Internet Research

It is amazing how little people research conditions they may have. I include myself in this generalization. I would be an authority on Crohns if I were to spend the same amount of time researching the Crohns as I do looking at motors on the internet.

So this lunch I decided to have a look and see whats out there (weather pretty poor outside). At the same time I have updated my links section of the blog, after BlogSpot decided to wipe them all.

The NACC seems to have some good stuff. This Crohns FAQ article was very insightful. Must do some more reasearch on this Infliximab drug, as I don't want to be on Azathioprine forever.

Another interesting site was Medical News Today. This seems like a good place to go for up to date research and developments news. I've added their RSS feed to my reader, and will keep an eye out for interesting bits. There was one article on the discovery of a Crohns Gene which caught my eye. Quote below;

"The protein encoded by the Crohn's disease susceptibility gene NLRP3, cryopyrin, is an intracellular bacteria sensor that plays a key role in initiating immune response," - sounds like there are some good in roads being made into the cause of Crohns.

Anyways.. I will report back if I find any other interesting peices.

Juice Diet

Was feeling rough again the other day.. Not sure if it was some kind of tummy bug. Knew I needed to watch my diet and give myself some recovery time. Been feeling crap a lot recently!

I recalled hearing about a guy was cured from his Crohns by switching to a juice diet. He was so pleased with the results he set up a juicer website call UKJuicers.


So I decided to get myself a juicer and give it a go. In the end I went for a Philips number from Amazon. I bought all the fancy ingredients for the recommended potions; bio acidophilus, spirilla, and wheatgrass. It wasn't cheap, but it should last a while.

Near enough everyday I have been having juice for breakfast and I feel great. My Crohns has been really good, despite smoking recently ( I am a mug and have stopped now). Not only does my body seem to agree with the juice, it is also pretty healthy. My muffin top (paunch) seems to be shrinking slightly now I drink this super juicer and walk to work.

Recovery Time

Had what must have been food poising a few weeks back. Hit me for six and it took at least a week to recovery.

After a few days the symptoms where just like a bad bout of Crohns. This really worried me as I had been doing so well for ages.

I had faith and just tried to look after myself as best I could. Stayed off work for a few days, then worked from home, ate good food, stayed away from booze (not that i felt like it), and eventually I got back to normal.

Say It With Flowers

Another outpatients appointment loomed and I realised the same doctor had been looking after me for over 13 years!

My Doctor has been so great over this period. She has always been really concerned for my well being (as any good doctor should be) and interested in how I am coping with Crohns in my life. It is always a pleasure to tell her any good news I may have, such as getting a new job, moving house, and any other personal achievements.

I expect she has enjoyed seeing me mature and overcome a lot of the difficulties growing up with Crohns through at me.

So for this appointment I decided to buy her a big bunch of Lillies to say thank you.



It felt good giving her some recognition, although I was reminded by the excitable receptionist that they and the nurses play there part too. Perhaps I will get them a pot plant next time ;)

A Gentle Reminder

Despite feeling much better of late I still suffer symptoms which remind me of my condition. I have given up on the notion that the disease will just disappear, it is something I will have for the rest of my life.

After many months of feeling fine I had a fortnightly stint where bloody appearing in the toilet bowl daily. This can be quite a distressing site, but something I am now becoming accustom to.

(Note: I did not take this picture, i would normally have half this amount at worse)

I can recall the first time it happen, and the shock I felt seeing bright red crimson on the toilet paper... Initially you panic a little, thinking "f**k internal bleeding".

I've mentioned it before to my specialist doctor, who I really respect and trust, who sees me for my outpatient appointments, and she says it is perfectly normal.

I sometimes wonder how many people with the condition suffer from this and frequency. Also what is actually happening inside me. I tried to hunt down an old Chrohns forum which i once used to ask thses questions, but can't seem to find it via Google anymore. I'll keep looking.

It's Friday... Wooo Hooo

Food Intolerance

I have found over the past few years that food intolerance plays a big part in my condition. So it was with interest that I read this article on the Daily Mails website.

It is great to hear that people are combating the symptoms of Chrohns with no need for drugs. I know the dietary exclusion method is pretty hardcode, but it is a price worth paying if it works.



Since quiting smoking my condition has improved dramatically and I have even begun starting to introduce yeast back into my diet in small quantities. Although I still have the odd problem with serves as a reminder of my condition and has encouraged me to continue with this blog. More about that in a future post...