Defeating Crohn's disease

Selina Dykes · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 0

In the fall of 1999, our daughter was diagnosed with Crohn's disease; she was only 24 and just out of university. We were informed that surgery was essential. All the information was very negative and discouraging. Suggesting a naturopath was shot down, so I immediately made an appointment to see one.

The response from the naturopath was totally different-diet changes, probiotics, and fruit juices were all discussed. We followed the advice but our daughter still had a low appetite and was not gaining weight.

A gastroenterologist suggested aggressive drug and surgery options if the weight did not improve within a short period. However, she was still seeing a naturopath, and believed that the natural route was best. Our daughter felt confident that she just needed to give it more time.

After more than a year, she was still very thin and I was weary. I felt that I had left no stone unturned. Then, about two and a half years ago, my husband was searching the Internet for any site that could offer us some hope. He came across Pam Collins. Pam lives in Halifax and not only had overcome Crohn's, but hadn't had a health setback in seven years. She had also written a book about her experience. We contacted Pam and she changed our daughter's life by referring her to a program by Michael O'Brien, an enzyme researcher from Montana. Within days of beginning the program, which recommends a diet combining digestive enzymes, cellulace, probiotics, and amino acids, we saw results. Our daughter gained 21 pounds in the first week and her energy and appetite were restored.

Today she is back to her normal weight and feels better than ever. She teaches full time and coaches gymnastics. She also participates in regular conference calls with Pam Collins and Michael O'Brien to share her experience with others who need direction and support.

happydg · Guest

See if you can find information from Richard Miller , he had this and developed a specific diet. I read a small bit about him in a book called "Herbs to improve digestion" by CJ Puotinen, they recommend lots of herbs such as comfrey,bayberry bark, chamomile, swedish bitters, etc. as well as Richard Millers diet.

guest · Guest

I am so glad your daughter has found some help for her Crohn's. I have had Crohn's for over 30 yrs. and have never had surgery. Early on I had an excellent chiropractor who helped me tremendously and over the years I have gone to a chiropractor at least 1 - 2 times a month. After each treatment I could feel the stress in my abdomen release. There has been alot of things I have done to treat my crohns that the doctors just laugh at. Tried the prednisone treatment and found that the supposed cure was worse than the disease (had nearly every side effect listed). Today I am still visiting my chiropractor on a regular basis plus watching my diet and the only medication I am on is for a totally different reason. There definitely are alternative ways to treating crohns, one just has to do alot of research and trial and error. I hope your daughter will continue to improve.

anon · Guest

I'm glad you feel better after a visit with the chiropractor, but I doubt anything else than stress reduction is happening. However, that said, stress can be a Crohn's trigger, eh? So, whatever works for you. Personally, the money draining out of my wallet for a chiropractor would cause me stress!

mongo · Guest

need your help. I have had crohns for 3 yrs and am going to lose my job. I need contact #'s for pam collins and miachel obrien. my number is 757 560 9662 my e- mail is mongoseal@yahoo.com

Nelmer · Guest

Hi,

I was wondering if I could get Pam's contact information. I've had Crohn's for 7 years not and just recently had surgery for the first time. I've noticed some symptoms coming back and I'm terrified I'm going to start flaring again soon, I was hoping the surgery would have held things off for longer than this (it's only been 7 months!). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

betternow · Guest

Hi Nelmer,

I don't have the contact info you are looking for but I do have some other info that may be of some help...

I have had Crohn's since 1990 and have had many surgeries (including 2 major ones) and was on drugs for 13 years (asacol, predinisone, flagyl (sp?), cipro, etc. - not all those for all the time but more than enough for one lifetime in my opinion) but in 2003 I met a holistic and lifestyle counselor who suggested some dietary, lifestyle and supplement changes. I followed his advice and have been drug and surgery free since then (just over 5 years now!!!) Prior to that I had never gone more than 18 months in a row without a flare up. The really amazing thing is that just before I met the counselor fellow I was scheduled for a major surgery; my colon had sprung another leak and they were going to cut out the leaky section. This would have been the third time to have part of my colon removed and I was on the path to eventually having none left to remove. In any case, after only 2 weeks on the new plan I had an appointment with my gastroenterologist and I can still see the look on his face when I walked into his office: his jaw dropped open and he said "You have colour in your face." I had started to gain weight again too and never did end up having the surgery. Note that I am 6 feet tall and usually weight about 140 pounds but was down to about 115 pounds when I met the nutrition and lifestyle counselor. I had only gained a couple of pounds in that first two weeks but I was ecstatic about the change in direction. It took some time but the leak in my colon healed on its own - evidence of this was that the abdominal abscess cleared - evidence of that was that the hole the doctors had previously cut in me to allow the abscess to drain eventually healed up whereas in the previous months it just wouldn't heal as it kept draining. Sorry for the gory details but this is what makes this so amazing to me. I was in pretty sad shape and things turned around quickly.

What did I do? I don't have time to list everything here but I am going to make a website soon. I'm guessing you need help right away so my recommendation is to check www.jinipatelthompson.com , read the forum entries of others and see what has worked for them. I think the most important things that turned things around for me were: adding the following to my intake/diet: coconut oil - good stuff from health food store, l-glutamine, George's Aloe Vera juice and a high quality pro-biotic and maybe more importantly removing all dairy products, wheat products and in the beginning anything made with flour from my diet. Had I know about it then I would have also taken N-Acetyl Glucosamine. The pro-biotic (I think that is how it is classified) I use is called 'Primal Defence.' I know Jini Patel is not a big fan of it but it certainly was part of the package that helped me out. One last thing to mention: also important for me is limiting (to zero in the beginning) my intake of processed foods, and especially ones with sugar.

Also, if you are in BC and want to meet the counselor who helped me maybe that could be arranged.

I wish you the best of luck!

azn_gurl · Guest

I am very greatful for your daughter; she is one lucky girl. I was wondering if your daughter or you would like to help me out and give me some information about Crohn's Disease. I am doing a term paper on it and, unfortunately, I cannot find any magazines on it, excluding the internet magazines. Please reply back.

beau · Guest

Hey I have crohns/ulcerative collitis since 2005. My treatment is meds, which seem work for me, no pain, have had two small flare ups, but managing well. i am on asacol, azathioprine, potassium. I have a girlfriend who has had surgery twice is not on the same meds. could that be reason. I am lucky I guess.

mblyons · Guest

My 7 year old son was diagonosed 1 1/2 years ago. This past August he was put on methotrexate--and has been doing well, until recently, had a leg problem--gastro dr says it is reactive arthritis, and coupled with the fact that he has only gained about 2 pounds in a year would like to go to remicade. We feel that is drastic at this point, so we are trying to deal with the leg and weight gain. I took him to a pediatric chiropractor--leg pain is down to once a week and appetite seems to have increased--put him on a probiotic and glucgenics(spelling?). I also have him on fish oil, and folic acid. We've only been about 8 times, but we are hoping this will be helpful. I need him to go back to gastro dr with some significant weight gain and leg pain free. I'm interested in any suggestions about diet, supplements. He is 7 so it is difficult to sometimes get him to eat/drink certain things. He can swallow pills--big ones--that is why I like the supplements in pill form! Any help or book that can be suggested is greatly appreciated!
mblyons

christiantt · Guest

Try meditation

lon · Guest

I live in Halifax and was wondering if anyone knew how to get in touch with Pam Collins? I too am suffering from Crohn's and would love to get her advice because I am at my wits end with doctors. Any info would be appreciated! Thanks

singingyogi@aol.com · Guest

[quote]I was diagnosed in 1995 with crohn's, had surgery once in 96 and once in 97. I left my stressful jobs, began doing more yoga and then studying and teaching it and I feel that between the bending and twisting of yoga poses, along with the breathing and stress reduction; including vegetarian eating and making peace with food, life, people etc. I have kept crohn's disease away for going on 13 years! I continue to have good health, good weight, and no meds! I encourage and support everyone to practice yoga daily! [/quote]

Guest · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:41 pm Post subject:

Thank you for posting such useful information.

I have Ulcerative Colitis and was told that drugs and surgery were my only hope.

I was scorned at for seeking alternative methods.

Then I read the book “Self Healing Colitis & Crohns'” by David Klein, and this completely changed my life.

Best wishes

Guest · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:45 pm Post subject: Re: Crohn's

[quote="guest"] Tried the prednisone treatment and found that the supposed cure was worse than the disease (had nearly every side effect listed). [/quote]

Me too.

The supposed cure WAS worse than the disease - in my experience.