there was a lawyer I knew who went to GB for treatment because it was free.
Not sure what your doctor told you, however Humira can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks after the first injection to start taking effect.
I take Humira for Ankylosing Spondylitis, and have been taking it every two weeks since October 2010. For me, it was about 2.5 weeks after first injection to start noticing little differences. After my second shot at the 4-5 week mark many of my A.S. symptoms had dramatically subsided.
It was just after my third shot, approximately six weeks after I started Humira that I felt "normal." I've been taking it every two weeks since and all my A.S. symptoms are under control.
I also have a good friend who's wife has Crohn's. I'd read all the product documentation which stated it can also be an effective treatment for Crohn's and told he and his wife about it. Her Chron's disease is now well under control, thanks to Humira.
The biologic drugs are really life changing, however they don't always work for everyone. I know other folks who have tried Humira and it didn't work for them, whereas another biologic such as Sympani for example, did work.
How long has your daughter been on Humira? Have other biologics been tried or discussed?
For some reason (i read this about 15 years ago), people that eat 2 ARCHWAY macaroons have relief from Crohn’s, IBS. Must be some enzyme in the coconut. This works for me when my intestines go nuts, also peppermint oil (I used enzymatic therapy gels). My girl’s 21 year-old friend was diagnosed with this 1 1/2 years ago. It has ravaged her. After surgery recently, with 2 feet cut out (of small intestine), she is much better. She was on humera (sp?), and it did not help much. She was also misdiagnosed at first, and spent three very sick weeks in the hospital and had her appendix out, which did not stop the problem.
There are both “good” and “bad” microorganisms that live in the gut.
Read up on Candida overgrowth.
The antibiotics kill both “good” and “bad”.
When “bad” microorganisms overpopulate the gut relative to the “good” ones, you get ALL sorts of problems, including those symptoms. You can get blood in stool, IBD, autoimmune response, inflammation, allergies, etc., etc.
Natural organic non-flavored yogurt will help, a little every day. Will take several weeks / a month to start seeing some difference.
This is what taking “probiotics” is all about.
Many people have all sorts of such things wrong with them that much of the medical establishment does not very much deal with.
As information gets out, the medical industry/establishment follows along, ergo, the availability of probiotics, etc.
Read up on such things, unfortunately, the individual must do their own research. Fortunately, the information is slowly getting out there and real research happens a bit here and there.
It’s ok to take antibiotics when necessary, but must remember to keep the gut flora in balance. Of course, the medical industry is not for the most part admitting this yet, because keeping the balance gets rid of so many profitable conditions/symptoms/etc.
So sorry to hear it.
I can’t point you to anything specific at the moment, but remember seeing things on TV and on the internet that there are novel and natural treatments available that produced good results.
I suggest you do some serious research on the web, regular Google and Google Scholar — many times one article mentions something, then you can take some key words from that and find something else.
Just did a quick Google search and found that at the Mayo clinic website it says while there is no cure, it can go into long term remission, which is almost as good.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104
“”While there’s no known cure for Crohn’s disease, therapies can greatly reduce the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease and even bring about long-term remission. With treatment, many people with Crohn’s disease are able to function well. “
Since it is caused by inflammation, they also recommend a number of anti-inflammatory drugs:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/DS00104/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Did you try anti-biotics, like Cipro — which is one of their recommendations:
“Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). This drug, which improves symptoms in some people with Crohn’s disease, is now generally preferred to metronidazole. A rare side effect of this medication is tendon rupture.”
I wouldn’t go with the immune system suppressors, except as a last resort.
Do your research, discuss them with the doctor, do go and see additional doctors.
Good luck.
Just found a very recent article about it:
New treatments help patients cope with Crohn’s
Sept 28, 2013
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/28/v-fullstory/3658101/new-treatments-help-patients-cope.html
I had symptoms of Crohns about 30 years ago. A doctor wanted to schedule me to talk to a surgeon to discuss removing my lower intestines. This was well into the discovery process. Instead, I gave up sodas, coffee and completely changed my high grease diet. The symptoms never completely went away but everything works. Of course, I’m sure everything is a matter of degree. I was probably on the edge where a significant diet change made a difference. But I’d try that first. And, no cheating...ever.
Two people I know cured theirs using massive amounts of high quality probiotics and taking a chocolate “milkshake.” They both had a fecal transplant from a people with very healthy guts. Both never knew each other until the first tried it and I introduced the second to the first. Their doctors were not happy with their decisions, but as I said they are cured.
Here is a link to a non- profit organization that has a significant amount of imformation on Crohn’s disease and IBD.
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America:
WWW.CCFA.org
Start there!
Read some of the Google results for magnesium + Crohns.
I have severe IBS and increased my daily vitamin intake of magnesium. The discomfort did not stop, but it subsided drastically.
Many in the IBD/IBC forums are hailing magnesium as a miracle.
It is available OTC at most heath food locations. Types of magnesium vary somewhat, so do some additional reading on that.
Freepmail
Stop all artificial sweeteners (aspertame, etc.) including ingredients that end in ‘tol’ malitol-sorbitol, etc
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/05/21/could-compound-in-artificial-sweeteners-worsen-crohns-disease
I know of people who read that coconut oil is helpful tried it and got relief. Coconut oil is available in capsules now. Also kefir or live yogurt is essential. Good luck!
fyi
Dr. Wyckoff cured my daughter who almost died of an intestinal ailment 25 other doctors could not diagnose. He is in remission from Chron’s and specializes in gastro-intestinal issues. Drwyckoff.com
I hope you are able to find help soon.
If all the standard treatments fail, look up Helminthic Therapy.
If you get it under control, here is a good website about probiotic food and maintaining a good bacteria balance in teh gut:
http://www.culturedfoodlife.com
I drink quite a bit of kefir. You can find it at Aldi’s and Trader Joes. Way more bacteria strains than simple yogurt.
10 years ago I was diagnosed w/ UC by two doctors. Was prescribed meds. Struggled a lot with many debilitating symptoms. Nine months ago discovered it was mis-diagnosed — instead, celiac’s disease. Latest colonoscopy? Perfect. No scarring. No polyps. No more problems.
Crohn's/colitis = Inflammatory Bowel Disease. There is a Crohn's forum, http://www.crohnsforum.com/ - which you might find helpful.
Also recommend a google search on "leaky gut syndrome;" Wikipedia's info on this is good.
Not sure about "reversible" but people can go into remission for long periods of time. Drugs can do wonders for some people with Crohn's, others have little luck with them. Many people try holistic/alternative medicine. Some feel better by undergoing drastic dietary changes (no flour/no sugar, for example). The one thing I've found in learning about this condition, is that everyone's case is different, not all Crohn's sufferers have exactly the same symptoms, triggers, or respond to the same treatment.