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Treatment For Crohn's


Tue, October 15, 2019 9:54 PM

        I was just diagnosed with moderate to severe crohn's disease last month, and have recently discussed treatment options with my doctor and wound up deciding on Humera. After hearing back from the insurance company, I found out that I was not approved for the medication and they recommended a form of other standard therapy such as azathioprine (imuran). The only options my doctor and dietitian recomend, after the given the circumstance, are prednisone/ steroids or an all liquid diet until my insurance company hopefully comes around. Has anyone tried any of these medications or symptom management options and were there any good and/ or bad results?

FPO KimberlyLynn
Joined Jan 9, 2020

Thu, January 23, 2020 10:00 PM

Reply posted for KimberlyLynn.

Hi Kimberly! It can be tough when your insurance doesn't agree with your doctor. I have not tried doing a liquid diet but I have friends that did and they thought it helped them a lot. It can be tough though, especially if you are in school. I have been on steriods lots before and while they helped me control my symptoms well, they have lots of side effects like moon face and acne and can be harmful if you are on them long term. I would talk to your doctor about the side effects of the steroids and the benefits and struggles of the liquid diet. I am on Humira now and it has been working well for me so far. You get used to the injections pretty quick. I did try aziothioprine, but I had a bad reaction to it so make sure you know the side effects so you can keep an eye out for them before they get worse. Everyone reacts to medications differently though so it's always best to keep yourself in mind. Hope you get better soon!

FPO aleahmd
Joined Sep 8, 2022

Thu, January 23, 2020 2:23 PM

Reply posted for KimberlyLynn.

I have tried these madecations before, but I can't exactly tell you if they are good or bad. Crohns is different for everybody. 
Although, regarding the dietry managment I use ModulenModulen is a special nutrition supplement for Crohn’s disease. It is a powder protein like milk liquid that you need to stay on. The standard protocol is to stay on it for six weeks. It will help calm down all the inflamations, but surely it won't replace the mediation.
It proved very useful to me and others I know. I hope it helps you. 
Don't lose hope!

FPO Ruqaya
Joined Jan 22, 2020

Thu, January 09, 2020 5:58 AM

Reply posted for KimberlyLynn.

Provided you control energy intake , the ketogenic diet allows you to lose weight 10 . The synthesis of 13 studies, involving a little more than 1400 patients, concludes that the ketogenic diet is more effective, compared with a classic weight loss diet in which lipids provide only 30% of calories: after 1 year of follow-up, the weight loss achieved was nearly 1 kilo 11 .
In a similar study published in 2016, after 2 years of follow-up, people on a ketogenic diet lost 12.5 kilograms and 11.6 cm in waist circumference , while people on a regular diet lost only 4 , 4 kilos and 4.1 cm of waist 12 .
As with all diets, the question of medium or long-term stabilization of the weight obtained arises. In a study of 377 overweight or obese followed for 1 year, the ketogenic diet helped lose an average of 12 kilos the first 12 weeks and then maintain weight during the 40 weeks following 13 . But, lacking sufficient studies and hindsight, researchers can not say that the ketogenic diet definitely eliminates unnecessary pounds. In addition, they lack data on its safety beyond 1 year .
According to a team of Italian researchers, the ketogenic diet is useful for reducing appetite and promoting the burning of fat stores , but it should only be used for short periods of time (eg for 20 days), alternately with a diet. normal-caloric Mediterranean type to consolidate the loss of weight obtained . They also stress the importance for preventing weight regain, not reintroduce carbohydrates gradually after a ketogenic diet 

https://foodandnutritiontips.com/absolute-keto/

FPO mattcut
Joined Jan 9, 2020

Wed, October 23, 2019 5:20 PM

Reply posted for KimberlyLynn.

Having tried every FDA approved medication for CD, I have had my fair share of insurance issues. Unfortunately, no meds work for me but I stay hopeful for you. Will your insurance approve Humira if you tried the Imuran at least to say you atttempted it? My insurance has approved newer meds on the market in the past because I had tried all current available options. I did do Imuran with sulfasalazine before I tried any of the biologics such as Humira. Do not give up though! Is there a way for you to change insurance companies? 

FPO BehindTheMask
Joined Oct 23, 2019

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