A new member from Egypt

[zHassanz]

Hello there everyone, I hope that you're all having a good day.

So, I was diagnosed with Crohn's a few weeks ago, and my trip to this diagnosis was a very unpleasant one. I have been to over 3 doctors, and each one had me put on GERD meds; antacids, digestive pills, activated charcoal, and many other pills as they thought I had an "ulcer". I have been losing weight like crazy (I'm already thin so it was scary) and after tons of tests my last doctor suggested a colonoscopy and bam he told me I have Crohn's and it did make sense.

I'm new here, and this is my first topic, my life is literally torture; I can't eat anything, and I'm in pain all day. I really hope that over here, I'll find some help and I'll do my best to be of help to anyone.

Cheers!

 

[DJW]

Hi and welcome.

Are you on any Crohn's medication?

 

[zHassanz]

Hi and welcome.

Are you on any Crohn's medication?

Hello there.

Yeah, I have been taking mesalamine, prednisolone, azathioprine and metronidazole for 2 weeks now. That's for Crohn's and I'm taking antacids, and pills for gases, too. But nothing is really helping. My doctor told me that I shouldn't be expecting any improvement soon, and I'm kind of getting sick of being alive, to be honest.

 

[DJW]

What you're feeling is totally understandable.
It can take time for the meds to start working. It's also important to give yourself time to adjust psychologically. It's a process. Be kind to yourself. Don't worry if it takes months. You will adjust and move on with life.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[Clash]

Welcome. I'm sorry to hear things are going so badly for you right now.

Some times it can help to move to a liquid diet or enteral nutrition which is formula only. There are different kinds some are over the counter like Ensure or Boost (here in the US) others you can get by doc prescription.

Also some people try to stay on a low residue diet during flares as it can help ease symptoms. You can click on the highlighted words to get a better u derstanding of each.

I hope that you are feeling better soon!

 

[zHassanz]

What you're feeling is totally understandable.
It can take time for the meds to start working. It's also important to give yourself time to adjust psychologically. It's a process. Be kind to yourself. Don't worry if it takes months. You will adjust and move on with life.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for your kind wishes.

 

[zHassanz]

Welcome. I'm sorry to hear things are going so badly for you right now.

Some times it can help to move to a liquid diet or enteral nutrition which is formula only. There are different kinds some are over the counter like Ensure or Boost (here in the US) others you can get by doc prescription.

Also some people try to stay on a low residue diet during flares as it can help ease symptoms. You can click on the highlighted words to get a better u derstanding of each.

I hope that you are feeling better soon!

Hi. First of all thanks for your reply.

The thing is what I have is ileocolitis, do you think a liquid only diet will be of help? Even when I eat jello, I have all these cramps, gases and bloating. I'm having normal bowel movements, but I just can't eat or drink whatever without having to endure the consequences.

 

[Clash]

Yes, it should work for ileocolitis. There was one study that showed it wasn't as effective for colonic CD but later studies haven't shown that discrepancy compared to other locations.

Also since nutrition, vitamins etc are absorbed in the small bowel even supplemental enteral nutrition can help provide your body with needed nutrition(since active CD/inflammation can create malabsorption issues) and lead to weight gain. The more broken down the formula the easier for the intestine to absorb. So polymeric (like boost) is least broken down whereas semi elemental and elemental are further broken down. Generally, polymeric is the most palatable with semi elementalk less palatable but still drinkable and elemental usually requiring an ng tube.

My son did supplemental EN for weight gain and nutrition gains, he chose using an ng tube which he'd insert each evening to take in the formulas while sleeping then remove the tube the next morning before classes. Others have done full or supplemental EN just by drinking them.

 

[ronroush7]

Welcome. I am sorry for what you are going through

 

[Justanothercp]

Zhassanz
Are you having more problems with diarrhea or pain/stricture symptoms? Have they done ct scan?

 

[Christi]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you are being ill but i hope you feel better soon

 

[zHassanz]

Yes, it should work for ileocolitis. There was one study that showed it wasn't as effective for colonic CD but later studies haven't shown that discrepancy compared to other locations.

Also since nutrition, vitamins etc are absorbed in the small bowel even supplemental enteral nutrition can help provide your body with needed nutrition(since active CD/inflammation can create malabsorption issues) and lead to weight gain. The more broken down the formula the easier for the intestine to absorb. So polymeric (like boost) is least broken down whereas semi elemental and elemental are further broken down. Generally, polymeric is the most palatable with semi elementalk less palatable but still drinkable and elemental usually requiring an ng tube.

My son did supplemental EN for weight gain and nutrition gains, he chose using an ng tube which he'd insert each evening to take in the formulas while sleeping then remove the tube the next morning before classes. Others have done full or supplemental EN just by drinking them.

Thanks a lot for your advice. I have already started the liquid only diet this morning, and it seems to have helped a bit. Not too much progress to be honest, but at least I'm having a less severe nausea and bloating. I did buy Ensure, but this stuff is gonna be too costy, so I can't depend on it in my diet.

Is there any chance for me to be able to eat normally again? I really miss eating lots of food. :/

 

[zHassanz]

Zhassanz
Are you having more problems with diarrhea or pain/stricture symptoms? Have they done ct scan?

My BMs are normal; no diarrhea or constipation. There is a needle like pain around my belly button and doesn't seem to go away not even with painkillers.

I have done a CT scan and it came out as normal.

 

[Clash]

When in remission most with CD can revert back to a normal diet.

Beyond the EN you can also look at a low residue diet as many that are flaring find that those foods are less aggravating to their flare.

Of symptoms persist make sure you update the GI. Further testing or med changes or adds may be needed.

I hope things improve quickly.

 

[zHassanz]

Thanks ronroush7 and Christi for your kind welcoming.

 

[zHassanz]

When in remission most with CD can revert back to a normal diet.

Beyond the EN you can also look at a low residue diet as many that are flaring find that those foods are less aggravating to their flare.

Of symptoms persist make sure you update the GI. Further testing or med changes or adds may be needed.

I hope things improve quickly.

I think I'm going to do a mix between EN and low residue diet, and see the outcome.

I'll make sure to see my doctor if anything new occurs.