Re: WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH CHRON'S/COLITIS TREATMENTS?

Diet is so very important in the treatment of Crohn's. For your health, I'd insist on seeing a dietician that specializes in Crohn's along with your GI doctor. Dairy is indeed evil evil evil, and popcorn is a Crohn's patients worst enemy ever. It doesn't digest, and the shell can cause tiny lesions in your intestines that lead to more infections.

Right now, I am working on a diet that has no dairy and is extremely low on carbo's. However, you need to be aware that cutting out grains completely may cause deficiencies that create problems in your system other than Crohn's. Anemia, caused by a lack of iron is one of the worst of them as when you get a "bleeder" as I call them, it doesn't help your energy level a bit. I also never ever eat breaded/fried foods. I find they create more loose bowels than my normal diet. I eat Cream of Wheat everyday, and my iron count has gone up 2 points on average since I've been doing it. It doesn't seem to cause me any discomfort at all.

I've been on this diet since the beginning of the year, and *knocks on wood* I haven't had any lesions or a flare-up thus far. I'm also walking about 30 minutes to 2 hours a day, so that my metabolism speeds up and absorbs nutrients a bit better. I've been taking some B-complex vitamins, but I especially note my B-12 suppliment as being the most important. I take Goldenseal each day, and a multivitamin that has added iron and calcium. (Since we get no dairy, and women are at a greater risk for osteoporesis.) I haven't felt this good in four or five years now. I've been diagnosed with Crohn's for about 5 years now, but I know it started to bother my in junior high, as I was hospitalized twice for bloody stools and severe cramping. Also, it's good to note that soybean products (they even make cheese out of the stuff) are great as well. You'd be doing yourself a favor to at least try some of the things out.

Not all things work for all people with Crohn's, but the more we share, the more we can fine tune a treatment for ourselves. I am the captain of my disease, it does not own me and I will fight for control as long as I am able. Tweet