Remission

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What exactly is a remission?

Is it when you feel generally "well" or is it merely when the symptoms of Crohn's become temporarily minor in relation to the severe discomfort during a "flare".

I am coming to the end of my first year and need to tell my GI if the Pentasa is working and frankly I don't know. It has certainly helped but I have never reached the stage of feeling truly well, so have I experienced remission or not.

Right now I am in a flare and I am tempted by preds but if I can function without them I'd prefer to stay off and keep that silver bullet for later.

Thanks, people.
 
HI Paul, it's very hard to tell your in remission, but you can tell if the medication is working, you will notice that what your eating will not bother you , and your bm's are regular without the dirrahea, without blood present , and without the nausea from eating,and your having no abdnomal cramping, and you will notice your stool is formed. i have had crohn's now for 21 years and was in remission for 15 years . and i found out you can most anything without the symptoms mentioned above. but if you are in a flare the preds would be an opition. i know you will like to wait, but you don't want the flare to get worse. Then it's back to square one. and if you been there already, you don't want to go back there again. My best advice is to keep track of your daily bm's and check it everday not being gross but you have too. and keep track of your eating habits to see if your having any problems with your bowel. and Maybe the rest of the forum might be able to help you as well. best wises.

scott
 
Scott, thanks for that. I have (lucky me) never had bad diarrhea with this but very bad stomach cramps and lots of nausea. This was improved by Pentasa but it is not having any enduring effect and I am now again very distressed by it so I guess I am not in remission! Also I am starting to have very bad neck pain hence I found a good Rheumatologist.
Just saw my Rheumatologist today who is writing to the GI man suggesting a change from Pentasa to Remicade or Salazoprine. Gotta go look those up and make sure they are something I can live with the possible side effects. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my message.
 
Remission is when all tests come back normal (including blood work) and your disease isn't currently active. Staying on maintenance medication while in remission will help you stay in remission longer. I've been in remission for 12 years now and don't have to watch my diet and I am still on maintenance meds. If Prednisone doesn't work for you then maybe your could try Entocort. There is a generic version of it as well. It has less side effects than Prednisone (I don't have any from it and didn't in the past either).
 
Thanks, That is what I needed to know you have been really helpfulWill talk to doc about Entocort vs Pred. Been feeling low but now I have a game plan for next doc meeting. Thanks again.
 
Paul I have had excellent results from Amitriptyline as regards to spasms and cramps, I don't have any now!
I was prescribed this for my neck pain last year
It is at the moment acting as a preventative for my migraines and it is now working, since I stopped the painkillers! You'll have to read my neurologist thread for that info!
Amitriptyline in higher doses is an anti depressant
In lower doses it acts a nerve blocker and is the first line defence med for IBS symptoms such as contractions, spasms and cramps.
Also, it would knock a horse on it's back!
Lovely blissful sleep!
If I've told you all this before, please forgive me, so many newbies I've lost count!
Oh, and I'm on Entocort too, excellent stuff!
lotsa luv
Joan xxx
 
Joan, thanks for that. As we all know the problems drift around but right now for me they feel neurological rather than anything else. I'll see what is recommended by the gastro man on Thursday. To give him his due he started me on Pentasa which is where we'd all be happy to be if they work, and now I am going to tell him
that is not working. So I have no doubt we'll move up a gear to stronger meds and I'll follow his advice until there is reason to question it, but I have noted what you say about Amitriptyline. Thanks again

Love

Paul
 

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