Crohns will become cancer ?

You should find another medication to use that is not a steroid. Long term steroid use can be extremely detrimental to your health. Since you've been using a steroid for the past 5 months it is absolutely time for you to get off.

There are many different medications for Crohn's. Each has it's own risks and effectiveness, and you and your DR will have to discuss this to see what will be the best choice for you.

Untreated, Crohn's could increase your risk of cancer because long term untreated inflammation is a perfect way to develop cancer.

Oh, horsepuckies!!! Crohn's will NOT BECOME cancer. After 10 years w/Crohn's the risk of developing cancer becomes somewhat higher than for the "normal" population and thus more frequent colonoscopies are recommended. And we are talking colorectal cancer. Cancer of the small intestine is quite rare.

If you are having pain and using a maintenance med then I agree you need to change meds, or change diet, or figure out what's causing the pain.

That is more likely with UC. I'm not sure why, but colon cancer risk goes up with that. Not nearly as much as CD.
Finally, a tiny bit of a silver lining for us crohnies! :)

Matthew

A lot of us have trouble with constipation.  I take a laxative called miralax - you can probably find it in Singapore - its active ingredient is polyethelene glycol and it is not habit forming.

If you are having terrible pain, do you think it is because you might have an obstruction?  A part of your bowel that is too narrow for food to pass through?  If so, you should eat a low residue diet, that means food with little to no fiber.  So no raw fruit or vegetables, no brown rice, no whole grains.  Even a liquid diet for a few days might help.

Some of us don't work because of this disease, so you won't be the only one asking for government assistance if you choose that path.

I agree, that sounds like a potential obstruction to me. You are not blocking up entirely because of the bubbling, but it sounds like you have narrowing of the intestines somewhere and food is struggling to get through it.

In which case, a liquid diet for a couple of days will clear it and after that you should keep to a low residue diet. If that doesn't help the pain, then you seriously need tests from your doctor to find out what is going on :-/

I don't work, partly due to Crohn's and partly for mental health reasons. Probably the majority of folks with Crohn's do work, but a substantial minority can't, so don't feel bad about not being able to.

PS: Just thought, you may not know what a low residue diet is. Kazbern summed it up; it's basically foods with little residue. That means no wholemeal grains, no crunchy veg/fruit or veg/fruit with skins or seeds, not too much dairy (I was told no more than 3 portions a day of milk or cheese), and no gristly or chewy red meat. Dried fruits, seeds, and popcorn are not a great idea either.

I am curious. Where did you get your stats from?

I guess that I was wondering about the 1 in 500 Crohnie's will small bowel cancer claim.

Yup, yup, I'd like to know where that 1 in 500 small intestine cancer claim came from. What data from where?

Hi,
I am new posting here but not new to Crohn’s, auto-immune diseases or this site. Worrying about getting cancer can cause more damage than good. There are a million statistics out there in regards to this disease and cancer. There are so many variables and so many cancers you can get or NOT get. My son has severe Crohn's, Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms (new diagnosis); Bone density is bad and also has PSC. He has been monitored closely since 2009 for advancement of damage to his large intestines and rectum. He also has stage III PSC and their concerns for future cancer of his liver were high even in 2009. He was not officially diagnosed with Crohns until 2009 but has struggled since he was 12.

Previously diagnosed (unofficially as a teenager) with Lupus and UC. Our family is riddled with Lupus and other auto-immune disorders. He chose NOT to worry about the possibility of cancer and has been pretty well and stable for the last few years. He does NOT have cancer as far as they can tell. His has had his first real quality of life since he was 12 over the last couple of years. He is now 26.

Unfortunately the damage to his colon and rectum is extensive. In the last year has not had a biopsy without precancerous cells, and ultimate need in the future for a liver transplant has forced him to make the decision to take steps he really doesn't want. He cannot risk cancer and get a liver transplant. But in addition his large intestines are failing quickly. Unfortunately when you feel GREAT it is tough to have to take such drastic steps.

These forums and the internet have been a world of information and a lifeline for me. But finding the right doctors, keeping a constant vigil on your health and a strong personal support system are most important. We are lucky that we have found a fantastic group of doctors at Strong in Rochester, NY. We always have HOPE that our son will be able to live the life he wants and we are there to support him. This disease has the same roots as many auto-immune diseases but is also unique to each person. You have to focus on YOUR disease and what is best for you. I can say that worrying about what could be can be detrimental even for a healthy person.

Just FYI his complications and case are also very rare and odds are most IBD, UC, Crohn's patients will not deal with many of these issues. Then again there are many symptoms he has never had that others suffer with every day! If you want to go by most stats I have heard, found or been told by numerous doctors he is in a 1% group of people. I have to agree that these statitics are based on a limited group and when all is said and done you are UNIQUE and must follow your needs.

Don't think for a minute my son didn't/doesn't wonder "WHY ME? How come they go into remission and I don't? Why do I have to have this surgery and a bag it's ugly I would rather be dead! My life stinks! I want a wife and kids no woman would want me!"

Remicade gave him peace for a few years but as of now must be discontinued. It is a work in progress and he is dealing with it each day.