Living with Crohn's disease (BBC) {aka 'irritable bowel syndrome}

[eppur_se_muova]

By Alison Freeman
BBC News Online, London

Simple activities that most people take for granted are out of the question for some people with Crohn's disease, says Ruth Adley who has the condition.

She was diagnosed with Crohn's at the age of 25, but her doctor told her she had been suffering from it for 12 years.
***
"By this time it was too late and I had to have surgery to remove part of my bowel."

The little-known disease causes inflammation and ulceration throughout the gastrointestinal system. The cause of the illness itself is unknown.
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All in the space of just a few weeks Mrs Adley suffered with internal abscesses and also developed peritonitis so doctors removed her appendix which had become gangrenous.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3832753.stm

Sadly, still no info on the cause, or a potential cure. Interesting to note something called the National Association of Colitis and Crohn's "Can't Wait" card, which explains that she has an illness which makes her need to use the toilet urgently.

[NMDemDist2]

1. my MIL was just diagnosed with Crohn's

but she's in her 70s. it's still nasty stuff and makes her quite uncomfortable at times poor thing

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I have two very good friends who have Crohn's

It is a horrible disease. One of my friends nearly died a few years ago.

[montanacowboy]

3. One of my best friends also died of this

she had been diagnosed at 21 and what a terrible thing for a young girl to have to endure - she died in 1997; I miss her so much - rest in peace dear Pamela

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Both of my friends are doing fairly well now

They are on a new med that is working well for them.

[MiaCulpa]

4. Crohns and irritable bowel syndrome are not the same thing.

Similar, which often makes it difficult to diagnose, but not the same. In Crohns, you can find ulcerated tissue in layers beteen layers of normal healthy tissue.


Sorry, don't mean to be picky, I'm just sayin'.

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Eep, sorry about that. I think they share a charitable org'n, so I got confused. nt

[sketchy]

6. Info on a diet that helps Crohn's sufferers

Try the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It is actually is a cure, for many people. Based on the theory that Crohn's is caused by overgrowth of intestinal bacteria. Read "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall for indepth information www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/index.htm

It is not true that there is no known cause. Diet can be the cause.

[Southsideirish]

7. Dr. Stephen Hanauer at the University of Chicago is the best man in his

field for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. He saved my colon when dr's at a smaller hospital were going to remove it on an emergency basis as I was bleeding so much. I have uc.

[SheilaT]

8. I believe that Crohn's is an auto-immune disease.

Other auto-immune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, scleraderma, multiple sclerosis, and alopecia areata. All except the last (which involves hair loss0 are potentially life-threatening and often devastating.

Both of my sons have alopecia areata, so I have a heightened interest in all the auto-immune conditions.

[MuseRider]

9. I think it is

but I am not certain of that. I have RA so I too am interested in auto immune disease.

I will post if I find the information when I can look it up. Last I heard they pretty much thought that it was AI.