• Welcome to Crohn's Forum, a support group for people with all forms of IBD. While this community is not a substitute for doctor's advice and we cannot treat or diagnose, we find being able to communicate with others who have IBD is invaluable as we navigate our struggles and celebrate our successes. We invite you to join us.

First time on site. Finally, people who understand. :)

Hey everyone,

I just found this site today, and have been reading everyone's stories. It's been nice to know I'm not the only one going through this stuff. I am a 23-year-old female and I still haven't been diagnosed, but I'm almost positive I have crohn's. I'm also gluten intolerant (celiac) and lactose intolerant. I also have type 1 diabetes, fibromyalgia, and chronic pancreatitus. This summer one of my best friend's committed suicide, my closest aunt passed away from kidney complications, and my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Needless to say, it's been a lot to deal with ,and my health has definitely been suffering. It's to the point where everything makes my "Crohn's" symptoms flare up. I thought it was just all the stress from everything else, but the more I read about my issues, the more I realized it was something more. I've already cut out all gluten and lactose from my diet but still get stomach cramps and with everything else that comes with crohn's. (I'll spare gory details since I'm sure you know exactly what I'm going through.)

I've been reading about Gerson Therapy which has had reports of helping not only gastro-intestinal disorders, but everything else from fibromyalgia to cancer. The diet for Gerson therapy is pretty restrictive, but I can't eat much without feeling terrible anyway so I thought it was worth a try. This diet excludes dairy (no problem for me), fats and oils, artificial sweeteners, frozen or canned foods, excess sugars, anything processed or genetically modified, red meat, and anything with msg or other flavor enhancers. Not to mention I can't have gluten on top of it (wheat, rye, or barley) which is in, like, everything. So my new diet is mainly fresh fruits, veggies, and lean meats with a few grains like rice and oats. (Corn is genetically modified.)

I hope to have it controlled with lifestyle changes without having to go on more medication. I rely on enough medication on a day to day basis that I hope to not only refrain from being prescribed more, but in the end I hope to become less reliant on the medications I already take. Can anyone on here attest to improved symptoms from diet alone?

My grandpa also had crohn's that was cured with surgery which I know may be a possibility for me too.

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday and it will hopefully be the first step to feeling better. I can't even remember what it feels like to eat and not feel absolutely horrible immediately after. It's good to know I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Thanks for listening. Please comment. I would love to talk to any and everyone about experiences and suggestions that you have.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Hi and welcome aboared. Sorry you have had so much to deal with. I've never heard that diet alone can control crohns. Have you seen a GI specialist for tests and a proper diagnosis? Crohns can affect people in many different ways. Fresh veggies and fiber are guaranteed to put me in the ER with EXTREME abdominal pain. It would be good if you could expand on your symptoms. No worries about TMI on this board as you will come to see. Sending you my support and best wishes.
 
I have heard that with the gerson therapy ( that they use when people have cancer), you go on a strict juicing diet. This could be an option for you. Some vegetables may be hard on the digestive tract if you are already in pain. You would have to cook the vegis very very soft and then it would probably be ok. Juicing fresh vegis can give you the nutrients you need without all that fiber( this is just an option).

Have you been seen by a gastroenterologist? I would probably try and get seen and hopefully you can find out what is going on.

Do you have a heating pad? I have not been diagnosed with Crohns, but I have been having issues for 2 years now. I find that using a heating pad helps me more than anything else has so far for pain.

Hope you get some answers and start to feel better soon.











Hey everyone,

I just found this site today, and have been reading everyone's stories. It's been nice to know I'm not the only one going through this stuff. I am a 23-year-old female and I still haven't been diagnosed, but I'm almost positive I have crohn's. I'm also gluten intolerant (celiac) and lactose intolerant. I also have type 1 diabetes, fibromyalgia, and chronic pancreatitus. This summer one of my best friend's committed suicide, my closest aunt passed away from kidney complications, and my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Needless to say, it's been a lot to deal with ,and my health has definitely been suffering. It's to the point where everything makes my "Crohn's" symptoms flare up. I thought it was just all the stress from everything else, but the more I read about my issues, the more I realized it was something more. I've already cut out all gluten and lactose from my diet but still get stomach cramps and with everything else that comes with crohn's. (I'll spare gory details since I'm sure you know exactly what I'm going through.)

I've been reading about Gerson Therapy which has had reports of helping not only gastro-intestinal disorders, but everything else from fibromyalgia to cancer. The diet for Gerson therapy is pretty restrictive, but I can't eat much without feeling terrible anyway so I thought it was worth a try. This diet excludes dairy (no problem for me), fats and oils, artificial sweeteners, frozen or canned foods, excess sugars, anything processed or genetically modified, red meat, and anything with msg or other flavor enhancers. Not to mention I can't have gluten on top of it (wheat, rye, or barley) which is in, like, everything. So my new diet is mainly fresh fruits, veggies, and lean meats with a few grains like rice and oats. (Corn is genetically modified.)

I hope to have it controlled with lifestyle changes without having to go on more medication. I rely on enough medication on a day to day basis that I hope to not only refrain from being prescribed more, but in the end I hope to become less reliant on the medications I already take. Can anyone on here attest to improved symptoms from diet alone?

My grandpa also had crohn's that was cured with surgery which I know may be a possibility for me too.

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday and it will hopefully be the first step to feeling better. I can't even remember what it feels like to eat and not feel absolutely horrible immediately after. It's good to know I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Thanks for listening. Please comment. I would love to talk to any and everyone about experiences and suggestions that you have.
 
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