I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 16...almost 30 years ago (hard to believe). At that time it seemed that it was still not such a common diagnosis because it took so long to get diagnosed. After a week of testing in two different hospitals and wasting away to 67 lbs. from what was thought to be everything from food poisoning, cancer, and even anorexia, I was put on prednisone and azulphadine. I tapered down the prednisone and stayed on azulphadine for a very long time and whenever i flared I was put on pred...which became a vicious cycle. Every once in a while my doctor would try a different drug, but really only pred. would put me into remission. Needless to say, I grew tired and scared of the side effects and decided to take things into my own hands about 12 years ago and changed my diet...no dairy, red meat, pork, white sugar, etc... things were good for a while but when I flared I would still rely on prednisone for a quick fix. My flares got worse...except during pregnancies...and i was a mess..very sickly, tired, and not able to give my young sons and my husband my all. It was very frustraing and I was always so drained....and depressed. I was becoming a prisoner in my home, having anxiety over leaving the house and not being able to find a restroom in time. My last doctor did not want to continue doing the prednison cycle and after the last prescription for it he said that if I relapse within 6 mos. biologics would be the next step. I have done enough research to know that I would never go down that path. After researching other alternatives I found LDN...Low Dose Naltrexone. I started it about 7 mos ago and it has been my life saver. I feel normal again for the first time (excluding my pregnancies) in 30 years. My husband gives thanks all the time for LDN coming into my life. It didn't work for me straight away...maybe 2-3 mos...but I have heard of faster results, My GI would not prescribe it so I went to a Homepathic/MD and Naturopath who gave me a prescription which I have compounded at a compounding pharmacy. The prescription was $30 but just doubled because the pharmacy started taking ins. and LDN is not covered. There are other pharmacy's however with the lower price.
After a liftime of suffering with this embarrassing disease, and finally finding a tiny pill taken once at bedtime, without any side effects, I just wanted to spread the word. There is no reason to suffer and if I can help one person feel as well as I do, I would be so happy to know that I "passed it on."
Studies are also being done on other diseases considered Auto-immune such as MS with wonderful results.
After a liftime of suffering with this embarrassing disease, and finally finding a tiny pill taken once at bedtime, without any side effects, I just wanted to spread the word. There is no reason to suffer and if I can help one person feel as well as I do, I would be so happy to know that I "passed it on."
Studies are also being done on other diseases considered Auto-immune such as MS with wonderful results.
