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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/11/2007 7:23 PM (GMT -8)

I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1995. I guess I've been pretty lucky because it was in remission for the longest time until this year. The Crohn's flared up at the beginning of May with all of the usual symtoms plus one other that I never had before. I had never vomited because of it before. I ate some Kung Pao chicken with the peanuts and other terrible stuff in it and the following night I was up all night because I couldn't pass the food. My gut was hurting. This has happened several times during the next few months. So basically I have had two flare ups of the Crohn's in the last few months.

The doctor twice put me on prednesone, flagyl, levaquin and a low fiber diet. This in addition to Pentasa. I started to finally realize that there are some things that I just can't eat anymore. No more nuts, unpeeled cucumbers or apples to name some of them.

My main problem right now is that there is a stricture in my intestines. At my last visit two weeks ago, the doctor suggested that I may have to have surgery done to repair this. Right now I am feeling ok because of the meds and am not sure what to do at this point. I have a feeling that once I finish with the steroids it will come back again.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Posted 9/11/2007 7:47 PM (GMT -8)
Welcome. These sx are so familiar. I have had 3 strictures and 3 surgeries over several years with many healthy spaces in between. Pred will definitely help to postpone the probably inevitable surgery, but also is so bad for you. I was on it over a year one time to postpone my resection. I was also eating soft mushy food, veggies and mashed potatos and mac&cheeze. Holiday time was worse with all the open dishes of cashews and macadamia
Posted 9/11/2007 7:49 PM (GMT -8)
Welcome. Sorry you are having a flare up. I have strictures in my ileum too. They don't go away when you are on pred. BUT if you can eliminate inflammatin in the area they may stop bothering you. I was told that I would have to have surgery too, but have avoided it for the past 4 years with meds. Diet changes (like no nuts or popcorn) are in force too. Hopefully your GI can find a med (other than pred) to get you back into that long remission.
Posted 9/12/2007 2:49 AM (GMT -8)
Hi and Welcome to HW, With Crohn's I would recommend that you stay away from peanuts, seeds, mushrooms, celery. They are hard for us to digest. And no popcorn.
Posted 9/12/2007 5:11 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Timmy glad you have joined us some of us are doing Imuran and Rem. .Although I am not sure how well they work on strictures .I was vomitting alot before my abcess surgery and very bad pains then I had a partial blockage .I went on pred. and low roughage which has worked great for me. I won't eat seeds or popcorn or apple's I do eat apple sauce. I also cook things very good now and avoid steaks .I don't have any pain now and feel much better. I do have to watch my sugar on the pred. because my glucose went up and really should have not gone so sugar crazy as I did. I guess just hoping the best for you and hopefully you"ll get feeling better soon. lol gail
Posted 9/12/2007 5:32 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Timmy and welcome to Healingwell.  I don't think you were having a Crohns flare per se, I think what you had were obstructive episodes.  I had 3 of them myself earlier this year.  Because you have a known stricture you really should keep yourself on a strict low residue diet or you are going to have these attacks again and again.  It took 3 times for me to figure that out.  I no longer eat red meat as it is very hard to digest, I stick with chicken, turkey & fish.  Also all veggies should be cooked until really soft, and definetly stay away from nuts, seeds and the peels of fruits.  You can stay away from surgery by being really careful with your diet.  But if you find your quality of life going way down, I would suggest going for the surgery.  It's better to go into surgery prepared than having to have it as an emergency.  Had them both ways and would much rather go in for planned surgery.  Good Luck!

Posted 9/12/2007 7:30 AM (GMT -8)

I truly appreciate all of your comments and advice. I have been thinking along the same lines as not having a Crohns flare per se but that I am having obstructive episodes because of the strictures. I have been following the low fiber diet. I have been feeling better but still in the evenings my gut when it's going through it's digesting process makes some very loud and strange grumbling sounds. I am not sure if anyone remembers the Exorcist, but it sometimes sounds like Linda Blair going through her exorcism.

I know now that I do need to watch what I eat. I recently bought the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle, Intestineal Health Through Diet" by Elaine Gottschall. Very good information in it concerning eating right for someone with Crohn's. I have cut way back on the amount of sugar I have been consuming. Also in addition to the other items that I already mentioned, I have cut out popcorn and started drinking lactose free milk.

thanks

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