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Ok... so I have Crohn's...

Just got diagnosed... no real surprise as it runs in the family. I kinda knew it anyway since i have had diarrhea for the last year. Had colonoscopy as scheduled every 5 yr and cat scans to verify. Going to specialist today to check my immune system: All basic stuff I think. Dr wants to start me on Humira to begin with and somehow I wonder if that is too aggressive since all I read is you do that after trying other things. Imodium seems to treat the diarrhea... should i avoid drugs and try more natural things first. Thoughts? I will not consider anything medical advise so cut lose!
david
 
Hey David,

First, sorry to hear you have been diagnosed. Even though you knew you might have it, because family members have it, it still sucks when you are diagnosed...

In recent years it has become pretty standard in the US to go for biologics (remicade or Humira) immediately for anyone who is newly diagnosed and isn't virtually symptom free. Back in the old days (let's say pre-2005) the steps were first immunosuppressives (aza/6mp) and then biologics (back then only remicade existed). Even before then doctors would go for 5-Asa first and aza / 6mp later on (biologics didn't exist 15 years ago...).

Imodium doesn't really treat the problem (inflammation), just the consequence. So that isn't really an option for Crohn's patients.

What you should think about when deciding for or against the standard drugs is a. what symptoms do you have and are they in any way severe and reoccurring (if you are in deep remission without any problems, then there is no need to take drugs) and b. if you have symptoms and they aren't going anywhere, do you want to take the risk of the effects of constant inflammation (scaring and potentially strictures that might even need surgery).

What I have learned in my 14 years of living with Crohn's is that priority number one is getting to a symptom free deep remission way of life. And at least for me (and for the vast majority of other Crohn's patients in remission) this only works if a lot of pieces of the puzzle come together - diet, sport, treating any vitamin and other deficiencies, stress relief, etc. and of course also long-term medication in the right dosage.

Hope these thoughts help a bit. I would encourage you to read a lot of threads on here to get an overview over Crohn's and what people do and don't do about it etc. Information is key when it comes to managing Crohn's effectively.

Cheers,
A
 
I wouldn't if it were me. Try checking out the diet changes you can make on here. There are a few and your body tells you what is the worst for you! For me anyhting spicy or tomato sauce and greasy foods def. cause the runs. Up your vit.D3 levels by taking a good supplement and get some sun too. Also, take Vit B 12 and Magnesium citrate if it doesn't make the Diarrhea worse. Folic acid and zinc too are important and a good quality fishoil. There are threads about the supplements to take on the main "forum page" that are very helpful. Some people smoke marijuana to get alot of relief too or vaporize it. There are many treatments in the medical community too, but I, like you, prefer not to take the biologics till I find I have to. Even those don't work for more than a few years so they say. Natural approaches seem more practical to me. Diet being NO.1. Check out all the great info on this forum and then decide for yourself what you would like to try. Good luck and God bless and welcome!!!!
 
Thanks for the info... I have been reading here all day. Funny I have been self treating for a year with high fiber diet with lots of raw veggies and have really learned to love broccoli but I am rapidly learning that was the exact opposite of what I should be doing. Any data on using humira to calm things down and going on and off of it as needed? I will keep reading........
 
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