Treatment options,

[Guest guest]

Hello Everybody,

While we are on the subject of antibiotics, I thought I would ask this question, but let me give some input. My son, has CD, diagnosed in july/2010, but had symptoms for about a year including arthritis, severe at times. We tried Asacol and he had terrible reaction. So, as a result I found SCD and we are doing faithfully for about 6 weeks. I have some concerns about not doing any traditional treatments because I fear that some worse complication would happen in his GI, and I also hate seeing him suffer with the arthritis -he can't run and play with other kids.

However, I do see some improvements using SCD. They are not earth shattering, but slow. It seems that as long as we are not introducing too many new foods, his stomach cramps are mild. He can tolerate meats, with the exception of beef, and eggs, yogurt, almond bread/treats, cooked apples & peaches, bananas. Beyond that I introduced other foods and not sure but there seems to be something that gets his cramping going.

Right now the arthritis is much better. But it seems to come and go without any reason behind it.

So, my question is two-fold. And maybe it would have been better to ask two separate questions, sorry about that, there are so many questions I would like to ask.

First, does anyone seem to think there is a reason to begin him on a traditional medicine, such as flagyl or prednisone or something else I don't know about, and if so which would be the least detrimental to the diet's success. Again, I am fearful that something "bad" (ie, a perforation, stricture, fistula, infection, etc.) will happen if the inflammation is not under control more quickly than the diet alone. I am also asking this because we will be seeing a new GI doctor in 10 days and I imagine he will want to offer up some meds. I want to be be able to explain why I do or don't want to take a certain approach or why I want to avoid the meds altogether. Remember he is 8 and growing, developing, and seems to have a sensitivity to hard medicines (he is allergic to a variety of other antibiotics).

Second, I don't exactly know what to expect with regard to improvement on the diet. Adding new foods seems to be going slowly, as I am not sure which ones are causing problems and I am not really even sure if what I see are even problems. His worst symptom is cramping which seems to be doing better now that I have gone back to the intro diet and I am not adding any new foods. He doesn't have diarrhea, and usually has formed BM's once a day, occasionally loose but not diarrhea. I will start keeping a food journal, but I don't want him to get too bored, because it is a challenge to find snacks for school etc. and variety without additional fruits and veggies.

Sorry for the long email, just a little confused, but I think we are making progress.

Yvette

[Guest guest]

Yvette,

I think it is a misunderstanding that one can not use SCD and traditional

medicine. Elaine said that this diet does not replace medicine and you should

take it if you need it. I think the concern with Prednisone is that it can mask

a reaction to a food- but you can still eat legal SCD foods and take it. Many

people here do. That way you have the benefit of SCD when he weans off it, as

opposed to if he was on it and still continued a regular diet.

Prednisone is meant to be used short term for severe flaring, and I would not

put him on it if his doctor thinks he does not need it. Asacol is milder- but he

did not tolerate it. See what his doctor suggests.

You are correct that at 8, he still needs to grow, so a doctor may be more

medically aggressive with him than with an adult. It is not a problem for an

adult to not gain weight or even lose a little weight, but that is a big deal

for a child. Likewise, you want to protect his joints.

See what the doctor says and stay on SCD. Some people do decide to stop

medication, but that is usually not their doctor's advice. However, if they are

symptom free for a while, they may choose to do so. Some people remain on

medication, but hopefully less of it than if they were not on SCD. 6 weeks is a

short time on SCD and progress is slow but longer term. It is good that he is

showing some progress.

You certainly have the right to discuss medication with his doctor and ask

questions, but please do not feel you have to choose medicine or SCD. You can

do them both together. The goal is to have your son feel the best he can, and do

what he needs to get there.

PJ

>

> Hello Everybody,

>  

> While we are on the subject of antibiotics, I thought I would ask this

question, but let me give some input. My son, has CD, diagnosed in july/2010,

but had symptoms for about a year including arthritis, severe at times. We tried

Asacol and he had terrible reaction. So, as a result I found SCD and we are

doing faithfully for about 6 weeks. I have some concerns about not doing any

traditional treatments because I fear that some worse complication would happen

in his GI, and I also hate seeing him suffer with the arthritis -he can't run

and play with other kids.

> However, I do see some improvements using SCD. They are not earth shattering,

but slow. It seems that as long as we are not introducing too many new foods,

his stomach cramps are mild. He can tolerate meats, with the exception of beef,

and eggs, yogurt, almond bread/treats, cooked apples & peaches, bananas. Beyond

that I introduced other foods and not sure but there seems to be something that

gets his cramping going.

> Right now the arthritis is much better. But it seems to come and go without

any reason behind it.

> So, my question is two-fold. And maybe it would have been better to ask two

separate questions, sorry about that, there are so many questions I would like

to ask.

> First, does anyone seem to think there is a reason to begin him on a

traditional medicine, such as flagyl or prednisone or something else I don't

know about, and if so which would be the least detrimental to the diet's

success. Again, I am fearful that something " bad " (ie, a perforation, stricture,

fistula, infection, etc.) will happen if the inflammation is not under control

more quickly than the diet alone. I am also asking this because we will be

seeing a new GI doctor in 10 days and I imagine he will want to offer up some

meds. I want to be be able to explain why I do or don't want to take a certain

approach or why I want to avoid the meds altogether. Remember he is 8 and

growing, developing, and seems to have a sensitivity to hard medicines (he is

allergic to a variety of other antibiotics).

> Second, I don't exactly know what to expect with regard to improvement on the

diet. Adding new foods seems to be going slowly, as I am not sure which ones are

causing problems and I am not really even sure if what I see are even problems.

His worst symptom is cramping which seems to be doing better now that I have

gone back to the intro diet and I am not adding any new foods. He doesn't have

diarrhea, and usually has formed BM's once a day, occasionally loose but not

diarrhea. I will start keeping a food journal, but I don't want him to get too

bored, because it is a challenge to find snacks for school etc. and variety

without additional fruits and veggies.

>  

> Sorry for the long email, just a little confused, but I think we are making

progress.

>  

> Yvette

>  

>

[Guest guest]

Yvette,PJ is giving you really good advice. I do understand the concerns and considerations of putting a young child on strong medicines though. I would recommend doing a bit of research regarding UC meds and asking the doctor questions about your concerns. You will have at least a knowledge of the meds and how they work so you can discuss things with him and make informed decisions. There is something you can be doing now to help him regarding inflammation and the arthritis pain. Mix cold pressed flaxseed oil (needs to be stored in the fridge) 2 tablespoons with about 1/2 cup SCD yogurt add a little honey for taste (I also add coconut oil and the flavors together are really nice). This will be goodly dose of Omega 3 essential fatty acids that will help reduce inflammation, strengthen/support ligaments and

joints, and help with eye - brain function. I just got my maid to try it and she is really impressed with the help she is getting from it (sad she is only 32 and has rheumatoid arthritis). Another good remedy (she is doing this too) is 1 teaspoon of cinnamon mixed with a spoonful of honey morning and evening, on an empty stomach. This last is actually supposed to cure arthritis, but over the long term especially if it is severe.Good luck on the next doctor visit. Hope all goes well.AmeliaSubject: Re: Treatment options,To: BTVC-SCD Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 2:15 PM

Yvette,

I think it is a misunderstanding that one can not use SCD and traditional medicine. Elaine said that this diet does not replace medicine and you should take it if you need it. I think the concern with Prednisone is that it can mask a reaction to a food- but you can still eat legal SCD foods and take it. Many people here do. That way you have the benefit of SCD when he weans off it, as opposed to if he was on it and still continued a regular diet.

Prednisone is meant to be used short term for severe flaring, and I would not put him on it if his doctor thinks he does not need it. Asacol is milder- but he did not tolerate it. See what his doctor suggests.

You are correct that at 8, he still needs to grow, so a doctor may be more medically aggressive with him than with an adult. It is not a problem for an adult to not gain weight or even lose a little weight, but that is a big deal for a child. Likewise, you want to protect his joints.

See what the doctor says and stay on SCD. Some people do decide to stop medication, but that is usually not their doctor's advice. However, if they are symptom free for a while, they may choose to do so. Some people remain on medication, but hopefully less of it than if they were not on SCD. 6 weeks is a short time on SCD and progress is slow but longer term. It is good that he is showing some progress.

You certainly have the right to discuss medication with his doctor and ask questions, but please do not feel you have to choose medicine or SCD. You can do them both together. The goal is to have your son feel the best he can, and do what he needs to get there.

PJ

>

> Hello Everybody,

>

> While we are on the subject of antibiotics, I thought I would ask this question, but let me give some input. My son, has CD, diagnosed in july/2010, but had symptoms for about a year including arthritis, severe at times. We tried Asacol and he had terrible reaction. So, as a result I found SCD and we are doing faithfully for about 6 weeks. I have some concerns about not doing any traditional treatments because I fear that some worse complication would happen in his GI, and I also hate seeing him suffer with the arthritis -he can't run and play with other kids.

> However, I do see some improvements using SCD. They are not earth shattering, but slow. It seems that as long as we are not introducing too many new foods, his stomach cramps are mild. He can tolerate meats, with the exception of beef, and eggs, yogurt, almond bread/treats, cooked apples & peaches, bananas. Beyond that I introduced other foods and not sure but there seems to be something that gets his cramping going.

> Right now the arthritis is much better. But it seems to come and go without any reason behind it.

> So, my question is two-fold. And maybe it would have been better to ask two separate questions, sorry about that, there are so many questions I would like to ask.

> First, does anyone seem to think there is a reason to begin him on a traditional medicine, such as flagyl or prednisone or something else I don't know about, and if so which would be the least detrimental to the diet's success. Again, I am fearful that something "bad" (ie, a perforation, stricture, fistula, infection, etc.) will happen if the inflammation is not under control more quickly than the diet alone. I am also asking this because we will be seeing a new GI doctor in 10 days and I imagine he will want to offer up some meds. I want to be be able to explain why I do or don't want to take a certain approach or why I want to avoid the meds altogether. Remember he is 8 and growing, developing, and seems to have a sensitivity to hard medicines (he is allergic to a variety of other antibiotics).

> Second, I don't exactly know what to expect with regard to improvement on the diet. Adding new foods seems to be going slowly, as I am not sure which ones are causing problems and I am not really even sure if what I see are even problems. His worst symptom is cramping which seems to be doing better now that I have gone back to the intro diet and I am not adding any new foods. He doesn't have diarrhea, and usually has formed BM's once a day, occasionally loose but not diarrhea. I will start keeping a food journal, but I don't want him to get too bored, because it is a challenge to find snacks for school etc. and variety without additional fruits and veggies.

>

> Sorry for the long email, just a little confused, but I think we are making progress.

>

> Yvette

>

>