Crohn's disease is this related to GCA/PMR ? - PMRGCAuk

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Crohn's disease is this related to GCA/PMR ?

DevonMichael profile image
29 Replies

My teenage grandson now has Crohn's disease I am wondering if there is a heredity genes connection to me with GCA/PMR ?

Cause of Crohn's unknown (although experts think it could be genes).

There is no cure, reading about it there are flairs and remission. It is an inflammatory condition and can be controlled with prednisolone. There appears to be so much crossover with my condition?!

Does anyone else on this site have any family members with Crohn's?

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DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael
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29 Replies
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I found this useful little article that also talks about research and new therapies for Crohn’s disease. crohns-study.co.uk/online-g...

It is based at St Thomas’s Hospital London and is called the Yellowstone project I believe. Autoimmune diseases do have some degree of commonality and a genetic component.

I hope I have attached the link correctly.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane

You have,..

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Its another a/i disease- and they do like company... there are a few members with both - and recent post from one -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

There doesn't appear to be any cross-over.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/238...

is about genes in GCA

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

is about genes in Crohns

Inflammation can have many underlying causes and the fact that pred is used in both GCA and Crohns just really speaks for its power as an antiinflammatory agent - it is non-specific and works for all sorts of things. Biologics, on the other hand, are extremely specific and only work for one thing at a time.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to PMRpro

Thank you for the medical articles which are useful I have passed them to my daughter.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to DevonMichael

They say that Crohn’s can be improved with some diets. I am sure your daughter has already tried them.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to piglette

Thanks. She is just at the beginning of the learning curve. My grandson has a feeding tube and is in a children's hospital. what is heart-breaking is it is a lifelong condition and he is only 15! (At least with GCA/PMR it is in twilight years of our lives!)

Sharitone profile image
Sharitone in reply to DevonMichael

It is a blow, but take heart, there are plenty of people who manage to have a reasonably normal life! My daughter's friend had Crohn's, opted eventually for a colostomy - then went on to produce triplets, all hale and hearty! I hope things work out well for your grandson, too.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Sharitone

Thanks I have passed on your good news story to my daughter to lift her spirits. In fact I have passed on all these comments - which has helped us both!

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to DevonMichael

I run a Youth Club and one of the members has Crohn’s. She is 13 years old and a Goth!

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to piglette

My daughter went through the Goth stage too! In fact I took her age 16 to see my favourite band The Cure (1993 Great Xpectations Finsbury Park!)

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to DevonMichael

I suppose they all go through the Goth stage. My great niece is one at the moment too!

Janstr profile image
Janstr

My 2 brothers both have Crohns. I read somewhere that if sibling has an autoimmune condition that another sibling has a 30% (I think it said) chance of having one too

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Janstr

Interesting. Thank you.

diana1998 profile image
diana1998

I hope this helps. My goddaughter was diagnosed with Crohns when she was 16. Luckily she saw a Professor Hunter at Addenbrookes (retired now). She's 43. He put her on steroids for 3 months initially I think to control the inflammation, then she went on a very strict elimination diet with the dietician. Started off just eating boiled chicken and white rice, rice krispies, soya milk etc. Gradually she was introduced to different foods to see if she flared. But... dairy, yeast and sugar free. Really strict. Eg... An apple gave her terrible pain. She had to do the diet for 5 years, throughout her degree, to heal the inflammation. She is alcohol free to this day. After 5 years, she could eat many more foods and could lead a more or less normal life. She has a colonoscopy annually and is fine. This would be very drastic for a young lad of course. Now they may have different ways of treating it. But diet is exceptionallyimportant too. I believe Dr Hunter wrote a book on it.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to diana1998

Thank you for taking the trouble to provide such a detailed response on diet and the book reference. I will pass this to my daughter. Much appreciated.

Miacaro45 profile image
Miacaro45

My son has Crohn’s plus Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. He is currently on Humira. Not being a medical person, I feel there might be a genetic piece since I have autoimmune problems. Interesting question. Your grandson should eventually do fine. Only the best.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Miacaro45

Thank you for the information and your good wishes.

ellarowan profile image
ellarowan

hello yes my daughter has Crohn’s disease and I have had PMR for nearly 3 years now.

Vaddy profile image
Vaddy

yes me too, I have PMR, so did my Mother,Granddaughter aged 23 has Crohns.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Vaddy

Thank you. From the replies there are clearly a number of family linkages!

Shelly62 profile image
Shelly62 in reply to Vaddy

Yes me to, I have PMR and my son of 34 has crohn's.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Shelly62

Thank you for your information.

Gilmor profile image
Gilmor

Hi,

I have Crohns and GCA, started with Crohns and GCA later in my late 50’s, but after being in remission with C for 3 years after following a strict vegan diet. Think might be because I have it mild but might be worth trying

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Gilmor

Thanks my daughter likes vegan food so this will be on interest! Thank you.

Bcol profile image
Bcol

I have a good friend with Crohns and she leads a pretty normal life as well as being a defence lawyer. As far as I know no one in my family has had/got Crohns, but neither has anyone had PMR either.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to Bcol

Thanks for the positive story which I will relay to my daughter.

1951grumpa profile image
1951grumpa

I have both crohns and PMR. My crohns is a mild case, and PMR I’ve had since 2011. I am confident that by the time your grandson gets PMR age, there will be a better treatment.

DevonMichael profile image
DevonMichael in reply to 1951grumpa

Thank you!

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