With the issues I had at the first GI office - Digestive Specialists, with the first doctor I was referred to for my crohns, then switching doctors within the practice — bad idea, in my case, unfortunately.

I thought I liked the new doctor, actually… but after my last visit, she made a comment I later thought hard about.  She asked how long I stayed on the antibiotics after I had the catheter removed. I told her 14 days.  She acted surprised and asked if that was all.  The more I thought about that, the more bothered I was.  I realized she was not paying much attention to my care at all.  Otherwise, she would have known it was her who prescribed the antibiotics for only 14 days.

Before any issues with this doctor anyway, I was having issues with the assistant.  The first doctor I was seeing had an absolutely wonderful assistant.  I loved her… I guess maybe she was just hard to live up to.  No, really, this other assistant seems to have issues with me.  She won’t smile at me, won’t make small talk (she won’t even ask how I’m doing) and when I call with any issues (pain, etc), she comes across as if I’m the issue.

So after a year and a half, I’m switching practices altogether.

I talked to my cousin, who has had colitis forever and he gave me his doctors name.  I’m going to see one of the doctors there, at Digestive Care, but not the same one as him.  Ok by me… just please, give me someone who cares about my health, my case and my treatment… who also believes me when I say “I’m in pain”.

I do love my family doctor, Dr. Mickey Denen… he is always so willing to listen, and trust what I’m saying.  Of course, he’s been my doctor since 1992.

Pain in the…. mostly lower abdomen - And it’s really not too bad.  I also still get pain in back of my upper thigh, near the crease of my tush, due to the catheter and also due to the catheter, I have a lump IN my tush where it was - scar tissue maybe?  Sure is tender though.

Bowel Movements of Crohns - what a joy… some days it’s diarrhea, other days it’s a crampy constipation feeling… regardless the end result is feeling very sore and sick.  And, it’s all “normal”.  How odd?

Puking - Throwing up - This, thankfully, hasn’t been an issue since I upped my Aciphex to twice a day.  Apparently it was related to the reflux that I didn’t even know I had.  When I had the Upper GI, barium contrast they were able to see the reflux though - said it was in spurts, not continual, but apparently it was pretty bad.

Energy Level - I can’t tell, but it seems like I am needing more sleep again.  When I start getting “sick”, I start needing so much sleep - to the point my hubby calls me a cat because I sleep all the time.  Right now though, I know I’m coming off of prednisone and I expect to get sick, so I don’t know if I am, or if it’s my mind just expecting it.  Plus, with our electricity off for over a week, and other stresses, maybe depression, it could be a just need more sleep to get caught up.

Anyway, Dr wants to have me to have another CT scan to see what’s going on with the absess I had.  If it’s still there, she’ll put me back on antibiotics.  Plush I am to back down off the prednisone, coming down 5 mg a week.  I started at 40 and dropped to 30 the week before I went to the appointment. So, I’m (rather quickly, I think) coming off the prednisone and I worry it’s too fast.

She (Dr) said we have to show what we are doing isn’t working before we can move forward to something else.  It didn’t dawn on me until a few days later (because of the lack of electricity and my mind was certainly on other things) that she is most surely expecting me to get “sick” again so we can prove to insurance we need to move on to Remicaide or something else.

I’m feeling pretty bummed about that - the thought of feeling sick again.. Right about the time the holidays are getting good, I expect to be dealing with more pain.  Yeah, sounds fun.  But I guess we do what we need to in order to get better.

I had my hospital visit in June. At the end of July I had the catheter… then went back a few days later to have that removed.  Since then, I haven’t seen anyone.  I spoke with my doctor once.  Played some phone tag with the assistant, but accomplished the most important thing - to get medications called into the pharmacy.  But, no doctor appointment.

The other day, the office called and scheduled an appointment - finally - I mean, if I’m so bad about it making the appointment, at least they finally called me.

I think they called because somehow they figured out I decreased my prednisone on my own this week.  I went for 40 mg a day to 30 mg a day.  And the day I was ready to take the catheter out on my own, the doctor called to check on me.. and explained why I shouldn’t take it out, lol.. it’s like they have a certain ESP on me.

Why did I lower my prednisone amount?  Because of the voracious appetite I had.  It was horrible!  I gained 15 pounds over my “normal” weight and it’s all in my face, shoulders and tummy.  I don’t mind having some extra weight.. but come on,  at least distribute it proportionately.  Put a few pounds on my chicken legs or give me some hips.. I’ve had “boy hips” all my life.. I wouldn’t mind having a little more curve.  But I don’t need it in my face, my neck and shoulders and I certainly have no desire to look like I’m pregnant.

Recent research has revealed that a daily supplement of probiotics can help to relieve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in sufferers.

Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, can cause painful discomfort for people who suffer, and is characterized by an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Whilst antibiotics can help to rid the body of offending bacteria, probiotics offer a natural way to balance bacteria in the digestive tract, replenishing the body with ‘good bacteria’.

Not only does the friendly bacteria in probiotics help to balance the gut flora and fight away any yeast or bacterial infections, for those who are dairy intolerant or are not keen on the many probiotic drinks on the market, a probiotic supplement is an effective way of maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the body. These remarkable tiny organisms have been found to be play a key role in the treatment and prevention of many diseases by neutralising the effects of offending bacteria.

In a recent study, two thirds of people taking a prebiotic and probiotic supplement experienced complete remission of the disease, strongly suggesting the effectiveness of a combination pre- and pro-biotic supplement in relieving people who suffer from Crohn’s Disease.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jahir Ahmed is an Internet marketer, publisher and copywriter, and have been working for Simply Supplements as an online marketer and copywriter for last three years. He is particularly interested in diet and nutrition and has written many articles on health issues and nutrition. His articles are published weekly which can be found in popular article directories.

Crohn’s disease manifests itself in the bowels and negatively impacts your digestive tract. It is an inflammatory disease that causes some degree of stomach pain and weight loss in most patients; and if it becomes severe enough the side effects can be personally debilitating.

No, we currently do not understand the true underlying reason for this wicked disease, but we do have a few hints in that some studies indicate that perhaps genetics are involved while other studies seem to hint at a connection between diet and life style. Other studies seem to point to problems with the immune system. Regardless of the real reason, the bigger issue is that this medical condition is one that can cause you chronic issues for years and years to come.

With Crohn’s disease ulcers can develop along the digestive tract leaving those who suffer with an even more complicated medical course. These ulcers can appear along all portions of the gastrointestional tract. They are not particular and focus on just one area of the GI tract, no, they are known to appear along all portions.

Another challenge is that this disease can actually go into remission leaving patients with a snapshot of what life without this disease looks like. That can be rather challenging since every relapse reminds patients of the beast they are truly fighting. But make no mistake, a remission does not indicate a cure. You should not ignore your treatment plan and stop taking your medications. There is always an opportunity for this wicked disease to rear its ugly head again and again, so pay attention to your body and do what you need to do to be healthy.

The ulcers that develop in the digestive tract with Crohn’s disease can cause swelling. If this happens then it can be a real challenge since this inflammation can literally cause the intestinal walls to narrow and if the swelling gets too severe then you may have trouble digesting food. If you are having trouble with food digestion, then you will probably have problems with being able to comfortably and routinely have a bowel movement. You may even experience blood in your stool. This rather common symptom of Crohn’s disease is often the first thing that sends many patients scurrying to their health care provider.

The level of severity of Crohn’s disease can vary from mild all the way to server. No matter what level; it is important that the symptoms be recognized early and that a dialog with your primary care physician begins.

Medical research continues to search for answers. Some leads us to believe that perhaps dietary alterations can help to treat and control this disease; in fact, this is often the least aggressive of the treatments suggested and often the first thing your doctor will suggest you try to manage your symptoms.

Living with Crohn’s disease can be a very challenging matter, but by working closely with your doctor you have the best opportunity for a healthier life. This condition requires your attention and your decision to do your part to actively manage it. Crohn’s disease is a challenging condition but with a strong partnership with your physician you can learn to work with your body for the best possible outcome.

About the Author:
For more important information on stomach pain visit a-stomach-pain.com There’s information on stomach pain causes such as Crohn’s disease and other articles at www.a-stomach-pain.com

I am so tired.

I went to bed with the boys last night, around 9:00.  Slept fitfully, got up at 7.  That’s a lot of sleep.  Not an amount I normally need, but periodically it does my body good.  Not today.  I feel just as sluggish and sleepy as I did yesterday.

It feels bad when you can sit in a chair and just close your eyes… and it feels good, like I’m actually getting some rest.  I walk to the restroom and close my eyes while I walk - I know the way.

My eyes get droopy when I read - never before I got crohns did this happen. I could read a book all night long and know I wouldn’t fall asleep while reading. I may get tired, my eyes might get dry and red.. but they never fell on me.  Now, they do.

I started to doze off the other night while I was on the computer.  I was waiting for something to load and I closed my eyes… accidentally hit a button when I “jerked”.

Maybe it’s the weather.  Maybe it’s not just me.  Maybe it’s work… who knows.  Maybe I’ll sleep on it.

Basic Dos And Don’ts:

There are a number of basic conditions that apply to Crohn’s disease and diet. These precautions can be safely followed by anyone who suffers from this condition. For instance, it is imperative that all sufferers of Crohn’s disease maintain a high water intake. During each attack, large amounts of fluid and minerals are lost and without proper replenishment, the person runs the risk of getting dehydrated. Drinking about 8 glasses of water a day is a good idea. If possible, it’s best to drink bottled water since tap water often contains chlorine or other chemicals that can trigger an attack (more commonly referred to as a “flare”).

Even when a person isn’t having an attack (or flare), there is still a lot they can do with respect to Crohn’s disease and diet. Increasing dietary fiber intake is a must during these times, since fiber can help stop constipation and the swelling that can trigger an attack. However once an attack begins, it’s wise to stop your fiber intake temporarily until the symptoms subside.

Customizing Your Diet:

When it comes to Crohn’s disease and diet, you really need to listen to your body and adjust your diet accordingly. When you have pain or are experiencing certain symptoms, then your diet needs to be modified to alleviate these symptoms. The disease can also get worse or go into remission at some point and your diet should change accordingly.

If you are lactose intolerant, you will naturally have to avoid dairy products as they will trigger an attack. However, it’s important that you find another source of calcium to supplement your diet. Taking calcium tablets under the direction of your physician can help you get the nutrients that you need. In general, adding a lot of whole grains and fresh vegetables to your diet is a good way to strengthen your body against an attack. However some vegetables may produce gas in the body and are best avoided. These include beans, onions, peppers, cabbage and lentils. This may rob you of precious proteins that your body will need so make sure that you are able to supplement your protein intake in another way.

There are a number of foods which will trigger an attack in almost any person. Sorbitol, which is an artificial sweetener, should be completely avoided. Alcoholic beverages and caffeine are also well-known triggers which have no nutritional value either. Some medication like ibuprofen is also known to trigger an attack.

People who suffer from this condition should have high protein-low carbohydrate meals. Instead of having three substantial meals, it’s better to have a number of small meals during the day. If you’re just recovering from an attack, you might consider taking pre-digested nutritional drinks for a while. These will give your digestive system a much needed rest and will still provide you with the precious nutrients that your body requires. The importance of Crohn’s disease and diet lies in listening to the needs of your body and strictly monitoring your diet.

Note: This article was not written by me - to learn more about the owner of this article, please visit their site: To discover many unusual secrets on topics like crohns disease in kids, be sure to check out Crohn’s Disease Free

I haven’t seen or spoke to my doctor since I had the catheter removed.  I did call and get refills for all my medications.  I need to make an appointment to see her.  Last time I spoke with her, it sounded like we were going to explore other options rather than the asacol, since it seems to not be doing what my body needs.

Since having the catheter removed from my hiney, I’ve been dealing with this nerve issues (sciatica, I’m sure).  Oh the joys of a real pain in the a$$ (or in this case, upper thigh/lower tush).  And, since actually being diagnosed with crohns, pain medication has been my friend, ha.

But being on pain meds too often, drowns out my pain.. I am, however, not willing to live with the pain. So I’m trying to compromise.  I trying to take half of pain pill (norco) at a time…. right this minute, it’s not doing much for me though, so I think I’ll head to the hot tub.