My Journey with Crohns since 1971

[Sunny Gal]

I have had crohns disease since 1971. when I was first diagnosed i was very ill. I had a fistula and about 18" of intestines that were near obstruction. i was put on many drugs and scheduled for surgery. I took an alternative route back then and it has actually given me nearly 40 years of near remissions with a few set backs over the years. However the past 3 -4 years i have had many bouts with pain and a few emergencies. I have now had to re adjust my thinking and i live both in the more health oriented and some traditional treatment now. I am interested in seeing how others are managing and i am open to many ways to deal. i use a vegan diet for me, and i do yoga and go to the gym daily. Stress is really the hardest. i seem to be calm in my head but it still goes right to my gut and I can get pain instantly from stress. and i have to eat when I am calm. i am working on this daily to maintain a healthy balance in my life

 

[Droopy Drawers]

Hello & welcome !
I'm new here too.

My probs. with the tummy have been ongoing since 1974 & I was told colitis, but the new Gastro thinks Chron's.

A lrd seems to be easing my pain a bit, but I totally understand what you mean about not being able to eat unless you're calm.

Would you mind sharing some of the alternative therapy that has helped ?

The members of this forum are very friendly & supportive, not to mention willing to share their own experiences, so I think you will feel right at home here.

 

[Sunny Gal]

Hello & welcome !
I'm new here too.

My probs. with the tummy have been ongoing since 1974 & I was told colitis, but the new Gastro thinks Chron's.

A lrd seems to be easing my pain a bit, but I totally understand what you mean about not being able to eat unless you're calm.

Would you mind sharing some of the alternative therapy that has helped ?

The members of this forum are very friendly & supportive, not to mention willing to share their own experiences, so I think you will feel right at home here.

Yes the alternative approach I have ued is some dietary and some stress management. Dietary is that i stopped eating all dairy, wheat glueton products. I eat no red meat or animal protein except salmon and egg whites. I have found these times very hard for me to digest and have contributed to worst bouts of inflammation. I became a vegan years ago. I do cook lots of fresh soups and blend them. I make alot of my own recipes. I do not use spices that are hot at all. these cause flare ups very fast. I use soy and almond milks, I have tons of great vegetable dishes that are cooked. I have gone on short 3-4 days of fasting when not on any medications to slow down the activity and the pain when i has occurred. But stress is much harder. I can instantly get a pain in my belly if something stressful takes place. I have a very hard time with that. So I have to just not eat if I find this happening. I will be happy to share whatever may help.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Welcome to the forum! I too have suffered many years and have had 2 resections and since 2003 there has been no remission. Diet does help some and I avoid almost all dairy except old style cheese. I rarely eat red meat but mostly because it is very hard to digest. I use digestive enzymes for some foods that don't break down as easily. I was told many years ago to be on a mild antidepressant but my pride got in the way...Now I am on Pristiq and it has calmed me to a certain point where little things don't matter anymore, and this past Christmas was the best since I was young. I do take probiotics or yogurt but my main thing is I have been using Gingerforce and it has been doing amazing things for me. Everyone is different,and trust me I have tried everything from Holistic to medicines and have exhausted all meds or I react to them. The disease has been mentioned that 50 yrs of age is supposed to be the last onset of flares...I am fighting it. I also find eating smaller meals and more often is my trick. Glad you have joined us. Hope you join us.

 

[Sunny Gal]

Well if 50 years is the onset of lares I am into it. But not for long. I use a probiotic called VSL#3 made especially for Crohns patients. I know we all have to find what works. Today I am having some yummy vegetable soup I made and I blend it in my vita mix with 1/2 oz of raw cashews. It makes it like a cream soup and there is a very nice way to get in that protein and not have it be irritating. Thanks for the comment.

 

[MADiMarc]

Wow! I am impressed! I thought I had been dealing with it a long time, dx 1985, but I am a newbee compared to you! Congrats. Diet works somewhat for me, not totally. Stress is the big one for me too.
Welcome!
Michele

 

[Sunny Gal]

Hi Michele, I guess we are in this for the long haul. what has worked for you. Are you on any meds? How well do you deal with stress? I went to a yoga class on the beach this morning. I am going to make a conscious effort to do meditation daily and not let stuff get to me. I have so much good in my life and this chronic disease can really set me back when it flares. Keep posting

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

40 years of near remission? That's very inspiring. I had 7 years of remission and am working my way out of flare now. Hoping for at least another 7 years. 40 would be awesome! I'd be tempted to forget I had the disease. About 5 years into my last remission, I started doubting my diagnosis and even my GI (not the one who diagnosed me) thought maybe it was just IBS. This current flare proved us both completely wrong, but it was nice while it lasted!

 

[MADiMarc]

I am not currently on any heavy hitters, just asocol hd. I want to talk to my doc about revisiting Remecaid as that was by far the best for me. I do not know if I truly developed antibodies to it or not. I guess there is a blood test (?) that should be able to tell. As for stress, I walk...a lot! I tried yoga but everything pushes in for me. I would be making my grocery list in my head or some other list. With walking it seems that my mind can shut off for a bit. BTW: I do not let anyone come with me...it is a rule.
Good luck,
Michele

 

[Sunny Gal]

Good rule Michele

 

[Astra]

Hi Sunnygal
and welcome

Stress nearly killed me last year, divorce, death, work issues and moving house put me in the hospital for a week!
Now, I'm number one, always, I don't do stress, I walk away from confrontation at work, don't rise to the bait, do what is expected of me, no more, no less, then go home.
I get a sharp pain in my belly too, it's a sign that tells me to calm down or else!
Glad you found us, lots of friends here for you.
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Sunny Gal]

Dear Joan,
I am so glad to hear how you are handling stressful stuff. I am now going to and m doing that too. It just is n amazing barometer isn't it. that pain in the gut. So glad to be here.
Sunny