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What is your definition of "remission"?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/11/2008 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I hear so many people talk about a period of remission from their CD and I'm just wondering what that means exactly? During a remission are your symptoms completely gone and you don't need meds? I'm just trying to figure it out in my mind...haha. Thank you!
Posted 1/11/2008 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
At this point I consider remission any period of time where my symptoms still persist to a lesser extent but they do not prevent me from enjoying my life.  If I get a full month of this, I consider myself very lucky. 
Posted 1/11/2008 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if it's that easy (what is with this DD), there are variations of remission, complete remission should be when you are the way you were before getting sick...I sure miss having one normal BM/day with total bowel control, for me that would be full remission...normal being sausage shaped stool, no bleeding, noticable mucus, discomfort.

:)
Posted 1/11/2008 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone defines remission differently for themselves. i believe the medical definition is simply a lessening of symptoms or a temporary disapearance of symptoms. Boy that was helpful!!!

I consider remission any day where I can perform normal life activites for someone my age, even if it includes taking meds still. I even count half good days as a remission.

pb---oh I miss those days too. I really want Questran back becuase I was only going once a day with that stuff. Just a change in bathroom visits would be a remission for me even if I was in pain!
Posted 1/11/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I consider myself to be in remission. I am maintained only on Asacol and probiotics. I have minimal BM's a day and for the most part feel pretty good everyday.

BUT...I still do have times when I eat the wrong thing or have toooo much stress that it will knock me down for a few days. But for the most part I feel pretty good. I have to take medication, I think everyone should always take maintainence meds even when doing well. I also watch my diet very closely.
Posted 1/11/2008 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I had a GI tell me that with crohns, remission/flares can last anywhere from a day to yrs...that's how unpredictable this stupid disease is.

I hear ya Habs, I feel like I've taken over someone eles crappy life because I know what it felt like to be healthy/normal, so many here have had gut issues their whole lives and have no idea what normal is like, I don't know which is worse, knowing and having it taken away or never knowing or experiancing the joy of feeling healthy.

:)
Posted 1/11/2008 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oddly enough my longest period of remission was when I wasn't on any meds at all. Not bc my GI took me off, .but I was early n college and somewhat n denial and just hated having to take the meds. That lasted about a year. Minimal bms,no blood or weight loss. Haven't gone that long since.
Posted 1/11/2008 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Very interesting responses, thanks to everyone for the "definitions"...haha. To me the word "remission" means something more than a "good day" or a few weeks, remission brings to mind something more long term, years even. I guess it's individual to each person. I would never say that I am remission because I have one good day out of the week.
Posted 1/11/2008 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
I often wonder about this myself. I feel great! I have 1-2 bowel movements a day. I don't get stomach pains anymore and my fistula doesn't bother me. THe only problem I have is that I still have a fistula and a fissure. I had 2 fissures but one is gone! (Thank God) Am I not in remission because I have these??? We all know fistula's and fissures don't leave as easily as they came! I feel better than I have in my entire life so for me this is remission! I still have my bad days when I eat something I know I shouldn't or when I am stressed but I don't think I blame those days necessarily on the disease all the time. I know plenty of people without Crohn's who have bad stomach pains and have to run to the bathroom with the same factors so I dunno...!
Posted 1/11/2008 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Clinical remission is defined as healing of inflammation and normal lab results. You can be in clinical remission and still have many symptoms, especially if you have stricturing crohns disease. That's why I disagree with pb4's definition. For those of us who are living with the cumulative effects of crohn's disease there is no hope for "normal", but there is hope for remission.
Posted 1/12/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Remission for me will be the day I can go out and have a margarita and guacamole w/chips and not have to worry about getting sick!!! or even going to a restaurant with my family and ordering what I really want to eat and not have to worry so much!!!


Christine
Posted 1/14/2008 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm considered in clinical remission. Most days I have normal stools and very little pain. But sometimes I still have a bad day and have multiple bathroom runs and cramping pain. Usually that only lasts a few hours to a day or two. As long as I'm still able to go to work and conduct a daily schedule I consider my self in remission. Only problem is though is that I was doing that before I was diagnosed. I just thought I was a lazy slug with IBS. Now when I feel like doing chores I know I'm still in remission.
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