Help...looking for alternative medicines

by radhdmom
(Independence, WI)

Hello everyone. I have had Crohn's since 1995, then went into remission for 6yrs and then flared-up for the last 9yrs. I have had one surgery in 1995, I have been on every medicine you can name. The only relief I get is when I am on Methotrexate and Cimzia. I can't handle 6 shots per month and that is what I have to do when on these meds. Immuran sent me into bone marrow deficiency, allergic to Remicaid, Humara caused such muscle pain I couldn't lift my arms, prednisone actually makes me loose weight because I am so skidish, and now the 6 shots a month. I have already lost roughly 30 lbs since May and was wondering if anyone has tried any other treatments before I consider surgery again. If I have surgery it would be a colostomy bag.

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Help....Looking for alternative medicines NEW
by: Annette Young

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that you are having such problems with your Crohn's disease, it has to be one of the most frustrating diseases in the world and potentially the most painful. I can understand why you're looking for alternative treatments rather than having an operation.

Obviously Crohn's disease affects people on a very individual level so it is quite difficult to say what will work for one person and yet, the reality is that the same successful treatment may not work for someone else. I always prefer finding natural solutions rather than having to pump prescribed medicines into my body, but I speak to many people who have Crohn's disease and alternative or natural remedies do not always seemed to work and yet some swear by them. It's very much a case of trial and error.

I am assuming that you have done all the usual things such as keeping a food Journal and trying to find out if there are any particular triggers which could be making you have an adverse reaction. I'm sure you also know that alcohol, cigarettes and stress are also key triggers?

Assuming that you have done all you can to reduce the symptoms, I can say that some people have said that taking herbal supplements and remedies such as aloe Vera or using alternative therapies such as acupuncture has been really useful. I can only suggest that you try certain things out and see for yourself. In a way you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I attach a couple of links that will give you more information on alternatives:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104/DSECTION=alternative-medicine

http://www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/14/crohn-s-disease.html

I hope these links are useful for you. I think when your symptoms and Crohn's is so severe, it is worth trying alternatives and you never know, they might help.

I wish you the best of luck. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,
Annette

Let me try
by: Anonymous

Im not a doctor nor a salesman just someone with crohns and alot of years in researching it. The problem with crohns is that its different for everyone so there cant be one solution for everyone. I kind of figured mine and would like to help you figure out yours. Contact me at EMAIL INCORRECT. PLEASE RESUBMIT.
I've tried them all
by: Anonymous

I have been diagnosed since 2003 and I am 36 yrs old. I hve tried all the medications too. I am currently on Tysabri. I hve had 2 infusions so far and I am having some improvements. I was able to stop taking the Prednisone. The potential illness from this med is a little scary, but I couldn't take the pain I was in any more and keep up with my kids 4 and 1. Hope this helps...
Help...looking for alternative medicines
by: Shawna

How are you feeling on Cimzia? I was on Humira for a year, then had a bad allergic reaction, but I felt great on it. Now I have been on Cimzia for almost 2 years.
vanmtl1980@yahoo.ca
by: Vanessa

Hello
I have the CD since I am 17. I am now 30. I was sick for the last 6 years, I used to be on prednisone 3/4 of the year, I was 2 years on Remicade and it did not work. I was suffering like crazy, I had a stenosis in my colon. I did not want to get a surgery so I waited, waited, and waited and one day I got a perforation and I had to get a surgery. I have an ileostomy and trust me, I have never been so happy in my life. I can eat almost what I want, and trust me I still wear my skinny jeans and it does not show. The only thing that changed it before, I used to sleep on my stomach and now I sleep on my back.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask :)

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