Crohn's Disease

This is the first I've seen this thread, but it looks like it's been going awhile. I haven't been through all of it, so pardon me if I'm repeating or asking a previously answered question.

I've had IBS for about 4 years now on and off, mostly on. I was fortunate to have tested negative for Crohn's. My thoughts are too all those that do have Crohn's. Many times I have had to excuse myself from a social situation hoping to either get home or to an "acceptable" bathroom in a hurry. More embarrassing perhaps is the gas. Hiding that sometimes isn't so successful. Right now I'm taking Elavil once a day which keeps the abdominal pains under control thankfully. I do have a couple of questions though.

1) Is anyone here familiar with the acne drug Accutane? It was almost immediately after taking this for a four month treatment that my problems began. I later found out my doctor had me on too high a dosage for my body weight, and that intestinal damage was a known side effect of Accutane. Anyone else aware of this connection and have anymore information on it? I know there is a class action suit against Accutane for Crohn's, but I guess IBS didn't qualify.

2) Does anyone else have more trouble with Crohn's/IBS on airplanes? This is where I suffer the most now it seems. My guess is it's due to the pressure changes when at high altitudes. Anyone know of a good way to control this on a flight?

Always good to hear from others going through similar experiences. Hope all is going well with your current treatments.

Immodium has worked for me some too on flights in keeping the bathroom trips down, but damn do those pains ever suck sometimes. That's also when the gas sets in for me. Real hard to hide that on a plane. Lucky for me the longest flight I've ever taken so far was to Paris before I had IBS.

Are you a camping person at all? I'm pretty reluctant to take immodium consistently, so I avoid going camping with friends even for a weekend. Any suggestions there? I don't look forward to having to run off behind a tree. Although that would probably be better than some of the bathrooms out there.

PissBottleMan wrote:

I'm not...as a matter of fact, I pick and choose my events wisely. I don't drink that much because I'm afraid of flaring up too.

Usually, if I'm going to a big event (like a show), I refrain from eatting a whole lot of food. It's an extreme, but it works for me.

PBM

I do the same before big events, espesically concerts where I figure I'll be jumping around.

Very Cool PBM!!!

MC,

I'm there for you in spirit,
nursing you back to health...

ali:(

Fighting Hellfish wrote:

This article might be of interest. It's about Crohn's, and how one Dr. believes people contract it

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hscroh0316,0,3403142.story

Thanks for posting that Fighting Hellfish --wicked name, my brackets or numbers dont work, which i wanted to use here...--

I always like reading about discoveries or advancments in the fight to find a cure.

harrisonmerwin wrote:

PBM will be forever missed on these boards, i hope you come back man, your one of my favourites to read, take care, and thanks for the great threads,

respect

harrison

I say we keep bumping this - in tribute

welcome back, PBM.