unknown disease related to crohns

Hi every body
I would like to know who have a trouble or disease in their digestive tract that similar
As that on my son 28 years old. The story is:
My Iraqi son have chronic diarrhea since 2008 after living 6 months at refugee camps at Turkey
And Greece with various types of people coming from Asia and Africa transferring their diseases
In addition of bad environments they were lived in these camps . Four specialists at Colorado didn’t diagnosed his disease till now!! Some of them said CROHNS other said INTESTINAL TB
He made all tests for these diseases and took most medicines for past four years( 2009-2011)
But have NO cure or heal or remission . His symptom right now are: 1-pain on the lower right some times and at upper left some times. 2- low appetite. 3-no fever no nausea no bleeding no
Vomiting . 4- very little eating so his weight go to 115 LB . 5- have small ulcers at ILEUM and
Stomach and duodenum . 6- he have two diarrhea movement daily.
My question is :what is this disease its type of crohn or other disease? And is there any body
Having the same symptom?
My regards
Majeed Aldamah
Denver,CO,80231
Mislamy15m(at)gmail.com

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Crohn's and Aloe Vera NEW
by: Annette

Hi there,

Thank you for writing in and responding to a previous post. I am sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with crohn’s as I am only too aware of how difficult it can be to 1. Accept the diagnosis and 2. Find the right medication and take back your life.

I was very glad to read that your symptoms seem to now be in remission. Just bear in mind that there is no actual cure for the disease but as you are aware, there is much that you can do to help yourself.

I am a big fan of natural remedies for most conditions but I do want to point out that it is still vital for anyone suffering with a severe health condition that they do not stop taking their medicines. By all means explore natural options but I would suggest just one at a time and then test it thoroughly rather than throwing an abundance of natural remedies at the disease. I have heard that Aloe Vera juice/gel is good for those with crohn’s. There have been some excellent reports back and if it works, then I am thrilled.

It is important to ensure you eat well- and choose easy to digest foods and chew well so that it takes the pressure off the digestive tract. Always make sure that you have a balanced diet and yes, include all the necessary vitamins and minerals as without them your body will not be able to heal or to sustain your usual way of life. I would say to anyone who is suffering with crohn’s and who is aware that they are not eating enough nutrients or, who is simply not able to eat much due to their pain, that they go and seek the services of a nutritionist.

You can also try to eliminate any external concerns or stresses as it has been proven that anxieties can act as a trigger which can aggravate crohn’s disease. Living with crohn’s disease and the fear of flare-ups might not be easy but it certainly is worth exploring all of the available options if you want a normal-ish life.

Best wishes,
Annette Young
Not sure. NEW
by: Anonymous

I had similar symptoms. It took them a year to diagnose me because it is so rare. Ask your dr about duodenal stenosis. Maybe it is webbing they are misdiagnosing? Just a thought. Good luck.
unknown disease related to crohns NEW
by: Lydia D.

From my reading I have observed that there is a modicum of literature on the increase in the diagnosis of Crohn's cases in, by means of example, India. This because they are now in a position to differentiate between certain diseases and Crohn's.

It might be worth you doing your own research on the subject, printing out the scientific papers and taking them with you when you next see your son's doctors. I assume that you will go with him because he sounds as though he is very sick, depressed, malnourished and not able to look after himself at the moment.

Western doctors will not be as adept as distinguishing between Crohn's and intestinal tuberculosis (or some other infectious disease) as the Indian doctors are. They are probably unaware of such publications. Here are a few to help you on your way:

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
http://www.bhj.org/journal/2006_4801_jan/html/infla_Crohns_29-31.html

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody is not useful to differentiate between Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis in India
http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2007;volume=53;issue=3;spage=166;epage=170;aulast=Ghoshal

Can an Immunohistochemistry Method Differentiate Intestinal Tuberculosis from Crohn's Disease in Biopsy Specimens?
http://www.bioportfolio.com/resources/pmarticle/78094/Can-An-Immunohistochemistry-Method-Differentiate-Intestinal-Tuberculosis-From-Crohn-s-Disease-In.html

Differentiation of Crohn's disease from intestinal tuberculosis in India in 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3027009/
unknown disease related to crohns NEW
by: Lydia D.

I am not a medic, but I consider myself to be an expert patient some 20 years post-diagnosis. Please ask your son to discuss everything with his doctors prior to trying out something new, especially suggestions from virtual "medicine men" on the Internet.

I must emphasise, that there is absolutely no cure for Crohn's. The disease may or may not go into remission. Rarely, a patient has only one flare up of Crohn's and then spends the rest of his lifetime in remission. It can hit anywhere from the mouth to the anus. http://www.crohns.org/congress/submission00/appendix4.htm

If I have understood you correctly, the doctor's have identified ulcers (aphthoid or longitudinal or giant ulcers?) in your son's stomach, duodenum and ileum, but the diagnosis of Crohn's is not 100%? Intestinal tuberculosis, etc., also causes ulceration and is easily picked up in a refugee camp. This is very difficult to treat and eradicate, but should be easy to diagnose by biopsy of the ulcerated area.

I suggest that if your son allows you to, that you gather all his medical notes and x-ray images together. Then sit down together and read them to identify if his current doctors have overlooked something. Then, if needs be, consult a new set of doctors. He needs a diagnosis before he can be properly treated. He must manage the doctors. Are you certain that the diagnosis of Crohn's is not solid? Perhaps, your expectations of the doctors's ability to treat this disease are too high.

He must write down all medication and supplements that he is currently taking. He should not smoke anything, drink alcohol, coffee or sodas/colas or do any street drugs. He should not be eating sweets, chocolates, sweet biscuits, fast food, etc. If he needs sugar then glucose tablets (assuming that he is not diabetic). However, he needs well-balanced, home-cooked food that is high in protein, free from artificial additives, flavourings and colourants, etc. He needs to eat 5-6 small meals a day instead of 2-3 large meals.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause ulceration, e.g. vitamin K and vitamin B12.
unknown disease related to crohns NEW
by: Lydia D.

I suggest that he is tested for the following if not already done:
- malabsorption (vitamin and mineral levels in the blood), especially vitamin B12 levels, if he has been on long-term proton pump inhibitors,
- coeliac disease (gluten intolerance),
- lactose/fructose/sucrose/maltose intolerances,
- hormone imbalances,
- bacterial infection,
- viral infection,
- fungal infection.

There are tests for the above that he can discuss with his doctor. The caveat is that blood vitamin and mineral levels do not reflect what is going on in the various organs.

He sounds as though he has a form of anorexia - Crohn's anorexia does exist. I would suggest that he discusses his diet with a nutritionist. Certain medication can cause anorexia. Is he not eating because he has pain or because he has no appetite? Look up the side-effects of his medication here: www.drugs.com www.rxlist.com

The wide-spread ulceration will prevent adequate uptake of nutrients. Thus, he should most likely be on supplements: water-soluble vitamins (the 8 B vitamins the so-called vitamin B complex and vitamin C), fat-soluble vitamins - fish oil capsules or oily fish, zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin D, iron and vitamin C, etc. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-VitaminsMinerals/

Until he addresses the malnutrition, there is no way that he will be able to get a handle on his health. Please note that malnutrition/anorexia can eventually lead to heart arrhythmias and infarct, irrespective of age. Your son should keep a food/mood/symptom/medication diary.

For the diarrhoea, which is relatively mild, his doctor might prescribe Loperamide (aka Imodium), which is an opiate and helps relieve diarrhoea - for short-term treatment only. However, it may increase his appetite.

There is some good dietary information here: http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/medicine/divisions/digestive-health/nutrition-support-team/nutrition-articles/September2005.pdf

Different areas of the gut are responsible for absorbing different nutrients. See the first diagram here: http://www.cmaj.ca/content/166/10/1297.full
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/166/10/1297.full
Crohns NEW
by: Terri

Dear Sir,
I have crohn's in the Ileum with similar symptoms that are now in remission. It is diagnosed as Crohn's disease. I started drinking organic, cold pressed, innergel, Aloe Vera juice after I had Crohn's off and on for awhile. My symptoms are much better now. No diarrehea, no tummy aches. Appetite is ok, just get full faster. Pain in lower left or right abdomen occasionally and upper left side too. My Vitamin b12 was low, so I take shots at home. I hope this has helped you. The aloe vera has many vitamins and amino acids your body needs to heal itself. Try it!!!

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