A new member with Crohn's

Hello friends I'm Bro Mick and this is my very first attempt at "posting" in forums. I've never done any thing more than e-mail so I am really green at this. I've had Crohn's (maybe: diagnss was based on genetic markers and clinical symptoms) for nearly thirty years and had at one time been on Asacol as well as a couple of other meds. Didnt get much relief from it and REALLY disliked the diagnostic tools used to keep track of the diseases progress and determine treatment -- they made me feel worse than the disease! Well, I just returned home yesterday from my second of two trips to the hospital: one week for an ileocecetomy, and a second week to recover from the blockage experience due to excessive swelling and inflammation of the anastomosis by which no food would pass. I'm home now and all I have to contend with is frequent runs to the bathroom - you know what for--and incredible night sweats which started after the surgery. That is by way of a general, brief, intro. So "hi" and if anyone can tell me if you know anything about these night sweats; are they simply a side-effect of the surgery (it's been three weeks now!) or indication of something else and how long will they last, I would appreciate hearing from your experience.

Bro Mick

Hi Bro Mick and welcome to Healingwell. You will find alot of loving and supportive folks who are trying to live with this darn disease too. I am glad you joined our little "family".

As for the night sweats, I had them too. Not sure why, but they went away in no time as I healed more. Maybe someone else will know why they happen.

Now that you have had your surgery, its important that you treat the disease so that it does not return and cause you to have to have more surgeries and risk short bowel syndrome. Its important that you take some type of maintenance med so no repeats are needed. You stated that Asacol didn't work for you before, but this is one of the mildest CD meds out there. I myself have had two resections and I have been successfully maintained with just Asacol and back in remission for about 5 years now. If there was an allergy or something to it, then I suggest you talked to your doctor about something else to keep your disease under control. But its important to keep the inflammation down to prevent flares. Also diet is important too. I personally follow a low residue diet all the time, but others have had sucess with either the SCD or Makers Diets too. Just want you to be aware of all this so you don't have a repeat surgery or flares.

Stay with us, we are a great group (family)!

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*