What treatment do you reccommend

[steve-H]

Hi, guys i have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the small bowel via a pill cam, which showed i have ulcers in the small bowel. I also have candida and thyroid problems. So i am already taking steroids for my adrenals (Hydrcortisone 50mg).

Each day i am becoming worse and worse and needing the toilet more and more, my next appointment is In october. So i would just like to be armed with a bit of info to discuss with the doc on possible best treatments?

Thanks
Steve

 

[valleysangel92]

Hello Steve, sorry you've had so much to deal with!

There a few different types of drug used to treat crohns.

One of the most mild are 5 - ASAs such as mesalazine (pentasa). These are mostly used in mild cases of crohns or alongside other more potent medications, your doctor may want a trial with these before using something stronger as there are fewer risks and side effects involved.

The next group of drugs are immunosuppressants such as methotrexate. They each work by suppressing the immune system in some form. The immune system does not stop working entirely but it dose mean you can become more prone to certain infections. It is recommended that you have regular blood tests during treatment with these. They also increase sensitivity to sunlight so you need to be careful in hot weather.

Biologics are some of the most potent drugs used to treat IBD. They target specific chemicals in the immune system which may be over active or malfunctioning some how. They are usually reserved for serious cases or cases where other medications have had little or no effect.

For more detailed information about some of the medications used in Crohns, look around the treatment forum or look at this - http://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/...mation-about-ibd/tests-and-treatments-for-ibd

 

[valleysangel92]

You can also use diet and lifestyle as part of your treatment plan. Some people use specific diets or just eliminate problem foods, others use liquid only nutrition for a few weeks to give the digestive system a bit of a break. Take a look at the diet and lifestyle sections for ideas if this interests you - http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

Remember each of these things is just one part in the puzzle and it usually takes more than just diet or a healthy lifestyle to achieve deep remission.

 

[Kev]

I would normally suggest to folks they look into LDN. However, candida can prevent it from working. So, you would need to address the candida first if you wanted to try LDN.

Of all the treatment options, I would say, in all sincerity, that LDN is the safest but also the most effective treatment. At least in the drug line of treatments. Diet may be safer, but I don't know if anyone has any hard figures on the success rate of diet alone.