Please help: I have a 16 year old son who was diagnosed with a severe case of fistulating crohn's at 11 years old. He did well for a year or so after that by taking supplements recommended by a naturopath but still continued on a very pro-inflammatory diet. He stopped the supplements because both he and his mother were in denial...this led to our separation and divorce. Last year he had a hemicolectomy and is currently getting Remicade infusions every 8 weeks. I want to keep my son alive but his mother who he is currently living with is against anything but the medical protocol. I know something about what supplements he should be taking and what types of foods he should avoid and eat. If anyone can help with supplement regimens and meal plans I would greatly appreciate it. This will be very difficult because his mother isn't even giving him the probiotics that his gastroenterologist recommended because that's part of the regimen that I had him on when he was doing well. I have to keep trying because I want to keep my son alive. Please help! My email is [email protected]
16 year old son w/crohn,s
- Thread starter jsshubin
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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I can't imagine your frustration and worry! Is it possible for your son to live with you? It seems that, although your ex-wife is following the bare minimum of the medical recommendations (i.e. remicade), she is still endangering your son's health. You can certainly speak with your son regarding the consequences of not taking care of himself, although, with a 17 year old son myself, I know that he may not be mature/responsible enough to truly understand the implications of the consequences. 
They do believe they are invincible at this age! :ybatty:
Personally, I give my son only Vit. D, Calcium and Krill Oil (a type of fish oil). However, my son's current treatment is enteral nutrition nightly which provides him with nutrition and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Have a look at the Diets, Fitness and Supplements forum. Link is:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17
Also, please take a look through the Parents of kids w/IBD subforum (under the Support forum). There are many helpful and supportive parents to help you. Link is:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49
I'm very sorry you've had to find your way here but, hope you are able to gain some information and support. Feel free to ask questions - there are so many helpful members here always willing to share their experiences! It has been invaluable to me.
All the best to you and your son! :ghug:
They do believe they are invincible at this age! :ybatty:Personally, I give my son only Vit. D, Calcium and Krill Oil (a type of fish oil). However, my son's current treatment is enteral nutrition nightly which provides him with nutrition and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Have a look at the Diets, Fitness and Supplements forum. Link is:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17
Also, please take a look through the Parents of kids w/IBD subforum (under the Support forum). There are many helpful and supportive parents to help you. Link is:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49
I'm very sorry you've had to find your way here but, hope you are able to gain some information and support. Feel free to ask questions - there are so many helpful members here always willing to share their experiences! It has been invaluable to me.
All the best to you and your son! :ghug:
Your ex-wife sounds a little bit like my mom. Mom is a good person, but for what ever reason dealing with people who are ill or even dying is not something she is able to cope with. She goes into denial. When I was younger I was resentful about this, but now I'm able to have some fun with it.
I wish I could offer you some helpful advice. Probably your best bet is offering supportive ideas to your son directly. He might try the ideas, he might not, but at the age of 16 he should be able to make most of his meals and take supplements he finds improves his condition.
The supplement that has helped the most with my IBD is vitamin D3, the sunshine vitamin. I take enough D3 to reach a testing level between 60 to 70ng/ml. I also make an effort to take in some noon day sunshine. Thought this a nice article explaining how to take and test D3 correctly.
"Getting vitamin D right"
http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/2010/01/getting-vitamin-d-right.html
The diet that I eat is paleo or low carb diet. Basically avoiding grains has helped me greatly with my IBD. Writing a food journal has been helpful also.
Recall seeing this article the other day. I ordered the book and am looking forward to reading it. Possibly it can offer insight into your ex-wife's fears - and maybe a helpful suggestion on how to present disease prevention.
"Our daily fear"
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/04/01/our-daily-fear/
Best of luck! Hope your son can find something helpful in the near future.
I wish I could offer you some helpful advice. Probably your best bet is offering supportive ideas to your son directly. He might try the ideas, he might not, but at the age of 16 he should be able to make most of his meals and take supplements he finds improves his condition.
The supplement that has helped the most with my IBD is vitamin D3, the sunshine vitamin. I take enough D3 to reach a testing level between 60 to 70ng/ml. I also make an effort to take in some noon day sunshine. Thought this a nice article explaining how to take and test D3 correctly.
"Getting vitamin D right"
http://blog.trackyourplaque.com/2010/01/getting-vitamin-d-right.html
The diet that I eat is paleo or low carb diet. Basically avoiding grains has helped me greatly with my IBD. Writing a food journal has been helpful also.
Recall seeing this article the other day. I ordered the book and am looking forward to reading it. Possibly it can offer insight into your ex-wife's fears - and maybe a helpful suggestion on how to present disease prevention.
"Our daily fear"
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/04/01/our-daily-fear/
Best of luck! Hope your son can find something helpful in the near future.
