Hi

[Muddajo]

Hi I'm jo and I've had Crohn's disease for almost 40 years now

[Angep]

Hi Jo, that's a long long time!! I've had IBD 25 years!! But I had UC and diagnosed with Crohn's end of May. My auntie is 80 and has had it since she was 16. My cousin also has it after being housebound for a year and incontinent she went to see a homeopath. It took a year but this lady helped her with diet. And she has had no symptoms for 15 years. I too am going to see this lady to see if she can help me. Have you tried any alternative medicines?

[Muddajo in reply to Angep]

Hi angep

Wow that's a lot of family members. I'm the only one in my family.

It's been a struggle at times and I did try a Chinese herbalist one time - unfortunately I ended up in hospital through it. We all react differently what might help one of us may harm another. I keep an open mind and listen to what my body tells me. Much love Jo

[Angep in reply to Muddajo]

Hi Jo, I think I would be wary taking something like Chinese medicine if you don't know what's in it but then we do try things in the hope they will make us better. After all I'm sure none of us wants to keep having to endure this awful disease.as I said in my earlier post my aunt who is 80 has it, she has had many operations during her life as she continued to eat and drink what she wanted as she didn't think diet played a part in the illness. My cousin who has changed how she eats !!! No dairy, gluten or sugar. Excercises, has had no furthervflate ups. She is a nurse, and was so inspired by the homeopath that she also trained as one. I had an interesting conversation with a chap who does hypnotherapy and meditation. He said the body has to be in an alkaline state for it to recover. He has many people with auto immune diseases who go to his classes and all have improved as he teaches you through meditation and mindfulness how to achieve this state. I'm all for trying these things out.

[Anniemouse]

Hi

Wow that is a long time , i hope you are keeping well at the moment,

I have Crohn's for some 25 years . I had a major bowel resection at the point of diagnosis.

Managed through different medication over the years, with many flare ups and the occasional stay in hospital.

My best period was when i was on Humira which maintained my health for a few years , but sadly i have had to stop that about a year ago .

I have a major stricture where the resection was done and intense pain etc , so i am to have another resection which is planned for the end of January .I have been informed that i will need to be in hospital some seven days and that I may end up with an ileostomy .

Although i have had this operation before i think i am more scared and anxious about the pending operation as the first one was an emergency operation and i am now wiser to the procedure and potential consequences .

I look on line but this is often at peoples experiences that have gone wrong .so it isn't helping.

I have a pre - op assessment at the beginning of January and i suppose my question is what do i ask , is there anything i really should be asking ..... seems a little daft but i think i am just struggling with the concept at the moment . So i thought with all the experiences on the site i would put this question out there, Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

X

[Muddajo in reply to Anniemouse]

Hi Anniemouse

It's such an unpredictable illness it's awful. I have had 3 resection S and humira is the only thing that's ever worked for me. I am doing well now for the first time in years but I do feel robbed at times because of all the years I spent unable to enjoy life. On a more positive note over time the operation has become less invasive and does lead to a better quality of life in my experience. I'm sure if you explain your worries they will be understood. Try to look beyond the actual op to a time when you can enjoy more because of it as it really can make a difference to the suffering.

I wish you well X

[Anniemouse in reply to Muddajo]

Hi Muddajo

Thank you for your reply

I am trying to be positive the best i can . I think the trauma of the last operation some many years ago is influencing my thoughts and because i will be in london hospital some 3 hours away from home is also making me anxious

This illness appears to have controlled my life over the last few years and so i am hoping i will get a better quality of life once again

anyway fingers crossed

is there anything you think i should be asking before i have my planned operation

Thanks

[Angep in reply to Anniemouse]

It's such an awful disease, I too was traumatised after my op. After being told I had gastritis !! Next thing I have a perforated bowel and colostomy bag. That's why I'm trying so hard to find different ways to help myself.