How do I keep myself healthy? I just started a new stream of Meds.

[Cwinnin]

Hello everyone.

I was diagnosed at 12 years old, but had it for years previous. I am not 22 so I am 10 years into it. Well I have been on pentasa, humira, remicade, prednisone a handful of times, entocort, imuran, mp6, and there's probably something I am missing. Right now I am on prednisone (20 mg), entyvio, and Imuran (150 mg). I am having issues with keeping my health up. I am a college student so being sick is quite an issue, but I also am having a lot of yeast issues (Thrush and yeast infection). I just want to know some tricks to help myself out.

Thanks!

 

[ronroush7]

Welcome.

 

[ronroush7]

Are you on either Humira or Remicade right now?

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Hello, the yeast issues will be the pred. Are there plans to get you off that soon?
In terms of staying healthy the best advice I can give is to avoid alcohol and late nights (I know this may be hard as a college student). You need to always get enough sleep and rest. And wash your hands regularly and stay away from other sick people.

 

[Cwinnin]

I'm not on those right now, but I am on imuran and entyvio which are both immunosuppressants. I already can't drink because of the whole imuran killing my liver thing so that's checked off my list. And the fatigue in general takes care of me staying up late. It sucks not feeling like a normal college student. I hear about people staying up all night to do work or their late nights and I could never do that.

 

[Tony H]

I would avoid alcohol completely , at the very least until you are in remission , just my opinion , hope you feel better soon .

 

[Cwinnin]

Just because I'm 22 and in college doesn't mean I drink. I haven't had a alcohol since I turned 21 and that was a quarter of a beer. So alcohol is not my prOblem.

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Personally I suggested alcohol because a few drinks for me every few weeks was causing me to get a week long case of the flu while on imuran. Eliminating it helped me. It wasn't an assumption that you must be a drinker, just giving anecdotal experience of what has helped me. We are only trying to help.

Get your white blood cell count checked. If that is normal look at your diet, exercise and ensuring rigorous hand washing. Aside from that this is part of immune suppression.

 

[ronroush7]

Being back on a biologic might help. Talk with your doctor.

 

[Tony H]

Just because I'm 22 and in college doesn't mean I drink. I haven't had a alcohol since I turned 21 and that was a quarter of a beer. So alcohol is not my prOblem.

Sorry if I gave the impression that I thought you did , I really feel your pain and really hope you get some relief.

 

[Clash]

ronroush7 they are on a biologic. Entyvio is a biologic.

I'm assuming with you being on pred you aren't in remission yet. Pred can open you up to the infections fairly quickly.

As far as fatigue have you had your iron and vitamin levels checked? Sometimes the inflammation causes malabsorption issues which can lead to deficiencies. A B12 deficiency or iron deficiency anemia can cause the fatigue or at least contribute.

I hope you find remission soon.

 

[ronroush7]

Sorry. I am not thinking clearly.

 

[Cwinnin]

Sorry I got touchy, I swear prednisone causes mood swings for me. I just had my blood taken on Monday for a check on my b12, cbc, and iron levels. So we will see if those are low probably today or tomorrow. I'm on the cusp of needing surgery and at this point I sort of just want to have surgery. It's hard not being able to eat any raw fruits and veggies.

 

[ronroush7]

Much success wished for you.

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Pred is probably the root of most of your issues here. And also when I didn't eat fruit and veggies in the past I used to get ill ALL the time! I hope you find relief soon.

 

[ronroush7]

My vegetables have to be well cooked

 

[If*]

Hi, sorry you are having a crap time. You are dealing with all this beautifully
It can be difficult (sometimes).
Can you ask about taking probiotics. Yeast overgrowth can be caused by gut flora being off, too much sugar can feed it. If you eat yogurt, try to look for yogurt with a low sugar count, but not the fake sugar. Good that you have had your b12 checked, iron, d3....
For fruits and vegies, I do pound smoothies to get extra vits. I like odwalla's, and naked. Also take a look into protein drinks. Ensure has a newer one that I have been thankful for finding. Also I like Vega one as a plant based protein. I also drink barley green and it seems to be helpful for me.

Hang in there,
Be well, God bless

 

[woops!]

I went through college with crohns and it can be difficult and frustrating all at the same time. Glad you got your blood work done. Some good suggestions have been posted so far. This may not even be a possibility, but what is your class load like? I know we are in the middle of a semester, but do you have the option to decrease your credits next semester? I know some ppl can't due to student loans. Do you have any support at college? Friends who support you?
What is your nutrition options like? Can you eat what your body needs or are you on a meal plan that may not have 'crohns' healthy choices?
Biggest thing for me was to not get overwhelmed, this meant finishing my degree a year after I had planned, but it was just not worth getting sick
Good luck and keep us posted.
Whoops!