Lemon,
I totally get the "non-medication" thing you got going on...whether that's because you have an "addictive-personality" which allows you to become more dependent on things (like meds) or whether that's because you're just a "non-medication" type person.
I'm the latter...I HATE taking meds. Having come from a medical family, I'm a big believer that the pharmacutical companies are corrupt and get doctors to push new drugs on patients...drugs they may not need; drugs that haven't had time on their side to see their effectiveness... I've been at fancy dinners these companies pay for to entice the doctors and nurses on staff to hand out samples of new meds to their patients over older, proven drugs. And there are people making some big bucks within that industry.
I can't even stand taking Tylenol for a headache if it's a headache I bear for a while. I also can't stand taking a Tums for acid in my stomach or Pepto for an upset stomach, or anti-diarrheals to control uncontrollable diarrhea...I only take that stuff if ABSOLUTELY necessary; when I just can't take it any more.
However, Crohn's Disease patients NEED at the very least a maintenance drug. Constant inflammation of the intestines causes scarring and over time that will lead to needed surgeries. Being on a maintenance drug, is of upmost importance. It can at least buy you time before needing surgery...of course, that is NOT the case with everyone. There are so many different levels to this disease. Some mild; some moderate; some severe.
I remember reading someone's blog who's a member on this board...I wish I could remember the screen name of this guy...but he started out like you - refused medication based on pure hatred of prescription drugs. He was CERTAIN an organic diet, free of gluten/etc. would heal him. He even posted yummy-looking pictures of recipes he'd created. After about year, he was faced with surgery. His doctor told him if he had just taken the maintenance drugs to begin with, he would probably not be faced with surgery...at least that early in the game. So his tone changed over time on his blog...where he'd been so adamant about the non-prescription drug, organic diet working for him (as he did start feeling better), he later adamantly told everyone who was reading his blog with Crohn's to listen to the doctors and take the recommended meds.
My GI has told me Crohn's patients should ALWAYS be on a maintenance drug...and then, depending on the circumstances and severity of the disease, may ALSO have to be put on more potent drugs, like Prednisone; Embrel, Humira, etc. The maintenance drug simply HELPS to keep inflammation down in the body...that doesn't mean you won't have flares.
I'm glad "kam" told the story about the religious man who fell overboard. That is how I, too, look at modern medicine. If I can handle a headache without taking Tylenol, great. But with an autoimmune disease as awful as Crohn's, I feel God is throwing us a lifesaver with medications. Meds that are being diligently worked on and perfected by top scientists and doctors who want to heal or at least help those of us with the illness.
Take your guard down...get on a maintenance drug...do what needs to be done with modern medicine and surgery so you can live a full life with your daughter. Good luck and welcome to our forum. Let us know how things go.
I pray remission is in your near future!!! 