GNC sounds so smart in every reply, thats one post that I will stop and read through every thread, (no offense others, I might be in a hurry), usually agree with him.
Remicade and these types of drugs for crohns, that do specific things like take the inflammation cells out of the blood stream are made for a reason. There are underlying causes that we dont really understand as of right now. Supplements are only going to make symtoms and signs less noticeable, in my eyes anyways.
I have had some luck with SOME vitamins and supplements.
I have tried probiotics...the garden of life brand, although most people I've talked to say that they didnt see a difference and its just a waste of money. It made me have almost formed stools with an illiostomy...your colon is what removes the liquid mostly, so to have just your small bowel almost form a stool is a pretty amazing feat. I've also taken digestive enzymes, which help break down protiens, dairy, carbs, and fats I think there might be another, but I'm not sure. I believe they help a lot with dairy for me. When I flare, and only when I flare, I'm lactose intolerant, but not of everything dairy, just plain milk or ice cream, I can each cheeses and such things like this. But after taking just one digestive enzyme after drinking a whole glass of milk, (they recommend, like 2 to 4 I believe), I didnt vomit, feel nasueas, bloated, or indegestion at all. So those were well worth the 9.99 I paid for them. I also picked up some b-12 vitamins the other week, they were only like 5 dollars or so, and it has 3333%of your daily need of b-12 I think, its something way over/off the wall. It says I can take it like 3 or 4 times a day, I only take it 2 times a week, because come on 3,333% of your daily value is to much. I take it because I've had 29cm of terminal illieum removed and that is the part of your intestine that absorbs, vitamins, A,D,E,K, B-12, and B-12 is what gives you your 'energy'. I take a brand of Acidiphillus that I just picked up at the local farm fresh(grocery store w/ pharmacy), it had the biggest amount in it so I chose it. You only have to take 2 of them, and really if I dont take any digestive enzymes, or probiotics, I still see the difference in stool formation by just taking the Acidiphillus. I think it cant hurt to try some/certain vitamins and supplements, I woudl let your GI know though, that way if there is a change for the better, maybe he can take you off of some meds or play with the dose and see how you react. Also....If you dont have co-pays for prescriptions anyways, just treat buying the vitamins and supplements as your co-pay for your actual doctor prescribed prescriptions.
Ok I just now realized I was talking to myself I guess, because I started this thread. Oh well, some pretty good knowledge someone can use, and GNC man can come and add in his input, this is his expertise, the the expert in abcesses/surgery/pain management, and hospital stays. lol. Probably a few more if I thought about it but those are the major ones.
