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Alternative Therapy for Crohn's?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/30/2007 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone tried complementary and/or alternative therapies for their Crohn's? I'm thinking hypnoses, acupuncture, chiropractic, anything else?

If so, what have you tried, and have they made a "clinical" difference or just a difference in the symptoms, if anything?

thanks,

Susan


dx 12/04, multiple strictures with proximal dilatation; 12" inflamed section, Crohn's in TI, on pentasa, entecort, Cipro, Flagyl, vitamins, imipramine... failed 6MP and remicade, med's have not shown improvement in physical condition, but symptoms seem to be better on 12mg entegort than 9mg
Posted 9/30/2007 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
I want to know about alternative therapies as well! I am thinking about going to an acupunturist really soon. Let me know if you hear of anything or have any luck w/anything and I'll do the same.

Thanks much,

Posted 10/1/2007 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
me too I am interested to know....hopefully someone try....
Posted 10/1/2007 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I take probiotics, they can be very beneficial, also, my GI insisted that I take a fibre supplement daily for the rest of my life, this has also been a huge help with my CD, it has given me completely formed stools, no more mucus, I go less times a day with larger deposits rather than many times a day with smaller ones.

I also take these things along with the above mentioned, bee propolis (don't take if you're allergic to bees), this is a natural anti-inflammatory and it stopped all my bleeding and pain and also cut back on daily BM's, and omegas 3-6-9, also an anti-inflammatory...this combination of the probiotics (primadophilus reuteri made by natures way), bee propolis, omegas 3-6-9, and fibre supplement (found easily in Canada but only in a few US states apparently called Prodiem, it's similar to metamucil).

I also eat healthy, no processed foods/beverages, fast-foods, caffeine, refined sugar (which adds to the bacterial over-growth us IBDers tend to have, which is why a good probiotic is a must) I drink alot of water and at least one cup of chamomile tea a day...and I exercise regularly.

I'm allergic to oral RX so I don't take any of those which is why I had to rely on the natural route, it's done me wonders, I was going a good 30 times/day with lots of lower back pain, bleeding and mucus, now, no more blood, mucus, pain, and daily BM's are cut down to 5 or less a day because of the COMBINATION of things mentioned above that I take...what works for one doesn't work for all and often it is a combination that works best.

I'm still not in full remission but I'll take what I can get.

:)
Posted 10/1/2007 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
a smoothie named bodyfuel by bodyfactory. I wish I knew about this product yrs ago. I live in CA. They have two stores. I try to have one at least every other day! It is very convenient for me I work in the same area. I do believe you can purchase the powder form online. Read up on it @ www.bodyfactory.com. It is doing wonders for my gut!

Posted 10/1/2007 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
I'm newly diagnosed so haven't tried anything for CD yet, but years ago had a really wonderful experience with acupuncture for migraines. I'd definitely give it a try again.
Posted 10/1/2007 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susanknits, and welcome to the forum! There has been much discussion here about two different diets--The Maker's Diet and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Both seem to have helped a lot of people. I'm not sure how easy it is to access archives here or search a topic, but you might try. I'm pretty new here but would be happy to pass on what we've tried if you wish to email me personally. We embarked on the Maker's Diet about 4 weeks ago. This diet removes all processed foods and adds in more foods with beneficial enzymes, micro organisms, etc. (Much like what PB4 stated about eating healthy.)

Someone here (sorry, don't remember who) told me they have had good results with homeopathy. Maybe they will jump in and tell us!

Go with PB4 on the probiotics!! Almost everyone--including many allopathic docs--acknowledge their benefit. I see you listed Cipro in your signature; you especially need probiotics to replace the beneficial beasties the antibiotics wipe out!

We currently use a chiropractor. Don't know that it does anything for CD specifically, but it sure can't hurt (we've used a chiro for some 15 years). I know of an excellent local acupuncturist whom I would definitely use if my son's condition worsened. Right now, though, whatever we're doing seems to be working (knock wood, thank you God!).

Good luck to you! This is definitely a lot to sort through! The important thing is that you are taking control--and that is really good!
Posted 10/1/2007 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply. I do have probiotics that I have to remember to take. I've looked at both the SCD and Jordan Rubin's diet, but I haven't tried them partly because they all talk about stopping the D, and I've never had that problem. I'm also concerned that the diet might be too high in fiber, and I have several strictures. Or, perhaps I can't get out of my own way enough to really try it :-)

I have a chiropractor who worked on the ileopsoas muscle, and I've used accupuncture in the past. I have to decide if I can concentrate on controlling my symptoms or if I really need to fix the plumbing, so to speak!

Susan
Posted 10/1/2007 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotics. No white sugar. Cod Liver Oil. Multivitamines. Be careful with fibers in certain vegetables and fruits. Cooking it if they make trouble.

And there is an additive solution: LDN, read my profile.
Posted 10/1/2007 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
The Maker's Diet is great. I was very skeptical at first, but it's been helping alot. I have never had a problem w/consistant diareah. The only time I have D is when I eat something bad. It hasn't happened since I've been on the Maker's Diet. I think that everyone should at least give it a shot. Try it out for 40 days. If it doesn't do anything, doesn't matter..you didn't lose anything. But if it does help, it's totally worth it.
:)
Posted 10/1/2007 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
You're right, Maya, I do have nothing to lose. I guess the biggest problem is psyching myself up to do it. I have "Restoring your Digesetive health," which I assume has the same diet since it's by the same person, but implementing it seems like a full time job, and I have almost no interest in cooking or eating. if it's put in front of me, fine. Otherwise, I don't have the energy to open a fruit cup :-). Although i guess he doesn't require that I make my own yogurt!

How is it helping you? My symptoms are different than yours.

susan
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