HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Remission?- Concerns

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/27/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on in quite a while.  Went to GI, he thought all was well but I still don't feel 100%.  I have Crohn's in large intestine only.   Hope some of you will share your insights.

1.  Was on Pred for 3 1/2 months.  Stopped  end of July.  When will the Pred be out of my body-i.e. no longer have to notify medical personnel I was on Pred?

2. Only have 1 bm most days-in the am.  Still have some urgency and gas.  Without taking 5 Metamucil a day, BM is thin, short but no pain.  With 5 metamucils,  BM is normal.  Can  I continue to take Metamucil everyday?  Any other suggestions on how to firm up BMs? GI says those with Crohn's shouldn't take fiber.

3.  Does an abscess form when one is in remission?  I have a "pimple" on my left butt cheek.  For 8 days it hasn't gotten bigger or smaller.  Doesn't hurt  or feel warm.  Any suggestions on how to treat it. ( already have one fistula which doesn't cause me problems.)

4.  Had c-diff 3 years ago.  What are chances of it returning if I go on antibiotics.  If I took Florastor prior to starting antibiotics, would that lessen the chances of getting c-diff?  If so, how long should I take the Florastor. 

5. Am taking 4 Apriso a day, transdermal LDN 4.5mg (4 mos), hyoscyamine as needed, l'glutamine - 6mg a day.  Anything I can add. (Also take multi, calcium, vit D, coq10, folic acid, sub lingual b12) 

6. Still have problems digesting vegetables.  Peas, peppers, salad, etc. pass thru me undigested.  Does this continue even in remission?  Would Rowasa or Canasa help?

I'm not complaining, just want to do all I can to feel 100%. It  has been a long three years to get to feeling this good.  I don't want to go back  to where I was.

Posted 9/27/2011 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am not knowledgeable enough to answer all your questions but I may help to provide some input to some of them:

2. Only have 1 bm most days-in the am. Still have some urgency and gas. Without taking 5 Metamucil a day, BM is thin, short but no pain. With 5 metamucils, BM is normal. Can I continue to take Metamucil everyday? Any other suggestions on how to firm up BMs? GI says those with Crohn's shouldn't take fiber.

There is a huge difference between soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber such as wheat bran can irritate the digestive system. But many here find that soluble fiber such as Metamucil to be helpful for IBD. And there are other forms of soluble fiber such as oatmeal, pectin, etc. I consider soluble fiber as food and have no problems taking it every day.

Am taking 4 Apriso a day, transdermal LDN 4.5mg (4 mos), hyoscyamine as needed, l'glutamine - 6mg a day. Anything I can add. (Also take multi, calcium, vit D, coq10, folic acid, sub lingual b12)

I also intend to experiment with LDN if I ever return to flarestown. Your other supplements sound good. I don't know how much vitamin D you are taking but the best way to supplement is to get your blood levels of vit D checked to see exactly where you stand.

Had c-diff 3 years ago. What are chances of it returning if I go on antibiotics. If I took Florastor prior to starting antibiotics, would that lessen the chances of getting c-diff? If so, how long should I take the Florastor.

One of the most popular and effective supplements most of us take is probiotics. Florastor is a probiotic yeast that is immune to antibiotics so it is safe to take with antibiotics. It is particulary effective against C Diff. Also I would take conventional probiotics during and every day after your course of antibiotics is over. There are many threads here with good information about them. I consider probiotics the most important supplement for my maintaining remission. By seeding your gut with probiotics you are preventing bad guys like H Pylori and C Diff from proliferating.

Another popular supplement is fish oil. Check out our signatures and you will see what works for each of us individually. I hope your other questions are answered by others. I had an abscess once and am curious about what answers you will receive.

Finally sometimes it isn't so much the supplements that you are taking but foods that you need to avoid. Many find that some foods can trigger symptoms. Gluten, dairy, and high fructose corn syrup are the usual suspects, but any food can trigger symptoms for some people.
Posted 9/27/2011 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Babe answered your questions pretty well. I will give it a shot too.

1. The Pred is out of your body now, so no worries there. It usually takes a week or two to fully get out your body.

2. If you are tolerating that fiber well, then there is no harm staying with it. Actually is good for you. I can't tolerate fiber myself as it just causes more problems for me, but I have the stricturing type of CD.

3. I think whatever is on your butt is more than likely just a pimple. Try taking baths as hot as you can stand and that will bring it to head. Its not causing you any problems, so I highly doubt its an abscess.

4. You should be on Probiotics every single day. Many of us have an abundance of bad bacteria in our digestive tracts, and the probiotics help to even out the playing field and put in more good bacteria. I usually increase my probiotics while on antibiotics. They should be taken at least 2 hours after your last antibiotic each day.

5. The only thing I didn't see in your list was Omega 3 (fish oil) and a daily probiotic.

6. Most if they eat veggies have to cook them to mush to tolerate them. I do not tolerate too many veggies myself, and there is fair amount of Crohnies who don't do well with too many veggies.

Hope that helps. Hugs!
Posted 9/28/2011 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Babe and Nanners, Thanx for the info. I can always count on this forum.
In my original post, I forgot to mention that I do take fish oil. When I finish this bottle, I will try krill oil.
My GI tells me to take Align, but it makes me too gassy. I will look into other probiotics I can try.
Still would like to know how likely I would get C Diff again if I took antibiotics. Maybe there is no definitive answer.
I read several articles on line that recommend telling doctors/dentists if it's been less than a year since stopping Pred.
Babe if you're interested in LDN, I would start when not in a flare or coming out of a flare. I have been on it for 4 mos. and believe it is helping. If you have any questions, let me know.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply