Crohn's and spondylitis

[Dustin]

Hi everyone,
I have had Crohn's for 16 years, and have dealt okay with it so far... my problem regards my wife though. She was diagnosed with seronegative spondyloarthropathy about 20 months ago, and the doctor still isn't treating her condition because nothing is showing up in the x-rays - they are simply giving her pain medication. She is now waiting to get an MRI done to hopefully show some sign of inflammation. She swims every day, and does yoga stretches every evening. Yet, I have had to help her get dressed a couple of times recently. I fear she is going to be disabled before they start to treat the problem instead of the symptoms. I know this is an autoimmune disorder, and that many people with this condition have Crohn's as well. Does anyone have any advice? I am getting very worried about her, and because of that, my Crohn's is starting to rear its ugly head again. I won't be much good for her if I am stuck in bed as well.
Dustin

 

[D Bergy]

Low Dose Naltrexone is used for both Crohn's and Ankylosing Spondylitis.

It is safe, cheap, and really has no downside unless it does not work, but it usually does.

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/

If you cannot get LDN, I have one alternative treatment possibility, but I think LDN would be far better.

Dan

 

[Dustin]

Thank you so much Dan, I really appreciate your insight. I have let my wife know, and both of us are going to look into it. I will try and let you know when I hear anything.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

I'm in a similar boat as your wife. Some mornings I have very limited mobility due to Ankylosing Spondylitus. Presently, both my CD and AS are flaring.

The key for me is to be as active as possible. I'll never regain a full range of motion, but I can slow down the degenerative process.

Good luck.

 

[Dustin]

Thanks for replying GoJohnnyGo. Did you have to wait for inflammation or damage to show up on the x-rays before they started treating you?

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

Thanks for replying GoJohnnyGo. Did you have to wait for inflammation or damage to show up on the x-rays before they started treating you?

I was diagnosed last year via X-Ray, and am still awaiting a Rheumatologist for formal treatment.

 

[Dustin]

My wife has a rheumy, but he isn't doing anything really. I had to take her to the emerg yesterday because she could barely move she was in so much pain. They put some freezing in her SI joint, and that really helped. He gave her some heavier pain killers as well, but they are making her nauseous - she eats right before taking the pill, and takes gravol with it. Hopefully because this doc said it is definitely her SI joint that is having problems (because the freezing helped), hopefully that will give her rheumy a kick to start treating the problem instead of the symptoms.