Debate: Autoimmune or immunodeficiency?

In my case I know it's autoimmune. As long as my TNF (a component of the immune system) is kept suppressed, I am symptom-free.

TNF, or tumor necrosis factor, increases inflammation. But just because there is a greater amount of TNF in UC patients does it mean that the immune system is switched on wrong, or fighting a pathogen that we just haven't discovered?

It's not immune deficiency...

I didn't post that topic about the immune-boosting drugs, but I have read about that study. That study could support a theory that UC could be caused by immunodeficiency. I have a theory about how it could be immunodeficiency: The immune system cannot destroy a pathogen in the colon. This then causes an increase in inflammation but the inflammation is not enough to destroy the pathogen. So the body keeps sending inflammatory messages without destroying the underlying cause. Drugs that are supposed work against the autoimmune aspect like, 6-MP and the like, work to decrease the inflammatory response but not really treat the underlying cause. This underlying cause could be an allergic response or a displacement of natural microflora. This would also explain how antibiotics, autoimmune drugs, and immune-boosting drugs could work. This is just a theory of mine. I hope to be doing more research, actual lab research, on the underlying causes of colitis.

I believe it is caused by a bacteria, it will be cured within the next 10 years for sure!

you can call it wishfull thinking but I think it's great since this was the same exact case with stomach ulcers, which were discovered to be the cause of a certain bacterium only 3 1/2 years ago. My only concern is when those researchers are going to step on it, there is a noble prize on the line =D

I think it is auto-immune disease. But I am not the right person to comment on this as it is not my subject. I am lawyer. Cheers. Whatever may be it is a disease which we have to defeat.

In my opinion, there is a clear relation between an IBD and the classic IBS - overtime the body changes and becomes less/more allergic to certain foods in the GI tract (such as gluten), now the thing is some UC cases are clearly dependent on that factor ONLY. This indicates something, this disease is the result of a certain environmental trigger in individuals that are more susceptible... meaning people whose immune system is unable to destroy a certain pathogen in the colon, a fact that may explain why this disease starts at around the rectum and keeps spreading from there on. The inflammation is a natural defense for the immune system regardless of the cause; a certain prolonged response could be occuring as a result of an allergy or displaced microflora. When research finally finds the underlying cause for the disease then an antibiotic can be produced to fight it off once and for all. Let's compare this issue with something like arthiritis, the immune system has something to do with both cases but the fact of the matter remains that this is a GI tract issue! a problem in your digestive system is related to what you digest, there are billions of bacteria living in our intestines. Again, there must have been a reason why so many people went into life long-remissions by staying away from certain foods (lactose for example) the only issue that remains is finding the little bacteria that is causing this and sending it back to hell! it all goes to show how fragile the human body really is...

Rock on mumbles, I support your research with all my heart... the day will come - the night is darkest just before the dawn! Cheers mate

Scorpion, I don't agree wtih your statement that there is a relationship between IBD and IBS. I didn't have IBS before developing UC, nor did many of the other people on this forum. And your assumption that an "antibiotic can be produced to fight if off once and for all" will only be true if in fact it is one single bacteria species that causes UC. If it is due to food, like you also seem to think, then an antibiotic won't do any good, either.

fruitgirl said...
Scorpion, I don't agree wtih your statement that there is a relationship between IBD and IBS. I didn't have IBS before developing UC, nor did many of the other people on this forum. And your assumption that an "antibiotic can be produced to fight if off once and for all" will only be true if in fact it is one single bacteria species that causes UC. If it is due to food, like you also seem to think, then an antibiotic won't do any good, either.

Well you don't have to agree but that doesn't mean that it might not be fact....my GI is one of the top lead researchers in Canada for IBD and from what he's learned (not speculating) is that there is a pattern especially with those who have had IBD for a long period of time (yrs) and have frequent flares compared to remissions and those that have never been in remission seem to end up with IBS as well, in his word, "it makes sense, when a IBDer has been sick with their disease more often than not then their bowels will likely become irritated and gaining back full or proper function of their bowels from either CD or UC may never happen and result in the development of IBS."

Of course EVERYONE is entitled to their opinions, but there are some facts behind IBD and IBS that researchers have actually discovered.

and maybe the majority of IBDers also don't have IBS as well, doesn't mean that there is not a link with IBS and IBD for sure.

http://www.ccfa.org/ccfaprof/educ-resources/articles/IBD_Serological_Panels_Dec_2007.pdf

http://www.webmd.com/ibs/guide/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-what-increases-your-risk

pb, thanks for the links,

-------------------------------------

yuckygut

diagnosed 1998

now off prednisone and colazal

drink 1 Haldi daily to remain in remission

In the past few yrs, advanced genetic techniques have allowed scientists to discover at least 9 different gene clusters that contribute to the development of IBD and define the severity and behavior of the disease over time. Some of these genes encode factors involved in recognition and defense against bacteria. Mutations in immune response genes may adversely affect how the immune system reacts to harmless bacteria and this probably contributes to the development of IBD. (This is all according to Dr. Kevin Rioux who is an IBD research fello at the university of alberta).

:)