Discussions

Find information and help here  
 
http://crohnsandcolitis.ca/  
 
and here  
 
http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/about/

I’m a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence nurse. I deal with many clients who live with Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis. Feel free to message me.

I am involved with a company whose research originated out of McGill University in Montreal where a product was developed to strengthen the immune system and raise the "master" antioxidant in the body which wages war on free radicals /disease and oxidative stress. It is backed by over 40 years of research/science and has earned two Health Canada Claims( with a 3rd one pending that should be released this year for cognitive function.) It is documented in both the CPS (which is the Canadian Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties) and in the U. S. in the PDR (Physician's desk Reference) which if you don't know, is the doctor's Bible in terms of working with pharmaceutical drugs when they prescribe medications. There are over 40,000 different listings in that book describing who can or can't have that certain drug, when or how that drug can be taken and the side effects one may possibly expect to experience relating to the drug. In our CPS, our product is listed as a natural nutraceutical clinically proven to "raise glutathione values" in our bodies and support immune function. If our immune systems are NOT compromised we do not set the stage for disease and illness to get a foothold. I don't know about you but I know truckloads of people suffering from different health challenges. If I could show you something that could help the people you know and love, would you be willing to have a look ?? The internet is full of people looking for answers to their health challenges as a result of our overburdened, inaccessible medical system. We hear it every day in conversations from people we don't even know as to how many people face serious health challenges and are desperately seeking answers. Clinically demonstrated to work and is changing lives one person at a time. Want to know more? I would love to help. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, PM me. This could change your life

**my opinion, I'm not a medical professional**  
You are absolutely right...there are tons of people out there living with various degrees and levels of these diseases. And everyone is affected differently so it's hard to find answers. The thing is, there is no miracle cure, but with a lot of hard work things can get much much better. It sounds like Dr. Mackalski is someone your husband should definitely try to get to see, because I would say that he needs a formal diagnosis and will likely need medication to get out of the spot that he is in (sounds like he has the most severe symptoms).  
In the meantime, are you on facebook? If so, join this page https://www.facebook.com/groups/254381904904394/ for tons of support and thousands of personal accounts and advice from others going through a similar experience. Spend some time scrolling down through the page.  
As others have said, he should definitely avoid all dairy, grains, caffeine, soda, spices etc for now. Limit fruit and make sure it's quite ripe. Veggies should be very well cooked, to the point of mushy. You can liquefy this in a blender if needed. Ground meat is easier to digest for now. Don't try any probiotics just yet, but that will definitely be a help to him in the future. Good Luck to you and your husband!!

Has anyone had any experience with Dhalla and these diseases? Good or bad?

That is who I go to and have not had any issues except the waiting in his office

Jeffer83 said "Has anyone had any experience with Dhalla and these diseases? Good or bad? "

going to him terrible

Was it terrible because he didn’t help you or because of his rudeness?

Love him or hate him, he knows his stuff. Many complain about long office waits however, we like to remember that there may be a time when it’s our family he is tied up with at the hospital and running late because of a patient. He has helped my husband manage this disease for more than 10 years through many trial drugs and now remicade which is working great!  
For better or worse, Dhalla has kept this disease manageable and with no surgeries.

Why did you and your husband choose to go with clinical trial and then eventually remicade as opposed to steroid treatment?

My husband was diagnosed mid nineties. He went through several drugs as biological drugs like these tend to work for a while and stop. It is my understanding that due to his advanced knowledge of these disorders, Dhalla has acess and knowledge of new and trial drugs treatments. Steroid treatment is a stop gap to bring Crohnies out of flares. Steroids can not be used long term. We had put remicade at the end of the list as he tried the trial drugs but over the years they all stopped working. Out of everything he has tried so far, remicade has worked the best.

Yes you have get to know what your body can take, but everything you mentioned here are things that do not bother me. Everyone is different. Spicy foods and very rough fruits and vegetables are the things that my body will not tolerate.

Anyone know how long it takes to get in to see her? I’m assuming a family dr needs to refer you to her. Can urgent referrals be requested?

Wait time wasn’t too long for me . Took maybe 3 weeks after my fam dr sent in request . She’s not like most drs here where they push around a bunch of big words then send you on your way . After seeing her took 2 weeks to get scopes,ct,X-rays and what not .

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for dealing with the cramps?

Hot tea