How many people in US.Is there any Indian ??

cdinhyd, how are you ? we communicated briefly back in 2010! good to hear from you again.

To others: my story follows similar pattern: came to US for grad studies, diagnosed with CD just before defending my PhD thesis (cleared it!), was kept on steroids, and now on 6MP and doing well.

I spent four years in college in Upper Michigan (where you don't get sun for months at a stretch some years!), and followed a pretty unhealthy life style (coming back from lab late night for dinner!). Back then options were limited for vegetarians so I did not eat out much, but what I did eat was definitely not healthy.
I can relate to some of the comments in this thread, how depressing it feels at times. In the first few years after diagnosis it was hard, but things did become much better with time. I learned my lesson and changed my lifestyle and diet.

I borrowed some ideas from Ayurveda-recommended-life style (like when to eat, what to eat, etc) and this definitely helped. Some herbs (Amla + Ashwagandha) also helped. Mung daal kichdi is my go to comfort food, especially when recovering from illness.

I have also been doing some basic yoga asanas, some spiritual chanting, and that has been a big help.

I believe if we hang in there, find out what works best in our specific case, and keep learning, that will help.

cdhyd, sorry to hear that, hang in there, things surely will get better.

I was on steroids on and off for several years and my current GI wanted me to start Humira. After considering my options, I asked him to put me on a trial of 6 MP. I did read up a lot about 6 MP especially in this forum--looks like for some people it worked well, and they were on 6 MP for several years, but others had to stop it in a matter of months because of side effects.

My GI did order some lab tests which would indicate whether or not 6 MP would benefit me. (My GI is really thorough on these things).

It's been about one year, that I am on 6 MP and my GI has been monitoring my liver enzyme levels. In my case there were mild side effects at first, but they went away after a week.

In India, it is probably easier to access 6 MP that Humira, but it is extremely important to have your liver checked on a regular basis (every 4 weeks). Let us be clear on this one: the side effects can occur any time, and they can be serious.

In my opinion, it is better to start herbs when you are in remission. Yes, I take Amla and Aswagandha regularly. They are slow acting, and work well in the long term. Both are safe herbs to begin with, but
Amla is even more safe, probably the safest and most gentle herb in the entire Ayurvedic cabinet.

I always thought of Mesacol as a very low potency drug. Can you request your doctor for more options like Prednisone, or, 6 MP ? My understanding is that these are available in India, but I could be wrong.

@pdpkind:

Sorry to hear about hospitalization and medication. I too feel helpless with my abdominal pain and weakness.

Hopefully, you will be better soon.

@jaya:

Mesacol is just maintenance dose, not a remission drug. Pred and 6MP equivalents are widely available here, not sure whether my doctor will bump me to these medicines.

What makes you certain that Amla and Aswagandha are helping you with Crohn's?

@my12yearson:

Sorry to hear that your son is diagnosed with Crohn's at such an early age, like another lady's son here on this thread. I have tried homeopathy and ayurveda but did not help. I stopped them.

Either diet or medicine, it is very difficult to say as what works for one patient may not work for another patient.

Was your son diagnosed with colonoscopy? Was there a huge change in diet that may have caused Crohn's?

Best Regards.

cdinhyd: sorry to hear that in your case, Ayurveda did not help.

I hope you find something that works, or may be another doctor who will prescribe other meds ! Probably you have a strong reason to stick with your current doctor ?

In my case, back when I started 6 MP, I saw improvements in some areas (nausea, stomach pain etc) and was able to weane off of prednisone. Similarly, I saw improvements in digestion, energy levels few weeks after starting herbs. The hair loss that I have been having (probably 6 MP side-effect) stopped as well.

You are right, each one of us is different, and what works for one, may not work another. Even
if something works, we may not always certainly know why and how it works.


my12yearson: sorry to hear about your son. I hope Remicade works for him. You are doing a good job trying to find out about diet etc. Hopefully you will find things that will help your son.

I have not tried Homeopathy and personally I do not believe in it. I do think dietary changes, nutritional
supplements, and herbs will be of help in some cases.

Post Edited (jaya) : 8/3/2015 9:34:00 AM (GMT-6)

You do not depend on insurance companies in India for any kind of treatment. They do not cover pre-existing conditions, and cover only if you are hospitalized for more than 24 hours. Even then, many conditions are excluded.

That said, you can inquire about Remicade availability in your city in India. I believe it is available.

Best Regards for your son. Is it possible at some time in future to be off Remicade completely?

mal said...
Hi,
I'm wondering how many people have this crohns .We move here in US about 7 yrs back from India .In India no body knows(most people) about this crohns.

When i talk to my father in India about my husbands crohns he said come here back,he said I don't know that there is any disease like this which has no cure .He belive that now a time every disase has a cure this make me cry ....we are Indians and why this happen to my husband.



I told my father if we come back then we can't afford remicade but he not understand he said once you come this crohn's will go away by itself.But I login in this site some forums give me strength .As i look that we are not alone here this give me power .

hi

how was hsi problem now?iam also in US and recently my husabdn diagnosed with CD,your opinion would be great help?

Hi i recently digonesed with cd in usa ,i am international phd student .i have no issues when i was in india.how many people here inusa got this problem from india and how you guys are co up with it.