Life with Crohns
Crohns disease? What’s that? I had never heard of Crohns until I was diagnosed with it 2005. An inflammatory bowel disease, Crohns can be debilitating, embarrassing, and painful all at once. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Here I was a perfectly healthy 21 year old girl, just moved in with my fiancé, my whole life ahead of me, nothing to slow me down; man was I wrong! I thought I was invincible.
I ate a healthy diet (so I thought), exercised for over an hour a day, and took great care of myself. How did I get Crohns? I asked myself this question over and over again. I worried about it day and night which didn’t help my symptoms. I was a constant worrier. I stressed out over everything! My head was always consumed with worries. What if this? What if that? What if? What if? What if? Having a disease that there is no cure for and no explanation of why people get it made me a mad woman!
I refused medication because before Crohns I wouldn’t even take Tylenol! They think I am going to take steroids? They must be crazy! My arrogant attitude caused me to be hospitalized for a week. I had to receive blood transfusions, cat scans, and I was pumped with fluids and medications. This all just added to the stress of my everyday life. I was going against everything I believed in. When I left the hospital I had a new found look on life. After all, my doctors told me I was moments away from cardiac arrest. I felt blessed just to be alive.
I followed my doctors instructions and took all the medications I was given. I felt like a pin cushion from all the needle poking and a human pharmacy from the pill popping. The side effects from all the medications made me feel crazy. It was if I was a different person. After I got over the trauma of the whole situation I decided to talk to my doctor. I asked him if there was anything I could do to get off of medication. Since my intestines were so inflamed and ulcerated it was very unlikely. So I asked him about my diet. Maybe I was eating something that caused all of this? He told me that diet has nothing to do with Crohns. I found this extremely hard to believe and decided to do my own research.
I hadn’t touched red meat or milk since I was a child, but the doctors and my family were pushing it on me since I needed protein. Grossed out by the thought of putting red meat into my body, I consumed lots of other proteins like eggs, turkey, chicken, fish, soy products, and yogurt. I still wasn’t feeling better. I noticed after I would eat these foods, I would feel sick immediately. On my wedding day, I was sick! We had to leave our honeymoon two days early due to the pain I was feeling. Hmm, maybe white meat and dairy aren’t as healthy as I thought? So right away, I took extreme measures and became a vegan.
I felt better instantly. I remained healthy without flare ups for over a year. Maybe NOW I could go off of my medication? My doctor again turned me down! It was time to explore elsewhere, so I found an Osteopath. He ran a few tests on me and told me it was fine to go off of medication. Oh glory day!!! For the next 3 months, I ate a vegan diet which consisted of mostly cooked and soy foods. I was drinking a ton of wine on the weekends, and I thought “as long as I stick to being a vegan, I won’t flare up“. Even though I changed my diet, I was still stressing over everything! I would do yoga once a week and felt extremely calm for hours after the class. Once a problem arose in my life I went right back into worry mode. Of course, I became sick again. I can NOT get away with anything. Back to the hospital, back on steroids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medication. It was time for a new game plan.
I read a book by Paul Nison when I was first diagnosed. He talked about raw food and how it helped him cure his Crohns disease. So as an extremist, I decided to take it on. I slowly started adding more raw foods, green juice, and smoothies into my diet. I started to feel like myself again. On Christmas Day 2008, I stopped my steroid, and antibiotics (with my gastroenterologist’s permission) and I had never felt better. I only take one medication, a shot, every other week. Now my diet is what I call high-raw vegan. I eat raw all day except for dinner which I might have some cooked food. I am in no way perfect. Once a week, I have pasta (I am Italian- tomato sauce runs through my blood), but my diet is mostly raw. I exercise, practice prayer, meditation and yoga.
I feel alive again! Will I flare again? Who knows? However, this time I know how to get myself back on track. Will I ever be able to stop my medication? I don’t know. I will not allow myself to worry about it. I take it a day at a time and I’ve learned not to worry about the little things. I feel that Crohns has put me on a path I would have never explored. The best part is that I truly enjoy this lifestyle and am confident that it is the healthiest decision I will ever make.
Lauren Nastasi is a 25 year old vegan who lives in New Jersey with her husband and pug Ginger. She has a food blog that she updates frequently: Gingeristhenewpink.blogspot.com
- Posted by Guest Blogger on March 31, 2009 at 8:17 am
-
Tagged as: Crohns disease, raw foods, vegan, Yoga
Other posts by this author:
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Pingback: Column 2 | Crazy Sexy Life on November 11, 2009
- Pingback: Treating Crohn's disease naturally | Health Miracles on June 14, 2010
Thank you Lauren! I have Graves Disease, another autoimmune disease, and I always have been considered healthy and thought of myself as such. I don’t eat meat, but am by no means raw–and am resisting going vegan due to loving yogurt. Ha ha! But I am trying more vegan recipes (checked out Vegan with a Vengeance, but the recipes seem too hard for me or something) and green smoothies, and salads. Anyway–just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your piece–very inspiring. Good luck with everything. Glad you are doing yoga. Yoga has been so good for me.
So funny since I just found your blog the other day:)
Thank you for sharing your story. You will undoubtedly inspire many many people. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s in 2006, and like you, was horrified by the idea of medication. It just didn’t seem right and I didn’t believe there was no cure. I felt in my heart that when the body gets what it needs nutritionally, it will heal ans repair and be well. I was fortunate that I had caught some early symptoms and altered my diet early on. I never became as sick as so often happens. Instead of surgery and medication, I quit my job, packed up my life and moved from Toronto to LA for three months to see an acupuncturist. 3 months of acupuncture, 6 days a week, started doing yoga daily, meditating twice a day, got around by bicycle, had no cell phone and ate only the best organic food. The simple life. Nealy three years later, I remain 100% symptom free, without having needed any medication or surgery. Anything is possible when with an open heart and positive outlook.
Since being CURED, I went back to school to study nutrition and have now found the right path of living for me. Despite the challenges, and fear and all that- I maintain that getting sick is the best thing to have happened to me. Our weaknesses are our greatest teachers.
To our great health!
Thanks for your story. I too, am stuggling with health issues (not crohns), and am experimenting with my diet. Good luck to you in future!!
This is such an inspiring post….thanks for sharing!! I love your blog as you already know :0)
Loulou xx
As a fellow Crohn’s Disease sufferer, and fellow blogger, I TRULY appreciate this post, Lauren!! Thank you!!
Hi Lauren! Wow great story! I too was diag-nonsensed w/Crohn’s in 2005. It took about 4 months of traditional treatment to realize it wasn’t gong to work for me. It was after that I began changing my diet. I’ve made some significant improvements (like getting off of medication) but still am not 100%. I don’t work and have that nagging bathroom fear – that I absolutely hate! I too am still so very uptight. The diet you are on now is ironically one very similar to what I intend to do in April.. of course as what “Make Love In the Kitchen” says leading a simple, relaxed life sounds like such an important component of it. Thanks so much for sharing your story. As I’ve learned through a lot of research into raw this year, there don’t seem to be very many people people w/digestive issues embracing the raw-vegan lifestyle. And then there’s the whole colonic issue.. any way, I really enjoy the article. Thanks!
take care!
Monique
Two things that might help:
1) make sure you’re taking in more Omega 3 oils (Flax, Olive Oil, Canola) then Omega 6 oils (Hemp, Soy, Corn, etc). Omega 3 is anti-inflammatory while Omega 6 causes inflammation in the body.
2) Kefir: this coats your small intestines with good bacteria
Please give these two things a try and see if they work well for you.
Lauren, what a great post!
Great post Lauren! I remember visiting you in the hospital when it first started. I am so glad you are doing much better now. Keep it up and keep writing. If you touch and inspire one person you have done your job. Be good!
Great post! Thank you for reminding me how changing my diet changed my life about a year ago. I had been suffering from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia for about 10 years when I “discovered” Kris and took her advice to eat/drink foods that are more alkaline. I feel so good most days that I forget how bad I can feel when I don’t juice and eat a mostly raw diet. So THANK YOU for inspiring me to get back to the basics so that I can maintain my vibrant health!
Thank you for posting your story. It brought tears to my eyes. I dont have crohns but I have been dealing with intense IBS for the past three years of my life. I am young just like you and I felt like I had been doing everything right and then wham! like a slap in the face I struggled to make ends meet. You are an inspiration keep fighting!!
I’m so glad you tweeted this link. What an inspiring testimony! Good for you and keep up the whole healthy work.
Jenn
I’m so thrilled for you that you have managed to have such a profound effect on your health, thank you so much for sharing your story… I hope so much that you continue to feel good.
Thanks for your inspiring story. I was diagnosed with MS – another evil autoimmune disease – in 2004. I know when I changed my diet I felt so much better. I haven’t had a major relapse since then. My dr. told me that diet really doesn’t matter – she put me on injections that made me very ill for 5 days out of the week. I stopped taking then after a year and a half. I recently went for an MRI and there has been no change – hmmmm. I would never suggest someone not taking medication or stopping a medication, but I really believe in my heart that diet, lifestyle, and giving of yourself is key to a healthy life!
Thanks for this great contribution, Lauren!
)
I’m dealing with Celiac and another more systemic autoimmune disease and find your journey very inspiring. I’ve strongly resisted medication all along (my liver is not so fabulous) and instead have opted for a very ‘clean’ diet and as simple a life as possible. Looking forward to catching up with you on your Blog.
Happy health to you!
Lauren, as a fellow GI sufferer (gastroparesis and colitis) and having been misdiagnosed for many years – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for speaking out about the importance of diet and GI diseases. Too many traditional Drs. believe there is no connection….sadly, the world lives on twinkies and energy drinks and believes every lie that the medical establishment tells them. I am a firm believer in combining both diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and medication (when necessary) in order to achieve balance physically, mentally and spiritually. Once again, this blog is right on!!! =)
GO GREEN VEGGIES!!
Thank you so very much everyone! WOW, I didn’t think I would get any comments! I am so happy I could inspire so many. It is an everyday struggle and people like you all make it all worth it. You’ve brought a smile to my face. Please feel free to contact me through my blog, I am glad to answer any questions. We need to spread the word, since most are embarassed about having crohns, colitis, and any other “poopy” problems.
Thanks again!
Lauren
I’m still stupified that your doc told you “diet has nothing to do with Crohns.” Huh???
Sooooo glad you found yourself another doctor, and one who was willing to support you in getting off the steroids.
[Glad to see Ginger and her belly got to be on CSL today too!]
earthmother:
It’s not so surprising, my doctor told me to have two serving of Jello a day !
“Why” I asked….
He said, “cause you need your Protein” !
I said, “please tell me how the protein in Jello (I had severe ulcerative colitis) is going to help ‘heal’ a bleeding colon “?!?!?
My other doctor told me to eat 2 servings of red meat a day !
I never saw a doctor after that, and started using food as my medicine.
Clint
I discovered this blog today and I’m so amazed that yesterday’s post was about Crohn’s!! Wow – talk about kismet.
Thank you for sharing your story. I found out that I have Crohn’s in November and have spent the last few months figuring out what works for me. I’ve recently cut out gluten, dairy, and a lot of other foods and have noticed a huge improvement in my symptoms.
I’m interested to read Paul Nison’s book and I really appreciate you sharing your incredibly inspiring story.
Thank you so much for sharing your story
))
I got colitis about 12 years ago and it has been a journey much like yours. I found that a vegan diet worked fantastic but when I stoped the dairy and gluten I seen a huge differens. Im about 75% raw myself and is loving it. Who say people with IBD cant eat raw foods ???? LOL
It has been years of trail and error for me, and im so happy that sharing your story you can inspire people so they can do somthing here and now and not go throug years of agony. Bless you
Yes omega 3 and probiotics are an important part of healing IBD, highly recomend it
))
As a Crohn’s sufferer for a L-O-N-G time, I used to take an anti-inflammatory + narcotic for pain, plus an anti-spasmodic. I decided to start a strict Mediterranean Diet (in my roots!) and it’s naturally high in vegetables and low in meats….there’s some cheese, but not a lot. Along with this, I took Digestive Enzymes with every meal, and I feel like I have no Crohn’s whatsoever now.
I used to never leave my house because of the “bathroom attachment” that was mandatory every morning, especially after eating, and never would eat in a public place for the same reason. It was too embarassing. Now, I feel terrific and in trying Dr. Fuhrman’s diet plan, I am having no problems with my Crohn’s Disease at all. With certain “gassy” veggies like cabbage, I do take a digestive enzyme with those, and this is working out just fine. I really no longer have to take my Crohn’s meds everyday….I just keep them handy “just incase”….but basically, I am off of them.
I hope someday to get off all of my medications (for other conditions) thru this diet plan. I have so many prescriptions that I could be a pharmacy!
Glad you are doing well and hope things stay good for you! It’s great to hear when someone has such a positive change.
Thank you so much for sharing your story!
I too, have an autoimmune disease, quite similar to Crohn’s, called Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis. I’m also working on healing my body holistically and with whole foods.
I think it’s so exciting that these illnesses force us to really examine the way we treat our bodies and explore alternative treatment. I too, am off steroids! Hallelujah to that!
Your story is so inspiring and encouraging! It’s great to find others out there that know what this pain feels like! Thanks for sharing
I was diagnosed with Crohns in 1988 and spent the better part of the next 20 years in various states of hospitalization, medication, surgery, and daily misery. I have now been healthy for the past ten years through diet, yoga, and changing my thoughts. (I, too was a worrier.) I can now say I feel healthy and whole.
I was diagnosed with Crohn’s back in 2004 and I believe your message is load an clear and soooo important. Yes, sometimes we have to take medication but the real message is be responsible for yourself.
Like so many I hate pill popping and since my surgery I’ve been determined to ‘manage my Crohn’s’ and not be ‘run by the condition’. Diet, appropriate exercise and a positive state of mind really makes a huge difference – I honestly believe I now have my life back – and it’s better than before.
My daughter was diagnosed with Crohn’s when she was 12 (6 years ago). Her doctor also told us that her diet would have no effect on her health. That sounded fishy to me. After researching we cut out milk and trans fat, added calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C and lots of probiotics. She’s never had a flare up since the initial one that resulted in the diagnosis. She’s still on Pentasa medication and is doing great (knock on wood!)
I truly believe that a person’s nutrition has EVERYTHING to do with his or her health!
Lauren, I only just read this now. It’s quite powerful. Stay well and enjoying your raw / vegan lifestyle. Happy NY tomorrow (!) and onwards and upwards. Your hubby sounds great by the way. I am glad for you, Zu
Thank you lauren, you make me proud.
Lauren, thank you, you make be proud!!! love you
I cant believe you actually aint botherd about having crohns i hate it its ruined my life =[ ive had it for 3 years now since i was 16 and i cant even get a job … ive tried applying for the Royal Air Force ( Dream Job ) got rejected over it =[ i dont no any1 with crohns but it would mean alot of you could email me if you have it and a job thanks mark_loves_lesley_forever@hotmail.co.uk
Congrats! Paul Nison is one of my favorite raw authors. Mainly because he doesn’t say you must eat “raw”. He merely suggests you simply eat the very best foods you can afford and access.