- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The Real Bev writes: > I have to wonder why people need to slavishly follow rules which make no > sense. > The rules here make perfect sense.  Turbulence can be extremely violent, > and takeoffs and landings are times during which the aircraft is > particularly likely to make sudden movements that can injure passengers > and damage objects. > Clearly requiring innocent people to sit in their own shit or > burn to death is NOT sane. > It’s better than losing the flight or having people killed.

Look, in this case the guy needed to take a shit.  When you gotta go, you gotta go.  Nobody died, or even got sick.  There’s probably some rule about the impermissibility of fouling an airplane seat too.  The official response may or may not be sensible, but it’s JUST A RULE!  Not carved in stone by some god, just a rule — which is probably not really applicable to many of the situations to which it will be applied. I can’t imagine that a real judge would mete out jail time for a bowel malfunction. > People really aren’t so good at making rules > that the results of following them are never worse than the results of > breaking them. > Having diarrhea is not worse than being killed.

No, but I’m pretty sure the stewardess is not empowered to blow the head off anyone who gets out of his seat at an inopportune time.  I know people can get into trouble when they try to do more thinking than they’re actually capable of, but preventing them from thinking at all is really not the way we need to go. — Cheers, Bev You need only two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn’t, use duct tape.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim >>>that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? >> No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation. >Even a half-assed lawyer could file suit claiming that the airline and >government violated the passenger’s civil rights. >>>I don’t know if he’s got IBD, but it would be a real reason for the need >>>of sudden bathroom access. >> Not "need" legally. >You have no clue what medical condition the OP is talking about. > And you do? > Any half-assed lawyer can be enouraged to sue most anyone for most > anything. > a GOOD lawyer is one who will tell you if you don’t have a prayer of > winning.

And a BETTER lawyer will take the case and win anyway! — Cheers, Bev It only takes 2 men to tile a bathroom if you slice them thinly enough.

Response:

spamfree writes: > Even a half-assed lawyer could file suit claiming that the airline and > government violated the passenger’s civil rights.

Civil rights?  No, I don’t think so.  Which civil rights are violated? It might be an embarrassment to the passenger, but no rights are violated, and the law is obeyed. > You have no clue what medical condition the OP is talking about.

It doesn’t matter what medical condition it is. — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

Peter writes: > But what could he be charged with?

Failing to obey the orders of the flight crew (in the U.S.). > And how would it possibly hold up in court?

Easily. > All he’s got to say is that he was desperate at the time.

Desperation is not a defense against this charge. > The attendants would be antsy because landing is a time when passengers > should be seated and strapped down just in case the plane encounters > trouble or turbulence. They might also be thinking about security, > though this would be something they’d probably be more worried about > during takeoff.

Yes. — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

Dean writes: > Can they legally do anything to you in a case like this?

Yes, if you refuse to follow the instructions of the flight crew, you’re violating Federal law (in the U.S.). > I mean, what could the guy do, he was literally shitting his pants.

The law makes no exceptions for diarrhea. > I’m sure it’s better for the airline that he deposit the contents > of his bowels in the toilet and not on the seat and all over the > floor (and possibly on other passengers!).

He could follow crew instructions and then sue the airline afterwards for the embarrassment it caused him. > Would they press charges?

Not if they are smart, but in theory they can do so. — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

Scott M. Kozel writes: > What if a fire breaks out under someone’s seat?  

It won’t.  But even then, he is required to remain strapped in. > Does your legalistic worldview allow them to get up then?

It’s not a legalistic worldview, it’s a safety worldview.  There’s a good reason why everyone has to be strapped in.  I’ve seen what happens when they aren’t strapped in in the emergency room. — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

Buttercup writes: > If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim > that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation?

Not unless he had previously apprised the airline of this in advance and reached a special agreement with them. > I don’t know if he’s got IBD, but it would be a real reason for the need > of sudden bathroom access.

So is ordinary diarrhea, but the law does not recognize these as exceptions. — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

ameijers writes: > And at certain airports (like > Reagan in DC), if anyone hops up after the seat belt light is on, they > <abort the landing>, and either circle or divert. Guess they think there is > a risk of a takeover on final approach, and somebody Kamikazing the plane > into Capitol or White House, like #4 was gonna do back on 9/11.

I’m surprised that anyone still flies. > I’m VERY careful of, and limit, what I eat and drink the 24 hours before a > flight these days- especially if I don’t have a confirmed aisle seat. Once > you subtract out the takeoff and landing segments, and the time the aisle is > blocked with drink carts, and figure how many people will be in line, the > available potty slots get limited real fast. I never have been real fond of > flying, but these last few years, they barely pretend that you are anything > but cargo.

And _suspect_ cargo at that. — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim >>that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? > No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation. >Even a half-assed lawyer could file suit claiming that the airline and >government violated the passenger’s civil rights. >>I don’t know if he’s got IBD, but it would be a real reason for the need >>of sudden bathroom access. > Not "need" legally. >You have no clue what medical condition the OP is talking about. >Casey

And you do? Any half-assed lawyer can be enouraged to sue most anyone for most anything. a GOOD lawyer is one who will tell you if you don’t have a prayer of winning.

Response:

>>If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim >that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? > No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation.

Even a half-assed lawyer could file suit claiming that the airline and government violated the passenger’s civil rights. >I don’t know if he’s got IBD, but it would be a real reason for the need >of sudden bathroom access. > Not "need" legally.

You have no clue what medical condition the OP is talking about. Casey

Response:

>>I’d try to make sure that I was empty *before* >landing. It’s not as if it comes as a surprise > I beg to differ.  It *has* come on with suprising urgency in a very > very short amount of time.  Biology works somewhat differently for > different folks.

Yes, people with dysentery, food poisoning, or stomach flu will be amazed to hear that it is never a surprise.  Note to the OP: since you are obviously clueless, try looking up the word diarrhea in the dictionary. Casey

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > >If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim > > >that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? > > No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation. > > The law says that *all* passengers *must* be seated with a seatbelt > > fastened during taxi, take-off and landing. > What if a fire breaks out under someone’s seat? > Does your legalistic worldview allow them to get up then? > I have to wonder why people need to slavishly follow rules which make no > sense.  Clearly requiring innocent people to sit in their own shit or > burn to death is NOT sane.  People really aren’t so good at making rules > that the results of following them are never worse than the results of > breaking them.

Fortunately, that is what judges are for.  Hopefully.

Response:

> >If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim >that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? > No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation. > The law says that *all* passengers *must* be seated with a seatbelt > fastened during taxi, take-off and landing.

What if a fire breaks out under someone’s seat?   Does your legalistic worldview allow them to get up then?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim > >that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? > No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation. > The law says that *all* passengers *must* be seated with a seatbelt > fastened during taxi, take-off and landing. > What if a fire breaks out under someone’s seat? > Does your legalistic worldview allow them to get up then?

I have to wonder why people need to slavishly follow rules which make no sense.  Clearly requiring innocent people to sit in their own shit or burn to death is NOT sane.  People really aren’t so good at making rules that the results of following them are never worse than the results of breaking them. — Cheers, Bev               …so few snipers, so many politicians…

Response:

>If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim >that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation?

No.  The applicable law makes no exceptions for medical accomodation. The law says that *all* passengers *must* be seated with a seatbelt fastened during taxi, take-off and landing. >I don’t know if he’s got IBD, but it would be a real reason for the need >of sudden bathroom access.

Not "need" legally. Malc.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->During a recent transatlantic flight, as we were landing, a passenger got >out of his seat and ran to the toilet.  The flight attendants at the back >tried to stop him but he told them that he had diarrhea and locked himself >up in the toilet until after we landed.  The flight attendants were furious >and must have notified the authorities because when we got to the gate the >they came on and went to the back to talk to the passenger.  I’m not sure >how it ended but I’m pretty sure he was getting arrested as we were walking >off the plane. >Can they legally do anything to you in a case like this?  I mean, what could >the guy do, he was literally shitting his pants.  I’m sure it’s better for >the airline that he deposit the contents of his bowels in the toilet and not >on the seat and all over the floor (and possibly on other passengers!). >Would they press charges? > O boy, he was in the shit, hey? > But what could he be charged with? And how would it possibly hold up in > court? All he’s got to say is that he was desperate at the time. Poor > bloke was probably hoping he could hold it in until after landing.

If he’s got IBD (crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) could he claim that his getting out of his seat was a mandated medical accommodation? I don’t know if he’s got IBD, but it would be a real reason for the need of sudden bathroom access. — CC—diagnosed Crohnnie since 1991 Why does there only have to be one correct philosophy?  I don’t want to go and follow you just to end up like on of them and why are you always telling me what you want me to believe? I’d like to think that I can go my own way and meet you in the end. –Hoobastank "Same Direction"

Response:

>O boy, he was in the shit, hey? >But what could he be charged with?

Failing to obey the lawful instructions of the flight crew, particularly in regards to FAR 121.311(b). > And how would it possibly hold up in >court?

It’s a clear violation of 121.311(b), so it would hold up perfectly well! > All he’s got to say is that he was desperate at the time.

121.311(b) provides no dispensations for that. >Poor >bloke was probably hoping he could hold it in until after landing.

I’m hoping to win the lottery. >The attendants would be antsy because landing is a time when passengers >should be seated and strapped down just in case the plane encounters >trouble or turbulence.

And, of course, because it’s the law that passengers *must* (not "should") be seated and strapped in. > They might also be thinking about security,

Yes. >though this would be something they’d probably be more worried about >during takeoff.

No. Malc.

Response:

>I’d try to make sure that I was empty *before* >landing. It’s not as if it comes as a surprise > I beg to differ.  It *has* come on with suprising urgency in a very > very short amount of time.  Biology works somewhat differently for > different folks.

Sometimes caused by the food that the airline served…

Response:

>I’d try to make sure that I was empty *before* >landing. It’s not as if it comes as a surprise

I beg to differ.  It *has* come on with suprising urgency in a very very short amount of time.  Biology works somewhat differently for different folks.

Response:

> … I’m VERY careful of, and limit, what I eat and drink the 24 hours > before a > … flight these days- especially if I don’t have a confirmed aisle seat. > Once > … you subtract out the takeoff and landing segments, and the time the > aisle is > … blocked with drink carts, and figure how many people will be in line, > the > … available potty slots get limited real fast. I never have been real > fond of > … flying, but these last few years, they barely pretend that you are > anything > … but cargo.

This should get those drink carts out of the way for you… http://www.sportys.com/acb/webpage.cfm?&DID=19&WebPage_ID=68

Response:

"Dean" wrote… > arrested as we were walking off the plane. > Can they legally do anything to you in a case like this?

Usually, the just scare the shit out of them….

Response:

> During a recent transatlantic flight, as we were landing, a passenger got > out of his seat and ran to the toilet.  The flight attendants at the back > tried to stop him but he told them that he had diarrhea and locked himself > up in the toilet until after we landed.  The flight attendants were furious > and must have notified the authorities because when we got to the gate the > they came on and went to the back to talk to the passenger.  I’m not sure > how it ended but I’m pretty sure he was getting arrested as we were walking > off the plane. > Can they legally do anything to you in a case like this?  I mean, what could > the guy do, he was literally shitting his pants.  I’m sure it’s better for > the airline that he deposit the contents of his bowels in the toilet and not > on the seat and all over the floor (and possibly on other passengers!). > Would they press charges?

O boy, he was in the shit, hey? But what could he be charged with? And how would it possibly hold up in court? All he’s got to say is that he was desperate at the time. Poor bloke was probably hoping he could hold it in until after landing. The attendants would be antsy because landing is a time when passengers should be seated and strapped down just in case the plane encounters trouble or turbulence. They might also be thinking about security, though this would be something they’d probably be more worried about during takeoff. If it was me, I’d take my chances and head for the dunny. I’d rather spend time explaining myself to cabin staff and security than go through immigration, baggage claim and customs with shit leaking out of my trousers. Then again, I’d try to make sure that I was empty *before* landing. It’s not as if it comes as a surprise on a flight across the Atlantic.

Response:

ameijers says… > Dunno if any airline in their right mind would press charges (think of the > shitty publicity), but the law (In US, at least) does say you have to follow > the directions of the flight attendants. And at certain airports (like > Reagan in DC), if anyone hops up after the seat belt light is on, they > <abort the landing>, and either circle or divert. Guess they think there is > a risk of a takeover on final approach, and somebody Kamikazing the plane > into Capitol or White House, like #4 was gonna do back on 9/11.

Considering the volume of traffic at National, that’s pretty serious to miss your landing slot there. I understand that for the final hour passengers are strapped in, which for many flights probably means that you can’t get out of your seat at all between takeoff and landing. > I’m VERY careful of, and limit, what I eat and drink the 24 hours before a > flight these days- especially if I don’t have a confirmed aisle seat. Once > you subtract out the takeoff and landing segments, and the time the aisle is > blocked with drink carts, and figure how many people will be in line, the > available potty slots get limited real fast. I never have been real fond of > flying, but these last few years, they barely pretend that you are anything > but cargo.

I can’t make it across the Pacific without going once or twice, but I won’t touch alcohol aboard, and refuse tea or coffee for all but the shortest flights. I’ll drink water and juice, though, as they keep the air so dry you need to keep up fluid levels. I also make sure that one of the last things I do before boarding is to visit the facilities. Pete, snipping out the air disasters group

Response:

During a recent transatlantic flight, as we were landing, a passenger got out of his seat and ran to the toilet.  The flight attendants at the back tried to stop him but he told them that he had diarrhea and locked himself up in the toilet until after we landed.  The flight attendants were furious and must have notified the authorities because when we got to the gate the they came on and went to the back to talk to the passenger.  I’m not sure how it ended but I’m pretty sure he was getting arrested as we were walking off the plane. Can they legally do anything to you in a case like this?  I mean, what could the guy do, he was literally shitting his pants.  I’m sure it’s better for the airline that he deposit the contents of his bowels in the toilet and not on the seat and all over the floor (and possibly on other passengers!). Would they press charges?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > During a recent transatlantic flight, as we were landing, a passenger got > out of his seat and ran to the toilet.  The flight attendants at the back > tried to stop him but he told them that he had diarrhea and locked himself > up in the toilet until after we landed.  The flight attendants were furious > and must have notified the authorities because when we got to the gate the > they came on and went to the back to talk to the passenger.  I’m not sure > how it ended but I’m pretty sure he was getting arrested as we were walking > off the plane. > Can they legally do anything to you in a case like this?  I mean, what could > the guy do, he was literally shitting his pants.  I’m sure it’s better for > the airline that he deposit the contents of his bowels in the toilet and not > on the seat and all over the floor (and possibly on other passengers!). > Would they press charges?

Dunno if any airline in their right mind would press charges (think of the shitty publicity), but the law (In US, at least) does say you have to follow the directions of the flight attendants. And at certain airports (like Reagan in DC), if anyone hops up after the seat belt light is on, they <abort the landing>, and either circle or divert. Guess they think there is a risk of a takeover on final approach, and somebody Kamikazing the plane into Capitol or White House, like #4 was gonna do back on 9/11. I’m VERY careful of, and limit, what I eat and drink the 24 hours before a flight these days- especially if I don’t have a confirmed aisle seat. Once you subtract out the takeoff and landing segments, and the time the aisle is blocked with drink carts, and figure how many people will be in line, the available potty slots get limited real fast. I never have been real fond of flying, but these last few years, they barely pretend that you are anything but cargo. aem sends… aem sends…

Response:

Wow you bring a shopping list to take care of!  Just  make sure your doc writes it all down.  My surgeon has specific orders from me and my husband about not making adhesions a problem because of stitching quality.  He did small this time he says, of course I haven’t seen inside yet so I won’t know until it’s healed and a flare or routine tests is required so that I can see.  Not pushing either of these options though!  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Many thanks Sdores and to everyone else. > I will be back in a couple of weeks with a blow by blow account. I would > love to be awake through it and watch, but I suspect that one finds it to > concentrate and give advice with one’s intestines strung all over the > operating theatre. > I just want to make sure that they do a complete adhesiolysis, locate the > endometriosis and remove, refashion my ileostomy properly and take out my > gall bladder (2 cm gallstone) whilst there are there. > All the best, > Vanny > Vanny good luck with your surgery.  You are always such a great help and > support here.  UM MOM Susan > Nina, > Sorry to hear that you are possibly going to be faced with the decision. > I > made the decision in 1992, but had to wait until 1993 for the operation > (ileostomy). I had seen the x-rays of my colon (Crohn’s) and realised > that > there was no way that the damage would be reversed. The operation saved > my > life and gave me back my quality of life. I am no way 100% and am going > for > my 2nd stoma refashioning, complete intestinal adhesiolysis and removal > of > endometriosis (on my intestine?) next week. However, I would have been > dead > if I had not had the operation. > Do a search on www.talkaboutsupport.com, there will be some posts there > that > will help you. > All the best, > Vanny > HI, > This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel > preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like > crap! > I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just > over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do > "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well > how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium > enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think > morphine will do….. > The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my > daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and > I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may > face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a > significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the > severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in > remission (yet?). > So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I > can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel > prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) > Nina > P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the > outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also > don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

Response:

Many thanks Sdores and to everyone else. I will be back in a couple of weeks with a blow by blow account. I would love to be awake through it and watch, but I suspect that one finds it to concentrate and give advice with one’s intestines strung all over the operating theatre. I just want to make sure that they do a complete adhesiolysis, locate the endometriosis and remove, refashion my ileostomy properly and take out my gall bladder (2 cm gallstone) whilst there are there. All the best, Vanny Vanny good luck with your surgery.  You are always such a great help and support here.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Nina, > Sorry to hear that you are possibly going to be faced with the decision. I > made the decision in 1992, but had to wait until 1993 for the operation > (ileostomy). I had seen the x-rays of my colon (Crohn’s) and realised that > there was no way that the damage would be reversed. The operation saved my > life and gave me back my quality of life. I am no way 100% and am going > for > my 2nd stoma refashioning, complete intestinal adhesiolysis and removal of > endometriosis (on my intestine?) next week. However, I would have been > dead > if I had not had the operation. > Do a search on www.talkaboutsupport.com, there will be some posts there > that > will help you. > All the best, > Vanny > HI, > This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel > preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like > crap! > I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just > over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do > "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well > how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium > enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think > morphine will do….. > The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my > daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and > I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may > face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a > significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the > severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in > remission (yet?). > So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I > can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel > prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) > Nina > P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the > outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also > don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

Response:

Hi Nina, That’s great.  You can now know what’s been going on.  Hope you had a great birthday with you daughter, too. Nina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Thanks Nina, it did go O.K. > Dr Halparin took amazing care of me! He did find a stricture, part scar > tissue and part inflammation. He’s not worried about it yet, it’s still > somewhat small. My sigmoid is still very active with disease but the > rest of my colon is starting to respond to the meds. He’s still > optimistic I can keep my colon. In the meantime I can add steroid > enemas to the plan. > Thanks for asking! (I can’t say that I enjoyed the prep or > procedure,but I like having answers. > Nina

Response:

The party was amazing, it really made up for missing last year! I feel like "crap" physically but I am very contented with things. (birthday, colonoscopy results etc). Have a great Valentine’s Day! Nina

Response:

Thanks Nina, it did go O.K. Dr Halparin took amazing care of me! He did find a stricture, part scar tissue and part inflammation. He’s not worried about it yet, it’s still somewhat small. My sigmoid is still very active with disease but the rest of my colon is starting to respond to the meds. He’s still optimistic I can keep my colon. In the meantime I can add steroid enemas to the plan. Thanks for asking! (I can’t say that I enjoyed the prep or procedure,but I like having answers. Nina

Response:

Hi Nina, Hope everything went well with your colonoscopy.  I’m sure Dr. Halparin took really good care of you.  I’ve been off line for awhile. Let us know, how it went. Keep on smilin,   Nina K. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > HI, > This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel > preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like > crap! > I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just > over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do > "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well > how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium > enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think > morphine will do….. > The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my > daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and > I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may > face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a > significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the > severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in > remission (yet?). > So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I > can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel > prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) > Nina > P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the > outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also > don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

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well nina..first you are in my prayers…dont be too nervous about the procedure..its much improved over the way they used to do them(4 days of fasting..horrendous stuff to drink..enemas etc etc..)..and the versed i find is way better than demerol or whatever they used to use…valium or something.. i have never had pains after the scope at all..in fact i would prefer a colonoscopy to  a sigmoid..those have been horrid for me..with gas pain during and after…the colonoscopy i have enough pain med to be ok… re the colectomy…that will be a very tough decision and one that u should get at least 2 opinions on(professional opinions i mean)…i was kind of faced with that a long time ago..when i finally decided "yes’…i was told it was no longer simply ulcerative colitis but "crohns" or "crohns colitis" and they dont like to do colectomies for that.. so that door was closed and i live with the day to day ibd issues that many of us on the board have as for barium…been there and done that and it does NOT taste like a strawberry frappe or anything edible or potable…it tasted sort of like chalk…but thats not what got to me…i didnt realize they swing you up on that platform u are standing on..i have a problem with heights and motion..and i nearly barfed up the barium cos i felt so sick and surprised when they swung the thing around…lol… i wouldnt have a colectomy because you have missed your child’s b day…its something that can affect the rest of your life…if you have uc its the ultimate cure..but be sure u have ONLY uc…crohns can spread…my supposed uc spread all over my colon in patches…leading them to change my dx and the options… my kids grew up with my having ibd and finally i have had to stop working as welll(since 1996)…my husband took off(he doesnt like "sick people’) and i am remarried happily to someone who doesnt  see me as either an object of pity or derision…he simply loves me…my life has been really good the last few years in spite of the ibd….my kids got used to "mummy being in the hospital" or "mummy being in bed sick"…if i couldnt do something one day..i did it on the next day….they seem to appreciate their childhoods now(they are 26 and 27)…and tell me they were really happy and often talk about good stuff we did…i dont feel i missed out on too much…i did miss out on what it would feel like to NOT have that tummy pain, that diarrhea, that nausea…that pred…etc etc…ever again…and i do miss my job…(counseling and teaching) but hope to do some volunteer work maybe in a few months… just be sure its definitely uc if u go for the surgery…and uc thats in one place…not in patches…. take care..love annie

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Vanny good luck with your surgery.  You are always such a great help and support here.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Nina, > Sorry to hear that you are possibly going to be faced with the decision. I > made the decision in 1992, but had to wait until 1993 for the operation > (ileostomy). I had seen the x-rays of my colon (Crohn’s) and realised that > there was no way that the damage would be reversed. The operation saved my > life and gave me back my quality of life. I am no way 100% and am going > for > my 2nd stoma refashioning, complete intestinal adhesiolysis and removal of > endometriosis (on my intestine?) next week. However, I would have been > dead > if I had not had the operation. > Do a search on www.talkaboutsupport.com, there will be some posts there > that > will help you. > All the best, > Vanny > HI, > This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel > preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like > crap! > I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just > over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do > "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well > how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium > enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think > morphine will do….. > The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my > daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and > I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may > face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a > significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the > severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in > remission (yet?). > So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I > can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel > prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) > Nina > P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the > outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also > don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

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Thanks Susan, you are a pillar of support throught the electrons of the internet. I will keep everyone posted, and I will ask about the other preps! Nina

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Nina, Sorry to hear that you are possibly going to be faced with the decision. I made the decision in 1992, but had to wait until 1993 for the operation (ileostomy). I had seen the x-rays of my colon (Crohn’s) and realised that there was no way that the damage would be reversed. The operation saved my life and gave me back my quality of life. I am no way 100% and am going for my 2nd stoma refashioning, complete intestinal adhesiolysis and removal of endometriosis (on my intestine?) next week. However, I would have been dead if I had not had the operation. Do a search on www.talkaboutsupport.com, there will be some posts there that will help you. All the best, Vanny HI, This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like crap! I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think morphine will do….. The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in remission (yet?). So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) Nina P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

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Nina I totally understand all these fears you are having.  It is normal too. If your dr will allow I would recommend the Visacol tabs for prep or even the citrus of magnesium over the golytely.  That stuff in my opinion is the nastiest and you have so much to drink.   The pills though are my preference.  If surgery gets in the picture for you, you will know if and when it is the right time.  I have now had three, two major surgeries and one minor from my crohn’s.  (Trying to heal now from surgery two weeks ago for the hernia)  I wish you the best my friend and hope things turn out the way you want them to.  Please let us know how it goes.  If you need or want someone to talk to feel free to email me.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> HI, > This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel > preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like > crap! > I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just > over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do > "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well > how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium > enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think > morphine will do….. > The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my > daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and > I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may > face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a > significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the > severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in > remission (yet?). > So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I > can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel > prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) > Nina > P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the > outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also > don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

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HI, This is for everyone who curses the medical people who give you bowel preps to take and then do uncomfortable exams on you when you feel like crap! I go for my first colonoscopy this Friday since being diagnosed just over a year ago. (I have had sigmoidoscopies, no prep…) I get to do "Go Litely" on Thursday. I am nervous about this, I recall very well how unwell people respond to bowel preps (from my days of doing barium enemas at work). I also fear the gas pains after the scope, I think morphine will do….. The worst part of this I can’t decide on. Is it missing another of my daughter’s birthday’s to this illness (the scope is on her birthday and I was in hospital last year. She is turning 3.) or is it that I may face colectomy depending on the results? I know that if there is a significant stricture that my GE will recommend surgery, given the severity of my disease and that we can’t get me off pred or in remission (yet?). So, there it is. My fate will be decided and when I return to work I can honestly say to my patients when they ask "yes, I have done a bowel prep before!". (I still haven’t had to drink barium though!) Nina P.S. for those of you who aren’t sure, I’m scared poopless of the outcome. I don’t know if I’m ready to make any major decisions. I also don’t know if I want to continue being this sick either….

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I think you’re crazy for having a scope without some sedation, or at least pain killers, but hey, to each his own! If you don’t like the liquid drinks, next time ask for Visocol.  It is a bowel prep. in pill form.  I took it my last time without any problems and I can not drink the junk.  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Next time I have a colonoscopy I will ask again to do it without > sedation. The worst part of the operation as far as I’m concerned is > the laxitives, they taste awful – the more I drink the more I feel > like I can’t keep it down. > Stephen.

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Navid, I just had my first one and remember very little of it. I was given a mix of demerol and something else (see how much I remember). Apparently I was asking questions off and on through the exam and awake for it, but I don’t remember. My husband was in the room with me (thank-you Dr Halparin!) and was my eyes and voice for me. The recovery was O.K. Bring VERY baggy pants and plan on nothing for the rest of the day. I’m still a bit sore the next day but nothing that will stop me from most of my daily activities. Good Luck, Nina

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Hi. I was diagnosed with UC in 2003 during a six month exchange to a German university. "Navid" wrote… > 1. Was the taking of sedation compulsory for you prior to your  colonoscopy? > 2. For those given sedation, where you conscious or unconscious during most > of your colonoscopy?

Before my colonoscopy in September 2003 in Germany the doctor asked me if I wanted to be sedated. I asked him how painful it is, he just said that it depends what I think is painful – so I decided to do it without sedation. Although I found it quite painful (although only for shortish periods), I don’t regret doing it without sedation. Straight after my colonoscopy I cycled home, stopping at McDonalds on the way. After returning home to the United Kingdom I got myself referred to a local NHS gastroenterologist. At the end of 2004 I was asked to come in for a colonoscopy. I was not asked if I wanted sedation, so I specifically asked about it. They seemed suprised, but were happy to do it without sedation – although they don’t normally without reason. This meant that I was given an appointment in a week, instead of a month that I would have waited if I was to be given sedation. A nurse assissting in my colonoscopy in the UK told me that the sedatives they give just make you forget afterwards, so you’d still be conscious. Next time I have a colonoscopy I will ask again to do it without sedation. The worst part of the operation as far as I’m concerned is the laxitives, they taste awful – the more I drink the more I feel like I can’t keep it down. Stephen.

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I wish I had more sedation for the second colonscopy the received.  The second hurt so bad, I felt every turn he took in my colon.   Nina K.

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I definitely opt for the heavy sedation.  I typically start to wake up towards the end to see myself on TV, but I ussually go back out. It has never been painful, just sometimes uncomfortable with a bloated feeling. I am not trying to push my website, but I just wrote an article related to this topic called "Colitis Saved My Dads Life".  It takes someone through the colonoscopy experience and lets everyone know why it is so important!  Please take a moment to read and use the feedback feature at the bottom of the page to let me know what you think. Thanks, Dan www.speakupbeheard.com

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> Well, they actually asked me how I came to the hospital. And when I said ‘by > car’, they gave the choise: no sedation and you can leave. Or light sedation > and you stay > So I said: you gonna make me? You and what army? (ok, that’s not things I > say, but I might have thought it at the time )

When I went in for my scope about a month ago, mixed in with all of the "here is how to use the bowel prep" documents were multiple copies of a disclaimer that a) I had to arrive with a driver, b) the driver had to stay – if she left they wouldn’t start the procedure, and c) they would not release me until I could walk to the car and they could watch me get into the passenger seat. -CA

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During both colonoscopies that I had (1997 & 1998), I was given sedation, but was conscious throughout.  They were the most uncomfortable and painful experiences in my life, next to when I had my wisdom teeth removed. Sedation doesn’t seem to have much effect on me.  I don’t experience amnesia like you’re supposed to.  During my second colonoscopy, I was given extra sedation & pain medication, because I was in so much pain, that I started to become combative.  Even with the extra drugs, I was still awake, just calmer.  After it was done, I slept for about 24 hours. I’ve put off getting another colonoscopy since.  I’m scheduled for one in a week & a half, but am contemplating cancelling it. BTW, I have Ulcerative Colitis, pan-colitis.  I’m a 36 year-old male.  I’ve had bowel problems since I was a child, but was not diagnosed with UC until I was about 19, when I started to have visibly bloody stool. –  Bruce A. Johnson in Hardisty, Alberta, Canada

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Well, they actually asked me how I came to the hospital. And when I said ‘by car’, they gave the choise: no sedation and you can leave. Or light sedation and you stay So I said: you gonna make me? You and what army? (ok, that’s not things I say, but I might have thought it at the time ) — Martin The Netherlands – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "I always go to hospital alone. By car, which is not > allowed after a sedation. And they won’t let me leave the hospital for an > hour if I would be sedated." Martin. > I cycled to the hospital. > You should have seen the look on the doctors face when l told him that > after my colonoscopy, l planned to cycle back home > I DID CYCLE BACK HOME, but only after the doctor kept me in the hospital > ward for an extra 5 hours > Navid

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My dr keeps the video (for awhile anyway) and can make pics from the frames…he has shared the pics with me in the past…… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Do you mean actual pictures taken during your colonoscopy? >Navid >"my doctor has pictures for me to take home and go over with at our next >appt." juliebabe.

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"I will mention my experience to my new consultant tomorrow, and give feedback to this newsgroup." Navid. Well, l saw my consultant today and mentioned my colonoscopy experience with ‘heavy’ sedation. He said that it was a peculiarity that somedays, regardless of the amount of sedation given, most if not all patients would experience being unconscious during their colonoscopy examination. He said that doctors will often comment that they had an ‘odd’ batch of patients that morning- meaning that they all became unconscious even though mild to moderate sedation had been given. I don’t know, l am just too busy doing other things to take this any further. I shall leave it to someone else to make an issue of it if they feel it necessary…… Navid.

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"my doctor has pictures for me to take home and go over with at our next appt." juliebabe. Do you mean actual pictures taken during your colonoscopy? Navid

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"i have one coming up in march(colonoscopy) and depending on how much pain i have been in daily..i might follow this one…" annie. Generally speaking, patients should have the right to choose. Navid.

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"I always go to hospital alone. By car, which is not  allowed after a sedation. And they won’t let me leave the hospital for an hour if I would be sedated." Martin. I cycled to the hospital. You should have seen the look on the doctors face when l told him that after my colonoscopy, l planned to cycle back home I DID CYCLE BACK HOME, but only after the doctor kept me in the hospital ward for an extra 5 hours Navid

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In one sense, l am quite glad that l was unconscious during the entire colonoscopy. I experienced no pain, discomfort or any embarrassment. I just miss not having the opportunity of seeing the inside of my colon after a 7 year gap, and not being able to ask the doctor questions during the procedure. Hmm, l wonder if the hospital keeps a video record of Navid.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Last time i had one, they ’strongly recommended’ heavy sedation.  It > took almost a demand on my part NOT to be so heavily sedated, as I > wanted to see the procedure.  Had I not insisted on that, they would > have automatically put me under.

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" …perhaps somebody has done an ergonomics study and come to the conclusion that unconscious patients are easier to deal with and are treated faster." Vanny. I think that this is the key point: Limited resources + High demand = more sedation + abuse of power? Whether it is an individual doctor who has decided, or it is general practice, something just does not feel right about systematically applying ‘heavy’ sedation to all patients. I just feel the registrar who conducted the colonoscopy may be abusing his authority. Patients may be unnecessarily placed under greater risk of potential complications. I will mention my experience to my new consultant tomorrow, and give feedback to this newsgroup. Navid.

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I have been lightly sedated…enough that I have felt no discomfort, but little enough that although somewhat drowsy I could watch the video monitor and respond to my dr’s questions.   I’ve not walked into the exam room, because by the time they are ready for me to go there I am hooked up to lots of tubes, wires, etc. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I had not been examined internally for my IBD since 1998. So when l went for >my colonoscopy in December 2004, l was really looking forward to seeing the >inside of my colon. >The colonoscopy went well, and the G.I. was able to examine my entire colon. >Unfortunately, l was given so much sedation that l was unconscious during >all of the colonoscopy. All l can remember is being trollyed into the >examination room, being given three ’shots’ of sedation into my forearm, >having an oxygen tube inserted into my right nostril, and then being rolled >onto my back after the colonoscopy examination had taken place, and then >trollyed back to a hospital ward. So l missed everything! and the video >monitor screen was just a few feet from my face. Duh! >Not only me, but all other’s who had a colonoscopy during the same morning >as me were so heavily sedated that they were trollyed back from the >colonoscopy examination room unconscious or semi-unconscious. >This experience is in stark contrast to my previous experience of a >colonoscopy at a different hospital in 1998, where sedation was optional, >and once given sedation, l was able to walk into the colonoscopy examination >room, actually see the inside of my colon on the video monitor, and then >walk back out of the examination room. >I have an appointment with my consultant tomorrow and may well raise my >concerns regarding ‘heavy’ sedating during colonoscopies as ’standard’ by >certainly the Registrar who performed a colonoscopy on me. >What l would like to know from others who have had colonoscopies is: >1. Was the taking of sedation compulsory for you prior to your  colonoscopy? >2. For those given sedation, where you conscious or unconscious during most >of your colonoscopy? >3. For those given sedation, were you able to walk into the colonoscopy >examination room, and then walk out at the end of the colonoscopy procedure? >Is anyone aware of any changes in guidelines for doctors on the degree to >which a patient needs to be sedated prior to a  colonoscopy being performed? >Navid.

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I get demerol and versed…never would I have it without sedation…my doctor has pictures for me to take home and go over with at our next appt.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> During my first colonscopy I was not sedated enough and asked for more > medication. duriing the last one, I had a pleasant buzz on but was able > to watch the monitor in a nice haze. both times I was wheeled in and > out. I guess I’m a sissy but I don’t think I could go thru a colonscopy > without pain medication. Demerol was used this last time and it seemed > to wear off fairly quickly.

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During my first colonscopy I was not sedated enough and asked for more medication. duriing the last one, I had a pleasant buzz on but was able to watch the monitor in a nice haze. both times I was wheeled in and out. I guess I’m a sissy but I don’t think I could go thru a colonscopy without pain medication. Demerol was used this last time and it seemed to wear off fairly quickly.

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I’ve never been sedated at all. Light sedation is possible though. The doctor told me last time they prefer to do it without sedation so that the patient can warn them if something goes wrong. It’s not likely, but puncturing/damaging the colon is possible during a scope. I don’t want a sedation, for the above reason. But also because I like to follow the procedure and I always go to hospital alone. By car, which is not allowed after a sedation. And they won’t let me leave the hospital for an hour if I would be sedated. — Martin The Netherlands – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I had not been examined internally for my IBD since 1998. So when l went >for my colonoscopy in December 2004, l was really looking forward to seeing >the inside of my colon. > The colonoscopy went well, and the G.I. was able to examine my entire > colon. Unfortunately, l was given so much sedation that l was unconscious > during all of the colonoscopy. All l can remember is being trollyed into > the examination room, being given three ’shots’ of sedation into my > forearm, having an oxygen tube inserted into my right nostril, and then > being rolled onto my back after the colonoscopy examination had taken > place, and then trollyed back to a hospital ward. So l missed everything! > and the video monitor screen was just a few feet from my face. Duh! > Not only me, but all other’s who had a colonoscopy during the same morning > as me were so heavily sedated that they were trollyed back from the > colonoscopy examination room unconscious or semi-unconscious. > This experience is in stark contrast to my previous experience of a > colonoscopy at a different hospital in 1998, where sedation was optional, > and once given sedation, l was able to walk into the colonoscopy > examination room, actually see the inside of my colon on the video > monitor, and then walk back out of the examination room. > I have an appointment with my consultant tomorrow and may well raise my > concerns regarding ‘heavy’ sedating during colonoscopies as ’standard’ by > certainly the Registrar who performed a colonoscopy on me. > What l would like to know from others who have had colonoscopies is: > 1. Was the taking of sedation compulsory for you prior to your > colonoscopy? > 2. For those given sedation, where you conscious or unconscious during > most of your colonoscopy? > 3. For those given sedation, were you able to walk into the colonoscopy > examination room, and then walk out at the end of the colonoscopy > procedure? > Is anyone aware of any changes in guidelines for doctors on the degree to > which a patient needs to be sedated prior to a  colonoscopy being > performed? > Navid.

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Ditto here. If I could figure out a way to not be there at all I would <GRIN> Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m unconscious for it every time.  Dr doesn’t want me moving around and I > don’t want to watch.  UM MOM Susan > Last time i had one, they ’strongly recommended’ heavy sedation.  It > took almost a demand on my part NOT to be so heavily sedated, as I > wanted to see the procedure.  Had I not insisted on that, they would > have automatically put me under.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I had not been examined internally for my IBD since 1998. So when l went for > my colonoscopy in December 2004, l was really looking forward to seeing the > inside of my colon. > The colonoscopy went well, and the G.I. was able to examine my entire colon. > Unfortunately, l was given so much sedation that l was unconscious during > all of the colonoscopy. All l can remember is being trollyed into the > examination room, being given three ’shots’ of sedation into my forearm, > having an oxygen tube inserted into my right nostril, and then being rolled > onto my back after the colonoscopy examination had taken place, and then > trollyed back to a hospital ward. So l missed everything! and the video > monitor screen was just a few feet from my face. Duh! > Not only me, but all other’s who had a colonoscopy during the same morning > as me were so heavily sedated that they were trollyed back from the > colonoscopy examination room unconscious or semi-unconscious. > This experience is in stark contrast to my previous experience of a > colonoscopy at a different hospital in 1998, where sedation was optional, > and once given sedation, l was able to walk into the colonoscopy examination > room, actually see the inside of my colon on the video monitor, and then > walk back out of the examination room. > I have an appointment with my consultant tomorrow and may well raise my > concerns regarding ‘heavy’ sedating during colonoscopies as ’standard’ by > certainly the Registrar who performed a colonoscopy on me. > What l would like to know from others who have had colonoscopies is: > 1. Was the taking of sedation compulsory for you prior to your colonoscopy? > 2. For those given sedation, where you conscious or unconscious during most > of your colonoscopy? > 3. For those given sedation, were you able to walk into the colonoscopy > examination room, and then walk out at the end of the colonoscopy procedure? > Is anyone aware of any changes in guidelines for doctors on the degree to > which a patient needs to be sedated prior to a  colonoscopy being performed? > Navid.

hi navid to my knowledge where i go in boston sedation is up to the patient to a point..i am never very heavily sedated because i have a seizure disorder and versed can cause some problems with that and phenobarb.so several times i have looked at the monitor…i have walked in..mostly cos they stuck me on a stretcher waiting and then i had to pee<g> and ended up getting on and off so much that i simply walked into the room… i would think that the amount of sedation would be up to you…some people who can be "put out’ would prefer it…others like yourself would not..there have been times when i have been very ill and i wished i could have been totally out…but most times i am awake enough to look if i want to…tired enough to just kind of drift if i choose that …i have one coming up in march and depending on how much pain i have been in daily..i might follow this one… good luck..annie

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Last time i had one, they ’strongly recommended’ heavy sedation.  It took almost a demand on my part NOT to be so heavily sedated, as I wanted to see the procedure.  Had I not insisted on that, they would have automatically put me under.

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I’m unconscious for it every time.  Dr doesn’t want me moving around and I don’t want to watch.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Last time i had one, they ’strongly recommended’ heavy sedation.  It > took almost a demand on my part NOT to be so heavily sedated, as I > wanted to see the procedure.  Had I not insisted on that, they would > have automatically put me under.

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I had my first and last colonoscopy in 1992, together with gastroendoscopy. I was anaesthetised and they did both procedures while I was unconcious. A friend picked me up and said that I tried to get out of the car whilst it was moving. When I got home I collapsed on the bed fully clothed and slept I believe for four hours. I assume that you are an NHS patient like myself. The consultant that treated me was around sixty years old. Could it have something to do with the standard practices in the various hospitals or by the various doctors? Alternatively, perhaps somebody has done an ergonomics study and come to the conclusion that unconscious patients are easier to deal with and are treated faster. I had gastroendoscopy three weeks ago and was unconscious there too, but recovered within a few minutes and was able to walk to the hospital to make an appointment to see the surgeon, then to the tram stop and found my own way home without doing myself any injury and felt fine (well, for me in my current state) the rest of the day. All the best, Vanny I had not been examined internally for my IBD since 1998. So when l went for my colonoscopy in December 2004, l was really looking forward to seeing the inside of my colon. The colonoscopy went well, and the G.I. was able to examine my entire colon. Unfortunately, l was given so much sedation that l was unconscious during all of the colonoscopy. All l can remember is being trollyed into the examination room, being given three ’shots’ of sedation into my forearm, having an oxygen tube inserted into my right nostril, and then being rolled onto my back after the colonoscopy examination had taken place, and then trollyed back to a hospital ward. So l missed everything! and the video monitor screen was just a few feet from my face. Duh! Not only me, but all other’s who had a colonoscopy during the same morning as me were so heavily sedated that they were trollyed back from the colonoscopy examination room unconscious or semi-unconscious. This experience is in stark contrast to my previous experience of a colonoscopy at a different hospital in 1998, where sedation was optional, and once given sedation, l was able to walk into the colonoscopy examination room, actually see the inside of my colon on the video monitor, and then walk back out of the examination room. I have an appointment with my consultant tomorrow and may well raise my concerns regarding ‘heavy’ sedating during colonoscopies as ’standard’ by certainly the Registrar who performed a colonoscopy on me. What l would like to know from others who have had colonoscopies is: 1. Was the taking of sedation compulsory for you prior to your  colonoscopy? 2. For those given sedation, where you conscious or unconscious during most of your colonoscopy? 3. For those given sedation, were you able to walk into the colonoscopy examination room, and then walk out at the end of the colonoscopy procedure? Is anyone aware of any changes in guidelines for doctors on the degree to which a patient needs to be sedated prior to a  colonoscopy being performed? Navid.

Response:

I had not been examined internally for my IBD since 1998. So when l went for my colonoscopy in December 2004, l was really looking forward to seeing the inside of my colon. The colonoscopy went well, and the G.I. was able to examine my entire colon. Unfortunately, l was given so much sedation that l was unconscious during all of the colonoscopy. All l can remember is being trollyed into the examination room, being given three ’shots’ of sedation into my forearm, having an oxygen tube inserted into my right nostril, and then being rolled onto my back after the colonoscopy examination had taken place, and then trollyed back to a hospital ward. So l missed everything! and the video monitor screen was just a few feet from my face. Duh! Not only me, but all other’s who had a colonoscopy during the same morning as me were so heavily sedated that they were trollyed back from the colonoscopy examination room unconscious or semi-unconscious. This experience is in stark contrast to my previous experience of a colonoscopy at a different hospital in 1998, where sedation was optional, and once given sedation, l was able to walk into the colonoscopy examination room, actually see the inside of my colon on the video monitor, and then walk back out of the examination room. I have an appointment with my consultant tomorrow and may well raise my concerns regarding ‘heavy’ sedating during colonoscopies as ’standard’ by certainly the Registrar who performed a colonoscopy on me. What l would like to know from others who have had colonoscopies is: 1. Was the taking of sedation compulsory for you prior to your  colonoscopy? 2. For those given sedation, where you conscious or unconscious during most of your colonoscopy? 3. For those given sedation, were you able to walk into the colonoscopy examination room, and then walk out at the end of the colonoscopy procedure? Is anyone aware of any changes in guidelines for doctors on the degree to which a patient needs to be sedated prior to a  colonoscopy being performed? Navid.

Response:

When I was 21 I was given Keflex for a UTI. After a couple doses I developed a leathery patch on my leg 4 inches in diameter. The Dr determined that i was allergic to this drug and advised that I should always tell future Drs this information. I didn’t have Crohn’s then…Well, I may have  but I wasn’t diagnosed for another 12 years. I have since read that it isn’t givenn to people with Crohn’s or Colitis. If  in fact I do have this ‘allergy’ what other medications for Crohn’s should I be careful of. Is this a Sulfa based drug? I cannot tolerate Pentasa. I get horrible migraines from it, for example. Thanks for your input.

Response:

My dr won’t allow Keflex, get ill big time.  As for the Pentasa, headaches can unfortunately be a  side effect but they do ease up in time as does the hair loss but I am still losing lots of hair that I would normally do.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> When I was 21 I was given Keflex for a UTI. After a couple doses I > developed a leathery patch on my leg 4 inches in diameter. The Dr > determined that i was allergic to this drug and advised that I should > always tell future Drs this information. > I didn’t have Crohn’s then…Well, I may have  but I wasn’t diagnosed for > another 12 years. I have since read that it isn’t givenn to people with > Crohn’s or Colitis. > If  in fact I do have this ‘allergy’ what other medications for Crohn’s > should I be careful of. Is this a Sulfa based drug? I cannot tolerate > Pentasa. I get horrible migraines from it, for example. > Thanks for your input.

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which village will you be in? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->It would be nice to stay in a hotel, but I didn’t mention that groups of 2 >people will be housed with people in the village we will be staying in.  So >I suppose it will get hot.  Hope they don’t mind seeing my belly scar.  lol > Most hotels have air however, and I would think this group is staying > in a hotel (or even a dorm).  I have stayed in both and always had > air.  Some homes do have those huge ceiling fans, however.  I have not > had problems with mosquitos in Italy, but over in Croatia they loved > me.   I swell up with huge itchy hives when the mosquitos get me. > The farmacias sell a gel called "Calm-o-Gel" which immediately takes > down the swelling and kills the itch.  It costs about $8 (US) per > tube, but it is magic.  On my last trip I got 3 tubes to bring home > with me!  I had tried benedryl stick and some other mosquito creams > from home without positive results, but the calm-o-gel works really > fast and effectively. > A travel fan will be clunky to pack and you will need a converter for > the outlet.  You will need to make sure it can run on European > current. >>A post on Arthur Frommer’s said that many Italian houses have no air >>conditioning and no screens — and an abundance of mosquitoes.  My Dear >>Friend >>is very sensitive to both heat and physical conditions, because of his >>illness. >>Bug spray?  A travel fan? >>E. P.

Response:

Good idea…some of those baby wipes would be easy to pack along… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I would try to bring wet ones with me if possible too.  :)  Thanks for the >tip. > Dove toilette [dovay* twalleta] or dove W.C. (stands for water closet) > *long "o" > Oh, and carry some of those travel kleenex packs…sometimes you won’t > find toilet paper whenyou need it.. > <snipped>…and how to ask re bathrooms in other places like >>restaurants. <snipped>

Response:

Go! Go!  You won’t regret it…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->WOW!.  I never expect such a response.  Thanks to all of your tips and >cautions.  I was already decided against going, but now I am on the fence >again.  Thanks for the boost.  If I do end up going you will all know >because I will post pictures from the trip.  Woo woo! >Tony > The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of > the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself > protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking > water, etc).  Any suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip transportation. > Tony

Response:

Go for it Tony!  Don’t let this damn disease run your life, you are in charge!  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > WOW!.  I never expect such a response.  Thanks to all of your tips and > cautions.  I was already decided against going, but now I am on the fence > again.  Thanks for the boost.  If I do end up going you will all know > because I will post pictures from the trip.  Woo woo! > Tony >The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy >over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go >is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of >the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself >protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking >water, etc).  Any suggestions? >Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to >him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The >international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day >trip transportation. >Tony

Response:

Oh I really hope  you go, Tony. I always feel better when I am traveling —   maybe it’s just because I have so many interesting things to see and do I don’t focus so much on being sick. I can’t wait to see the pictures!!! Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> WOW!.  I never expect such a response.  Thanks to all of your tips and > cautions.  I was already decided against going, but now I am on the fence > again.  Thanks for the boost.  If I do end up going you will all know > because I will post pictures from the trip.  Woo woo! > Tony > The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of > the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself > protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking > water, etc).  Any suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip transportation. > Tony

Response:

WOW!.  I never expect such a response.  Thanks to all of your tips and cautions.  I was already decided against going, but now I am on the fence again.  Thanks for the boost.  If I do end up going you will all know because I will post pictures from the trip.  Woo woo! Tony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of > the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself > protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking > water, etc).  Any suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip transportation. > Tony

Response:

I would try to bring wet ones with me if possible too.  :)  Thanks for the tip.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dove toilette [dovay* twalleta] or dove W.C. (stands for water closet) > *long "o" > Oh, and carry some of those travel kleenex packs…sometimes you won’t > find toilet paper whenyou need it.. > <snipped>…and how to ask re bathrooms in other places like >restaurants. <snipped>

Response:

Something really long My doctor at the time told me to make sure I washed all veggies, & that I drank bottled water. Carrying enough meds & copies of prescriptions is a good idea too. No special instructions aside from that. Just be sensible & try not to overdo it

Response:

It would be nice to stay in a hotel, but I didn’t mention that groups of 2 people will be housed with people in the village we will be staying in.  So I suppose it will get hot.  Hope they don’t mind seeing my belly scar.  lol

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Most hotels have air however, and I would think this group is staying > in a hotel (or even a dorm).  I have stayed in both and always had > air.  Some homes do have those huge ceiling fans, however.  I have not > had problems with mosquitos in Italy, but over in Croatia they loved > me.   I swell up with huge itchy hives when the mosquitos get me. > The farmacias sell a gel called "Calm-o-Gel" which immediately takes > down the swelling and kills the itch.  It costs about $8 (US) per > tube, but it is magic.  On my last trip I got 3 tubes to bring home > with me!  I had tried benedryl stick and some other mosquito creams > from home without positive results, but the calm-o-gel works really > fast and effectively. > A travel fan will be clunky to pack and you will need a converter for > the outlet.  You will need to make sure it can run on European > current. >A post on Arthur Frommer’s said that many Italian houses have no air >conditioning and no screens — and an abundance of mosquitoes.  My Dear >Friend >is very sensitive to both heat and physical conditions, because of his >illness. >Bug spray?  A travel fan? >E. P.

Response:

> Dove toilette [dovay* twalleta]

Dove il gabinetto? is a little more common I think. IMO< the most important phrase in any language.

Response:

When travelling, I find the biggest problem is eating times. When I’m in my regular environment, I have a fairly regular schedule of times to eat, and a full set of what I like to eat ready to hand, and the means to cook it. But when travelling, specially by train/stations and air/ports, that goes to hell. You generally can’t eat when you’d like to, unless you plan ahead. When you can eat, there may be a very limited selection, which may or may not be suitable, e.g. airline food, or a quick danish and capuccino snatched on the run. That "one bad day" at the very start of a holiday can throw you out-of-kilter for a few days, thus marring the trip, maybe spending more time "on the throne" than doing the things you planned to do and see. If you have any specific dietary requirements, plan ahead, for example maybe advise your airline you want a diary-free diet. And keep some small items of your own food handy in a travel bag. Advance notice might also apply to the organisers of your music festival. Italy is a fabulous country: so civilised! And boy do they know how to eat and drink well, and have a good time! I hope you have a blast! Milan is a *major* city: Italy’s financial capital. I don’t think you’ll have problems with mosquitoes, and you won’t need inoculations. Remember, the Romans (i.e. the Italians) were sophisticated civil engineers and architects 2,500 years ago: I think they have their living standards worked out pretty well by now! But the other side of it is that the bacteria endemic to food in Italy will be different to what you and your immune system are accustomed to: not bad, not dangerous, just different. The same is true of most places in the world, and local inhabitants build up a tolerance for the organisms that are prevalent in their environment. For most people, switching between such microbiological environments usually isn’t a problem. But for IBDers, caution is advised. Be conservative food wise for the first few days, until your system has settled down. For example, they have loads of gorgeous smelly cheeses in Italy, which could be A: crawling with a live fungus your system has never encountered before or B: full of strange strains of dairy bacteria (many soft cheeses on The Continent are made from unpasteurised milk). One or more of these organisms may not cause a problem, but if you have too many, e.g. attend a sampling session at a soft-raw-smelly-cheese shop , you could have a nasty surpise. So be sensible. Lastly, I would echo all the good advice of others relating to medication, original containers, documentation, etc. Make sure you have a backup prescription (kept separately) for your meds, so that if you do lose your meds, you don’t have to go explain yourself to a local doctor. You won’t have a problem finding doctors that speak excellent English (especially in Milan), but sitting in a medical waiting room for several hours can be a pain. Also, IBD is almost as prevalent in Northern Italy as in Northern Europe and North America, so there will be no shortage of IBD specialists in any hospital in Milan, if required: the quality of care is very high (though you should be sure, being a non-European citizen, to have adequate insurance: specifically check your policy for medical cover). Go for it! Regards, Alan.

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Dove toilette [dovay* twalleta] or dove W.C. (stands for water closet) *long "o" Oh, and carry some of those travel kleenex packs…sometimes you won’t find toilet paper whenyou need it.. <snipped>…and how to ask re bathrooms in other places like – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->restaurants. <snipped>

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Charmin makes a travel pack of toilet paper.  It doesn’t have the roll in the middle so it is real compact for traveling.  Oh yeah, and don’t be suprised if you have to pay $.50  to use the toilet either.  Always have some change on you. Milan is beautiful downtown.  Don’t venture too far away from the city center into the urban areas or you will be a little disappointed… Grafiti and not so pretty…

Response:

Hi Tony, The most important thing you need for Italy (well I needed them for Rome and Naples) is earplugs! Apart from that take all the precautions you would anywhere if you are on immunosuppressants. Record the name and address of the local Crohn’s and Colitis association just in case you need some support whilst you are there. Drink lots and lots – June is a hot month, so always have a bottle of water with you and encourage your friends to carry their own water. I once shared my bottle of water with a friend who had nothing with her on a walking trip and I ended up severely dehydrated because I just did not drink enough. Do not experiment with food and alcohol too much and get plenty of rest – do not feel forced to keep up with the rest of the team (earplugs!). I was witness to a motorscooter driver ripping the bag off the arm of a lady in Florence and pick-pocketing is rife and tourists anywhere are always a target because they are easily distracted away from their possessions. Look at insurance and see if you can get a policy to cover last minute cancellations – get someone to check the small print because sometimes exisiting conditions might be excluded. Milan is very cosmopolitain and interesting. I have also been to Pisa, Siena and Tuscany (around and about Volterra). I have never had to draw on any medical services whilst I was in Italy, but I have been more or less in Crohn’s remission since 1993. Enjoy! Vanny The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking water, etc).  Any suggestions? Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day trip transportation. Tony

Response:

Tony Vanny has a good idea about having contact info for the crohns & colitis group in Italy. Here is their website. Address & phone numbers are in the upper right. http://www.amicilom.org/html/index.htm Howard

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Tony, > The most important thing you need for Italy (well I needed them for Rome > and > Naples) is earplugs! > Apart from that take all the precautions you would anywhere if you are on > immunosuppressants. Record the name and address of the local Crohn’s and > Colitis association just in case you need some support whilst you are > there. > Drink lots and lots – June is a hot month, so always have a bottle of > water > with you and encourage your friends to carry their own water. I once > shared > my bottle of water with a friend who had nothing with her on a walking > trip > and I ended up severely dehydrated because I just did not drink enough. Do > not experiment with food and alcohol too much and get plenty of rest – do > not feel forced to keep up with the rest of the team (earplugs!). > I was witness to a motorscooter driver ripping the bag off the arm of a > lady > in Florence and pick-pocketing is rife and tourists anywhere are always a > target because they are easily distracted away from their possessions. > Look at insurance and see if you can get a policy to cover last minute > cancellations – get someone to check the small print because sometimes > exisiting conditions might be excluded. > Milan is very cosmopolitain and interesting. I have also been to Pisa, > Siena > and Tuscany (around and about Volterra). I have never had to draw on any > medical services whilst I was in Italy, but I have been more or less in > Crohn’s remission since 1993. > Enjoy! > Vanny > The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is > how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of the > country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself protected > from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking water, etc). > Any > suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him > soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip > transportation. > Tony

Response:

I flew from Texas to Hawaii and did quite well.  I didn’t eat much before or during the flight, and took a bunch of imodium.  It was my first long flight since being dx with cd.  Go have fun Tony…these opportunities are few and far between!  ja

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hi tony > lucky you…. > dont know about italy…we were in germany a couple of years ago…for > a month at a time for several trips.. > i found out where the bathrooms were downtown..that was almost the > first thing…and how to ask re bathrooms in other places like > restaurants. > i worked it out with my hmo to get a two months’ supply of all the > meds..just in case we ended up a few days over …i felt secure having > plenty of stuff there…i also got the name of an ibd doctor in our > city(but we were there a lot longer than you will be..so you shouldnt > need that)…also find out where emergency services are so u feel > better about it… > try to eat what you normally eat at home that feels ok…i did drink a > lot of beer in germany but beer has always helped me…<g> > the plane trips were the worst tho..my doctor said that the cabin > pressure can affect people with ibd…so the first couple of days after > the plane trip i needed to be more careful… > you wont know how you will feel then…u know…with ibd..its never > easy and its never for sure that u will be feeling great..but my > attitude is…go and have a good time..try to keep some kind of > schedual for food and rest going…take your meds on time…and have > lots of fun… > annie

Response:

Tony you’re going to western europe, not the backwaters of africa, you’ll be fine, enjoy! Brian

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of > the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself > protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking > water, etc).  Any suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip transportation. > Tony

Response:

hi tony lucky you…. dont know about italy…we were in germany a couple of years ago…for a month at a time for several trips.. i found out where the bathrooms were downtown..that was almost the first thing…and how to ask re bathrooms in other places like restaurants. i worked it out with my hmo to get a two months’ supply of all the meds..just in case we ended up a few days over …i felt secure having plenty of stuff there…i also got the name of an ibd doctor in our city(but we were there a lot longer than you will be..so you shouldnt need that)…also find out where emergency services are so u feel better about it… try to eat what you normally eat at home that feels ok…i did drink a lot of beer in germany but beer has always helped me…<g> the plane trips were the worst tho..my doctor said that the cabin pressure can affect people with ibd…so the first couple of days after the plane trip i needed to be more careful… you wont know how you will feel then…u know…with ibd..its never easy and its never for sure that u will be feeling great..but my attitude is…go and have a good time..try to keep some kind of schedual for food and rest going…take your meds on time…and have lots of fun… annie

Response:

Tony have a blast.  Like the others said, keep the RX’s in their original bottles and on you, not in your luggage.  When you eat or drink anything make sure that it’s bottled.  I’ve only been in the Caribbean so I don’t know if this would apply here.  Just enjoy yourself and talk to your dr about anything you should do.  The ccfa site has a lot of info to help with traveling too.  The shots you need to talk to your dr about.  I was told not to have any shots that were live.  Have fun and I look forward to hearing all about it.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of > the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself > protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking > water, etc).  Any suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip transportation. > Tony

Response:

>The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy >over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go is >how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).

[ . . . ] A post on Arthur Frommer’s said that many Italian houses have no air conditioning and no screens — and an abundance of mosquitoes.  My Dear Friend is very sensitive to both heat and physical conditions, because of his illness. Bug spray?  A travel fan? E. P.

Response:

Most hotels have air however, and I would think this group is staying in a hotel (or even a dorm).  I have stayed in both and always had air.  Some homes do have those huge ceiling fans, however.  I have not had problems with mosquitos in Italy, but over in Croatia they loved me.   I swell up with huge itchy hives when the mosquitos get me.   The farmacias sell a gel called "Calm-o-Gel" which immediately takes down the swelling and kills the itch.  It costs about $8 (US) per tube, but it is magic.  On my last trip I got 3 tubes to bring home with me!  I had tried benedryl stick and some other mosquito creams from home without positive results, but the calm-o-gel works really fast and effectively. A travel fan will be clunky to pack and you will need a converter for the outlet.  You will need to make sure it can run on European current.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->A post on Arthur Frommer’s said that many Italian houses have no air >conditioning and no screens — and an abundance of mosquitoes.  My Dear Friend >is very sensitive to both heat and physical conditions, because of his illness. >Bug spray?  A travel fan? >E. P.

Response:

Tony I read this somewhere, and that it can help avoid possible problems going through customs. Keep the prescription medications that you need to take in their original containers. In addition it would be good to have a simple letter from your doctor lissting the meds you take. I always carry my meds in my hand-carry luggage, not in my checked luggage, in case of lost luggage. If you need and take prescription pain meds, I would keep them on my person, and not leave them in the hotel room, since it would be tempting to steal them. Nothing against Italy, I would do this in any country, drink bottled water, especially on the plane. (There was a study came out not too long ago that found 17 percent of the water tested on airplanes in the US was contaminated with fecal coliforms.) Don’t buy food from a street vender, and wash your hands often. Howard PS: And most important—Have a GOOD time.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go > is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of > the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself > protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking > water, etc).  Any suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to > him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day > trip transportation. > Tony

Response:

Tony, I would go for it!  It will take some planning on your part and cooperation on the part of the college and chaperones, especially regarding diet restrictions.  You should drink bottled water at all times and avoid all fresh produce unless you re-wash it in bottled water.  Other dietary restrictions should be discussed and you may need to bring some of your own foods.  The good part of this is you’ll have room to bring home souvenirs <G>.   You also should discuss any problems with fatigue that you have and work out a plan for how you can rest should you need to.  It is better to have a plan worked out and never need it then need to rest without any backup plan of how to allow you the rest you need from some sightseeing trips.   I hope you can work it out and have a wonderful time!  This sounds like a wonderful opportunity to travel and you shouldn’t pass it up if you are healthy.  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy > over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go is > how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of the > country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself protected > from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking water, etc).  Any > suggestions? > Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to him > soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The > international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day trip > transportation. > Tony

Response:

I have been to Italy several times and have never had any problems. No special immunizations needed for Milan…it is a large city.  The water is fine….comes from the mountains.  You can always buy bottled water – tell them "no gas" or you will get the bubbly kind. As far as flying, I eat light before I get on a plane.  Keep any meds with you on the plane.  Keep a copy of your Rxs with you (you know, the little printed form you get when you fill your scrip).   If you lose your meds they can be refilled.  Take along some immodium, just in case.  In a place like Milan you aren’t going to get "Montezuma’s Revenge."     You can buy lots of stuff over the counter at a "farmacia."  They always have a big green cross outside – easy to see. Breakfasts at the hotels are generally pretty basic – some breads/rolls and beverages.   If you want fruit you can pick it up at local markets.   (The produce is fabulous.)  Food is varied – pastas, chicken, fish.  Pizza of course.  You can get cute little sandwiches called "tremezzini" at take-out places.  All sorts of good fillings.   Enjoy the trip…get travel insurance (it will cover getting you back home should something really bad happen) and it is not too expensive. See the sights if you have some time.   Get a money belt!  Put your passport and plane tickets in it, along with any credit cards, etc. Just keep a little "day money" – $20-30 in your pocket whileyou are out and about.  You can always dip into a bathroom and pull out more. McD’s has good, clean (free) bathrooms and they are everywhere.   In some places you have to pay a few coins to use the bathroom (like 25-50 cents)- there will be a woman attendant who will collect the coins.   ENJOY!  I am jealou – it’s just about a year since I was last there….  email me directly if you have questions… Carole – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy >over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go is >how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of the >country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself protected >from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking water, etc).  Any >suggestions? >Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to him >soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The >international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day trip >transportation. >Tony

Response:

The college band I perform with has an opportunity to go to Milan, Italy over the summer for about 9 days.  The problem I face when deciding to go is how will I feel by that time.  (End of June).  I’ve never been out of the country so I don’t know what to expect as far as keeping myself protected from anything that would give me complications.. (Drinking water, etc).  Any suggestions? Are there immunizations I should be asking my GI about?  I will talk to him soon.  You can’t beat going for 9 days at the cost of airfare.  The international music festival will provide all food and lodging and day trip transportation. Tony

Response:

Kent, saw  the site.  That looks like the diet that my Dad grew up on. Mary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Mist, > My wife has Crohn’s disease in the colon. She had a colonoscopy on June > 20, 2003. The doctor could find no sign of her previous inflammation > from Crohn’s colitis disease. He said her colon looked perfectly > normal. He would have never known by the examination that she had ever > had any intestinal disease. She is completely pain free with normal > digestion and bowel movements for the first time in her life. > We have not told the doctor about the low-carbohydrate diet program she > is on. He recommended she continue as she has been doing, but he didn’t > ask what she has been doing. He ended by saying, "continue with the > high-fiber diet." He doesn’t know this program is a very low-fiber > diet. These doctors of gastroenterology are totally CRAZY. His > professional website lists a suggested diet plan that would give a > healthy person an intestinal disease. > My wife found she began healing immediately on this diet and began to > gain the weight she needed even though this diet is extremely > low-carbohydrate. Overweight people will lose weight, and underweight > people will gain weight. This diet cured my sister of fibromyalgia. > This is also a great diet for healthy individuals. This is my diet, and > I have no diseases. It is a great diet for a healthy heart and the > prevention of diabetes. It believe it is the ultimate health diet plan > for everyone. > Another person has UC and his doctor was suggesting surgery. He has > been on my diet plan for a few weeks and is extremely excited about his > healing. He has begun to cut back on his meds and doing very well. > Bleeding and diarrhea have completely stopped. > Be sure you read the list of "Foods We Should Absolutely Avoid." > Check it out at: > Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Candida & > Others. > http://www.biblelife.org/bowel.htm > Check out my newest nutritional web page at: > Top Ten Nutritional Myths, Distortions and Lies That Will Destroy Your > Heath. > http://www.biblelife.org/myths.htm > And my general nutrition page at: > Nutrition, Healing, Health, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate & Cholesterol > Science. > http://www.biblelife.org/vitamins.htm > Please let me know the results, if you try it. Notice that the site has > nothing for sell and no popup or link kickback ads. This is just > helpful information for people who are sick. > Good luck, > Kent Rieske > My daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s 2 years ago at age 15.  After > several > stays in the hospital and more medication changes than I can count, > she was > doing well until about 3 months ago.  Now she spends most of her time > in > pain.  Can anyone offer some advise as to how I can help her deal > with her > feelings of being so "different" from everyone else and to help her > gain > some weight?

Response:

As far as weight have you tried ice cream and the "boost" style drinks? Good luck and best wishes…. invite your daughter to this ng! Nina

Response:

yeah, i gained about 40 pounds in 5 months with the help of BOOST drinks.  expensive, though.

Response:

what’s her medicine history? jeffy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s 2 years ago at age 15.  After several > stays in the hospital and more medication changes than I can count, she was > doing well until about 3 months ago.  Now she spends most of her time in > pain.  Can anyone offer some advise as to how I can help her deal with her > feelings of being so "different" from everyone else and to help her gain > some weight?

Response:

why not tell the dr. about the diet if it worked? Mary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Mist, > My wife has Crohn’s disease in the colon. She had a colonoscopy on June > 20, 2003. The doctor could find no sign of her previous inflammation > from Crohn’s colitis disease. He said her colon looked perfectly > normal. He would have never known by the examination that she had ever > had any intestinal disease. She is completely pain free with normal > digestion and bowel movements for the first time in her life. > We have not told the doctor about the low-carbohydrate diet program she > is on. He recommended she continue as she has been doing, but he didn’t > ask what she has been doing. He ended by saying, "continue with the > high-fiber diet." He doesn’t know this program is a very low-fiber > diet. These doctors of gastroenterology are totally CRAZY. His > professional website lists a suggested diet plan that would give a > healthy person an intestinal disease. > My wife found she began healing immediately on this diet and began to > gain the weight she needed even though this diet is extremely > low-carbohydrate. Overweight people will lose weight, and underweight > people will gain weight. This diet cured my sister of fibromyalgia. > This is also a great diet for healthy individuals. This is my diet, and > I have no diseases. It is a great diet for a healthy heart and the > prevention of diabetes. It believe it is the ultimate health diet plan > for everyone. > Another person has UC and his doctor was suggesting surgery. He has > been on my diet plan for a few weeks and is extremely excited about his > healing. He has begun to cut back on his meds and doing very well. > Bleeding and diarrhea have completely stopped. > Be sure you read the list of "Foods We Should Absolutely Avoid." > Check it out at: > Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Candida & > Others. > http://www.biblelife.org/bowel.htm > Check out my newest nutritional web page at: > Top Ten Nutritional Myths, Distortions and Lies That Will Destroy Your > Heath. > http://www.biblelife.org/myths.htm > And my general nutrition page at: > Nutrition, Healing, Health, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate & Cholesterol > Science. > http://www.biblelife.org/vitamins.htm > Please let me know the results, if you try it. Notice that the site has > nothing for sell and no popup or link kickback ads. This is just > helpful information for people who are sick. > Good luck, > Kent Rieske > My daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s 2 years ago at age 15.  After > several > stays in the hospital and more medication changes than I can count, > she was > doing well until about 3 months ago.  Now she spends most of her time > in > pain.  Can anyone offer some advise as to how I can help her deal > with her > feelings of being so "different" from everyone else and to help her > gain > some weight?

Response:

A good start may be to involve her in these discussions.  We’re all "different" here too, so it’s a nice place to start = )  It’s especially tough on younger people to accept the realities of CD & UC. We’re here for ya!

Response:

Hi Mist, My wife has Crohn’s disease in the colon. She had a colonoscopy on June 20, 2003. The doctor could find no sign of her previous inflammation from Crohn’s colitis disease. He said her colon looked perfectly normal. He would have never known by the examination that she had ever had any intestinal disease. She is completely pain free with normal digestion and bowel movements for the first time in her life. We have not told the doctor about the low-carbohydrate diet program she is on. He recommended she continue as she has been doing, but he didn’t ask what she has been doing. He ended by saying, "continue with the high-fiber diet." He doesn’t know this program is a very low-fiber diet. These doctors of gastroenterology are totally CRAZY. His professional website lists a suggested diet plan that would give a healthy person an intestinal disease. My wife found she began healing immediately on this diet and began to gain the weight she needed even though this diet is extremely low-carbohydrate. Overweight people will lose weight, and underweight people will gain weight. This diet cured my sister of fibromyalgia. This is also a great diet for healthy individuals. This is my diet, and I have no diseases. It is a great diet for a healthy heart and the prevention of diabetes. It believe it is the ultimate health diet plan for everyone. Another person has UC and his doctor was suggesting surgery. He has been on my diet plan for a few weeks and is extremely excited about his healing. He has begun to cut back on his meds and doing very well. Bleeding and diarrhea have completely stopped. Be sure you read the list of "Foods We Should Absolutely Avoid." Check it out at: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Candida & Others. http://www.biblelife.org/bowel.htm Check out my newest nutritional web page at: Top Ten Nutritional Myths, Distortions and Lies That Will Destroy Your Heath. http://www.biblelife.org/myths.htm And my general nutrition page at: Nutrition, Healing, Health, Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate & Cholesterol Science. http://www.biblelife.org/vitamins.htm Please let me know the results, if you try it. Notice that the site has nothing for sell and no popup or link kickback ads. This is just helpful information for people who are sick. Good luck, Kent Rieske – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s 2 years ago at age 15.  After several > stays in the hospital and more medication changes than I can count, she was > doing well until about 3 months ago.  Now she spends most of her time in > pain.  Can anyone offer some advise as to how I can help her deal with her > feelings of being so "different" from everyone else and to help her gain > some weight?

Response:

My daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s 2 years ago at age 15.  After several stays in the hospital and more medication changes than I can count, she was doing well until about 3 months ago.  Now she spends most of her time in pain.  Can anyone offer some advise as to how I can help her deal with her feelings of being so "different" from everyone else and to help her gain some weight?

Response:

What does her doctor say about getting her CD under control again.  Have you contacted your local chapter of the Crohns Colitis Foundation, I know the chapter her in NYC has programs for teens. Brian

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My daughter was diagnosed with crohn’s 2 years ago at age 15.  After > several stays in the hospital and more medication changes than I can > count, she was doing well until about 3 months ago.  Now she spends most > of her time in pain.  Can anyone offer some advise as to how I can help > her deal with her feelings of being so "different" from everyone else and > to help her gain some weight?

Response:

no, give it to me. Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> give your 75 bucks to me, it would go to a better cause. > jeffy > Interesting, I did do a quick little search and found out that I can be a > member of the Oligonucleotide Society for only 75 bucks a year. Sounds > like > a deal. > > strings of nucleotides… DNA… you make them so they match a gene of > > interest and they can downregulate that gene… > > Debs > > > You are correct, I have no idea really what they are. And I’m sure > there > are > > > very few others here who do. Why don’t you enlighten us a bit. > > > And I didn’t poo poo it, I just said that when they say it "may" > provide > an > > > "attractive" therapeutic approach that that doesn’t sound like > anything > > > going to happen anytime soon. > > > tx > > > Jeff > message > > >>Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > > >>before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep > your > > >>mind closed… you’ll get far. > > >>Debs > > >>>oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. > > >>>oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! > > >>>Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these > > >>>diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming > > > reality. > > >>>I mean when they say things like. > > >>>>"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for > the > > >>>treatment of chronic > > >>>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > > >>>"May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t > > > sound > > >>>like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to > > > like to > > >>>spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when > there > > > are > > >>>plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real > concrete > > >>>current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the > > >>>scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a > little > > > with > > >>>something that can actually help someone right now. > > >>>tx > > >>>Jeff > > >>>>Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel > Disease > > >>>>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense > > >>>>oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the > > >>>>inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, > according > > >>>>to a report in the January issue of Gut. > > >>>>Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and > > >>>>non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T > > >>>>helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and > > >>>>cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in > the > > >>>>intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of > > >>>>inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this > interaction > > >>>>could be of therapeutic benefit. > > >>>>Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in > > >>>>experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious > side > > >>>>effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed > > >>>>against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. > > >>>>These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen > in > > >>>>Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of > disrupting > > >>>>the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create > antisense > > >>>>oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, > thus, > > >>>>limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. > > >>>>Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were > > >>>>created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in > vitro, > > >>>>the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s > disease, > > >>>>treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis > > >>>>induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. > > >>>>"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense > oligonucleotides > > >>>>interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and > specificity > > >>>>both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they > may > > >>>>provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of > chronic > > >>>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > > >>>>Gut 2005;54:70-77. > > >>>>http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 > > >>– > > >>remove YOURFOOT before responding > > — > > remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

hmmmm, i have been in remission for over 2 years after suffering terribly. wouldn’t exactly call that "Your pet theories > have yet to produce even 1 single viable treatment."  bruce’s "pet

theories"?  come on now. jeffy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh and you don’t twist things to fit your pet theories. Your pet theories > have yet to produce even 1 single viable treatment. That was my point, you > seem to have a proclivity towards research that has not produced 1 single > treatment to date. > Yet I speak of things such as relationship of diet to bacterial flora, > exercise, stress reduction. These are things that people can use right now – > today. > I don’t have any problem with these experimental concepts and maybe one day > your pet theories will help many people. Yet you seem to be blinded by your > science to things that are actually helping people right now. > tx > Jeff > > True… it must have been a moment of weakness… I bit. > > Debs > Well don’t blame yourself, I fell for his "routine"(i.e. badly > misunderstand scientific concepts and twist them around to fit his pet > theories) enough times myself before I finally realized that trying to > use logic and scientific reasoning with him is a dead end.

Response:

give your 75 bucks to me, it would go to a better cause. jeffy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Interesting, I did do a quick little search and found out that I can be a > member of the Oligonucleotide Society for only 75 bucks a year. Sounds like > a deal. > strings of nucleotides… DNA… you make them so they match a gene of > interest and they can downregulate that gene… > Debs > > You are correct, I have no idea really what they are. And I’m sure there > are > > very few others here who do. Why don’t you enlighten us a bit. > > And I didn’t poo poo it, I just said that when they say it "may" provide > an > > "attractive" therapeutic approach that that doesn’t sound like anything > > going to happen anytime soon. > > tx > > Jeff message > >>Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > >>before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your > >>mind closed… you’ll get far. > >>Debs > >>>oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. > >>>oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! > >>>Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these > >>>diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming > > reality. > >>>I mean when they say things like. > >>>>"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for > the > >>>treatment of chronic > >>>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > >>>"May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t > > sound > >>>like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to > > like to > >>>spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there > > are > >>>plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete > >>>current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the > >>>scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little > > with > >>>something that can actually help someone right now. > >>>tx > >>>Jeff > >>>>Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel > Disease > >>>>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense > >>>>oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the > >>>>inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, > according > >>>>to a report in the January issue of Gut. > >>>>Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and > >>>>non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T > >>>>helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and > >>>>cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in > the > >>>>intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of > >>>>inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction > >>>>could be of therapeutic benefit. > >>>>Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in > >>>>experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side > >>>>effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed > >>>>against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. > >>>>These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in > >>>>Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of > disrupting > >>>>the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create > antisense > >>>>oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, > thus, > >>>>limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. > >>>>Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were > >>>>created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, > >>>>the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, > >>>>treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis > >>>>induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. > >>>>"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense > oligonucleotides > >>>>interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and > specificity > >>>>both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they > may > >>>>provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of > chronic > >>>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > >>>>Gut 2005;54:70-77. > >>>>http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 > >>– > >>remove YOURFOOT before responding > — > remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

OK, this is beginning to sound familiar…… mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > strings of nucleotides… DNA… you make them so they match a gene of > interest and they can downregulate that gene… > Debs > You are correct, I have no idea really what they are. And I’m sure > there are > very few others here who do. Why don’t you enlighten us a bit. > And I didn’t poo poo it, I just said that when they say it "may" > provide an > "attractive" therapeutic approach that that doesn’t sound like anything > going to happen anytime soon. > tx > Jeff >> Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up >> before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your >> mind closed… you’ll get far. >> Debs >>> oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. >>> oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! >>> Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these >>> diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming > reality. >>> I mean when they say things like. >>>> "Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for >>>> the >>> treatment of chronic >>>> inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>> "May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t > sound >>> like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to > like to >>> spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there > are >>> plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete >>> current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the >>> scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little > with >>> something that can actually help someone right now. >>> tx >>> Jeff >>>> Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel >>>> Disease >>>> NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >>>> oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >>>> inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, >>>> according >>>> to a report in the January issue of Gut. >>>> Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >>>> non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >>>> helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >>>> cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 >>>> in the >>>> intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >>>> inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >>>> could be of therapeutic benefit. >>>> Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >>>> experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >>>> effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >>>> against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >>>> These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >>>> Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of >>>> disrupting >>>> the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create >>>> antisense >>>> oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, >>>> thus, >>>> limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >>>> Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >>>> created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >>>> the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >>>> treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >>>> induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >>>> "The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense >>>> oligonucleotides >>>> interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and >>>> specificity >>>> both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they >>>> may >>>> provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of >>>> chronic >>>> inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>>> Gut 2005;54:70-77. >>>> http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 >> — >> remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

Deb, Forget Jeff, he’s a waste of electrons.  I would appreciate the education as to what they are.  It sounds familiar, how long have they been around?  Something I may have heard about way back when in my undergrad days when I studied the stuff?  LOL  Seriously, I am curious what they are, what role they play, etc.  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your > mind closed… you’ll get far. > Debs > oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. > oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! > Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these > diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming > reality. > I mean when they say things like. >> "Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the > treatment of chronic >> inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > "May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t sound > like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to > like to > spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when > there are > plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete > current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the > scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a > little with > something that can actually help someone right now. > tx > Jeff >> Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease >> NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >> oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >> inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according >> to a report in the January issue of Gut. >> Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >> non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >> helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >> cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the >> intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >> inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >> could be of therapeutic benefit. >> Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >> experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >> effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >> against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >> These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >> Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting >> the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense >> oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, >> limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >> Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >> created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >> the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >> treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >> induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >> "The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides >> interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity >> both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may >> provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic >> inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >> Gut 2005;54:70-77. >> http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034

Response:

Interesting, I did do a quick little search and found out that I can be a member of the Oligonucleotide Society for only 75 bucks a year. Sounds like a deal.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> strings of nucleotides… DNA… you make them so they match a gene of > interest and they can downregulate that gene… > Debs > You are correct, I have no idea really what they are. And I’m sure there are > very few others here who do. Why don’t you enlighten us a bit. > And I didn’t poo poo it, I just said that when they say it "may" provide an > "attractive" therapeutic approach that that doesn’t sound like anything > going to happen anytime soon. > tx > Jeff >>Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up >>before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your >>mind closed… you’ll get far. >>Debs >>>oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. >>>oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! >>>Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these >>>diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming > reality. >>>I mean when they say things like. >>>>"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the >>>treatment of chronic >>>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>>"May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t > sound >>>like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to > like to >>>spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there > are >>>plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete >>>current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the >>>scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little > with >>>something that can actually help someone right now. >>>tx >>>Jeff >>>>Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease >>>>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >>>>oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >>>>inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according >>>>to a report in the January issue of Gut. >>>>Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >>>>non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >>>>helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >>>>cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the >>>>intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >>>>inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >>>>could be of therapeutic benefit. >>>>Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >>>>experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >>>>effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >>>>against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >>>>These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >>>>Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting >>>>the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense >>>>oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, >>>>limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >>>>Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >>>>created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >>>>the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >>>>treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >>>>induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >>>>"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides >>>>interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity >>>>both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may >>>>provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic >>>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>>>Gut 2005;54:70-77. >>>>http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 >>– >>remove YOURFOOT before responding > — > remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

Oh and you don’t twist things to fit your pet theories. Your pet theories have yet to produce even 1 single viable treatment. That was my point, you seem to have a proclivity towards research that has not produced 1 single treatment to date. Yet I speak of things such as relationship of diet to bacterial flora, exercise, stress reduction. These are things that people can use right now – today. I don’t have any problem with these experimental concepts and maybe one day your pet theories will help many people. Yet you seem to be blinded by your science to things that are actually helping people right now. tx Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> True… it must have been a moment of weakness… I bit. > Debs > Well don’t blame yourself, I fell for his "routine"(i.e. badly > misunderstand scientific concepts and twist them around to fit his pet > theories) enough times myself before I finally realized that trying to > use logic and scientific reasoning with him is a dead end.

Response:

I never claimed to know what oligonucleotides where, I only said that your promising new treatment is a long long way from becoming something that will actually be used to treat Crohns. The current number of people who have been treated by this is ZERO. That means that some enterprising bio-tech company would have to consider this promising enough to cough up the 75 mil to do the studies and research. And only after passing Phase II or Phase III would it then become available to the general public. So let’s see then, my guess is that’s about 5, maybe 10 years away at best. And that’s only if they decide to take it up in the first place which may never happen. tx Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your > mind closed… you’ll get far. > Debs > Heh, I have Jeff2 killfiled  but I see he’s still rambling away on > subjects he doesn’t fully comprehend.

Response:

> True… it must have been a moment of weakness… I bit. > Debs

Well don’t blame yourself, I fell for his "routine"(i.e. badly misunderstand scientific concepts and twist them around to fit his pet theories) enough times myself before I finally realized that trying to use logic and scientific reasoning with him is a dead end.

Response:

Ah yes, I have a very closed mind. Let’s see, I grew up in a small town in Connecticut from a working class background. Later went on to study acupuncture and even taught Tai Chi and Yoga. I once attended a seminar given by the Dalai Lama’s personal physician (translated by Robert Thurman). I regularly go to a holistic retreat center where some of the greatest minds in human behavior, art and spiritual studies such as Deepak Chopra, Ram Dass, Sam Keen, Stephen Rechshafen, Baba Olitungie (sp?) and so many others teach classes. They’ve even had the coach of the LA Lakers teach a class. Yes my mind must be very closed. hehehe!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your > mind closed… you’ll get far. > Debs > oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. > oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! > Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these > diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming reality. > I mean when they say things like. >>"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the > treatment of chronic >>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > "May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t sound > like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to like to > spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there are > plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete > current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the > scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little with > something that can actually help someone right now. > tx > Jeff >>Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease >>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >>oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >>inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according >>to a report in the January issue of Gut. >>Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >>non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >>helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >>cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the >>intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >>inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >>could be of therapeutic benefit. >>Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >>experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >>effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >>against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >>These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >>Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting >>the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense >>oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, >>limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >>Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >>created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >>the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >>treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >>induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >>"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides >>interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity >>both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may >>provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic >>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>Gut 2005;54:70-77. >>http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 > — > remove YOURFOOT before responding

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True… it must have been a moment of weakness… I bit. Debs > Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep > your mind closed… you’ll get far. > Debs > Heh, I have Jeff2 killfiled  but I see he’s still rambling away on > subjects he doesn’t fully comprehend.

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

> Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your > mind closed… you’ll get far. > Debs

Heh, I have Jeff2 killfiled  but I see he’s still rambling away on subjects he doesn’t fully comprehend.

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strings of nucleotides… DNA… you make them so they match a gene of interest and they can downregulate that gene… Debs – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You are correct, I have no idea really what they are. And I’m sure there are > very few others here who do. Why don’t you enlighten us a bit. > And I didn’t poo poo it, I just said that when they say it "may" provide an > "attractive" therapeutic approach that that doesn’t sound like anything > going to happen anytime soon. > tx > Jeff >Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up >before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your >mind closed… you’ll get far. >Debs >>oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. >>oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! >>Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these >>diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming > reality. >>I mean when they say things like. >>>"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the >>treatment of chronic >>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>"May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t > sound >>like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to > like to >>spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there > are >>plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete >>current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the >>scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little > with >>something that can actually help someone right now. >>tx >>Jeff >>>Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease >>>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >>>oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >>>inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according >>>to a report in the January issue of Gut. >>>Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >>>non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >>>helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >>>cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the >>>intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >>>inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >>>could be of therapeutic benefit. >>>Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >>>experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >>>effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >>>against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >>>These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >>>Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting >>>the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense >>>oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, >>>limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >>>Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >>>created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >>>the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >>>treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >>>induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >>>"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides >>>interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity >>>both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may >>>provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic >>>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>>Gut 2005;54:70-77. >>>http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 >– >remove YOURFOOT before responding

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

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You are correct, I have no idea really what they are. And I’m sure there are very few others here who do. Why don’t you enlighten us a bit. And I didn’t poo poo it, I just said that when they say it "may" provide an "attractive" therapeutic approach that that doesn’t sound like anything going to happen anytime soon. tx Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up > before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your > mind closed… you’ll get far. > Debs > oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. > oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! > Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these > diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming reality. > I mean when they say things like. >>"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the > treatment of chronic >>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > "May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t sound > like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to like to > spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there are > plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete > current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the > scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little with > something that can actually help someone right now. > tx > Jeff >>Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease >>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >>oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >>inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according >>to a report in the January issue of Gut. >>Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >>non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >>helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >>cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the >>intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >>inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >>could be of therapeutic benefit. >>Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >>experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >>effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >>against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >>These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >>Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting >>the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense >>oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, >>limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >>Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >>created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >>the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >>treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >>induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >>"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides >>interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity >>both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may >>provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic >>inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >>Gut 2005;54:70-77. >>http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034 > — > remove YOURFOOT before responding

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Jeff you obviously have no idea what oligos are… maybe look it up before you poo-poo it. You just stay with your antibiotics and keep your mind closed… you’ll get far. Debs – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. > oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! > Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these > diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming reality. > I mean when they say things like. >"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the > treatment of chronic >inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > "May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t sound > like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to like to > spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there are > plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete > current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the > scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little with > something that can actually help someone right now. > tx > Jeff >Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease >NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense >oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the >inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according >to a report in the January issue of Gut. >Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and >non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T >helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and >cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the >intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of >inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction >could be of therapeutic benefit. >Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in >experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side >effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed >against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. >These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in >Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting >the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense >oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, >limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. >Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were >created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, >the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, >treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis >induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. >"The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides >interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity >both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may >provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic >inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." >Gut 2005;54:70-77. >http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

oligonucleotides? try saying that 3 times fast. oligonucleotides oligonucleotides oligonucleotides – there I did it! Hey I’m all for anything, ANYTHING that will help people with these diseases, but this just sounds too far out there to ever becoming reality. I mean when they say things like. >"Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the

treatment of chronic > inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease."

"May provide an attractive therapeutic approach?" That just doens’t sound like something coming down the pike any time soon. Bruce you seem to like to spend a lot of time touting some far off theoretical models  when there are plenty of other therapies that have been tested and show real concrete current efficacy such as antibiotic therapies. I can understand the scientist in you being interested but you could balance it out a little with something that can actually help someone right now. tx Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease > NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense > oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the > inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according > to a report in the January issue of Gut. > Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and > non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T > helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and > cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the > intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of > inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction > could be of therapeutic benefit. > Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in > experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side > effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed > against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. > These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in > Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting > the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense > oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, > limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. > Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were > created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, > the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, > treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis > induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. > "The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides > interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity > both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may > provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic > inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > Gut 2005;54:70-77. > http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034

Response:

Great article Bruce, thanks for sharing some positive news on the research front.  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease > NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense > oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the > inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according > to a report in the January issue of Gut. > Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and > non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T > helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and > cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the > intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of > inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction > could be of therapeutic benefit. > Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in > experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side > effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed > against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. > These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in > Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting > the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense > oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, > limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. > Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were > created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, > the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, > treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis > induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. > "The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides > interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity > both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may > provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic > inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." > Gut 2005;54:70-77. > http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034

Response:

Antisense Therapy May Offer New Treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jan 21 – Treatment with antisense oligonucleotides directed against CD40 dramatically reduced the inflammatory reaction seen in a rat model of Crohn’s disease, according to a report in the January issue of Gut. Interactions between CD40, which is found on a variety of immune and non-immune cells, and its ligand CD154, mainly seen on activated T helper cells, are thought to play a key role in both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. However, overexpression of CD40 and CD154 in the intestinal mucosa has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, blocking this interaction could be of therapeutic benefit. Although treatment with anti-CD154 antibodies has shown promise in experimental IBD models, this therapy is associated with serious side effects that may limit its utility in patients. Antibodies directed against CD40, by contrast, seem to activate CD40 expressing cells. These findings led Dr. M. Hecker, from the University of Gottingen in Germany, and colleagues to look for an alternative method of disrupting the CD40/CD154 interaction. The researchers decided to create antisense oligonucleotides that would hopefully reduce CD40 expression and, thus, limit the opportunity for interaction with CD154. Based on the rat CD40 gene, five antisense oligonucleotides were created, one of which actually downregulated CD40 expression in vitro, the investigators note. Moreover, in the rat model of Crohn’s disease, treatment with this oligonucleotide, either before or after colitis induction, markedly reduced the inflammation that occurred. "The results of this study suggest that CD40 antisense oligonucleotides interfere with CD154/CD40 interactions with high potency and specificity both in vitro and in vivo," the researchers state. "Therefore, they may provide an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease." Gut 2005;54:70-77. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/498034

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Nobody should reply to Satan! WWJD?

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Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Feb 1;69(3):395-406. Epub 2004 Dec 15. Related Articles, Links Dietary rutin, but not its aglycone quercetin, ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis in mice: attenuation of pro-inflammatory gene expression. Kwon KH, Murakami A, Tanaka T, Ohigashi H. Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan. Oxidative stress has been shown to play a pivotal role in the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and carcinogenesis. We evaluated the effects of two dietary anti-oxidants, rutin and its aglycone quercetin, on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice. Female ICR mice were fed a diet containing 0.1% rutin or 0.1% quercetin for 2 weeks, and given 5% DSS in drinking water during the second week to induce colitis. We also examined the dose-dependency of rutin and quercetin (0.01% and 0.001% each) as well as their therapeutic efficacy, which was evaluated following DSS administration, on DSS-induced colitis. The protein level of interleukin (IL)-1beta in both colonic mucosa and peritoneal macrophages was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further, mRNA expression levels of IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 in colonic mucosa were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A diet containing 0.1% rutin, but not quercetin, attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss and shortening of the colorectum (P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively), and dramatically improved colitis histological scores. Further, DSS-induced increases in colonic mucosal IL-1beta levels were blunted significantly in rutin-, but not quercetin-, fed mice (P<0.01), while dietary rutin attenuated the expressions of IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA in colonic mucosa (each, P<0.01). As for dose dependency, 0.01%, but not 0.001%, dietary rutin significantly reduced mucosal IL-1beta levels (P<0.01). Notably, a 0.1% rutin diet given 3 days after DSS treatment significantly suppressed both colorectal shortening and IL-1beta production (P<0.05 and <0.01, respectively). Dietary rutin ameliorates DSS-induced colitis, presumably by suppressing the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results suggest that rutin may be useful for the prevention and treatment of IBD and colorectal carcinogenesis via attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. PMID: 15652231 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Who loves ya. Tom Jesus Was A Vegetarian! http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com Man Is A Herbivore! http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore DEAD PEOPLE WALKING http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking

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@nasal.pacific.net.au: > Just a minor point – "alt" groups are not and _can_ not be moderated. > It’s to do with the way Usenet works. > That’s why those of us who use it a lot use kill-files quite heavily. >      Cheers, >           Gary     B-)

Note for correction: by my rough count there are about 100 moderated newsgroups in the alt hierarchy.  Here a few for you to peruse: alt.astrology.moderated alt.consipiracy.jfk.moderated alt.paranormal.moderated alt.support.childfree.moderated alt.support.depression.manic.moderated It also depends on which alt newsgroups your server carries, but yes, alt groups can be moderated. — Jeff S

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Just a minor point – "alt" groups are not and _can_ not be moderated. >It’s to do with the way Usenet works. >That’s why those of us who use it a lot use kill-files quite heavily. >     Cheers, >          Gary     B-) > Note for correction: by my rough count there are about 100 moderated > newsgroups in the alt hierarchy.  Here a few for you to peruse: > alt.astrology.moderated > alt.consipiracy.jfk.moderated > alt.paranormal.moderated > alt.support.childfree.moderated > alt.support.depression.manic.moderated > It also depends on which alt newsgroups your server carries, but yes, alt > groups can be moderated.

That’s interesting – when I was a newsadmin, back in the late 1980s, the rule was "no moderation outside the big 5," and there were people who would send out rmgroup messages if anyone created one.  (They also sent out to creategroup messages when a group was removed) That said, without a server to actually dive into I can’t check which ones are really moderated, I looked at alt.paranormal.moderated and the header in the only message looked like a moderated header. Anyway, what mad fool would:      a) volunteer to moderate this group?      b) be acceptable to enough of its denizens?         Cheers,                 Gary    B-) — Armful of chairs: Something some people would not know                    whether you were up them with or not                                       – Barry Humphries

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Just a minor point – "alt" groups are not and _can_ not be moderated. It’s to do with the way Usenet works. That’s why those of us who use it a lot use kill-files quite heavily.         Cheers,                 Gary    B-) — Armful of chairs: Something some people would not know                    whether you were up them with or not                                       – Barry Humphries

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Oh we can be even sweeter than we have been of late — but we won’t so you don’t get sick (hey, isn’t that why we’re here in the first place?!) (((((hugs))))) Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks for the compliment on this ng being tame!  We work hard to keep it > that way by ignoring the jerks, spam posters et al.  Let us keep up the > good work fellow IBD’ers; kudos!!!! > Yeah, this is probably the nicest ng I’ve ever seen.  Sometimes it makes > me a bit nauseous.  ;-)  However, it is nice to meet some caring people on > the net. > — > Volt – TI2  007 > www.liquimetal.com > All great truths begin as blasphemies. > George Bernard Shaw

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> Thanks for the compliment on this ng being tame!  We work hard to keep it > that way by ignoring the jerks, spam posters et al.  Let us keep up the > good work fellow IBD’ers; kudos!!!!

Yeah, this is probably the nicest ng I’ve ever seen.  Sometimes it makes me a bit nauseous.  ;-)  However, it is nice to meet some caring people on the net. — Volt – TI2  007 www.liquimetal.com All great truths begin as blasphemies. George Bernard Shaw

Response:

I’m not seeing any porn.  Perhaps you need a better news server that filters out porn, or pr0n as we geek types say (to get past the censors!) Thanks, Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the > number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not > related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I > don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even > here. > It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a > regular basis. > I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t > think that I am alone. > Paul

Response:

Thanks for the compliment on this ng being tame!  We work hard to keep it that way by ignoring the jerks, spam posters et al.  Let us keep up the good work fellow IBD’ers; kudos!!!!  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Agreed on all counts – this has been the general rule on most of the > ng’s I’ve been in.  99% of the time, you can tell what is spam.  You > ignore.  And then there are those individuals that you come to know as > the jackasses, (and this becomes evident pretty quickly) so you either > ignore or killfile them.   > This ng is babyfood tame compared to another one that I frequent, and > it’s been my experience that if you ignore the jerkoffs, they will go > away.  If you ignore a thread, it will die out.  It is so very > tempting to want to get a good point or insult in on someone, but you > will never never never ever convince your ng nemesis to see things > your way.  Guaranteed.  (See – I’ll just bet someone is disagreeing > w/me right now  ;-) > Thumbs down on the Moderator thang. > jc >Are you referring to the spam (porn, get rich quick) that frequents ngs?  If >you regularly visit unmoderated Usenet it’s something you’ll have to learn >to live with.  It’s not actually a person posting, but a bot set up by a >spammer.  You may also want to conceal your email address or at least add >something to it to deter the bots from picking it up and sending you spam >directly.  If it was up to me I’d have all spammers castrated and then >beaten to death with a rusty claw hammer, but that’s just me. >Not to nitpick or anything, but you should also use plain text when posting >to Usenet unless the ng specifies that binary is  excepted.  ;-)

Response:

Agreed on all counts – this has been the general rule on most of the ng’s I’ve been in.  99% of the time, you can tell what is spam.  You ignore.  And then there are those individuals that you come to know as the jackasses, (and this becomes evident pretty quickly) so you either ignore or killfile them.   This ng is babyfood tame compared to another one that I frequent, and it’s been my experience that if you ignore the jerkoffs, they will go away.  If you ignore a thread, it will die out.  It is so very tempting to want to get a good point or insult in on someone, but you will never never never ever convince your ng nemesis to see things your way.  Guaranteed.  (See – I’ll just bet someone is disagreeing w/me right now  ;-) Thumbs down on the Moderator thang. jc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Are you referring to the spam (porn, get rich quick) that frequents ngs?  If >you regularly visit unmoderated Usenet it’s something you’ll have to learn >to live with.  It’s not actually a person posting, but a bot set up by a >spammer.  You may also want to conceal your email address or at least add >something to it to deter the bots from picking it up and sending you spam >directly.  If it was up to me I’d have all spammers castrated and then >beaten to death with a rusty claw hammer, but that’s just me. >Not to nitpick or anything, but you should also use plain text when posting >to Usenet unless the ng specifies that binary is  excepted.  ;-)

Response:

Are you referring to the spam (porn, get rich quick) that frequents ngs?  If you regularly visit unmoderated Usenet it’s something you’ll have to learn to live with.  It’s not actually a person posting, but a bot set up by a spammer.  You may also want to conceal your email address or at least add something to it to deter the bots from picking it up and sending you spam directly.  If it was up to me I’d have all spammers castrated and then beaten to death with a rusty claw hammer, but that’s just me. Not to nitpick or anything, but you should also use plain text when posting to Usenet unless the ng specifies that binary is  excepted.  ;-) — Volt – TI2  007 www.liquimetal.com All great truths begin as blasphemies. George Bernard Shaw

Response:

or accepted.  ;-) — Volt – TI2  007 www.liquimetal.com All great truths begin as blasphemies. George Bernard Shaw

Response:

I use the German newsreader and I don’t even see the spam! Debs > or accepted.  ;-)

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

When I got my laptop I would go to the windows xp newsgroup and some  people on that made a specialty of insulting people. It wasn’t so much the replies you get but the fact that they seemed to put any helpful types off. An unmoderated newsgroup is kind of interesting (a little like the Wild West). In the absence of a moderator we have to develop our own skills at dealing with people. John

  Are you volunteering?   Brian     I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even here.     It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a regular basis.     I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t think that I am alone.     Paul

Response:

Paul, I am also terribly offended by these sick individuals. I simply hope that if they are ignored and don’t get the attention they seek they will go away. Nina

Response:

Paul, It is part of the price we pay for freedom. mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the > number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not > related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I > don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even > here. > It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a > regular basis. > I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t > think that I am alone. > Paul

Response:

i agree.  don’t want someone else "screening" posts, even tho we do see the occasional unwanted post. jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the > number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not > related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I > don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even > here. > It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a > regular basis. > I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t > think that I am alone. > Paul > Use a free news service like news.individual.net.  I never see any of > the crap unless someone else feels compelled to respond for some reason. >   Plus "kill-files" can easily be set up to filter out unwanted material. > As for having a moderator, the NG was created as a unmoderated one, and > IMO it should stay that way.  It’s nice to have at least one Crohn’s and > colitis support group that isn’t moderated and whose content isn’t under > the control of someone else.

Response:

I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even here. It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a regular basis. I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t think that I am alone. Paul

Response:

Are you volunteering? Brian   I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even here.   It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a regular basis.   I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t think that I am alone.   Paul

Response:

> I am quite prepared to live with the occasional off topic post but the > number of posts which are pornographic or sexual in nature are not > related to what most of us expect to get from this ng.  I know that I > don’t have to open them and I don’t but it bothers me that they are even > here. > It would be nice to have someone who could purge these threads on a > regular basis. > I am posting this with the knowledge that it may offend some but I don’t > think that I am alone. > Paul

Use a free news service like news.individual.net.  I never see any of the crap unless someone else feels compelled to respond for some reason.   Plus "kill-files" can easily be set up to filter out unwanted material. As for having a moderator, the NG was created as a unmoderated one, and IMO it should stay that way.  It’s nice to have at least one Crohn’s and colitis support group that isn’t moderated and whose content isn’t under the control of someone else.

Response:

Hi Drew – welcome to the group. You will find it is a lot like a family here. Dsyfunctional at times, but most people really mean well. Different people have had different experiences, and what works for one may not work for someone else, or what did work for someone else may just be the thing that gets you right. But keep reading and you’ll find lots of information. Ultimately it will be up to you to find out what works best for you. I’ve had UC for about 5 years now, going on 6. After I was finally properly diagnosed, which took a few years, I finally got the right meds, asacol and Cipro – an antibiotic. Besides that I take quite a few vitamins and other supplements which I feel help further keep my symptoms in check. That’s a long subject and I’ll leave it for another time. Also there is lots of information that managing the bacterial flora of the intestines is an important part of having a healthy digestive system, in my case more relating to the colon for UC. You may find that some foods exascerbate your symptoms too. I find that coffee is one of the biggest culprits, although I still manage to sneak some in. There are also some alternative therapies which people have reported good results from. In my own case the meds worked great for a while but then seemed to loose their effect. I finally discovered that if I combine the meds with some alternatives such as eating right (which can be a complex issue), taking my vitamins, and exercise, I get the best results. Working to reduce stress can help too. I could go into much greater detail but will save that for later. Like I said, keep reading and you’ll find out more. Regards, Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.  Hearing that being > diagnosed with UC is not the end of the world has given me some > relief.  When i go in for my follow up scope i plan to ask the doc my > questions but i do have a couple more that maybe you could answer for > me before then: > Do most people stay on medications like asacol for the rest of their > lives to keep UC in remission?  Are there any long term affects from > being on the medication? > How long can i expect the remissions to last and if i flare up what is > the treatment, med change? > I have read that 30% of UC patients end up having surgery, does this > sound high or is this stat only for people with severe cases? > Besides excersise (i am over weight which i have been working on) and > avoiding red meat, is there anything else in particular i should be > doing? > Nina, I am in the Boston area. > Nuz, how long have your remissions lasted?  Are you on a maint med? > Thanks again everyone, i appreciate your help and advice. > -Drew >Drew, >Where are you from? >Nina

Response:

Hi Drew – welcome to the group. You will find it is a lot like a family here. Dsyfunctional at times, but most people really mean well. Different people have had different experiences, and what works for one may not work for someone else, or what did work for someone else may just be the thing that gets you right. But keep reading and you’ll find lots of information. Ultimately it will be up to you to find out what works best for you. I’ve had UC for about 5 years now, going on 6. After I was finally properly diagnosed, which took a few years, I finally got the right meds, asacol and Cipro – an antibiotic. Besides that I take quite a few vitamins and other supplements which I feel help further keep my symptoms in check. That’s a long subject and I’ll leave it for another time. Also I there is lots of information that managing the bacterial flora of the intestines is an important part of having a healthy digestive system, in my case more relating to the colon for UC. You may find that some foods exascerbate your symptoms too. I find that coffee is one of the biggest culprits, although I still manage to sneak some in. There are also some alternative therapies which people have reported good results from. In my own case the meds worked great for a while but then seemed to loose their effect. I finally discovered that if I combine the meds with some alternatives such as eating right (which can be a complex issue), taking my vitamins, and exercise, I get the best results. Working to reduce stress can help too. I could go into much greater detail but will save that for later. Like I said, keep reading and you’ll find out more. Regards, Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.  Hearing that being > diagnosed with UC is not the end of the world has given me some > relief.  When i go in for my follow up scope i plan to ask the doc my > questions but i do have a couple more that maybe you could answer for > me before then: > Do most people stay on medications like asacol for the rest of their > lives to keep UC in remission?  Are there any long term affects from > being on the medication? > How long can i expect the remissions to last and if i flare up what is > the treatment, med change? > I have read that 30% of UC patients end up having surgery, does this > sound high or is this stat only for people with severe cases? > Besides excersise (i am over weight which i have been working on) and > avoiding red meat, is there anything else in particular i should be > doing? > Nina, I am in the Boston area. > Nuz, how long have your remissions lasted?  Are you on a maint med? > Thanks again everyone, i appreciate your help and advice. > -Drew >Drew, >Where are you from? >Nina

Response:

Actually almost all drugs have side-effects. Some are more or less innocuous and other can be down-right nasty, even fatal. As we have recently learned, right here in this news group, a little drug known as aspirin or aspirin-like drugs called NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which most people quite mistakenly take for being innocuous, are actually responsible for more deaths in this country per year then aids. Imagine that. While there are certainly concerns with taking vitamin supplements many of the issues are well known and usually can be avoided by just not taking too much. However, there ARE clear health benefits that can be gained by taking vitamins and many studies to back that up. So as with all things it is important to know as much as you can about them, whether you take meds or vitamins, you need to learn what they are for, any contra-indications, and correct dosages and durations. Your doctor is certainly the one to help with the medical side. As far as alternative therapies you may need to get a wider range of input. But there’s lots of information out there. Listen to what people say and try to get some consensus. As far as Ken goes he says he has had 8 years of being med free and contributes that to taking the products that he does also sell on the side. I doubt he’s getting rich off selling to this group, that’s for sure. I happen to believe his story and information as he’s been telling a consistent one for the last 4 years that I’ve been here. Yet Mr. NA has yet to divulge any personal information about his history with any form of IBD. To me that seems suspect. Does he even have IBD, who knows. Why is he even here. Seems like his main  purpose is to ride Ken and the company that makes the products that Ken sells. tx Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->  MEDS have a > tendency to have a lot of nasty side effects. > Drew: Ken is a salesman who peddles vitamins in an Amway-type > operation. The only sales technique he has come up with, unfortunately, > is to hint darkly that "meds" have "a lot of nasty side effects," are > "toxins," "poisons," etc. He hates science, data, precision, context, > perspective, and all that hard "school" stuff. In Ken’s world, ALL > "meds" are toxins, and toxic at the same level, regardless of which med > is used or which person takes them. Conversely; ALL vitamins (as long > as they are the brand he sells) are wonderful and will restore you to > "optimal health." > There is also lots one can do to reduce one’s risk > of colon cancer.   Like making sure you are consuming enough Fibre > False. The latest and largest study has shown that dietary fiber does > NOT affect vulnerability to colon cancer. As far as fiber goes: Try to > limit your fiber to soluble forms. INsoluble fiber (what you get in > popcorn, nuts, etc.) is terrible for an inflamed gut. The fiber > supplement that Ken sells contains insoluble fiber: DON’T use it; it’s > too harsh on a diseased colon. > For UC, the 5-ASA medications like Colazal and Asacol have been shown > in studies to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 81 percent.

Response:

Actually almost all drugs have side-effects. Some are more or less innocuous and other can be down-right nasty, even fatal. As we have recently learned, right here in this news group, a little drug known as aspirin or aspirin-like drugs called NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which most people quite mistakenly take for being innocuous, are is actually responsible for more deaths in this country per year then aids. Imagine that. While there are certainly concerns with taking vitamin supplements many of the issues are well known and usually can be avoided by just not taking too much. However, there ARE clear health benefits that can be gained by taking vitamins and many studies to back that up. So as with all things it is important to know as much as you can about them, whether you take meds or vitamins, you need to learn what they are for, any contra-indications, and correct dosages and durations. Your doctor is certainly the one to help with the medical side. As far as alternative therapies you may need to get a wider range of input. But there’s lots of information out there. Listen to what people say and try to get some consensus. As far as Ken goes he says he has had 8 years of being med free and contributes that to taking the products that he does also sell on the side. I doubt he’s getting rich off selling to this group, that’s for sure. I happen to believe his story and information as he’s been telling a consistent one for the last 4 years that I’ve been here. Yet Mr. NA has yet to divulge any personal information about his history with any form of IBD. To me that seems suspect. Does he even have IBD, who knows. Why is he even here. Seems like his main  purpose is to ride Ken and the company that makes the products that Ken sells. tx Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->  MEDS have a > tendency to have a lot of nasty side effects. > Drew: Ken is a salesman who peddles vitamins in an Amway-type > operation. The only sales technique he has come up with, unfortunately, > is to hint darkly that "meds" have "a lot of nasty side effects," are > "toxins," "poisons," etc. He hates science, data, precision, context, > perspective, and all that hard "school" stuff. In Ken’s world, ALL > "meds" are toxins, and toxic at the same level, regardless of which med > is used or which person takes them. Conversely; ALL vitamins (as long > as they are the brand he sells) are wonderful and will restore you to > "optimal health." > There is also lots one can do to reduce one’s risk > of colon cancer.   Like making sure you are consuming enough Fibre > False. The latest and largest study has shown that dietary fiber does > NOT affect vulnerability to colon cancer. As far as fiber goes: Try to > limit your fiber to soluble forms. INsoluble fiber (what you get in > popcorn, nuts, etc.) is terrible for an inflamed gut. The fiber > supplement that Ken sells contains insoluble fiber: DON’T use it; it’s > too harsh on a diseased colon. > For UC, the 5-ASA medications like Colazal and Asacol have been shown > in studies to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 81 percent.

Response:

Hi Drew – welcome to the group. You will find it is a lot like a family here. Dsyfunctional at times, but everyone really means well. Different people have had different experiences and what works for one may not work for someone else. But keep reading and you’ll find lots of information. But ultimately it will be up to you to find out what works best for you. I’ve had UC for about 5 years now, going on 6. After I was finally properly diagnosed, which took a few years, I finally got the right meds, asacol and Cipro – an antibiotic. Besides that I take quite a few vitamins and other supplements which I feel help further keep my symptoms in check. You may find that some foods exascerbate your symptoms too. I find that coffee is one of the biggest culprits, although I still manage to sneak some in. There are other alternative therapies which people have reported good results from. In my own case the meds worked great for a while but then seemed to loose their effect. I finally discovered that if I combine the meds with some alternatives such as eating right (which can be a complex issue), taking my vitamins, and exercise, I get the best results. Also working to reduce stress can help too. I could go into much greater detail but will save that. Like I said, keep reading and you’ll find out more. Regards, Jeff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> To all: > Thanks again for all the info.  I have checked out the ccfa site which > had some good info.  So far (almost 3 weeks) of asacol has me feeling > great.  I am off to the doc in a week for the follow up scope and i > will pose my conerns with him.  I plan on asking him how many UC cases > he has delt with and his results.  His practice is affliated with one > of the best hospitals in boston and he is the chief GI at a state > (teaching) hospital in boston so i feel his GI experience must be > decent.  If anyone is interested i will relay my results.  Either way, > thanks again for your replies.  It is a nice feeling to know there are > others out there that can relate. > -drew >Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently >diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, >urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool >and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i >felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was >not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during >this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and >not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t >getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything >came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told >her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular >one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and >took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small >polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was >inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i >felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since. >I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and >that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. >He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it >was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must >have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks >for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the >polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like >to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to >change the treatment. >Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read >about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk >of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family >they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I >am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the >follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t >slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the >sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was >really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. >The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when >the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I >know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the >condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first >symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t >had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic >level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be >encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long >post but can anyone put my mind at ease? >-d

Response:

Hey, that happened to me! My first GE almost killed me with inaction as well. Then she tried to discharge me from hospital with toxic megacolon. Thank G** for my awsome family Dr who took over my care until I got a new GE. Nina

Response:

>  MEDS have a > tendency to have a lot of nasty side effects.

Drew: Ken is a salesman who peddles vitamins in an Amway-type operation. The only sales technique he has come up with, unfortunately, is to hint darkly that "meds" have "a lot of nasty side effects," are "toxins," "poisons," etc. He hates science, data, precision, context, perspective, and all that hard "school" stuff. In Ken’s world, ALL "meds" are toxins, and toxic at the same level, regardless of which med is used or which person takes them. Conversely; ALL vitamins (as long as they are the brand he sells) are wonderful and will restore you to "optimal health." > There is also lots one can do to reduce one’s risk > of colon cancer.   Like making sure you are consuming enough Fibre

False. The latest and largest study has shown that dietary fiber does NOT affect vulnerability to colon cancer. As far as fiber goes: Try to limit your fiber to soluble forms. INsoluble fiber (what you get in popcorn, nuts, etc.) is terrible for an inflamed gut. The fiber supplement that Ken sells contains insoluble fiber: DON’T use it; it’s too harsh on a diseased colon. For UC, the 5-ASA medications like Colazal and Asacol have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 81 percent.

Response:

Email me if you want. I am in Boston as well and have had two GIs. The first almost killed me, by inactivity, but is the head of GI of a very well known hospital. We can discuss if you want. Debs PS Just remove the yourfoot from my above addy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > To all: > Thanks again for all the info.  I have checked out the ccfa site which > had some good info.  So far (almost 3 weeks) of asacol has me feeling > great.  I am off to the doc in a week for the follow up scope and i > will pose my conerns with him.  I plan on asking him how many UC cases > he has delt with and his results.  His practice is affliated with one > of the best hospitals in boston and he is the chief GI at a state > (teaching) hospital in boston so i feel his GI experience must be > decent.  If anyone is interested i will relay my results.  Either way, > thanks again for your replies.  It is a nice feeling to know there are > others out there that can relate. > -drew >Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently >diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, >urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool >and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i >felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was >not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during >this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and >not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t >getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything >came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told >her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular >one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and >took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small >polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was >inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i >felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since.   >I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and >that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. >He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it >was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must >have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks >for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the >polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like >to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to >change the treatment. >Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read >about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk >of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family >they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I >am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the >follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t >slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the >sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was >really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. >The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when >the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I >know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the >condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first >symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t >had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic >level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be >encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long >post but can anyone put my mind at ease?   >-d

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

Drew, The 30% of people who have surgery are generally made up of people who have severe UC, complications from UC such as toxic megacolon or cancer. Many of these surgeries happen late in life. As for remission, I’m not there yet so I can’t answer that one. Usually people stay on their meds for as long as they have a colon. Asacol is a gentle and safe drug compared to the others that most of us are on, you are lucky if this works for you! (Any drug has it’s potential problems, just like overconsuming anything.) Take care, Nina

Response:

Drew, look into taking fish oil (Omega 3 fatty acid) and probiotics as well.  They are supplements that are supposed to help and may reduce your need for maintenance meds over time.  You can find them at health food stores.

Response:

To all: Thanks again for all the info.  I have checked out the ccfa site which had some good info.  So far (almost 3 weeks) of asacol has me feeling great.  I am off to the doc in a week for the follow up scope and i will pose my conerns with him.  I plan on asking him how many UC cases he has delt with and his results.  His practice is affliated with one of the best hospitals in boston and he is the chief GI at a state (teaching) hospital in boston so i feel his GI experience must be decent.  If anyone is interested i will relay my results.  Either way, thanks again for your replies.  It is a nice feeling to know there are others out there that can relate. -drew – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently >diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, >urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool >and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i >felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was >not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during >this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and >not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t >getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything >came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told >her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular >one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and >took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small >polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was >inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i >felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since.   >I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and >that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. >He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it >was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must >have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks >for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the >polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like >to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to >change the treatment. >Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read >about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk >of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family >they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I >am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the >follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t >slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the >sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was >really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. >The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when >the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I >know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the >condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first >symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t >had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic >level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be >encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long >post but can anyone put my mind at ease?   >-d

Response:

Drew and all others, including James Stein Your mind can be put at ease if you can accept a very unothodox version of the cause of crohns and UC. It is of a definite mind/body connection brought on by  someone the ill person has a  relationship with, that happens to be on a med or drug that has the properties of a stimulant.   It is disconcerting to read of all the stupid things sometimes put on this newsgroup.   Worms being the most extreme.   Why resort to such treatements  when the recognizing the cause is a far better choice, although a little more difficult at times.   (chime in everybody, that have to say this cause is stupid and has no scientific backing) Please read my layman’s theory on the cause at website http://ascc.healingwell.com/info/gailfaq.htm Strange and almost unbelievable, but if you will relate you will be helped immensely. Crohns and UC are manmade illnesses. Keep up with your physician also. This illness is simply not in the domain of medical knowledge, as it too weird for anyone to understand.  Treatments, however, are the specialty of the physician or surgeon, as the choice of an illogical cause simply will not appeal to them. Also, Xanax, Buspar, Depakote, Flexeril, natural herbs with natural stimulants, kava kava, st johns wort, etc. etc. can also cause these illnesses to a vulnerable person.   Okay, your turn, all the people that have experienced crohns and colitis, to say what nonsense this all is.   Your choice, to believe what you will, all the unproven causes, or the one that, if tried, can  prove it’s of value. Sincerely Gail Michael

Response:

Drew You sound a lot like my story…  It was baby time for me too when i got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 30. Yes you should be thankful that your responding to the MED.  MEDS have a tendency to have a lot of nasty side effects.Lots of people end up taking more than one kind of meds daily. There is also lots one can do to reduce one’s risk of colon cancer.   Like making sure you are consuming enough Fibre, Essential Fatty Acids, and VitaminD etc etc. I believe the CCFA recommends 800IU’s of vitaminD daily.The recommendation has doubled in the last few years.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently > diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, > urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool > and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i > felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was > not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during > this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and > not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t > getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything > came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told > her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular > one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and > took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small > polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was > inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i > felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since. > I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and > that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. > He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it > was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must > have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks > for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the > polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like > to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to > change the treatment. > Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read > about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk > of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family > they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I > am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the > follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t > slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the > sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was > really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. > The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when > the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I > know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the > condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first > symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t > had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic > level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be > encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long > post but can anyone put my mind at ease? > -d

Response:

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.  Hearing that being diagnosed with UC is not the end of the world has given me some relief.  When i go in for my follow up scope i plan to ask the doc my questions but i do have a couple more that maybe you could answer for me before then: Do most people stay on medications like asacol for the rest of their lives to keep UC in remission?  Are there any long term affects from being on the medication? How long can i expect the remissions to last and if i flare up what is the treatment, med change? I have read that 30% of UC patients end up having surgery, does this sound high or is this stat only for people with severe cases? Besides excersise (i am over weight which i have been working on) and avoiding red meat, is there anything else in particular i should be doing?   Nina, I am in the Boston area. Nuz, how long have your remissions lasted?  Are you on a maint med?   Thanks again everyone, i appreciate your help and advice. -Drew – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Drew, >Where are you from? >Nina

Response:

Hi Drew and welcome to the group.  I have crohn’s but I can answer a few of your questions.  Diets are very specialized to the individual to what can hurt or not hurt.  A diary helped me to figure out what was bothering me and what wasn’t, and even this way the food can bother you at one time and not another.  I am in remission and yes, I still take my Pentasa to remain in remission.  It  is a good idea to help keep the inflammation away which causes scarring and damaging.  I only have a few things that I have to stay away from like seeds and nuts, popcorn, broccoli and I watch the amount of fiber I take in per day.  Good luck with this, the more you understand the easier it is.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thank you all for your thoughtful replies.  Hearing that being > diagnosed with UC is not the end of the world has given me some > relief.  When i go in for my follow up scope i plan to ask the doc my > questions but i do have a couple more that maybe you could answer for > me before then: > Do most people stay on medications like asacol for the rest of their > lives to keep UC in remission?  Are there any long term affects from > being on the medication? > How long can i expect the remissions to last and if i flare up what is > the treatment, med change? > I have read that 30% of UC patients end up having surgery, does this > sound high or is this stat only for people with severe cases? > Besides excersise (i am over weight which i have been working on) and > avoiding red meat, is there anything else in particular i should be > doing? > Nina, I am in the Boston area. > Nuz, how long have your remissions lasted?  Are you on a maint med? > Thanks again everyone, i appreciate your help and advice. > -Drew >Drew, >Where are you from? >Nina

Response:

Drew, Where are you from? Nina

Response:

Hi Drew: I have had UC for 33 years.  I must admit that I have been very lucky and have had long term remissions. Let me relate a conversation with my GI doc I had a few months ago, at my regular annual visit (which normally preceeds my annual or so colonoscopy). I understand that the main function of the regular colonoscopy for UC patients is to take biopsies (tissue samples).  These are examined for dysplasia, which is technospeak for cellular abnormalities which are thought to preceed cancer.  During the colonoscopy, these biopsies are taken all over the colon.  Of course they cannot examine the whole colon under the microscope, unless they remove it which is only a last resort.   Usually (hopefully) the biopsies reports say "consistant with UC."  Not exactly normal, but not dysplasia. I asked my doc, "Have you ever come across a UC patient that developed colon cancer where dysplasia was not discovered in a regular colonoscopy?"  He answered that he recently had one UC patient who developed cancer but that was because after the dysplasia had been discovered, this patient refused any sort of follow up treatment.  In other words, the patient did not let them do a colectomy. I have had a colonoscopy where the biopsies came back with mild to moderate dysplasia.  The treatment at that point was to redo the colonoscopy a few months later and see what was going on.  A few months later, there was no trace of dysplasia.  This was a good number of years ago, so I don’t know what they do now.  YMMV. The way I non-scientifically look at it, if you take care of yourself, your actual risk of colon cancer is probably reduced.  Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the US.  You now will be taking care of yourself (hopefully) and eventually getting regular colonoscopies, to detect dysplasia before cancer even starts!  The CCFA web site (www.ccfa.org) has a bunch of good info.  Also remember I am just a regular guy.  You should discuss all this with your GI doc.  If he does not give you satisfactory answers, find another doc. So welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.  May it be long and enjoyable! Nuz

Response:

An opinion which is well defended with the statistics for UC patients and colon cancer.  While the risk is slightly increased, the chance of any cancer being caught an an earlier, more treatable stage, increases significantly.  mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Drew, > I have had UC since 1995. > The truth is that the risk of colon cancer is only slightly higher (5 > percent) than with the general population. It is also true that drs are not > greatly concerned until 8 yrs (10 yrs) after diagnosis with UC. > I have also read that the increased risk of colon cancer becomes almost > nonexistant if one manages to stay in remision. Take your maint. drugs. > I look at it this way. Since they are keeping a closer watch on me with > colonoscopies a bit more often they are more likely to catch colon cancer in > the early-more treatable stage. So I feel better protected. > Just my opinion. > Howard > UC since 1995 >Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently >diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, >urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool >and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i >felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was >not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during >this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and >not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t >getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything >came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told >her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular >one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and >took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small >polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was >inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i >felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since. >I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and >that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. >He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it >was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must >have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks >for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the >polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like >to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to >change the treatment. >Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read >about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk >of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family >they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I >am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the >follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t >slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the >sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was >really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. >The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when >the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I >know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the >condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first >symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t >had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic >level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be >encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long >post but can anyone put my mind at ease? >-d

Response:

Drew, I have had UC since 1995. The truth is that the risk of colon cancer is only slightly higher (5 percent) than with the general population. It is also true that drs are not greatly concerned until 8 yrs (10 yrs) after diagnosis with UC. I have also read that the increased risk of colon cancer becomes almost nonexistant if one manages to stay in remision. Take your maint. drugs. I look at it this way. Since they are keeping a closer watch on me with colonoscopies a bit more often they are more likely to catch colon cancer in the early-more treatable stage. So I feel better protected. Just my opinion. Howard UC since 1995

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently > diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, > urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool > and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i > felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was > not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during > this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and > not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t > getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything > came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told > her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular > one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and > took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small > polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was > inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i > felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since. > I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and > that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. > He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it > was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must > have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks > for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the > polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like > to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to > change the treatment. > Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read > about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk > of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family > they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I > am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the > follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t > slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the > sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was > really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. > The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when > the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I > know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the > condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first > symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t > had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic > level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be > encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long > post but can anyone put my mind at ease? > -d

Response:

Hi Drew, I am pretty much in the same boat as you except was diagnosed with crohns. I have had it for about 8 years now. This is easier to say than do but I find stress makes things a lot worse for me. Try not to stress about your condition. You may go into remission, you may not. Either way just take it as it comes. Hope all goes well.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently > diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, > urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool > and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i > felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was > not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during > this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and > not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t > getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything > came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told > her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular > one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and > took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small > polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was > inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i > felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since. > I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and > that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. > He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it > was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must > have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks > for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the > polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like > to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to > change the treatment. > Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read > about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk > of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family > they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I > am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the > follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t > slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the > sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was > really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. > The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when > the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I > know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the > condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first > symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t > had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic > level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be > encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long > post but can anyone put my mind at ease? > -d

Response:

Ditto! Debs – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I agree with the advice Nina gave you — and welcome to the newsgroup from > me, too. > Sounds like you have a good doctor. Please share ALL of your concerns with > him/her. It really helps to have a doctor who will work with you when > battling this disease. Good luck and we are all here to help. > Congrats on the baby!!! > Rebecca >Drew, >My specialist just told me on Thursday that cancer  really only starts >to be a concern AFTER 8 years of active colitis. Having a mild version >that is responding to Asacol decreases your risks. (The polyps are >probably unrelated.) >Having said that, you will learn a lot on this NG, welcome! Find >yourself a good book on Inflammatory Bowel Disease for in depth >information. There are numerous websites as well… including >www.ccfa.org >I recently wrote to someone else about worry: it robs you of life, >living and time for no benefit. Go hug your new child and wife, that’s >living! >Take care and ask all that you need, >Nina

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

Drew, My specialist just told me on Thursday that cancer  really only starts to be a concern AFTER 8 years of active colitis. Having a mild version that is responding to Asacol decreases your risks. (The polyps are probably unrelated.) Having said that, you will learn a lot on this NG, welcome! Find yourself a good book on Inflammatory Bowel Disease for in depth information. There are numerous websites as well… including www.ccfa.org I recently wrote to someone else about worry: it robs you of life, living and time for no benefit. Go hug your new child and wife, that’s living! Take care and ask all that you need, Nina

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I agree with the advice Nina gave you — and welcome to the newsgroup from me, too. Sounds like you have a good doctor. Please share ALL of your concerns with him/her. It really helps to have a doctor who will work with you when battling this disease. Good luck and we are all here to help. Congrats on the baby!!! Rebecca

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Drew, > My specialist just told me on Thursday that cancer  really only starts > to be a concern AFTER 8 years of active colitis. Having a mild version > that is responding to Asacol decreases your risks. (The polyps are > probably unrelated.) > Having said that, you will learn a lot on this NG, welcome! Find > yourself a good book on Inflammatory Bowel Disease for in depth > information. There are numerous websites as well… including > www.ccfa.org > I recently wrote to someone else about worry: it robs you of life, > living and time for no benefit. Go hug your new child and wife, that’s > living! > Take care and ask all that you need, > Nina

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Hello all, first post.  I am a 28 year old male who has been recently diagnosed with UC.  Symptoms started in Dec with bloating, gas, urgency to go and then some small amounts of bloody mucus in the stool and occasionally some bright red blood when wiping. After a movement i felt better until i ate again. After 2 weeks i called my doc as it was not getting better.  My wife was have a scheduled c-section during this time (my first child) and i was very worried/ very stressed and not eating well so i thought it might be that but when it wasn’t getting better i went to the doc.  She did a blood test and everything came back ok (not anemic, white blood cell count fine, etc.).  I told her i was still having 2-4 movements a day when i used to be a regular one.  She sent me for a colonoscopy.  GA doc did the procedure and took samples from different parts of the colon and removed one small polyp.  He said it looked like mild UC and only the left side was inflamed.  He put me on asacol 2 x 3 times a day.  Within 3 days i felt back to normal.  One movement per day and no blood since.   I got the lab results back and he says they are consistent with uc and that there was some found on the right side at the microscopic level. He also said that i the polyp was benign.  He said the good news it was an adenoma but the kind that is usually benign (so i think it must have been a tubular?).  He said that i should come back in 2-3 weeks for a follow up sigmoidoscopy so that they can check the area of the polyp for dysplasia cells.  He said that because of the UC they like to check for that. He said if they were found then they would have to change the treatment. Now to my questions.  I am a very nervous person and i started to read about the above on the net.  I am concerned that i am at a high risk of cancer.  No one in my family has had cancer and no one in my family they find dysplasia then they are going to want to remove my colon.  I am a pretty young guy and that of course has me worried too.  Is the follow up sigmoidoscopy normal or should i be concerned?  I haven’t slept in a week since i got the results and i am not going in for the sigmoidoscopy for another 9 days.  My wife says that if the doc was really concerned then he wouldn’t wait 2-3 weeks to do the follow up. The doc said that it is hard to check the area around the polyp when the area is inflamed so i guess it makes sense to go back in later.  I know that the cancer risk for UC is based on length of having the condition and amount of the colon involved.  These are the first symptoms like this i have ever encountered so i am assuming i haven’t had it full blown for years.  Does finding this on the microscopic level on the right side count as fully involved?  Should i be encouraged that i am responding to the medication?  Sorry for the long post but can anyone put my mind at ease?   -d

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