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New To Crohns


Mon, August 13, 2018 8:25 PM

My son is 17 and was just diagnosed in February with Crohns. We were put on Humira right away. Unfortunately, he still has a lot of symptoms (abdominal discomfort and bloody stools) Some days he tends to have to run to the bathroom several times a day. I am under the impression this is all mostly due to inflammation. We try to help with "healthier food options" however he really never seems to have relief. I believe he is just adjusting to the disease controlling his life but its definitely discouraging as we do not have a lot of support from our physician. I was hoping someone could help offer nutrition advice or anyway to help a constant " flare-up" have some relief. We are very discouraged by this disease.

FPO Kellyj76
Joined Aug 13, 2018

Mon, September 10, 2018 11:25 PM

Reply posted for Kellyj76 .

Hi there, I am sorry your son is experiencing this.  My son, now 18, was dx at age 10.  From the sounds of it, he is not achieving remission on his meds/dose.  I strongly suggest you speak with the Dr., or find a new one who's more supportive.  His med level may be too low, or may just not work for him.  This is not only making him (and you miserable), but chronic inflamation can cause damage in the digestive tract.  I agree with using liquid supplements (we use breakfast essentials) to keep his weight up.  My son likes the taste, and they are less expensive...you can ask your Dr. to write a prescription for it too, so it can be used as a medical expense if needed.    Talk to a nutritionalist too, to help you find a balance.  Maybe keep a food journal as well, to see what his trigger foods may be.  I wish you both luck in finding resolve:) 

FPO jrichins
Joined Feb 10, 2018

Sun, September 09, 2018 4:40 AM

Reply posted for Kellyj76 .

Hi Kelly, 
Growing up I had crohns since around the same age (minus a few years) it took a really long time to be diagnosed officially so that’s great they’ve put the pin on it. 

I’ve had multiple surgeries consisting of resections, ruptures, sepsis, peritonitis and so on... 

After I was diagnosed  I was put on 6MP which didn’t really work too well because I fell seriously ill not long after. Just after the load of surgeries I was put on HUMIRA whilst keeping the 6MP at the same dose. 

Ive had the same symptoms of bloody stools, pain, I could go on but I’m sure you get it. 

For the the first few months of humira  it seemed to be controlled and I was doing great but it seemed to not work as much around 11-12 months in. The specialist put me on a loading dose of 4 shots each few days and then I continued normal dosing after a few weeks. Since then I’ve been pretty good. Most pain and issues I have now are post emergency surgery scar issues and tissue issues. Sometimes they can use steroids which work but I don’t like them. 

The best food notes I have for when I was in the toughest times of this horrid disease is to try something called “Ensure plus”, it doesn’t taste that great but it’s a milky drink that you will have to special order in from your pharmacy.  Try and get your son to drink it as much as he can when he begins to feel flares or bloody stools. In essence when he gets a flare try eat small amounts and drink the ensure instead for 3 to 4 days (sometimes longer) or until he starts to feel a bit better. If he’s slim like me the ensure will also help him gain weight. 


With foods, try get him to eat only smooth things, mashed potato is really great at those times. Think of it as something his body can break down without using strain. 

After having crohns for a while I think sometimes when a flare is brought on by your body it’s best just to give the areas some time to heal as fast as possible, which is limiting the amount of solid foods it needs to process. 

When it comes to pain the is a lot out there but not too much for crohns sufferers as we can’t have anti inflammatories. I try my best to avoid pain meds as much as I can even though the paracetamols do barely nothing I try use them each 4-6 hours. It gets rid of just enough pain to let me get along with life. If it’s really bad pain it’s probabbly best to have a script or pack of stronger pain meds at home but try and use them in worst case only as they can be addictive. I find using things like opioids can start a cycle of more issues because they make you constipated however, if he’s not doing well a few days of endone / targin won’t do harm. If they give you pain meds. Go for targin. It doesn’t clog you up and is less addictive then oxycodone/ endone. 


FPO nhelw1
Joined Mar 29, 2018

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