Hello,

...wasn't exactly sure where to post this, but I believe a healthy diet is the basis for overall good health...  

Does anyone here have tips for eating healthy & supplements that may help w/ Crohns (or any nurses that have Crohns, or may be looking to learn ways to control it, or have found ways, on meds or not, your experience w/ any Crohns meds, etc..)?  I really want to learn how to control it without having to take (potentially dangerous) meds.

I was dxed w/ Crohns in 2004 & have been on & off steroids, which were helpful, but have side effects (I DON"T want to have to take them again...not long term anyway, & my dr agrees).  I'm currently not taking any meds for Crohns, because I've been more or less able to control the symptoms w/ diet - I've cut out red meat, NO fried foods, & have managed to decrease stress (or just managed to live though some really stressful times that are now past).  I say all this, but I've "fallen of the wagon" a few times (of eating "healthy", etc), which will bring the symptoms back.

I also have ADHD (dxed '94) & am always looking for ways to help w/ that. too, because it has affected my learning all my life.  I believe that ADHD & Crohns are both r/t stress (& are genetic too... ie, evidence of both in my family hx).  I've found that one can tend to trigger/aggravate the other (I don't know which one is worse - of course Crohns is potentially life threatening.  They both can drive me nuts!... & have impacted my whole life.  Fortunately, I've learned ways to improve symptoms of both, but not totally or consistently yet.

Although I try not to focus too much on the "disease" aspect, I cannot deny either.  My Crohns & ADHD are not really separate - but a part of me, & I see it as my responsibility to learn to overcome or cope with - so that is what I doing. 

My doctor has suggested 6MP (an immunosuppressant chemotherapy drug, usually given to pts w/ leukhemia), which I've read about extensively, & quite frankly, it scares me (so I believe that I HAVE made an informed decision, in choosing NOT to take it).   My GI doc is from India, & is open-minded about Ayuvedic/Herbal Medicine... & I feel fortunate to have found him.  Although he's "open-minded", he's still hesitant to suggest alternatives (he did suggest coconut milk though).  But at least he listens to me, regards me hollistically (insted of just a GI tract), & respects my preference to go a "natural" route.  But, basically, it's up to me to do my own research.

I take Prenatal Vits (I am NOT pregnant - just prescription strength to prevent malabsorption), Vit B (incl B12), Ca & Mg (not exactly sure which form of calcium is best), & now an herbal supplement containing Slippery Elm bark & Chamomille.  I've researched Tumeric (anti-inflammatory properties) & have started taking that, which seems to help, & I've also noticed a slight improvement in my joints (I first learned about tumeric when I saw my Arabic friend taking it for her carpal tunnel).  I've been drinking Almond milk too, & have switched to skim milk.  I eat Yogurt & am researching Ginger (also has anti-inflammatory properties).   I think I need to cut out caffiene (not easy), or maybe it's the sugar that bothers me, I am not sure yet.  Caffiene DOES help though w/ ADHD symptoms.  Yoga helps too for overall wellness.

I'm still in the learning process for my Crohns (it can be overwhelming), & contoling my ADHD (it can be overwhelning).  I'm a single mom, have been through lots of stress (I know I'm not the only one though).  All of this can be overwhelming (Crohns, ADHD, both can create stress, which makes the symptoms of either worse... it's like which came first, the chicken or the egg?).

I start online BSN school Aug 23.

I am working on improving my overall health, & basically, looking for dietary support/good foods/herbals to "keep it all together"...

Take care & God bless to all, SamB12

Crohns is a horrible disease.  My ex wife was daignosed with it when she was in her early 20's.  The meds are brutal andhave taken a toll on her for the last 15 years.  I wish you the best of luck and I will keep you in prayer as this is the best medicine for any ailment.  Thanks for sharing this with us and allowing us to share with you. 

--Patrick

I have reviewed Dr. Strand's recommendations for both IBS and Crohns. It is quite lengthy, and since it is a private site that I pay for, I cannot just copy and paste here. If you are interested in Dr. Strands recommendations, please email me @ msn.com">herbalnurse919@msn.com or newrn.com">joyce@newrn.com, and I will be happy to share this with you, as you will receive an email directly from his site.

Thanks lefizz for your insight into this complicated problem. It sounds like you are getting the best results from nutritional and fitness endeavors.