J
jhunton
Guest
Hi to everyone. I have NOT been diagnosed with crohns yet, still undergoing testing (you know how that is). I have suffered for over 10 years with this terrible affliction. It started slowly, almost imperceptably (actually longer than 10 years ago). I would occasionally have a severe bought of diarrhea, cramping, bloating -right after eating or at other inopporune times, but it would usually pass within a few hours. I had depression (still have), joint pain and many other problems. But I never even considered a disease, I alway put it down to the depression or maybe something I ate (or drank).About 4 years ago it began to worsen very quickly. I had so many violent bowel movements that I couldn't even leave the house. For years I had been slowly eliminating foods that seemed to 'cause' the problem. But, at its worst, even drinking water would spark off a violent bought of the disease.
I became lethargic and depressed, even to the point of suicidal thoughts. Of course, you question yourself - is it the depression causing the problem or the problem causing the depression? Sometimes it is hard to tell or know for sure.
I began my quest for a diagnosis. I probably don't have to tell any of you how difficult and depressing that can be. I haven't been able to work a steady job, I'm afraid to go out to eat or go anywhere else where I am not in familiar surroundings. Because of the possibility of a sudden onset of diarrhea, I still don't even like to go to visit or take trips anywhere.
So, I have been to MANY doctors, even gastro guys. None of them have been any help at all. I have had to analyse and diagnose this problem myself. Sometime I would become so disgusted, I would give up for a while and brood in my suffering. But I would eventually go on and continue my quest for (1) a diagnosis and (2) a cure, or at least relief.
The strange part of it was that, some times, it would almost completely disappear, for months at a time I would be (almost) normal, at least acceptably normal. But the inevitable would happen and it would hit me again. In my case, for some reason, it would be worse in the winter than in the summer.
So, about 2 years ago I went to see a gastro guy, he did a colonoscopy, did a few tests, tried a few pills and finally said, "I think you have bacterial overgrowth and/ or IBS." He didn't do a GI series, food sensitivity testing or anything. So for the last two years I have continued to suffer.
Currently I am seeing a different Doctor who, at least, is giving me some hope of a diagnosis - which is half the battle-. Like I said, I HAVE NOT been diagnosed with Crohn's, and truly hope that I don't have it, but my symptoms and the severity of the problems I have, have led me to the conclusion that this is the most likely culprit.
I don't have to tell any of you how debilitating this disease is, we all have our stories of depression, rejection, lost families and other terrible things that have happened to us because of this disease. Just know, regardless of the severity or progression of this disease that you have, there are others out here who have it just as bad or worse! We need to support and love one another.
I have, over the years, figured out many different foods that help relieve MY symptoms and would like to share that with you here. They are not a cure and they may not help everyone, but they HELP me (do not get rid of) with the bloating, diarrhea and cramping. Avoid the following if possible:
Diary - Lactose of any kind! Read the labels of everything you buy! There are many products that contain lactose that would be surprising to you, so read carefully!
Cottonseed Oil - Many of you would say,huh? It is in everything today, every baked good, canned item, chips and many more. I have a VIOLENT reaction to it within minutes of consuming anything with this in it.
Garlic - Oh yeah, I LOVE GARLIC, but it doesn't love me!
Beans, Broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers: - They all increase the severity of either my diarrhea or bloating/cramping.
Rice, pasta,breads - I can sometimes eat bread (if they don't have cottonseed oil in them [MOST DO]), without much difficulty, but pasta and rice are definitely a no-no.
Olive Oil (cooked) - I know, it's supposed to be good for you and, because we lived in Italy for five years, we LOVE it. BUt my wife, bless her soul, heard that cooking it changes the chemical composition of it somehow and can cause gastro-intestinal problems. She experimented with it (without telling me). My symptoms got better. Try it.
So much for my list of things to avoid. I know, it is not a cure and not all of these things will help everyone, but it's worth a try right?
I have one more tid-bit of info that I recently discovered and has at least allowed me to get through each day without violent diarrhea and, on many days, allows me to function almost normally.
TYLENOL 3! Yeah, I discovered it by accident. I was given some after a dental procedure and, the day I started taking it, my symptoms almost completely disappeared! I did my own experiment with the dosage and even trying just TYLENOL by itself, it's definitely the CODEINE that helps. I take one in the morning (after a few bowel movements) and one just prior to dinner in the evening. It is not a cure all but it relieves (in me) MOST of the problems. I purposely don't take it on at least one day a week to allow my body to flush out. And TRY not to take it at all, but inevitably I end up taking it at least ONCE a day. The dose I take is the 300-30mg.
I AM NOT A DOCTOR, I cannot prescribe or even advise you on drug dosages or interactions. Long term codeine use can be detrimental to the digestive system. So be carefu here. Ask your Doctor about it!
Fellow sufferers, let's give each other information about what has worked for us. Together we are strong, we need each other for fellowship and a shoulder to cry on. But we might just be able come up with a cure for this together (at the very least, a way to live a normal life).
Have courage, Jeff Hunton
