just when i thought...

dear Era:

seem that you ignoring the treatment and you are surprising of all these problems!

you must think again about your choices to get well..

.(is this being caused by the Crohn's?  Has it happened to anyone else? )

YES.

 i hope you will get well soon ..keep in touch and tell me what's new.

Hi Yes I have had hair lost and without food or ensure not sure if it would of grown back in my hair lost began before the pred. I had low protien,potassium and B12 so that would not have helped keep hair on my head. You need to get your CD under better control with perhaps other meds that will help ,you not eating for days is not good for the body.Let us know what you do to get things better contolled.I used to do that before my DX but now can eat and feel better. lol gail

Yes hair loss can be caused by meds, but even without meds it can occur mainly because our bodies are not able to absorb the nutrition we need, there fore effecting us from head to toe....that's another reason why it's so important to eat as healthy as possible, since the un-natural foods (processed and fast-foods) have little to no nutritional value, that too will affect our bodies...in a negative way.


:)

Hi Sarah,

Sorry you are having such a hard time. As others have mentioned hair loss can occur for a lot of reasons-- poor nutrition (or just not obsorbing the good things you eat) and some meds.

I know you never want to take pred again and I understand the feeling, but often it is the only thing that works in the short term. Plus since it is generic it is one of the cheaper options too. If I were you, I'd consider that again just to get through life and then when you can get on some form of insurance look into a different treatment that will allow you to stay healthy longterm. Usually you have to start with pred to get relief and then start something like 6mp or remicade to maintain your health. You're right, if you just start pred and then taper w/o maintenance meds you just get sick again.

I don't think that anyone was trying to hurt your feelings, but it is hard to offer help when you can't afford treatment and don't want to take the affordable drug that is out there. But really sometimes posting helps just to let you vent even if the rest of us can't really help.

I hope you can find something that will work to keep you out of the hospital (and in your apartment). Don't worry about the hair thing, it won't last. Focus on getting your health in control and that will take care of itself.

Good luck.

Honey
You are very young to have to be dealing with CD, and hair loss, and losing your apartment, and worrying about being homeless. Other than Healing well....do you have any kind of support, family , friends....someone who can maybe help you through some of these extremely difficult times. Do you belong to a church group or youth group. Is there any free counseling in your area. Sometimes it helps to just vent, and cry and get it all out.....and sometimes when you are doing all that....a solution pops up. Prayer and meditation help also if you are inclined to that.
Meanwhile....hang in there. We at Healing Well are praying for you....Come visit often and let us know how you are doing. Know one should have to go through this alone....and believe me , you aren't.

Love and prayers

Mary

Hi Sarah I don't have any more answers than already provided. But wanted to send you ((BIG HUGS))). I think gacrohns has a good suggestion. Maybe you can go on Montel Williams site. He is a spokesman for some Prescription assistance program. (sorry can't think of the name). Maybe you could get some help to get some different meds to try. God Bless!

Sarah :)

I hope you find relief in all areas soon, reading about your dilema sure makes me greatful for living in Canada, it's not perfect but our health care system certainly makes it alot easier then what americans have to deal with, I couldn't imagine having to pay for a hospital stay, keeping in mind, out government has been getting some funny ideas about private health care which scares the heck out of us being used to public health care so I hope it doesn't turn into the same situation like what you have to deal with.

I hope you find relief soon!

Just a thought, have you considered trying natural therapies? I know for me it was my only choice because I'm either allergic or non-responsive to traditional oral RX, I find it alot cheaper too...here's what I use:

Bee propolis (don't use if you're allergic to bees), it's a natural anti-inflammatory

Omegas 3-6-9, also a natural anti-inflammatory

Prodiem stool bulker (fibre therarpy similar to metamucil)

Probiotics (one called Primadophilus Reuteri made by natures way

Vitamins B12, A and C-Calcium Ascorbate

I buy pretty much everything from Purtians pride (bee propolis, vitamins A and C and the Omegas)

I buy the Prodiem from walmart and the Probiotics from a health food store.

I've found quite a bit of relief using this combination, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

ONE OTHER THING, check into canadian pharmacy online, alot of americans can get their RX this way for much cheaper from what I've heard.

:)