posted
I finally got at least some answers about my recent months of fighting gut issues:
Back a few months ago my problems were that I suddenly had no appetite, the smell of food actually got me nauseous, I had daily diarrhea, terrible abdominal pain, low grade fevers, and my belly was so distended I looked pregnant.
My LLMD did not think much of it when I saw him; he just sent me for some additional blood work.
He then started me back on doxy, and within a few days I ended up in the ER with dehydration.
I was sent home with some meds for nausea and diarrhea, and that was about it.
I have lost 22 lbs in 6 weeks (something that at one point I would have welcomed!).
So now with follow-ups and more tests, I find out that I have Crohn's Disease!
None of the drs are exactly sure whether I had it all along (my family doctor had told me over 25 years ago that I had colitis) and now it all just flared, or whether the Lyme and / or it's treatment over the past 5 years triggered autoimmune stuff in my colon.
Right now I am only on prednisone (30 mg / day), will be until I get more symptom relief.
At least at this point I can eat and keep the food down, and the other symptoms are about 60% better.
Thankfully, my Lyme does not seem to be getting worse.
After that, I am not sure if they'll want to give me meds like 5-ASA for the Crohn's or not.
Dealing with two conditions where the treatment for one can make the other worse is worrying me!
-------------------- "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself..." Posts: 17 | From New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2013
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posted
OH boy. That is going to be rough. You may want to get a Rife machine to treat your Lyme. That should help the Crohn's calm down.
Taking pred will eventually get to you.
I'm glad you are feeling better, though!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i am so sorry you have to deal with all this. seems when it rains it pours huh??
i've been tested for everything too, and nothing shows up.
i hope you do well with the prednisone so be very careful.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Prednesone is good for an initial attack on the immune system to bring swelling down, and that's it, IMO (just a one time deal). After that it makes the patient sicker and drives lyme deeper (and more problems slowly arise over time). I took prednesone several times and absolutely will never take it again.
This is just my two cents. I am not a doc. I believe all autoimmune is derived from parasites, particularly lyme. Add in toxins and it makes everything worse. Treat for parasites. They are the cornerstone of disease, IMO.
Hang in there!
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
hi, not sure if you have emf sensitivities or not. But if not, I know someone who gets alot of relief from Crohns from wearing a e-stim, like a tens unit, machine.
Posts: 857 | From northern california | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
My daughter was originally dx with Crohn's, moderate/severe at age 8. Did all the drugs. Hi pred made her have moon-face and sideburns, pot belly, nasty in the long-run, very helpful in the short-run. Did SCDiet (HIGHLY recommend this) for 5 years and was able to get her off the CD meds :-) I found out by myself that she really had LYME/coinfections and parasites (after being dx myself with TBD and testing her CD-57 which was in the teens). After treating for these things with flagy and different antibiotics, her Crohn's has gone away, knock wood. I agree with Catgirl that autoimmune disorders are caused by infections/parasites (IMO).... feel free to pm me for any advice and I'm so sorry that your colon is inflammed. When my dd was diagnosed with CD, her colon was friable and they said the only way she would ever get off CD meds was if she had her colon removed....NOT! (therefore I do NOT like GI docs!)
-------------------- LAXlover Posts: 371 | From Northern Baltimore Area | Registered: Apr 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Yes, lyme can cause what is often misinterpreted as (an "autoimmune" disorder such as) Crohn's is categorizied.
Besides lyme, other tick-borne or chronic steatlhy infections could be at work on the colon, too. Such stealth infections are not at all understood, or even recognized, by most doctors, even gastro specialists.
And they often also do not understand that certain foods can cause such damage, perhaps, moreso in those with lyme or stealth infections.
STEROID CAUTION:
You might have some early relief from inflammation but be aware that steroids can make lyme much worse in the long run.
Your LLMD MUST be informed of your steroid (prednisone use) so that your abx protocol can be revised. Even if you stop prednisone, it can stay in the body for six months, so for the next six months, your LLMD should be aware of this.. Here's why:
Topic: Minor surgery and steriods - complications from steroids that were not supposed to be administered. -
[ 06-18-2013, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- THIS is what I wish your doctor has prescribed as it has some fabulous successes with Crohn's (even if that has been misdiagnosed because they fail to consider chronic infections):
This is not a steroid but can help normalize immune system reactions that can be so flipped with lyme. It does not boost, nor does it suppress (as do steroids), but it helps normalize.
Some LLMDs and LL NDs know all about LDN as it's been very helpful to about half of those with lyme who have used it. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Along with properly treating lyme or other tick-borne infections . . .
and LDN . . .
. . . Liver support (as that is essential to the colon, too) . . .
also very important to anyone with any kind of GI tract issues (which are so common with lyme):
Gluten-Free; Dairy-Free and even GMO-Free. Here's why:
LL Naturopathic links here, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- PROBIOTICS are also vital. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
5ASA is actually an antibiotic, so that shouldn't be a problem (unless you're allergic).
Also, LDN is good for Crohn's, as are probiotics.
And keep in mind, doctors see inflammation and usually will diagnose Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, even if something else is CAUSING the inflammation (such as Lyme/coinfections).
I was diagnosed with Crohn's as a teenager, but turns out the symptoms I had then were caused by a parasitic infection. I have never had a recurrence of the exact same symptoms after getting treated for the parasite.
But my gut is a mess now, I believe, due to chronic Lyme/Bart. & whatever else infections I have.
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