Crohn's without meds

[BCJenny]

Hello. I was diagnosed with a severe case (entire lg intestine ulcered and almost swollen shut with practically no normal tissue) of Crohns in Sept 2006. I took Pentasa, Nexium and Domperidone for a few weeks after diagnosis and after very unpleasant side-effects I spent hours researching for a different answer. I extremely changed my diet and lifestyle and started taking herbs and supplements and probiotics and healed my ulcers on my own. I have (knock on wood), despite doctors telling me it was impossible, lived without meds since Oct 2006 by eliminating triggers such as dairy, soy, strawberries, citrus and a few others and paying very close attention to my body and trying to stay as healthy as I can. I still have bloating and discomfort, the occasional sharp abdominal pain, loose stools but livable if I watch what I eat. I do have a hard time with the arthritic side. I get chest pains so bad sometimes that last for weeks or come and go that hurt so bad I feel paralyzed with pain each time I move or take in a full breath. Does this happen to anyone else? Elbow, knee, hip or shoulder pain? Like tendonitis feeling pain? Like everything hurts at the same time like you were hit by a truck? Just joining today and am wondering if other "sufferers" experience this. Any suggestions?

 

[Astra]

Hiya BCJenny
and welcome

Yes I get joint pain too, it co-incides with active inflammation, when I'm flaring.
I also believe the change in weather contibutes to my 'tendonitis' pain too. ie damp and cold.
When was the last time you saw a doc? Things can change very rapidly inside with this disease.
It's very admirable what you're doing with the diet and supps, but........ in my opinion, diet won't halt inflammation when it strikes.
Because of your pain and bloating it would be a good idea to get a scope or some other test and/or blood work to see if you're active. Maybe a maintenance med is all you need.
Enjoy the forum
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[xJillx]

Hi and welcome! I agree that the right diet, supplements, and exercise can be an important factor to staying healthy. However, I do think in most cases medicine is needed, as well. I agree with Joan that you should be sure to keep up on your health and regularly have tests to be sure there is no active disease going on. If there isn't, well, you know you should keep up what you are doing. But if there is active disease, you want to know before it gets any worse.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Welcome to the forum BCJenny.

I have not had breathing problems/joint problems myself, but as you can read there are others who have had similar problems.

For joint pain I know anti-inflammatory diet is often recommended. This usually includes reducing intake of omega-6 fats and increasing intake of omega 3 fats. I recommend looking in the Diet, Fitness and Supplements sub-forum.

 

[HeatherMN]

Your chest pain could be costochondritis, it is inflammation of the cartilage around your ribs. I have that, first time I had that pain I swore I was having a heart attack. There's really nothing they can do about it other than painkillers... I also have issues if I do too many abdominal exercises (situps, etc). I get really bad pains under my sternum.
I also have fibromyalgia, which gives me a lot of joint pain. It tends to move around, so I can feel it in many different joints. My neck and shoulders hurt on a constant basis tho.

The Mayo Clinic has a great website with information on all kinds of health conditions. I usually use it as my first reference for any health thing I can't figure out. Welcome to the forum!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626

 

[David]

Your chest pain could be costochondritis, it is inflammation of the cartilage around your ribs. I have that, first time I had that pain I swore I was having a heart attack. There's really nothing they can do about it other than painkillers... I also have issues if I do too many abdominal exercises (situps, etc). I get really bad pains under my sternum.
I also have fibromyalgia, which gives me a lot of joint pain. It tends to move around, so I can feel it in many different joints. My neck and shoulders hurt on a constant basis tho.

The Mayo Clinic has a great website with information on all kinds of health conditions. I usually use it as my first reference for any health thing I can't figure out. Welcome to the forum!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626

Chiming in with another vote for possible costochondritis. And boy does it suck. The only thing that worked for me was prolotherapy. Greatest thing EVER.

 

[HeatherMN]

Chiming in with another vote for possible costochondritis. And boy does it suck. The only thing that worked for me was prolotherapy. Greatest thing EVER.

Tell me more about prolotherapy!! Please

 

[David]

Tell me more about prolotherapy!! Please

Here's some good videos of MD's showing and discussing prolotherapy: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=prolotherapy&aq=f

In short from me, it is the only thing that really worked for my costochondritis (though I'm doing some resistance exercises that are helping too). I'm about 90% at this point after two series of injections. MD's (and occasionally acupuncturists if you're in a state that allows it) perform a series of injections of dextrose and vitamin B12 into areas of pain. The idea is to create inflammation and help the body heal itself rather than hinder it through anti-inflammatories. It's like the opposite of cortisone injections. After 10 months of terrible costochondritis, I am feeling SO MUCH better and plan to get prolotherapy on other old injuries I have that never quite healed right