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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/28/2013 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Two weeks ago I started losing weight, having increased cramps and bms.  BMs are soft, formed and short.  Have been taking immodium (up to 4 a day) and hyosciamine (.125mg) 3 to 4 times a day.  I tried .375 hyosciamine but passed them whole in BM.  Have no appetite , partially caused by extremely dry mouth.  I've been having one or two shakes a day made with banana, almond milk, peanut butter and sometimes soy ice cream.

Does a flare always get worse or might I feel better in time?  I've been on prednisone 2x.  The last taper ended late Feb. 2013.  I'm reluctant to go on it again. 

As luck would have it, I saw my GI 2 1/2 weeks ago when I was feeling fine.

Any suggestions on how to stop a mild flare from getting really bad?  I have Canasa suppositories.  Would they help?  I also have 1 gr capsules of lglutamine but don't know how much to take and how often.  How long before I should see an improvement.

I will try any things that have worked for you that I can try on my own. 

Looking forward to your ideas

Posted 6/28/2013 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
I assume you are taking your Apriso as directed.

Canasa suppositories would help if you have inflammation in the rectum, but given that you're not passing mucous or blood it seems unlikely? Couldn't hurt, I suppose.

What else is going on that might have triggered this flare? Have you had a virus recently?
Posted 6/28/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi kazbern

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I take 4 Apriso caplets after breakfast daily.

I might have had a bug around June 10--low fever, fatigue, . That's really when the cramps,weight loss and bms started. The fever was never more than 100 and only lasted 2-3 days. I find it hard to know what I have. I tend to blame everything on the Crohns and I am usually right. Just hoping to end this flare, feel better and start gaining weight. I've lost 5 pounds since mid-June and I am skinny already.

I'm not passing any blood. There might be some mucous mixed in with the feces--hard to tell. I'm ready to try anything so will pull out the Canasa tonight.

I am open to any sugestions. Thanks
Posted 6/28/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I've been in a pretty solid remission for 2 years but I've still had days/weeks like you describe, usually around a viral infection. My advice is to be patient - I think a viral infection starts an autoimmune cascade - I don't know if you'll get into a full-blown flare or not, but in my experience the cramps/anorexia/weird bowel stuff passes a couple of weeks after the virus.

This past March I had a Herpes Simplex I outbreak, the first in a year. Just this past week I've finally felt like all of the weirdness brought on by that stupid virus is gone and I'm back to my pre-Herpes bowel pattern. So that's about 3 months. I never had blood or mucous or fatigue, but I did have some episodes of joint pain, and my motility problems got somewhat worse. I stuck it out. Didn't really change my diet but I ended up eating less food overall and I've lost a couple of pounds.

You might consider calling your GI and seeing if you can increase your Apriso (is 4 the max?) or maybe improve your gut bacteria by eating good yogurt or taking a good probiotic.
Posted 6/28/2013 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the quick reply Kazbern.
Maximum dose of Apriso is 4 a day.
I had been taking florastor (sacc. boulardi) and culturelle but stopped a few days ago to see if it made any difference--but it didn't. The only probiotic my GI recommends is Align but it gives me such bloating and gas.
Today, other than a bowl of Rice Chex with almond milk this morning, I've only had shakes made with almond milk,banana, peanut butter and soy ice cream. Maybe this will give my gut a little rest.
Tomorrow we are supposed to go out with friends and I really want to go. My husband will be very disappointed if we can't make it. We've put off doing lots of things because of Crohns.

I hope some other folks will tell me what they try to forestall a full blown flare.
Posted 6/28/2013 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Try putting some live culture yogurt into your smoothies, too.
Posted 6/28/2013 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Kazbern, I can't thank you enough for your responses to me. I feel so alone with this disease although I know I could be much worse. Having someone to bounce ideas off of, makes it alittle better. Just wanted you to know I appreciate you.
Posted 6/29/2013 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I find a liquid diet helps settle my system down--smoothies, blended soups or broth. The l-glutamine might help settle things down. I'd just follow the directions on the bottle for taking it. I imagine one or two pills a day. I don't find it quick acting, but it does seem to help after a few days. I use it in a powder form and honestly don't know the dosage I take! The naturopath told me how much to take. I use it and aloe juice in my morning smoothie when things are starting up and it seems to help settle everything back down.

Take care!
Posted 6/29/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Man, I know we are all very different in what we can tolerate, but peanut butter, ice cream and banana would send me in to severe cramps in a flare! I do better with yogurt and gentle fruits...but if it doesn't bother you, your concoction does give you good protein and calories. I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 6/29/2013 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sparkleplenty, Thanks for responding. I will take one l'glutamine capsule in the am and one in the pm. That will give me 2 grams a day.
You are fortunate to have a naturopath. They are not recognized or licensed in my state.
How much aloe do you put in your smoothies?
Again thank you for responding
Posted 6/29/2013 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
Gumby44, We certainly are different! Milk products such as yougurt and ice cream cause me bloating and gas. For my smoothies I use almond milk and soy milk ice cream. Bananas are the only fruit I tolerate. All the others go right through me. How I would love to have a bowl of strawberries, I just bought coconut milk ice cream and will try that next. I am trying to pack each shake with as many calories as I can. I appreciate you responding.
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