lived in it! But you know, I'm sure, that there is a certain place of desparation that dissolves fear. Once I hit that level, I was determined to either heal my flare up holistically or die trying.
I told everyone "I will never forgive myself if years from now I am told that I am infertile, or I have cancer - if I never try this. If it doesn't work, I'm a fool and even sicker. If it does, my life changes."
I sought out a holistic doctor recommended to me here in Pittsburgh. It was a month away and so I talked with my medical doctor about the polymeric diet - 6wks of Ensure shakes to replace all solid food; gives the bowel rest and induces (IMMEDIATE in my case) remission. Then, I met with the holistic doctor who advised a vegan diet, initially just smoothies and juices of wholesome organic fruits and veggies. She was a sufferer of Crohn's at my age and gave up meds to go to school to become certified holistically, treated herself, and is the picture of health. Yes, every case is different, but it was worth a try.
I am done with my liquid diet, I take no medication, just supplements (herbal and iron, calcium). I have no symptoms, no side effects. I eat vegan organic soups, smoothies, juices, and about 1 solid meal per day. It is a LIFE CHANGE, be sure, but for me, necessary. I adore life and I am a writer, I interpret my world - something I found hard to do on medication in the midst of side effects and barely treated symptoms.
Yes, it is true that this is an immune disease. I could flare up at any moment. So what will I do? Back to the liquid diet. Continuing to give my body the nutrients it requires to heal itself. Our bodies were equipped to heal themselves (your blood clots when you get cut, your bones mend when broken). As immune sufferers, we're at a disadvantage. I will therefore work all the more to supply my vehicle with the fuel it needs. No synthetic, no science experiment fast food, none.
If you want to try this route, I would recommend it. I have a severe case of Crohn's, flare ups nearly 2 years long - I know what we are up against. No one assured me if was safe. In fact, many said I could die or make things worse. My labs (as reported by my medical doc) indicate perfect health, so have the exams. Is it just my particular case? Could be. Is it worth a try? It depends on how desparate you are. There is something to be said about all of this.
I keep a good relationship with my medical doc, should I need anything.
I am aware that this is not a route all are supportive of, which I can appreciate - we all go through very different struggles with this disease and the path someone chooses to take should ONLY allow them to live normally and happily - and if you can do that, no matter how, your method is sacred.
I just wanted to share this with those who are unhappy and considering the looming alternative that many scourn, especially the medical field. I mean, my family still calls my holistic doc a 'witch doctor'. But I feel GOOD, for the first time, and I am dedicated to these very drastic lifestyle changes for this reason, none other.
If you want to talk, just message me!
PS: You probably know that this is an expensive lifestyle - health care does not cover holistic doctors, and organic food can take a paycheck. My family is middle class, I live with my single mother - and we are able to do it, however. We made sacrifices is all. I am thankful to have those in my life that will (eventually) support anything that allows me to be the person I am, not a patient.
THANKS for reading all of this.
I was on the typical list of Crohn's meds, and a month ago or so had been heading for the stronger meds with more risks, more side effects. I have to say, like a lot of people I'm sure, I became severely depressed and disconnected on the meds alone. I had to be homeschooled, could not get out of bed most days due to fatigue, and suffered some emotional disturbances that are uncharacteristic of me altogether. All things that this forum could have told me would happen. Before the meds, I felt like I had a handle on things, taking the disease one step at a time. Once the side effects began adding up I considered my life with treatment even worse than my life without it. I began searching for alternatives.
For anyone considering natural treatment, keep in mind that in my case, I initially had no support. My team of loving family and friends who had held my hand in and out of the hospital suddenly could not connect with me anymore. Once they heard my dream of a disease without medication, they retracted in fear. And that's what it was - fear. I had felt it, and I couldn't blame them for feeling it. I had lived in it! But you know, I'm sure, that there is a certain place of desparation that dissolves fear. Once I hit that level, I was determined to either heal my flare up holistically or die trying.
I told everyone "I will never forgive myself if years from now I am told that I am infertile, or I have cancer - if I never try this. If it doesn't work, I'm a fool and even sicker. If it does, my life changes."
I sought out a holistic doctor recommended to me here in Pittsburgh. It was a month away and so I talked with my medical doctor about the polymeric diet - 6wks of Ensure shakes to replace all solid food; gives the bowel rest and induces (IMMEDIATE in my case) remission. Then, I met with the holistic doctor who advised a vegan diet, initially just smoothies and juices of wholesome organic fruits and veggies. She was a sufferer of Crohn's at my age and gave up meds to go to school to become certified holistically, treated herself, and is the picture of health. Yes, every case is different, but it was worth a try.
I am done with my liquid diet, I take no medication, just supplements (herbal and iron, calcium). I have no symptoms, no side effects. I eat vegan organic soups, smoothies, juices, and about 1 solid meal per day. It is a LIFE CHANGE, be sure, but for me, necessary. I adore life and I am a writer, I interpret my world - something I found hard to do on medication in the midst of side effects and barely treated symptoms.
Yes, it is true that this is an immune disease. I could flare up at any moment. So what will I do? Back to the liquid diet. Continuing to give my body the nutrients it requires to heal itself. Our bodies were equipped to heal themselves (your blood clots when you get cut, your bones mend when broken). As immune sufferers, we're at a disadvantage. I will therefore work all the more to supply my vehicle with the fuel it needs. No synthetic, no science experiment fast food, none.
If you want to try this route, I would recommend it. I have a severe case of Crohn's, flare ups nearly 2 years long - I know what we are up against. No one assured me if was safe. In fact, many said I could die or make things worse. My labs (as reported by my medical doc) indicate perfect health, so have the exams. Is it just my particular case? Could be. Is it worth a try? It depends on how desparate you are. There is something to be said about all of this.
I keep a good relationship with my medical doc, should I need anything.
I am aware that this is not a route all are supportive of, which I can appreciate - we all go through very different struggles with this disease and the path someone chooses to take should ONLY allow them to live normally and happily - and if you can do that, no matter how, your method is sacred.
I just wanted to share this with those who are unhappy and considering the looming alternative that many scourn, especially the medical field. I mean, my family still calls my holistic doc a 'witch doctor'. But I feel GOOD, for the first time, and I am dedicated to these very drastic lifestyle changes for this reason, none other.
If you want to talk, just message me!
PS: You probably know that this is an expensive lifestyle - health care does not cover holistic doctors, and organic food can take a paycheck. My family is middle class, I live with my single mother - and we are able to do it, however. We made sacrifices is all. I am thankful to have those in my life that will (eventually) support anything that allows me to be the person I am, not a patient.
THANKS for reading all of this.
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