Tummy Troubles

[calmcolon11]

I guess I should start by saying that this is very new to me. I have had bowel issues for most of my life; however, it was always constipation. I would go maybe once every 3-4 days and it wouldn't be much fun... now I have the opposite problem.

Last summer I started getting really fatigued and my stomach would cramp on and off. I began to notice crazy bloating and horrible gas. I talked to a Naturopath, who said it could be parasites and a bacterial/fungul infection. I began a regimen of herbs and digestive enzymes that helped at first. I started having regular (1-2) bowel movements a day and felt pretty happy. I went to a GI doc at the request of my husband and mother because the cramping wasn't going away. They told me, after seeing my bloodwork, that I may have Celiac Disease. They also told me I needed a colonoscopy and endoscopy (but with no insurance, no chance). I started the gluten free diet. Meanwhile, the pain kept getting worse, I started having green mucus come out of places it shouldn't and some days I couldn't get out of bed. Finally, two months and 30 lbs. later, I was admitted into the hospital because I couldn't walk, my left ankle and knee were swollen, and had 20+ bowel movements a day. I was in the hospital 6 days total, a colonoscopy, endoscopy, numerous blood and stool samples, and a CT later was told I had a shigala toxin and possible crohn's or ulcerative colitis.

That was in October 2011. I am so frustrated with all of it. I am in a flare right now and am really sad, irritable, sore, and tired. I am heavily considering the SCD. I started low carb and it started helping. I cheated a few days ago and am now in agony. I can eat veggies as long as I take my digestive enzyme ("DGST" mainly Hemicellulase and Cellulase from what I am told) with the veggies. Cooked veggies or blended raw. Not sure what else to do, but I have two small children to take care of, a business to run and a home to keep in check. Still trying to find my way. I don't want to be on dangerous medications, but I want to feel like myself again...

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear that you are still not doing so well, have you been able to see a doc to get results for any biopsies perhaps taken during the colonoscopy and get a definitive diagnosis? With regards to SCD do check out our diet and sups forum to get further info on this: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17. Alternatives to try to at least calm the bowel down a bit maybe be enteral nutrition, this is liquid only though..... It also could still be that a medication may be needed to get any inflammation you may have fully under control, this is not always ideal but can be a necessary evil.

I hope that a working treatment plan can be sorted for you soon.

Best Wishes.
AB
xx

 

[calmcolon11]

Thank you for your welcome. I have had two sessions of prednisone. I have to say it works wonders in the beginning, but post-med is pretty awful. Has anyone tried wheatgrass juice? Where should I look for that? I had a friend tell me to try a wheatgrass implant (enema). Not sure about it, but I really want to stay away from meds. My doc gave me Tramadol for pain and wants to put me on Prednisone and Imuran :voodoo:

I am poking around the forum in hopes of inspiration. Thanks again. I am so thankful to have found this.

 

[David]

Hi there and welcome to the forum I'm really glad you joined.

Let me say I absolutely understand your desire to take a holistic approach. I'm doing the same BUT you HAVE to be VERY smart about this as IBD will literally destroy you from the inside out. If you're not going to take conventional meds, you can't screw around with completely unproven BS such as wheat grass enemas. Please don't take that as me putting you down, I just sincerely care about your health and don't want to dance around the subject. If you want to try a more holistic approach SCD is nice but YOU CANNOT CHEAT and I would personally recommend some conventional meds to go along with it that aren't on the harsh side. If you're going to cheat, don't bother.

I'd take a very hard look at elemental nutrition. If someone stuck with an elemental diet and didn't want to take any conventional meds I wouldn't scrunch my forehead like I did with just SCD. Elemental/enteral nutrition can have remission rates as high as prednisone.

All my best to you.

*hugs*