Alright, I've been lurking here for 3 months now. I suppose it's time...

I started WW in March because I went for my anual exam and my doc told me to. She said, "Your BP is fine, cholesterol is great, no diabetes. But, you really need to lose some of the weight because you're headed for all three."

So, like a chapion I actually stuck with the program for 10 months despite losing 14 pounds. It's better off than on.

I upped my dairy and whole food intake to meet the fiber and milk requirements. Well anyway, 3 months ago an undiagosed problem reared it's ugly head. I won't give details, because they are completely disgusting.

I went to the doc and was diagnosed with Crohn's. He said that I could have probably lived my whole life without knowing, had I not increased the milk and fiber. Fiber and milk are the only known irritants to the condition. You see, I don't by nature like milk and my fiber came primarily from fruits and vegetables.

Anyone out there with this dang disease?

I am 35 and the complications that I've been suffering with are agonizing.

I feel completely alone....

Alethea please don't feel alone!! My aunt suffers from Chrons and my uncle passed away 8 years ago from complications from chrons. I totally understand how you are feeling and that it is a very painful disease. I don't know a ton about the disease except that it has to do with ulcers located in the intestine. My aunt has had feet and feet of her intestine removed Hang in there and obviously stay in close contact with your gastroenterologist. If you ever need to talk I'm here
Welcome to 3fc!!

Michelle

My partner has has the deasease. Beacuese there was no awareness i the general population she created a bike ride to raise awarness www.ibdride.org. Good luck! She is doing so much better.

cc

Thank you both so much. I have mostly been dealing with this alone. My mom and my boyfriend are supportive and have gone above and beyond. It just seems like everyone wants to know why I'm sick and been out. But once you tell them it's like it disappears.

My biggest intellectual problem is that I just don't understand why.

I actually "awoke" this stupid thing by trying to be healthier. Had I continued on my merry way and gotten diabetes, or HBP, or had cholesterol or heart problems, I would understand why. The cause would lay completely at my feet.

This thing occurred through no fault of my own, and yet it is my fault.

No known cause, no known cure. . . Symptoms can be managed. . . 75% of those afflicted end up having surgery, and then most of the time the thing comes back on either side of the removed intestine?

Depressing does not describe it...

Thanks again!

Alethea hang in there sweetie! They say chrons isn't a genetic disease but its very odd that 2 people in my family have/had it. My aunt is always having complications from her chrons and she suffers (I think) Arthritis as a complication from the chrons, she's always bloated from the steroids she has to take and has a lifetime supply of painkillers because its just unbearable. She's had I don't know how many feet of her intestine removed because of it. But you know, the most important thing is for you to remain positive, don't let this disease defeat you and who you are, keep your head up and a smile on your face.

I also have a disease for which there is no known cause and no cure...its an auto immune disease called pulmonary sarcoidosis, which has caused some permanent damage to my lungs so I know how frustrating it is when you don't know the why's and how's.

Hang in there
Michelle

Hi , I am new here (my first post!!) I have crohns disease , I was diagnosed in 1990 so I have had it awhile now, i am 35 ., have 2 beautiful children & loving husband that really have been a Godsend !! I have had 17 surgeries, not all related to crohns. I have been blessed thus far no intestine removed!! I have been on lots of steroids & my weight is a big problem for me , I was joining for help on that & saw your post !! I have currently been trying remicade infusions but having severe reactions to it so will probably have to stop. currently having a flare up so I know where you are coming from & will be glad to talk with you about this disease!!! God bless, sherry

Thanks Michelle, I've been away and completely off the diet wagon. I just cannot get over the whole thing or even around it. Ah well...

Sherry, I'm 35 this December, no kids but I'm one of those freaky cat people.

When I told my mentor at work about the disease, her response was that fiber is good for you, so maybe you cut out the milk and keep the fiber? Like I said, they all want to know what's what, but no one tries to understand.

I was watching football yesterday and one of the commentators made the remark how one of the players had "overcome" Crohn's Disease during the summer. I looked at my boyfriend and he just hugged me. Does no one understand? This is forever, and you can have both healthy periods and very, very, sick ones.

I know I'm new at this, but I cannot get past the depression. When I was eating as I wished the problems I had were minor, nothing like now.

I am scheduled for surgery to deal with one of the more charming aspects of the disease in December, a fistula. Yep, it's on my birthday. I asked if the surgery could be postponed so I could get to vacation time, and well the Tuesday after I go on vacation is the day. So, I've had this re-occurring swelling, exploding, more painful than I've ever experienced thing Since August 18. It was a Wendesday...

17 surgeries, forgive me, but that's not very reassuring.

I will say that before I went off the whole diet wagon I was doing WW using the Wendie concept and lost 7 pounds in 2 weeks, where I had only lost something like 14 pounds in 10 months.

So, are you doing any specific diet plan or trying something on your own?

Hi, again Alethea, I will Pray your surgery goes well. as for fiber, maybe it will help you but it usually makes me worse. I have it sparingly. I am not following a diet right now, thats one reason I came here I need to lose in a big way. You kind of learn quickly what works for you and what doesnt. i could not handle the Atkins diet for example. I know there are certain foods that will make me suffer & some may one day & not the next. it is a very frustrating disease. Not allof my surgeries were related to my crohns , only a few. Have you visited the crohns foundations website yet? or remicades? not sure if they still have it but there were some very imformative articles & a 3d type photo that showed the difference in crohns & other intestinal disorders. Have you noticed certain foods bothering you more than others? I cant drink anything dark like pepsi, coke, tea, cofee etc. They mess me up!! Before we moved to nc I was seeing a nutritionist in va & I was doing so well, she had me on certain foods etc. but it was so expensive, I have not gone back to it. gotta go for now, but hope to hear from you again, take care, sherry P.S by the way , not to many people understand the disease, Its hard for them to see you looking good & then down so terribly ill so quickly. & some of my friends have asked to read more about it so i have given them material to read. Dont let it get you down i know it may seem horrible right now, but it honestly could be worse. You can Get through it & know you are not alone !!!! I will answer any questions i can or just be here to listen, you can also send me a private message if its kinda personal ok.

You know, I don't know if dark liquids bother me. Most soda is too sweet for me, I prefer light beverages, and only occassionally drink Diet Pepsi. I do occassionally drink tea, but I won't lie to you, it's so infrequent that I hadn't noticed anything. I actually never thought of grouping foods like that. . . As you can tell I'm new to this whole thing.

As far as the fiber goes, doc suggested that I watch and see. I've been in so much pain, I didn't want to risk it. The only fiber I've been getting is from fruits and veggies no whole grains. I've been journalling my food trying to find some kind of indication, but since life doesn't immediately become difficult I've been having a heck of a time figuring anything out. And like you said, it may bother me today, but tomorrow it will be okay. It's like being back home dealing with a schizophrenic off meds.

I don't mind discussing things here. I've never been shy, just been in denial. Besides, I have to think there are more than just us suffering. I have to think someone else has all the little tell tale signs and just hasn't put it together yet. Apparently, I've been displaying signs for almost ten years. I hadn't even heard of Crohn's until about 3 years ago. A man I met then has a severe case of Crohn's with several other comorbid diseases. He is a wreck, which is why I became darned near hysterical when doc told me. So, yeah I know it could be worse. 75% of Crohn's end up having a portion of their intestine removed. Right now, I'm in the 25% and so are you. Kind of like winning the lottery if you think about it.

Ah well, my sweetie and I have talked and I'm not hysterical anymore. If I were to stay away from dairy and fiber like I'd been doing for years, then perhaps I'll only have mild nuisance type symptoms. I know I'm fooling myself here, but heck it's worth a shot. I think I can even continue with the WW. I do really like the points system. Core is right out. We'll see. I'm going to start back after the holidays. I'm not "pigging out" now. I'm making sure I'm eating no more than maintenance calories.

You know, I didn't even think about going to a nutritionist. I think my insurance might even cover that. I think I shall have to find out.

Thank you, as you can tell today is one of my better days both physically and mentally. Funny how the two are linked.

Cheers!

Hi, Hope you will have a happy thanksgiving !! Free of tummy troubles!! Keep me in your Prayers as I am having a time with my crohns right now, bleeding again in my bowels from up high in intestines. Taking prednisone right now. not sure which course Dr & I are going to take just yet, hoping to get through the holidays without a trip into the hospital for iv meds. been there done that !!! have you had a chance to visist any of the online sites about crohns? Did you go to WW meetings or do the online thing? I have not lost a pound!! I have gained so much the last few months, dr says one problem is the fluid i keep getting, they have me on lasix. well , take care & have a great holiday!! sherry

I wish you the best of luck in your journey. I will pray for you.

As for WW, my mom did it a few years back and has maintained her size 8 for 6 years. I'm just using her stuff and when I get lazy I just use the formula: (calories/50)+(fat/12)-(fiber/5) with a max on fiber of 4g. I'm a math person so, I really can do it in my head. The Wendie concept does work. You can find the page here at 3FC. I got my friend to try it who has been trying to lose a bit of weight and it's working gangbusters for her. She was 126 pounds and 4'11". Her doc wanted her to lose 10 pounds because she has severe knee problems. In two weeks she's lost 6 pounds. I think that is astonishing considering she was so tiny to begin with. Not like me losing 6 pounds, that would be only a drop in the bucket.

Feel better!