What really is remission??

fongers, remission is different for each person.  Remission doesn't mean you are totally symptom free for most people and symptoms can get better and worse while you are in remission, so how you feel while in remission can change.  My Crohn's has clinically been in remission for about 4 years (although I believe I've recently come out of it...waiting to see the GI) but I have been in a constant arthritis flare for a year and half.  I have gone through periods where I could eat pretty much anything I wanted to and other periods where anything I ate, regardless of what it was or how much I ate, gave me stomach spasms.  I was able to work out at the gym for 11 hrs a week for a while in remission and then I went to where I couldn't walk without crutches (yet it was still considered Crohn's remission). 

Clinically, remission is a lack of the "typical" gut symptoms and having tests and blood work come back normal, but it doesn't mean you will feel like someone who doesn't have the disease.  You can still have the arthritis problems, although most GI's will tell you that you shouldn't have them if your gut is in remission.  You may still have d but not as often.  You may still have stomach pains and have to watch what you eat.  So to answer your question, it may get better than it currently is, but it may not.  It's always great to hold out hope that it will, as long as you don't let it get you down that it isn't better yet and as long as you don't put off doing things you want to do in hopes that you will be able to do it better down the road.  I hope that you start feeling better soon.         

I was under the impression it was lack of symptoms and normal test results. I have gone through periods of the disease being more mild, but I can't say I have been in a total remission. 

 

I've always defined remission as a lack of clinical symptoms and normal bloodwork. I was in remission for about 8 years after my diagnosis and I would still have bouts of pain from time to time (like if I got stressed out about something or ate something that my intestines didn't like.) I'd also get fatigued relatively easily if I was stressed out about an upcoming exam. Or I might have some C or D, but it was almost like a "baby flare" lasting maybe 2 - 3 days at most.

I've seen my patient chart and even with some active inflammation on a colonoscopy as well as week's worth of pain here and there, I'm still determined to be in clinical remission. I've also been on Colazal/Azathiorprine for 8 years...

So the disease can be active, but you can be in remission.

Honestly, I think it's how you feel and if you're feeling better then when your disease is active.

THough I hope you feel better soon...

Remission to me is LACK of MAJOR SYMPTOMS & normal tests & bloodwork. Been in & out of it for years. But all told, my last major Flare was 6 years ago. Yes, Virginia there really is REMISSION. LOL

Sincerely,
Matthew

I feel envious all of the time. So much I decided to eat those spicy wings and sometimes I will get away with it, but that just builds of a false sense of hope. Because the next time I eat them, I am in the bathroom with pain.

I have often wondered the same thing! I have had Crohn's for 3 years and I while I'm not in constant pain like I was when I first got diagnosed, I have D EVERY DAY! No matter what I eat, drink, etc. I have D Every morning, several times before I even eat breakfast! I also get tired all the time too! I feel like I can't complain though b/c at least now I'm not throwing up constantly and having a lot of stomach pain.

I've never been in remission, but for the first few years my Crohn's was mild so it didn't really matter. Unless the Remicade works miracles, I never see myself being in remission either; my Crohn's has made itself a permanent home in both my large and small bowel so it would seem. It's also become severe. Considering everything, my symptoms aren't really that bad. But they are not getting any better, and I'm worried that they are slowly getting worse.

Tbh, I don't remember what digesting food and going to the toilet was like pre-Crohn's (11 years ago). I would consider remission going back to that state, but as I just said I don't remember it anymore. I did have constipation throughout my childhood and teens, but that sorted itself out when I learned the concept of fibre and occasionally eating fruit and vegetables and wholemeal bread. Once the constipation disappeared, I had a digestive system in perfect working order for about 5 years. Then the diarrhoea started... :-/