Prof. John Hunter's IBD book

I would like to see citations of the controlled trials where the 80-90% remission rates were achieved.

I just finished searching for medical research attributed to John Hunter in PubMed and found only one reference to a 2007 article, but no text or abstract. I do not think someone who publishes a book with claims to 80-90% remission rates is believable if they cannot provide the scientific data to back up that claim.

I do not think you are a druggie. I think it is interesting that you would be considering taking XXXX, which can certainly reduce nausea and discomfort but has no antiinflammatory properties that I know of, rather than taking medications specifically targeting the issues related to your disease. You've said in previous posts that you have no symptoms of Crohn's.

Post Edited By Moderator (Ides) : 3/8/2011 2:32:03 PM (GMT-7)

Elemental diets are a great tool for inducing remission, and widely used in Europe (not so much here). But from posts I've read on this forum, the elemental formulas are difficult to tolerate (taste-wise) and expensive and sometimes hard to obtain. But many GIs recommend this as a first approach, especially for pediatric patients.

I appreciated from the article that the follow-on process of adding "safe" foods slowly is the way to find out what works and what doesn't. I found it interesting that the guy they profiled is ok with Diet Coke (sorbitol - yikes) but not with beer (is it the barley or the hops that bothers him?).

I had a friend who had heart disease. While he wasn't a smoker, or a drinker, nor was he overweight, he still ended up with arterial blockages. His doctor recommended a strict low fat diet, shown to be equally effective in clearing blockages as bypass surgery. He did it for two years, then decided he'd rather be dead than continue to eat that way.

Kazbern, that is very interesting. I never heard about this therapy. I will research it. Thank you,
Erwin

Ides,

I am sorry that I offended someone but I must admit that I am surprised. The scientific study of this drug is on going in highly respectable institutions around the world, including in the USA. So my purpose has been to expose CD suffers of all options, since up to now what is available is still highly disappointing. As I have said in previous posts, after researching the medications, I came to the conclusion that should I be forced to begin taking them, it is not clear to me what will kill me first, the medications or the illness. In my view, the problem with western medicine is that it is highly specialized and in this specific case, the GI doctor prescribes medication that may be effective for CD but at the expense of other parts of the body.

But again, I will surely not mentioned this topic again.

Erwin

Erwin, a 5-ASA medication will not kill you or even cause unpleasant side effects (unless you're allergic).

Erwin, there are lots of other nat. therapies that can really help.

Many of us also take probiotics (highly recommended), digestive enzymes, bee propolis, fish oils, herbal teas, vitamin supplements, etc.

Others try diets like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, the Maker's Diet (these aim to heal, reduce bad bacteria, and reduce inflammation), and also low residue diets, low fibre diets, which obviously reduce irritation to our tender guts.

There are many different things to try. They don't always work the same for everyone, but definitely worth looking into.

People with CD takes meds for years and years and still live a long life. In fact, most ppl with CD have an average lifespan. You have to weigh the pros and cons. Even natural remedies have their side effects, which can vary in degree, the same as meds. Moderation is key.

Erwin- I applaud your decision to find natural alternatives to treat this disease considering you have no symptoms. I was diagnosed several years ago and my only symptom at the time was a very small amount of blood in my stool. Initially, when my GI informed me I had Crohn's, she handed me a piece of paper with the CCFA written on it and told me to go to this website to learn about Crohns disease. She then handed me a prescription. The only information she gave me was that the disease was not curable but it was treatable. Not much of an education. As soon as I started on the medications, my bleeding rapidly progressed and I became extremely symptomatic. As my condition worsened, the medications became stronger and more potentially damaging to my health and the sicker I became. It was a vicious cycle. Finally, after being put on Humira first, then Cimzia, I stabilized but not without paying a high cost. I had many blood transfusions and nearly lost my life thanks to developing a cardiac condition which I believed was caused by nearly bleeding to death and possibly one of the medication I was allergic to. If I could turn back time and try the natural approach first, I would do it in a heart beat. I just didn't know anything about this disease or the medications I was taking. Sometimes modern medicine can hurt more than it helps. I know this is not a popular opinion but it is my opinion as I lived though a nightmare. Good luck with finding a safe approach to treating this DD.

Dave- I have been doing good with the diet. I am avoiding all nuts and honey and am simply doing the basics. So far so good!! I think I would be better if my GI wouldn't have arbitrarily took me off my ambien. I have had chronic insomnia since starting the biologics several years ago. Instead, she sent me a script for a tricyclic antidepressant which I am refusing to take. I am not depressed and I do not want to take another dangerous medication. So, needless to say, I am up all night since I cant sleep without the Ambein but, I figure when I have gone about a week without sleep and I am good and irritable, I plan on calling her and letting her know how I feel about it! Anyway, How have you been?

Is the filler in Amitriptyline legal? I know it has a bit of a sweet tase. I'd be surprised if it didn't have some starch in it.

Pmedic:

Let me share with you an experience with Ambien. I took this sleeping medication for over a year after a tragedy in the family. One day I decided that I wanted to stop and the way I did it is to GRADUALLY reduce the level. For about a week I took 3/4 of a pill, then reduced it to 1/2 then to 1/4 and so for. I cannot understand your doctor stopping you at once. If I were you I would either go back to the GI doctor or if not your family doctor and work with either of them a gradual reduction. You do not sleep because Ambien, like all sleeping medications, is adictive.
Erwin

Hi Rider

Thank you, I will do it but my fongers will be crossed while I am doing it.

Cheers

David