[Audrey]

Hello everyone: this is my first time on the board and it's such a great resource. My brother has Crohn's Colitis and I was diagnosed with IBS last month, and I was wondering if such a familial link is common. Also, if you don't mind, where can I find out dietary info? The testimonials of those who have found success by choosing diet over meds are impressive.Thanks so much for any and all advice.

 

[Guest]

Hi Audrey,Sorry, I don't have any answers for you, but I am sure others will have some input for you.I just wanted to welcome you to the board and we're glad you found us!

 

[Anxious]

Audrey - Hello and welcome to the board!I'm afraid I won't be much help with your questions but at least my response will bump this back up to the top so hopefully you will get the answers you need.

 

[JeanG]

Hi Audrey, and welcome to the Board. If you check out Eric's website at http://webpotential.com/ericibs/index.htm he has links to a lot of medical sites, and also to some sites that talk about diets for specific diseases that should be helpful!I haven't really studied anything at all about Chrohn's diseases so can't help you in that area. I'm sorry to hear that your brother has it. How are they treating him? Is he very uncomfortable with it?What are your IBS symptoms. I generally alternate between C and D, although luckily it seems to be leveling out lately! Are you on any mediation?JeanG------------------Member of "The Advance Guard for the Ozone Rangers".May the "farce" be with you. JeanG

 

[Sherlock]

Welcome to the board, Audrey. I'm sure someone will have some info for you.

 

[Guest]

Hi audrey, and welcome to the board!

On the dietary front, here's a recent thread which might be of interest to you: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/006444.html Julie

 

[Guest]

Here are some nutrition and diet sites that I have found helpful. Hope this is ok to post these?GastroNet http://www.gastro.net.au/frame_dietician.html SCD Web Library - start page-good diet http://www.scdiet.org IBS Diet and Cookbook - Written by Heather Van Vorous who personally has IBS. http://www.eatwithoutfear.com Paleolithic Eating Support Recipe Archives http://www.panix.com/~paleodiet/list/ IBS Management Plan Basics - IBS Self Help Group Bulletin Board http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001487.html Diet May Improve Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome http://www.pharminfo.com/pubs/medbrief/mb1_7.html ------------------ http://www.digestioninfo.com[This message has been edited by kwilim (edited 03-08-2000).]

 

[Guest]

Hi,My biological dad has Crohn's disease, and my doctors have been testing me for that. they havent found anything that would suggest I have Crohn's so they think I have IBS. They also tell me that Crohn's usually isnt something you get from family members.

 

[Audrey]

Thanks for all the web sites--I'm very glad to have somewhere to begin my research. My brother has had Crohn's Colitis (they first thought it was Ulcerative Colitis) since high school (about 7-8 years ago), and he was on and off steroids and other meds for many years without much improvement. He finally had surgery last year and they removed 10 inches of horribly infected, blocked bowel--the doctor could not believe how my brother had been able to have a somewhat normal life and to go to work every day. Anyway, he's been better since. Not normal, but much much improved. It was bittersweet to hear him express concern over the fact that he was only having one BM a day--he had been sick for so long he didn't know what normal was. So, as you can imagine, when I started having cramps and the usual D drill about 18 months ago, I was concerned. Luckily, I'm not very sick, (on the spectrum of such ailments) but I don't want to get worse. Hence the questions about diet.Sigmoidoscopy looked normal but tissue sample revealed "mild irritation". I've been on Metamucil with about a 75% improvement, but it hasn't gone away so I'll have to have to go through the ordeal of a colonoscopy (I was miserable during and after the sigmoid, so I am really dreading the colonoscopy). After what bro has been through, I feel a little guilting complaining about my comparatively mild symptoms, but I also definitely don't want them to become chronic, if I can help it.God, it's so great to have this bulliten board--somehow, I don't want to discuss my bowel movements with my friends.

 

[sheila-061968]

Hi Audrey, Welcome to the board.I honestly dont know too much about Crohns. I can say however that you have come to the right place and I am so glad that you are here

Here you can discuss openly your bowel movements if you want because I think I can safely say The Fantastic people on this board has truly heard it all, seen it all, and read it all,.. So once again Audrey WELCOME

Sheila

 

[Maro]

Welcome to the board Audrey: We are glad that you have joined our group. We are all here to help each other, and give support. Nice to have you. Maro

------------------"FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY"

 

[Guest]

Make sure to get a colonoscopy if there is any chance or symptoms of Crohn's or colon cancer even. I have had Crohn's symptoms minus the bloody diaria and have had 2 CT scans (1 year apart) showing major inflamation in cecum area. Scared me to death. After 2 colonoscopies and a Laperoscopy ruled out Crohn's and cancer. Now they just think all my pain and nausea is IBS & nerve signal problems. When your body starts telling you there is something wrong, listen to it and follow your instincts. Insist on the best care and best tests available. They could change your life. My surgeon told me I had beautiful intestines, I was glad to hear the news. But, now on with the search for a more comfortable life with IBS! I wish you well.

 

[Guest]

I have IBS-D, my sister has Chrohn's.

 

[Guest]

Hi Audrey, Welcome to the BB. For most people (but not all!) the worst part of the colonoscopy is the prep. Mine was easy and it sure gave me a lot of peace of mind that nothing more serious was going on. Good luck to you and your brother, my therapist has Chron's and it can be pretty nasty. Jackie