HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Crohn’s Diagnosis. but No Symptoms

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/21/2019 5:55 PM (GMT -5)
I am 66 and was recently diagnosed with Crohn’s. It has probably been in my body since I was 50 based on some inflammation that turned up on a colonoscopy back then but have never been treated. and no gastric symptoms. My recent colonoscopy and CT scan confirm Crohn’s. Lots of inflammation and salt trails. Am trying to heal by following the CSD and avoid meds. Any thoughts?
Posted 6/21/2019 7:20 PM (GMT -5)
I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It's a good thing that you've been diagnosed later in life. Many have tried to avoid medications, but many will also tell you, that you're taking a huge risk of developing major complications from being unmedicated.

This disease needs to be kept in check at all times. Since you've managed for some time without treatment, you might consider an immunosuppresant like 6MP or Imuran, and see how things go.

I'm sure your GI will have recommendations. In the meantime, try to educate yourself as best as possible. You've come to a great place here at HW. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Posted 6/21/2019 7:35 PM (GMT -5)
Hey - new to this group. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s June 2016, but only had occasional flare-ups and no other symptoms for the first 2+ years. I was on pain meds for a different injury that masked some symptoms but nothing that I would have been too concerned about prior. I was not concerned because it was something I never had to be concerned about before. But it all came back and bit me and I got very sick, had an abscess drained twice then removed, resection surgery near the terminal ilium, and just began remicade infusions. I’d definitely recommend talking to your GI and maybe a nutritionist as well at minimum instead ofigboring symptoms. I’d love to not need the meds but doubt I’ll be the 1 in 4 I was told will be cured of all symptoms post surgery. I wish you the best of luck.
Posted 6/21/2019 9:03 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the input. Am going to try diet, acupuncture and enzymes till October and get retested. If no improvement, it will be meds. Certainly don’t want surgery or other complications.
Posted 6/21/2019 10:00 PM (GMT -5)
What were the location, extent, and severity of the inflammation they found on the most recent testing?

If it was pretty mild and localized, you might be able to get away without medication (although if you do so, regular follow-up testing is strongly encouraged).

If it was moderate to severe inflammation and/or in several places, then you are taking a significant risk in avoiding medication.

Some people can get by without Crohn's medications for many years, but they are the minority.
Posted 6/23/2019 8:51 PM (GMT -5)
Sorry, but what are salt trails?

Diet rarely seems sufficient to heal Crohn's inflammation on its own, although without any controlled studies it's impossible to be certain either way. With biologics (Remicade in particular), there are lots of studies showing mucosal healing after 8 weeks. Diet people like to talk of meds 'suppressing' symptoms, and of diet treating the underlying causes of symptoms, but in practice that's not what happens at all - diet no more treats the root causes of inflammation than meds do. And meds - at least the biologics - are probably far more effective in suppressing inflammation than diet is.

Nobody can treat the root causes of Crohn's inflammation, because nobody knows what they are (beyond some complex interplay of genes + environment + gut microbiome, which probably varies from person to person).

Your plan seems like a sensible one. Good luck to you.
Posted 6/25/2019 9:34 AM (GMT -5)
20 cm of inflammation in ilium. Prefistulas.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply