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Posted 7/7/2015 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
For the "old timers" out there.  How do you deal with how much more this DD affects you now vs when you were younger?  I don't bounce back as quickly as I used to and I get the "tireds" more frequently than I used to, mostly because I'm too darned stubborn to stop even though i'm worn out.  I'm on Humira, MTX and monthly B12 injections, but i'm still having issues with the inflamation in my descending colon and a rectal stricture.  All my latest bloodwork came back in normal ranges.  I'm just sad that this may be the status quo from here on out. confused
Posted 7/8/2015 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know how old you are, but my surgeon mentioned to me that crohns usually just fades away by the time you hit your 60s ( or for the majority). I was happy to hear, as I don't really want my children having to deal with my disease when I am too old to cope.
Spinach, greens, hemp, chia all help me with my energy. I have a green shake every morning for last 3 years. It works.
Good luck.
Posted 7/8/2015 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
"my surgeon mentioned to me that crohns usually just fades away by the time you hit your 60s ( or for the majority)."

Is that really true? I've never read that in any research arcticles. Anyone have any data on that?

Lamb61...sorry you are having a hard time. I didn't get diagnosed until 2007, so even though I'm old (56) and a Crohnnie, I haven't had the disease for that long, so I don't know if I'm an "old Crohnnie."
Posted 7/9/2015 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
I certainly don't bounce back either (I'm 56 too Gumby). My GI also told me that it tends "too burn itself out" with age. I also wondered just where he got that idea as I've never read anything that substantiates that position in my research, but I don't know everything. I think I told him my body never got that memo regardless of any research.

My biggest problem with aging has been the pressure of being a caretaker - my parents who both had longstanding, debilitating illnesses before they died, and now my daughter. My family doctor once told me that I didn't need to have all this on me when my parents were still living, for my health's sake, but it wasn't like I had a choice in the matter. Every day I wonder how much longer my husband and I can keep doing what we're having to do as caretakers as he's in his 60s and has his own health issues. I worry what will happen to her if we become more debilitated or die because we are her lifeline. I never imagined life would be this difficult.
Posted 7/9/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I will be 67 soon and had crohns for 45 years, I have not seen a slow down in symptoms. As a matter of fact Humira stopped working and my symptoms have increased in the last 3 years.

There is logic to some inflammations burning themselves out but in my case it does not apply.
Posted 7/9/2015 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
That's absolutely depressing Fernando, I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this for close to half a decade :( I can't handle the fact I've been dealing with it for 24 years as well as IBS-C now too.
Posted 7/10/2015 10:40 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for making me not feel so alone guys. I guess I should have stated my age huh? I'm 54 and was dx 33 years ago but have likely had CD all my life. My last GI stated that as we get older it usually slows down but I don't see any signs of it slowing down either. As a matter of fact it seems like I have to be more careful of what I eat at this stage than before. I think I just get scared of how much I'm slowing down in the past couple of years and wonder how much worse it will get. Sigh.
Enough of that kind of thinking. I have a beach trip planned July 18-25 and I WILL make the drive and enjoy the beach regardless of crohns! (at least that's what I keep telling myself)
Posted 7/10/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Have a great vacation lamb61! I have my husband's extended family coming to visit from July 17-27. They are great people, but it does feels stressful to have guests for so long. I know I'm going to have to pace myself or I will get too exhausted to enjoy anything. I have learned that I need to speak up when I am tired, rather than pretending everything is fine. For me, I really don't know how much of me being tired is normal for a 56 yr old, and how much is the disease itself. Either way, I know I tire easily when hosting at my house!
Posted 7/10/2015 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Have a GREAT beach trip!

I'm 41 and had this disease for over 25 years. I'm not sure if it's slowing down or not. My body does seem to respond better based on what I eat, where in my earlier days of diagnosis, it didn't seem to matter what I eat, good or bad...meaning I could eat poorly & it wouldn't effect me negatively. But I could also eat well and still have bad problems. Now my body response seems better aligned to what goes in me.
Posted 7/11/2015 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
The idea that the disease burns itself out is from old anecdotal observations from 40-50 years ago, not from any studies. It was thought the immune system weakened as one got older.
Not as true today or the effect is delayed.
I also believe all the treatments esp biologics end up increasing the immune response as the body tries to overcome the drugs and once it does it emerges even stronger.
I am 66, 50 years with this thing. Still able to bounce back but less able to cope with the flares
Posted 7/11/2015 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know that I believe the disease fades with age. Maybe my surgeon was trying to make me feel better after having two surgeries in 6 months. One can only hope!

I have always eaten fairly well, and exercised regularly (with CD exceptions), and have ups and downs. If I eat clean, even with bouts of running tummy, my energy levels are much higher than with sugar, carbs and packaged food. Even if it comes back out an hour later, some of the nutrients from your food still get absorbed.

Make the best of every day.
Posted 7/13/2015 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
I am 41 and it definitely takes me longer to bounce back than it used to. Since there are better meds out now I am not constantly stuck in a flare like I used to be when I was younger so I am healthier now than I was back then.

For me vitamins are MUCH more important these days especially magnesium, potassium, iron and all the B vitamins. I cannot go a single day without them or I have problems.

Exercise is no longer optional I have to do it.
Posted 7/13/2015 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have a friend that is a neurologist and he said the same thing about the disease burning out as we get older. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 43 so when the heck will I burn out, 100?
Posted 7/13/2015 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am 56, have had CD since 28, so half my life. Have had two resections and have gone thru Remicade, Humira and currently Cimzia. Been on Imuran for 13 years, just got off Prednisone after 5 years and have never had a so called "Remission". I find as I get older I have more recovery time if I go somewhere or any kind of activity. Also way more joint pain and more Fibro pain. Never heard that it will burn out but that would be awesome.
Posted 7/13/2015 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with chrohns 50 years ago and am still having inflammation, so aging didn't make any difference in my case. Been on many meds, biologics, etc. but nothing has worked so far. Having another colonoscopy tomorrow, but not expecting any change. Making the best of a bad situation. Wishing you the best and hope things improve soon.
Posted 7/17/2015 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
i am 53, have had crohn's diagnosis since I was 35. One surgery so far, never have been in remission. Been on many meds nothing has really stopped the inflammation. Will have another follow up scope in Dec. good thing is I have put weight on and I have been feeling pretty good, so I dont dwell on things. I do not believe that the disease "burns itself out" My Gi says it comes and goes with all patients and everyone is different.
Posted 7/19/2015 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
I doubt it "burns it self out" too since I too have been flaring for over 2 decades before finding remission with Humira...but I'm going to try and remember to ask my GI when I see him in September about IBD burning itself out cuz I'm wondering if that's a label it's gotten for remission, which remission is different from a disease "burning itself out"...that's how rumors get started lol!
Posted 9/17/2015 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am 70 and was diagnosed with Crohns colitis and inflammatory bowel disease a few months ago so I guess mine did not burn out! Taking 2 lialda a day and seems to be working well. I first did the white diet and then eased back into eating carefully. Hope this burns its self out soon!
Posted 9/17/2015 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
hi everyone, I had crohn's for 52 years and now it's harder to bounce back than when I was younger even just 5 yrs. ago. I had surgery now 6 mos. ago and my GI told me the cd is back again. I had a ct scan in
August and there is inflammation and a narrowing. I am on Pentasa 2/4times per day and it does not seem to be helping so he wants to put me on 6mp. I always said this cd would never control my life and it did not to a degree except when bad flares and now the pain is getting to me. I have crohn' in the small bowel, had 1 exploratory surgery, and 3 resections. I really dont' want to go through another surgery. I am now 66.
Posted 9/17/2015 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
no burn out on mine only 6 weeks of remission in past 18 yrs. i am 53 and been fighting this for 18 + years. the medications help some but they not cure. i have not tried the newest one, but that was because of pending brain tumor (unrelated-we think lol) personal, i am suborn just have yet to throw in the towel to the disease, although it is beginning to get to me.

what bugs me is all the ads that are on tv claiming how they can be your answer and talk to your dr. right like is is that easy. i think the insurance companies, especially the LTD would love the drugs to work so they could stop people from going out on disability.
Posted 9/21/2015 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
No burn out here. I am 62 and have had crohns for 41 years with 2 surgeries. I was in remission for about 30 years and then it hit. I got a twisted gut when I was 49. about 4 years ago I started bleeding because I have an ulcer where they re sectioned my gut. I am no anemic and get iron infusions. I'm have been on Humira,Cimzia and now will try Entyvio. I have gotten worse in the last 5 years, not better.
Posted 9/21/2015 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
Boy, it seems everyone has it so much worse than I do - I should be thankful and I am but scared of what the future holds. I am slowly learning what I can and cannot eat - seems baked beans are a no no. And slaw. I am trying to eat healthy but one site tells you one thing and another site tells you another thing. I guess it is a trial and error for everyone. I keep seeing that ones lose weight and I did when I first was diagnosed - about pounds on the white diet but then have gained some back. Good luck to all and please continue to post - I need to hear from others.
Posted 9/23/2015 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I don't know if I will go into remission with this 6mp mercaptopurine since I have inflammation and a stricture again and my surgery was in March of 2015. Has a ct scan in August and that's what it showed. Right now I am having pain just above the bellybutton and below and to the right of the bellybutton. When I eat after a little while I get pain and when I go to the bathroom it hurts and goes into a spasm. Sometimes I have lose bowel movements and other times I can't go. At night when it bed time I can't lay on my right side because it feels like something is pulling and really hurts. It also takes my breath away. A life time of crohn's is like being on a merry-go-round for me. Hope this med. works. Has anyone taken this 6mp med?


dx 1963, pentasa 500mg 2/4xday, maybe6mp, multi vitamin, vitamin d3 2000iu, dha 600mg, CQ10 100mg, b12


















dx crohn's 1963
meds. pentasa 500mg 2/4xday, maybe 6mp
multi vitamin, vitamin d3 2000iu, dha600mg,
CQ10 100mg, b12
Posted 9/23/2015 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Never taken the Pentasa but used the enemas at first for the UC. Use Lialda for the Crohns and so far so good. Good luck to you and glad you found this site - there is a lot of information here.
Posted 10/22/2015 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question. I keep reading about how much weight loss some have had with Crohns but I have not had any weight loss. I was diagnosed with crohn's colitis and inflammatory bowel disease - I am guessing the inflammatory bowel disease covers them all. Now - how do I know if a flare is crohns or colitis?
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