Husband recently diagnosed

[esangel05]

Hi! My name is Amanda. My husbands is Eric. He was diagnosed this past January with crohns. We are 22. His mom passed away from lung infections resulting from crohns in 2007 and now he has it. These past months have not been easy at all. My husband has been through a roller coaster of emotions and i have supported him through them all bc i know this isn't easy in any way shape or form. He has been on 6mp which was immediately a fail and he stopped taking that. now its budesonide and mesalamine. He was supposed to start remicade today but the nurse got sick so that obviously didnt happen. My husband has severe crohns according to his new dr. It is in patches all throughout the intestine and a 10cm part where his colon? or intestine? meets his ileum. (i obviously need to take an anatomy class to learn what connects where! ) so we are on this journey together, and hopefully we can kick it into remission fast! I am doing all the support groups instead of Eric bc he is in the Army and doesnt ever have time to get online. Any support/advice would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

 

[Crohny]

Hi Amanda,
So sorry to hear about Eric. I know this has to be a hard adjustment for you both.
I was just recently diagnosed with Crohn's in the ileum (where the stomach meets the colon) and the dr. was quite agressive with recommended treatment. He wanted to start me on Humira injections right away, and do surgery. I said no to both, and have been looking for another GI to consult with. I'm on a waiting list, and have made several dietary changes in the meantime. I feel great at the moment, and have even considered going off my meds- but I will wait and see what the new GI says. I want to be under supervision before I do something like that.
Since I was diagnosed, I have been flaring every week. On and off prednisone...
So I started off with cutting refined sugar, lactose, gluten/wheat/yeast, and alcohol from my diet. I added a really good "immune defense" probiotic, omega 3 fish oil, and several other supplements recommended for Crohn's, and I feel really good.
I drink herbal digestive tea, eat a reasonable diet that is easy to digest. Organic fruits and veggies... I have only been doing this for a few weeks, so I don't want to mislead anyone... but eating healthy promotes good digestive health. Common sense, right? I think it's important for anyone, not just Crohn's patients.
One thing my GI never told me was how it is very common for Crohn's patients to develop a secondary lactose intolerance. I have never had problems with lactose before I started flaring- but I almost wound up back in the hospital after drinking ensure for 2 days straight. I was in so much pain, and it never even occured to the dr. that it might be caused by the ensure... had to figure that one out on my own.
Again, just my personal experience... everyone's different, that's important to remember.
I would suggest getting tested for lactose intolerance and vitamin defficiencies, then supplement what is low, and go from there.
The dr may tell you that Crohn's has absolutely nothing to do with diet... although it might not be caused by it, diet plays a huge role in recovery/remission.
I wish you both the best!

 

[xJillx]

Hi Amanda and welcome! I am sorry to hear about your husband. How is he managing being in the Army with his Crohn's? Has the budesonide and mesalamine helped?

It is very difficult to come to terms with being diagnosed with Crohn's. However, by you being so loving and supportive, I think Eric will have an easier time getting through it. Just try to assure him that it can take some time to find the right treatment, but better days are to come. And though it won't always be easy, he will still have a happy and productive life. He'll have good days and some bad, but tell him to just take it one day at a time. On good days, appreciate every moment, and on bad days, just think that tomorrow may be better. I wish you and Eric all the luck in the world!

 

[esangel05]

thanks! He has cut all meat out of his diet and limits how much sugar he eats every day. He did end up starting remicade and no side effects! yay! Very happy about that! Currently, we are just waiting to see if he will be medically discharged from the military. He is planning on fighting the discharge bc we both love the military life and want to make this a 20-40 year thing. We have an appointment this friday with the GI dr and as long as he is willing to set up treatment at our next post, we will be fine! Crossing our fingers and praying for the best!

 

[xJillx]

I am glad Remicade is working, too! I hope he isn't discharged.

Keep us posted!