Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi.
You may have seen me posting on the IBD board as well as the diet and living room boards. I have Crohn's, but it was only diagnosed after almost 2 years of doctors telling me that I had IBS. I was dealing with a crappy general practitioner (whom I've now dumped) that refused to do the right tests. Anyways, since I thought I had IBS, I had tried the diet as well. Now that I've been diagnosed with Crohn's, I've asked my GI specialist about the IBS/IBD connection. He answered that all my symptoms thus far can be attributed to Crohn's disease and so that is the way he will treat me. The theory is that lightning doesn't strike twice and while he said he has seen a couple patients who ended up having both, it is rather rare. He said he would not start looking at me as having both unless at some point he does another colonoscopy and finds no ulcers and no inflamation throughout my intestines, but I still experience GI problems (like D and painful cramps and urgency).
That said, keeping yourself on a diet that is easier for your tummy to handle (which the IBS diet is) will also help! Your meds and the diet can, in a way, work together. Many people seem to be able to stay in remission longer when they are using a diet like this. I would NEVER recommend diet alone to deal with a condition like CD or UC, but it defenetly can help. I, for one, would much rather cut out coffee, fried foods, raw foods and all our other list of IBS food DO-NOT-EATs than have higher likelihood of going on steroids or facing a resection. So that's my thoughts. Glad the diet is helping though and hope you continue to feel better!
Min

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator