★★★★★
I am the closest I have ever been to feeling like I beat this thing without having to restrict my diet. Things are coming out normal, and I am happy again. Another treat I found that is very good for you along the way is mulberry juice (no specific quantity required... I could drink a liter of the stuff and not bat an eye). A good source for this is vitacost; they are inexpensive and have a good reputation. As far as the supplements you can pretty much get them at the dollar store and not spend a ton. I order cayenne on line through Walmart. I have not had a resection or surgery for the Crohn's as of yet.
Supplements
★★★★★
This particular flare up I have tried turmeric with black pepper and oregano infusions to get rid of bacteria, coconut water famous for stopping the runs, pomegranate juice which is supposed to stop the "D", Pentasa, Asacol, glorious diet foods from Whole Foods "whole paycheck" that were supposed to bring remission (SCD), pepto bismol tablet and liquid, the famous anomaly coconut macaroons, blackberry brandy (the real stuff, not flavored), black tea, the bratt diet, caltrate, and finally, bentonite clay.
I was a wreck when I was on Immodium AD extra strength (my mind was not where my body was on the phones) as I found out when I had told a potential client wrong information on a call that was audited, and about a third into my shift, something was urging pretty severely to get out and it was not gas. I took my break a little early and ran to the nearest restroom which felt about a mile away in my dress shoes. I prepared some black tea because that might help calm things down a bit and had a cigarette. No avail. For lunch I had strange stares because who brings in gatorade and a couple of bouillon cubes? My mother died amidst all of this, and I still managed to catch a flight, play violin at her memorial service with the aid of goodnights. This is just not the way to live.
I on the good side of things dropped about 25 pounds (sexy... Lol). All of this brought me to an idea that I had when I was 15 (28 years ago) when I had a flu bug and the urgency was terrible. I had an herbalist tell me to go home, and take 1/4 teaspoon (and no more) of nutmeg with 4 oz of warm water, and don't eat for an hour and a half. That cleaned up the problem, and no worries after that.
All these years later I have this flare up, and 2 months after the start 1/2 a teaspoon of nutmeg, and later that evening I had a Jamba juice Pomegranate pick me up with their yogurt (which is not good as well as a test), and a 12 inch steak and cheese with spinach, black olives, and chipolte sauce (gentle test) on Italian Herbs and cheese from subway; things are normal this morning (so far). I found that for whatever reason nutmeg is a cleanser of the digestive tract, and an effective astringent as well it will bind your intestinal tract. You DO NOT want to take more than 4 tablespoons in a day however as it will make you very ill, and usually has bad effects on your body such as possible hallucinations (not likely but has been documented as a possible side effect), and possibly death (most likely not, but possible). If you are sensitive to nutmeg or have reactions to apple pie, or other common recipes that contain nutmeg, sorry this course is not for you.
I had also looked in to coconut oil for a few days after things are back into swing and you need to normalize the bowel, and have come up with a decent brand of coconut oil on amazon from Jarrow (it really tastes like coconut, and very fragrant).
In my research, experience with doctors, and self experience have found that I have been my best barometer of success with this ailment. It matters not necessarily what you eat because if you are going to have a resection, surgery, or other procedure, it will happen anyway. I had Solu-Medrol followed by a taper Rx of Prednisone which I forced myself off of sooner than prescribed because walking a parking lot felt like walking a football field, and the jitters and palpitations were terrible, and when I ran out of Pentasa and tried to get assistance from Shirecares.com they were like dealing with the jaws of Satan. All I can say is I am grateful I have no adverse reactions to nutmeg, and it works.
Another thing of note is that Crohn's sufferers are commonly deficient in vitamins b-12, and d3, and some cases iron. It is important in addition to your multivitamins you supplement them with either b-12 or b complex, d3, and if you have a lot of bleeding or are anemic; iron. If for some reason you are unable to consume iron supplements, liver (usually beef) is a good starting point. Also if you are iron deficient Do NOT take pomegranate supplements or juice.
I am not a doctor, though I have visited many. I ask a lot of questions, and make sure I don't leave until I get answers. Also I have found that if you are gluten intolerant, you may have celiac disease. Other topics of interest to explore are Colitis (any form), c-diff, and h-pylori. If the diagnosis is Crohn's, make sure you review cat scans, x-rays or biopsies with your physician thoroughly, and write down the questions you intend on asking before your visit. Do not leave until you have all of your questions answered.
