elenamdib’s Profile

Close Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis

I was diagnosed in June of 07. I don't take any medications. I take probiotics and a lot of vitamin supplements.

Treatments

Asacol Somewhat Helpful

I took Pentasa for three months, but my side effects included very painful migraine headaches, awful bone pains in my legs, foul smelling stool, and stomach cramping. The drug did not stop the blood in my stool, and I didn't feel any significant positive change. Pentasa is fairly new (released in 2005) so the long term side-effects are not concrete. I decided to stop taking it and look to alternative medicine/probiotics/dietary supplements and changes.

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Too Soon to Tell

I avoid anything with wheat (bread, pasta, etc) and all dairy (milk, yogurt, icecream, etc). I do not eat anything with corn (arepas, tortilla chips, etc). Corn causes major flare ups for me. No coffee or carbonated beverages, no sugary drinks, no alcohol. Avoiding certain foods definetly helps, but it takes a lot of discipline and sometimes I just can't help myself and I eat that slice of cake, or drink that cup of coffee. :-\

Fish Oil Too Soon to Tell

I just started taking fish oil (liquid form... two teaspoons daily). It is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, and studies have shown fish oil to have a positive impact on those with Crohn's because it helps reduce inflammation. I will update this when I have been taking it for a longer period of time.

Probiotics Working / Worked

I take probiotics every day (Garden of Life, Primal Defense.. which contains all probiotics in a caplet form). The probiotics are the only thing that stopped the blood in my stool completely. I recommend them to anyone with Crohn's.