Taytra

[TAYTRA]

My daughter contracted Salmonella poisoning about 3 years ago which ravaged her digestive system for 10 days before we, and her Doctor, realized it wasn't the flue. She has since then gone through the normal "Crone's" processes of Prednizone, Mercaptopurine, Remicade and now since she has developed antibodies against the Remicade they want to start her on Humira. We are going to hold off on the Humira until we try a more organic method. She has experienced all of the typical symptoms of Crone's along with a few that are chemically induced. I have not been an advocate of vitamins and organic alternatives (we haven't really ever medicated ourselves before), but with all her problems and our concerns that some were caused by the medications she was taking we visited Healthy Alternatives in Ohio to search out some different options. The owner, Ryan, was amazing. He listened to us for over 2 hours discuss the past 3 years and the many things she had gone through and never really been healed. She had never had any symptoms of any digestive illness before the Salmonella. It is no where in our family either. We started her on his recommended regimen while still taking the Mercaptopurine without anything else. Within 2 days, we have noticed a difference. The soreness in her abdomen went away. Her bowels no longer are loose and difficult to hold and the odor has gone completely away. Three years of constant issues and this is a first. We are communicating with her doctor our decision to delay Humira and we are going to get her off of Mercaptopurine. We know that she may relapse, but so far the indicators are not there. We want to at least try. It is a little more expensive since insurance doesn't generally cover the vitamins and supplements, but it is well worth the effort if it makes her feel better and healthier. Has anyone had success with dropping Mercaptopurine cold turkey or weaning off? We feel that some of these drugs were causing the awful sores on her skin and rashes, not to mention at least 6 out of the 8 side affects indicated she had. I wouldn't suggest removing her from the Mercaptopurine unless we were taking the supplements as he recommended. We are also communicating with her specialist of our intentions. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[DJW]

Hi and welcome.

I'm happy to hear you're daughter is feeling better. Glad the GI is involved.

My thoughts:

1. If you're not doing it I suggest keeping a food and symptom journal to see if certain foods cause a problem.

2. Continue to see the GI on a regular basis to monitor things

3. Keep in mind Crohn' can come back at anytime and simmer with no symptoms. This silent simmering can cause significant damage. That's why its important to continue with the GI.

Sending both of you my support.

 

[TAYTRA]

We appreciate the feedback! We are going to continue with the GI, but were a little disappointed in the lack of information and possibilities we got from them. And there has been more than one. I wish people would all do their own homework before any treatments. We were too quickly pushed off onto various drugs without researching many different factors that are affecting her digestive system. She is pulled off of dairy and gluten now and this may be contributing to the positive turn. We don't care! She will gladly stay away from those things along with supplements if it means the chemicals are out of her system. I can understand the fear in people afflicted with this disease. She was afraid to try something different and then have the flare ups. It is scary. Not everything works for everyone, but we are hearing more and more stories of people ditching the drugs and following the regime through a healthy alternative representative. It works for some....we hope it works for her! Thanks for your support!

 

[DJW]

I hope she has years of remission.