An Update on the Path to Wellness

[Kari]

Hi Joe,

What a delightful post - thank you so much for sharing your good news. I'm in awe with your attitude - you seem to be able to take everything in stride. You're a prime example that diligence, patience and attention to detail pays good dividends. I'm so glad you're part of this family, and consider you to be a MAJOR contributor, along with your faithful Nurse .

Wish you all the best on your continued journey, and I'm definitely "staying tuned" .

Love,
Kari

[Joefnh]

Thanks so much for all the kind responses it has been an interesting journey so far, and I'm looking forward to continue to learn and work on improving my health. Thanks again to all here for your incredible knowledge and friendship, it has made a world of difference. I would hate to think of how bad things could have gotten had I not found this site and all the great members here.


Tex:

Just curious - have you already decided on a long-range plan? As most of us are aware, most Crohn's patients live from flare to flare, (but, of course, most Crohn's patients don't take an active role in their treatment - they just take the drugs that their doctor prescribes, when he or she prescribes them). I'm guessing that you're not going to be satisfied with that type of hit or miss performance, and you're planning to preempt that normally anticipated flare, and postpone it forever, if possible.

Tex at least for the short to mid term (next 12 months) stick with the Imuran to bring things under control and allow for some healing to occur. After that I plan on again trying to manage this with diet alone. Part of that plan is the MRT testing to really help identify any food items that I may be reacting to and fine tune my diet. I am hoping that with good dietary control, nutrition, and acupuncture that I can do this without any meds.

Unfortunately most of the Crohns sites focus mainly on meds and very little on the dietary control. Like many issues in medicine, the goal is to medicate so you can be back to your old ways.. that's not for me.

If things do flare up for a significant time I will have to address that when and if it happens. I would not hesitate to take meds again if it becomes necessary. Crohns has a nasty habit of accumulating damage, that in roughly 70% of Crohns patience requires surgery.


Tex:

Obviously, we're all rooting for you to show us how it's done, and you appear to be well on your way.

Tex its completely the other way around, its you and the others here on this site who have shown me how its done. It really seems to me that whether you are dealing with Crohns or MC or maybe even UC the symptoms are very similar as are the medical treatments and most importantly dietary issues. I just hope I can keep on learning and trying to understand what will work best to deal with these IBD's

Thanks again for all your responses and support.

--Joe

[tex]

Joe,

Well, you're breaking new ground here, since as you say, conventional treatment methods for Crohn's usually involve treating symptoms after they develop, rather than preventing them from developing, in the first place. That makes you a pioneer, of sorts, (especially with the use of diet as a primary treatment component).

Incidentally, we've seen research articles that show that reduced vitamin D levels may lead to a higher risk of developing Crohn's or other IBDs, but have you seen this one? The authors concluded that Crohn's disease causes reduced absorption of vitamin D, so this may be the mechanism that is behind the vitamin D deficiency that is so common with the disease. Of course, the problem may be due to a general malabsorption issue, which we have always been aware of, because the article doesn't appear to describe whether the absorption rates of anything other than vitamin D were measured.

http://www.sify.com/news/study-shows-re ... ihhbj.html

Tex

[MBombardier]

Great news, Joe!

[laurenla520]

Thanks alot for your update joe, as a newcomer I found it really inspiring, and going through some of the things you initially went through, like the inability to work, and to lead a normal life, I really am finding some hope. Congratulations on your health and success!

[gowest]

That's great news to hear, Joe! I'm glad to see things are improving and that you're able to enjoy life again!

Ashley

[Joefnh]

Ashley its great to hear from you again. how are you doing? You certainly have your issues to deal with as well. Any updates?

Best Wishes


--Joe

[starfire]

Wishing you CONTINUED great success!!!

Love, Shirley

[Gabes-Apg]

Like a gladiator that was being attacked from both sides you adjusted your fighting techniques to conquer them both.... well done

and as i type this and ponder a catchy saying to say, all i can think of is the aussie movie Priscilla queen of the desert singing gloria gaynor i will survive.. sorry it seemed funny at the time

[Joefnh]

Hmmm Gabes a gladiator?... I am going to have to call another Aussie, Russell Crowe for some advice LOL


Thanks Gabes, Shirley, Lauren, Marliss, Tex, Ashly, Ant, Kari, Celie, Foxnhound, Granny Gloria & Mary Beth for all of your encouragement and advice it has made all the difference these past months.

--Joe