I just want it to work, Primal Defense, that is

[longjohn]

Greetings and Salutations everyone, I am very happy to have found this forum.

Short story: Wyoming ranch kid, now 57, only family member to have been diagnosed with Crohns / UC one year ago, had miserable time first 3 months with lots of D and toilet time. I was mad at the world at the time. Started treatment with tapering Prednizone and Pentasa(4000 mg per day) and have been relatively regular with no D to speak of since. Soft foods, no milk, no coffee, no grease, drink soy milk with Carnation Instant Breakfast, gained back the 25 lbs that I had lost.

My concerns are my challenged immune system (I seem to catch every bug that comes along and cuts and bruises are very slow to heal), and the inflammation with low level pain. Although my stools are generally smooth and consistent, they have been getting progressively thinner with time. They are now literally pencil thin, long and ropey. I fear I will close off soon.

So needless to say I became very hopeful reading about Garden of Health's Primal Defense but want to cut through all the hype. I have searched this site and found members using PD to have mixed but only short term results to report. It seems to me that if the product is as good as advertised there should be stories like Jordon Rubin's abound.

In that it has been several months since many of the PD users made their posts I am looking for updates from all you guinea pigs out there.

I wish all of the best for every one here. Thank you for reading.

John

 

[D Bergy]

I had no noticeable effect when I took Primal Defense. Others have had some improvement, but I do not think anyone would characterize it as the answer to Crohn's disease. It is more of something that may ease symptoms somewhat or do nothing at all.

The best probiotic is VSL which has way more active bacteria than any other brand. It is also quite expensive from what I have heard.

Yeah, way too much hype. It may help some, but that is about the best you can hope for.

Dan Bergman

 

[longjohn]

Thanks for the response, How long did you take PD if I may ask.

 

[D Bergy]

I took it for about a month. My Crohn's has never given me much pain. I just had the big D and had a stricture removed about a year ago.

The Primal Defense never really changed my stool status. Since I never had any other symptoms I may not be the best test case. Others had more symptoms to go by.

It may take quite a while for it to work since there are pounds of bacteria in the intestinal tract. I believe the goal is to displace bad bacteria with the good stuff. I can't see how that would be a fast process.

One good thing about probiotics is they really can't do you any harm, so it is worth trying them out.

Dan Bergman

 

[callypat]

I have been on VSL for almost a month now and I have noticed a difference. Have been on Humera and Immuran for months which offered some relief for a short time then symptoms returned for no reason. The doctor added Lialda with still little to no results. I read about VSL and was desperate to find relief, I would pay anything for something that does what it says it will do. I have to say that I have had fewer symptoms and can now tolerate move than just broth and toast. That said, although I am happy not to have D anymore, I too am concerned about pencil thin stool and was wondering the same thing.

 

[Sojourn]

Hello and welcome. If I remember correctly, Jordan Rubin did the SCD diet in addition to using Primal Defense. I spent about two months, a few years ago, trying to maintain this regiment and didn't notice much improvement though had fewer symptoms. Because of my job of traveling a lot it was difficult for me to maintain the SCD diet. Indeed it's difficult even for people who are home everyday.

But I've continued to take Primal Defense and it does help some though it's hard to tell lately as I've had a resection and been on numerous medications. And, of course, there are varying degrees of Crohn's. For someone with a mild case, PD and a good diet may be enough to keep it under control. But from the sound of your BM's it does sound like have you considerable thickening of the bowel, or bowel wall going on. Just a guess.

Most of us do whatever we can, reasonably, with diet and supplement, but also follow the advice and treatment of traditional medicine.

 

[longjohn]

Thank you so much for your information.

My current problem seems to be my inability to get over this acquired flu bug (viral) that I have had for going on three weeks now. What a way to start the new year, I have used up all my sick leave at work.

I had started taking one a day PD six days ago except for skipping one day. Although my Crohns symptoms seem better, my flu symptoms seem worse, except for the one day without PD.

I believe that I will stop PD until my flu subsides. I obviously need some help.

 

[Ilysha]

I've been taking PD for about 3 months now. I would say it helps my Crohn's symptoms a bit, maybe having fewers BMs, but that is in conjunction with remicade, pentasa and 6mp. I don't think you are going to see huge results like thwarting a bad flu bug or anything like that. From my understanding, it just helps keep the good bacteria in your gut.

Welcome to the forum and best of luck to you in staying healthy.
--Ilysha

 

[Cog]

I have been taking Primal defense for years and it seems to keep things in check - I notice if I stop taking it.

As far as catching every bug around - I would look at changing your diet. For me (and everyone is different) I quite soda and dramatically reduced my sugar and wheat intake. As a consequence I seem to shake off any new bug much quicker.

Hope you get better soon

 

[longjohn]

Thanks Ilysha, Cog,

I have now been doing Primal Defense for two weeks(starting slowly w/2 every 3 days) with Omega Zyme plus starting a diet overhaul with the Makers Diet 40 day program, all except the gut cleansing. I am doing this with my GI's blessing as long as I keep taking my meds.

Also the flu is subsiding, been doing the Clenzology to help from re-infecting myself, and my stools have been like tootsie-rolls. Yeah!

John

 

[longjohn]

Hey everyone,

I am pleased to report back that after taking Primal Defense for two months now and having overhauled my diet, my Crohns symptoms have disappeared, my stools are deer-like, my strength is up (been tele-skiing), so far so good. I am hoping someday to be able to stop taking Pentasa.

John

 

[D Bergy]

Glad to hear it is helping you. How can you tell if it is the Pentasa or the other things helping? Or do you think it may be the combination?

Either way it is good news to be improving. Sometimes that is not an easy accomplishment.

Dan

 

[Kev]

Hey John... That is great news.. So, to recap, you've started P.D., revamped your diet, and started exercising more, plus are taking 5ASA... and it's working for you.

I would tred cautiously about changing any of that 'magic' formula... Like, if the 5ASA isn't causing side effects, and you can afford it, then why rock the boat, right.. Least ways, consult with dr., maybe consider a very, very slow taper...
But that's just me. Like, I'm hoping to taper off my 5ASA later this year, if my luck with LDN continues... maybe by taper 500 mg every 2 - 3 weeks 'fastest'.