Community Forum

I am an attorney with billable hour requirements.  My firm is pretty understanding and lets me work at home when I can, but I still find myself falling short because I just don't have the energy to put in long days like I used to.  Anyone have some inspiration or coping mechanisms to help them fight through the pain and depression?

 Reply posted for mojo11.

Hi, Mojo.  Well this week I reopened my law practice.  I have been managing my Crohn's better, and couldn't get a non-lawyer job because they don't want to hire a lawyer.  So, I figured that I might as well be a lawyer again.  It will either work out or not.  The Universe will take care of me, and I will take care of the rest.  I hope you have gotten a handle on your symptoms.  I am on a double dose of Remicade these days, and it seems to be helping.

Good luck to you.  If you want to communicate with me directly my e-mail address is advocacy2007@cox.net.

Alan

 Reply posted for mazinggrace.

Hi! This is for mazingrace...Last April, I ditched the immunosuppressants that had been doing more harm than good for 4 years.  They put me into a Lupus-like syndrome. I did a drug holiday until August, when I started megadoses of Probiotics and Omega 3's.  I don't feel like I have the flu all the time now (yea!), but I still have all of the pain associated with the systemic inflammation.  Any suggestions for helping with that?

Thanks a TON!

 Reply posted for mojo11.

Hi!  I just found this site and registered about 10 minutes ago.  The reason I did...I am 45, have had Crohn's since I was 17, am a full-time speech pathologist, and now am really struggling with the demands of the full-time piece. I can make my own schedule (to a degree), so I usually load myself the heaviest on Monday through Thursday, knowing that on Fridays, I need to complete tasks that require less cognitive effort, as well as tasks that don't require any physical work. Also, I have cleaning help at home every other week.  I also plan on trying one of those places that makes a whole meal for you, where you just choose the meal, they give you the ingredients to throw together, and you take it home...no shopping or preparing of ingredients. 

 Reply posted for deborah.

Hi there,

I was curious to know what type of neurological problems do you suffer from due to your IBD?

I was diagnosed with UC 11 years ago (proctitis) and started suffering with myoclonus/limb movement, weight loss (10 lbs), iron deficiency anemia back, and osteopenia in 2006.

After seeing nine doctors with little or no assistance, I asked my integrative medicine physician to order a special blood test  (Spectracell labs) to measure my intracellular vitamin levels.  I was dificient in zinc and antioxidants so I have been taking several vitamins (including Selenium, zinc, calcium chews, Lipoic Acid, B12) since last November.

My magnesium was in the normal range but I am still wondering if I really need more magnesium (I love to exercise). I am scared to take magnesium pills because it can cause "D" and I do not want to cause anymore problems. I also understand that it is critical to have a magnesium and calcium balance.

I have also gone gluten free and lactose free on the advice of a wonderful Celiac Physician (since last October). This includes no gluten in medications and cosmetics (lotions, makeup, etc.).  I have regained four lbs. in the past month so it look like the diet is working! There is a strong possibility that my limb movement is linked to the gluten problem (I am still having it-it only occurs when I am falling off to sleep but prevents me from sleeping). I have not been formally diagnosed with Celiac Disease but there is a strong possibilty that I am either gluten intolerant or gluten sensitive.

Sylvia G.

 Reply posted for mazinggrace.

This message is for mazingrace.  I have been leaning more towards that route.  I have had crohns far longer though, but have been much more interested in vitamins, herbs, and my diet.  I would like to know more about what you take and what works for you if you would be so kind. 

 Reply posted for juiceman.

What new product has brought you some relief?

 Reply posted for mojo11.

I have had issues with what my family doctor thought was mild depression.   A few months later I had severe neurological problems.  They discovered that my magnesium and B12 levels were extremely low.   It took several months to get the levels back up and another 1.5 years to feel like myself again. 

I urge you to have your doctor monitor your nutritional status.

 Reply posted for mojo11.

I was diagnosed with Crohns over 4 years ago and clinical medicines did not seem to help. I kept getting sick, I refused steroids and it did not help that my boss had moved me from a traditional insurance to a health maintenance plan. So medicine was expensive, I turned to herbs and vitamins, not only did they help but they are far cheaper. I try and see an herbalist every year  or if I am really sick I get tested to see what I may be lacking nutrionally.

I have severe fatigue when I am sick so I double up on my vitamin B. But there is something you need to note, first people with Crohn's have significant malabsorption problems. We take in less nutrition when eating, same thing goes when taking pills. There are also 3 standards of what a normal person can take when it comes to vitamins. RDA - Recomended Daily Allowance; NOAEL - the intake level at which there are no credibly-substantiated adverse reactions observed in humans; LOAEL - the lowest intake at which some adverse effects have occurred under certain circumstances. (I have found this website very helpful http://www.wdxcyber.com/ngen21.htm). Also note that Vitamin B can be included in your daily diet if you wish not to take pills, lord knows anyone with Crohns takes enough medicine. I would read up on it and make sure you do not take too much http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_vitamins.

I know that I choose to take herbs and vitamins rather than traditional medicines and it may or may not work for you. Every ones body is different. My suggestion is to try it and see if it works for you, if it doesn't then consult your doctor see what he says. However I still lead a very active life, I go hiking, climbing, vacationing, swimming, excercising, dancing. I buy my meds from www.puritanspride.com, not only do they have great prices and are a reuptable company but you will find alot of research and resources available. I hope that this helps a little and good luck.

 Reply posted for AlanDMartin.

Aland,

I will be thinking of you and praying for the best.  You have had a really tough road, but it sounds like you have the right attitude!  Hang in there--it's tough with a lawyer's "type A" personality to slow down your life, but I guess we have to!

 Reply posted for mojo11.

I too am an attorney.  I was unable to continue my practice from about November of 2006 (I was diagnosed in June 2006 and steadily went downhill from there) until I admitted to the hospital where I got i.v. steroids and was started on Remicade.  I then got out of the hospital in late January (after 24 days), and went back to work.  But, something was wrong..I was losing energy and memory.  I developed clots.  I was admitted to the hospital in July 2007 to have a filter put in to keep the clots from rising from my legs to my lungs, heart, brain, etc.  Within 48 hours (I have no memory of my life from June 13th until mid-August) I was told that a bacteria traveled from my colon to my right arm and I developed necrotizing fasciitis.  To make a long story short I almost died, but after 6 surgeries to remove the affected tissues I finally came out of my chemical coma, was sent to rehab and walked a long road back until May of 2008 when I finally took a job in public assistance (a bad choice).  I had several setbacks and had to quit the job (put us in bad financial situation).  I am now looking for a better job, and even have considered practicing again.  I fight the battle with my body every day, I go to the gym 3-4 times per week and slowly seek recovery.  I don't know if I will ever be able to do trial work again (I was a family lawyer most recently), but quality of life is everything, and I will fight this disease until I overcome it, or it kills me.  Two steps forward, one step back...every day...Hang in there.  AlandMartin

Career Affected by Crohn's?mojo11,

I spent 2 1/2 years with a colostomy bag due to CD.  Im a career firefighter and Ive been in many fires with the bag and full firefighting gear!  Remicade allowed the abscesss and fistulas to heal so I could get the colostomy reversed.  I also played sports and went scuba diving in Grand Cayman when I had the bag.  Mind set and attitude is huge when dealing with this disease.  I have horror storys about getting to the bathroom while on calls at work.  I have been drinking an amazing product for the last few months that has made me feel incredible.