Stopping ALL meds

[ruthyp]

Hi There,

I am going to start going down the herbal remedy route, iv decided that after a very painful,depressing year of major flaring that all these drugs are not helping.

From now i am stopping all meds (except pred, i know this drug has to be weaned, its not safe to stop cold turkey)

has anyone else done this and turned to natural remedies? i really need some support and information so i can get my life back.

My hair is falling out, i have extreme joint pain, severe abdo cramping and just getting passed from one drug to another.


Also, how long do these take to get out of my system? im not sure if i should stop my meds one day then take herbal stuff the next.

many thanks

 

[MapleLeafGirl]

While I can certainly understand where you're coming from, my personal opinion is that this is a dangerous way to go. I think herbal remedies work for some people but they should be done in conjunction with conventional medication. There is no herbal remedy that will fix your immune system. If you want to go this route, I wouldn't do it on your own - seek the advice of a naturopath or someone like that.

 

[itsMeFred]

Exploring other options is a good idea. Doing so without a doc keeping track of you seems like a really bad one...

Have you tried to find a doc that recommends the use of herbals/supplements/diet to control IBDs?

 

[Persian]

i would not recommend stopping all meds. I have stopped humira but only because I am to undergo a colostomy procedure. And even then I will be very careful with what I put in my system food wise to make sure I don't mess anything up

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Ruthy - My best advice is to do this under the supervision of an MD - you might be able to find an alternative or complimentary care doc that is an MD. At the very least, keep your GI in the on-deck circle in case you need him/her in the future for meds or scopes, etc.

BTW, I tried the all-natural route. Didn't do much for me expect train my wallet. But I ate really healthy and that's good for everyone!

In the end, neither the all-natural route nor the heavy duty meds worked for me - after two years of dicking around with both, I was too far gone.

But many people have responded to alternative therapies and dietary changes, just like many people have responded to medical therapies. We're all different.

Just pay attention to your body and keep an open mind. Good luck!! - Amy

 

[Trev]

i was feeling well, just tired from the meds, so on my docs advice i stopped all meds. 3 months later i was worse than i had ever been and ended up having a resection and havent worked since, my advice, be very carefull stopping meds.

 

[ruthyp]

Thanks guys, iv had time to sleep on it and realised its not realistic. I guess i was just so angry because it seems that since i started taking all these meds that im getting worse and worse. When i didnt take anything i was fine, but then when i got officially diagnosed they started pumping me with maintanance drugs and that when i went down hill. I wish they'd just left me alone. I have completely changed my diet, no wheat, as little diary as poss, and less processed foods. Iv defo noticed a difference, but still not as much as i want. Thank you everyone, i was having such an angry day yesterday, never knew someone could cry so much as i did.xxx

 

[DustyKat]

Hey ruthy,

I don't have crohns, my kids do, and I would agree with what everyone else has said about maintaining your meds. I have read your post above and it's good to see that things have settled a little for you.

Just out of interest, have you seen Shannon's thread about the holistic route? There are some interesting points of view and suggestions on how to balance the need for medication and maintaining a healthy diet......

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=15655

Take care hun, :hug:
Dusty. xxxxxxxx

 

[dale0607]

Very understandable to get frustrated Ruthy. That's what I find helpful about these forums, you can get your thoughts out and that helps. Everyone needs someone to talk to and it's hard to find people in the world in our situations.

I completely identify with you and wanting to stop all meds and just say screw it.

We're here for you when you need to vent and provide counsel to the best of our abilities.

 

[Lydia]

Hi Ruthy - My best advice is to do this under the supervision of an MD - you might be able to find an alternative or complimentary care doc that is an MD. At the very least, keep your GI in the on-deck circle in case you need him/her in the future for meds or scopes, etc.

BTW, I tried the all-natural route. Didn't do much for me expect train my wallet. But I ate really healthy and that's good for everyone!

In the end, neither the all-natural route nor the heavy duty meds worked for me - after two years of dicking around with both, I was too far gone.

But many people have responded to alternative therapies and dietary changes, just like many people have responded to medical therapies. We're all different.

Just pay attention to your body and keep an open mind. Good luck!! - Amy

I agree. Also dont stop your meds with out a back up plan first.

 

[glogua]

I too had stopped my meds for about 2yrs. Got tired of feeling like crap. Still had pain and running to the bathroom. It settled down for a while and I thought, "I don't need those meds". Well, I went back to the doctor after 2yrs, had my colonscopy and small bowel x-ray and come to find that even though all the symptoms had subsided and I didn't feel all that bad anymore, what happened internally, that I could not see, was I now have a 2ft stricture. I am now on the cimzia to get the inflammation under control and the stricture, well, will probably need surgery to remove that portion.

I see you decided to stay on meds and that is the best idea. If this all continues and you don't feel any better then you need to talk to your doctor about something else. If he doesn't do anything, find another doctor. Thats what I did.

Good luck to you, wish you all the best.

 

[ruthyp]

Thank you glogua, I am seeing a homeopath next week who will hopefully help me. I did however take myself off of asacol and have replaced it with cod liver oil, i have been asacol free for a week and have no had any side effects (touch wood). I believe that herbal remedies can work along side conventional meds. i hope this works!!xxx

 

[Grant]

Ruthy, think we've all been there in wanting to chuck all the drugs out. I know I have. The frustration I feel @ times is enormous & I reckon thats what got to you. Pleased that in the cold light of day you've cleared your head & are taking the common sense approach.
Well done says I,hope the homeopathic route helps along with conventional drugs for you.
Good Luck & hang in there
Grant

 

[Dogluv]

Hi! I did one dose of imfliximab (remicade), but the side effects were to much for me so I'm starting a new non-drug treatment called an elemental diet. It's supposed to be an effective, and safe way to mantain remission. Hope this helps!

 

[billyjoel]

@ruthyp have you considered looking at the threads in the medical marijuana board on here?
1. Marijuana slows down the digestive tract link
2. Marijuana relieves the pain throughout your body, not just a specific spot (this is almost common knowledge so I am not sure if a link is required?)
3. Marijuana may help your medications work better ( this I do not have a link for, however, this is coming from multiple doctors who appeared on the Diane Rheem show on NPR that aired less than a year ago )

I wish you the best and not sure if stopping all meds is good or not...