Hi all

[bullahorn]

I have been suffering/putting up with/unhappily living with Chron's for around 2 years now.

I try not to let it ruin or run my life, so for me that means not thinking about it too much. When it flares, it flares. When in remission, it's in remission. That kind of thing. But this past flare up is really annoying me so I started to to do a bit of research on Chron's and diet and it brought me here!

I try to follow a paleo/primal lifestyle along with exercising with kettlebells. Which I found worked so well I didn't need medication anymore. Which is what I would prefer, as for some unknown reason I tend not to take/want medication in any shape or form.

But I recently lost my job, and with that comes stress... and BANG a flare up. This I believe is a major contributor in Chron's flaring up and being in remission. I'm not sure if anyone else feels the same?

Anyway i thought I would join and hopefully make some friends and talk about how we deal with this lovely companion of ours!

Cheers!
Bullahorn

 

[Jennifer]

Oh yes, stress is a contributing factor unfortunately. Glad you found us though! Welcome to the forum!

 

[xJillx]

Hi Bullahorn and welcome! Stress and anxiety is certainly a contributing factor. And then, when I know I am going downhill, I get even more stressed. It is a vicious cycle!

Lots a good info in the Diet and Fitness forum for you. Enjoy looking around and make yourself at home!

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Bullahorn and welcome!

Glad the diet and lifestyle changes have worked well for you so far. But yes, stress is a big trigger for lots of Crohnies and can really make things bad... please keep an open mind about the meds. IMO, I'd rather keep things under control with a mild drug, then go without and then need the "big guns" when a flare up occurs.

Good luck - hope you can get this current flare under control easily.

= Amy

 

[bullahorn]

Thanks for the welcome and comments everyone!

@Amy Yeah I think you may be right about the meds. I don't even like to take parecetemol for a headache/hangover! Tough it out and all that. But saying that, Chron's is a wee bit more serious than a hangover...

 

[Astra]

Hiya Bullahorn
and welcome fellow Brit
not so far from me!

I was like you once, I didn't take any meds, my Crohn's had been cured - NOT!
Then one day out of the blue I was in an ambulance going to A&E cos I was blocked and infected, long story, but I nearly died.
Please reconsider the meds, it's a pain in the crack, but worth it to keep inflammation at bay. I've learned my lesson the hard way, now I'm OCD about it!
That Caveman diet? Is there a lot of meat in it?
I stopped eating all red meat 18 months ago, the difference is amazing. I just eat lots of fish and chicken now.
Enjoy the forum
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[bullahorn]

Hi Astra101,

Loving the North West!!! Yeah its quite a protein heavy diet. The guy's at the gym I went to recommended trying it and I haven't looked back! It's the perfect choice for me as I love eating all kinds of meat. Fish, chicken, pork, you name it!

I didn't choose it because of Chron's but I have noticed a big difference in how I feel, and the flare ups are a lot less frequent. I will consider the meds again, I don't want to learn the hard way! The Dr prescribed me Asacol. Is that a popular med for Chron's?

I'm sorry to her about your trip to A&E. I didn't know it could get so serious! Glad your better and hopefully it doesn't happen again.

 

[Astra]

I'm in remission now, it's took a long time and I've worked really hard to get there!
Asacol is one of the amnio salicylates, 5ASA, main ingredient is Mesalazine. I'm on it's sister, Pentasa, as my maintenance med.
So yeah, a good choice.
xxx