Back on the board after being off for a spell

[hoosier1]

Hello my friends,

I haven't been on-line for a while. Life has just to stressful and it seemed like I couldn't find any quality time to read and submit posts to the forum. My office manager resigned suddenly (on good grounds) so I launched a fast track recruiting process to get a replacement. What a chore I didn't need right now. The person whom I like the best accepted the offer yesterday so I am pleased about that.

I am presently on 2 Entocorts a day and 2 Asacol per day. Doctor is weaning me slowing from Entocort as my platelets are dropping and I am bleeding more frequently. I am also taking fish oil, olive oil, and vitamin e capsules in light doses. I am being totally religious to the diet. You would all be very proud of me on this front. I even tried a gluten free beer called Bard's and it didn't kill me :) But all in all, I feel like my overall health is better as a result of the diet.

I think I am slightly stable GI-wise though still not where I want to be. Going to see a specialist at IU school of medicine in March. But I do feel better mentally and my weight has stabilized. That much is good. Plus, my cholesterol numbers are now excellent. Previously, my cardio told my the only way I was going to reduce that number was via a statin. I guess the gluten-free diet proved him wrong. Doctor's can be so arrogant. And why?

I purchased the book that Gabes recommended (funny how I can't recall the title) and scanned it. The things that stood out in the book pretty much center around stopping to smell the roses along the way. I am making progress towards that end. Thanks Gabes. You are a gem.

I hope everyone had a good holiday. I stayed at home with my my mother and my dog and that was find for me. Didn't feel like being around the rest of my family. I simply wanted to relax. And I did.

Regards,

Rich

[Gabes-Apg]

wonderful to hear your progress..... health wise and mentally you have achieved ALOT in the past 3 months. Not only should you stop and smell the roses you should celebrate your progress and achievements...


I hear ya re the recruiting staff, i had to recruit 2 new staff in the last 3 months.....and also in that time was incognito/under cover having interviews for my new job.

soo good to hear that you are getting the balance of work and MC.

take care

[tex]

Rich,

It's good to see you back.

That bleeding issue caught my attention. I wasn't aware that budesonide can cause thrombocytopenia, (low platelet count). Are you sure that Asacol isn't the source of that issue?

Under Asacol Side Effects - for the Professional

Hematologic: Agranulocytosis (rare), aplastic anemia (rare), thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia, anemia, lymphadenopathy.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/asacol-side-effects.html

Asacol can also cause pancreatitis, but normally that isn't a problem except for a few long-term users. Most GI docs probably aren't even aware of that risk, since the condition is somewhat rare.

Is it just platelets, or are any/most of the lymphocyte counts down, also?

Tex

[Gloria]

Hi Rich,

It's so nice to hear from you again! We've been wondering where you were. It sounds like you're acclimating both to the diet and to the lifestyle change needed to cope with this disease. I'm glad your weight is stabilized and your cholesterol numbers are excellent. That's quite an accomplishment.

I'm concerned about the bleeding, too. Tex's suspicions are something to consider.

Thank you for the updates.

Gloria

[Joefnh]

Hello Rich its good to hear from you. I was wondering about the Asacol as well. The write ups on the Crohns boards do not like this med too much. It seems that there are a lot of bad reactions.

I can understand the issue of recruiting and hiring, never a fun excersise.

Take care Rich

--Joe

[hoosier1]

...you know, when I go back and re-read my posts, I cannot believe the typos and the obvious incorrect selection of specific words... I never recall typing those words, yet there they are. I am better than that, yet my typing shows the world my sloppy (more like dyslexic) side.

Hi Gabes, Tex, Joe, and Gloria!!!

Always good to hear from you. I am not sure why my platelets are down but the rest of my chemistries are pretty good, except for a chronically low white blood count. It hovers around 3.8. Perhaps the Asacol is the culprit for my bleeding. I also don't think it is very efficacious, Joe, (just an opinion). Tex, I will need to check my lymphocytes when I get to work (where my numbers are). But I recall them being nominal. Gabes, recruiting is a PITA, isn't it. I can't believe how many applicants I had to cull through.

So what's new with all of you? It's snowing today in Indiana and looks like it will do so all week. William (my shepherd), less one toe, is walking relatively well by now. He had some GI issues this weekend that weren't pretty but who I am to not be sympathetic to that. I even gave him some imodium (vet says it is ok). He is also blowing his coat like crazy right now and that concerns me as our weather is very cold now. He is on thyroid medication so it looks like it is time to get him checked out again.

I am going to Kansas this week and possibly California next week. California is iffy and I am actually OK with that because I actually welcome an end of year slow down. It was a tough year.

Regards,

Rich

[natythingycolbery]

So what's new with all of you? It's snowing today in Indiana and looks like it will do so all week.

The UK has had snow since Nov 26th! The whole country came to a standstill on the 1st and only really got moving again over the past 48 hours! It's been a bit mental over here! I have had a good few snowdays (been off uni since last monday) so am a bit bored now!

Bit glad to hear that you are doing well Rich!

[tex]

Rich,

Not much going on here in Texas - just the usual drought conditions. It's cold, but snow is not a possibility, 'cause it's way too dry for that. Other than that, we're having a cold dry winter, (despite an official long-range forecast that has been predicting a warm dry winter for a couple of months, now. The only good thing is that "cold" here in Central Texas is not nearly as cold as "cold" in Indiana. Did I mention that it's dry, and cold?

It's good to hear that your shepherd is ambulatory again. I'll bet you're right about the shedding problem being connected with his thyroid issues. Will he be getting his squirrel-chasing license back anytime soon?

Tex

[Zizzle]

Hi Rich,
Glad you are feeling better. Regarding the bleeding, please remember that fish oil supplements can affect your clotting. I've been told to be careful with them because of my easy bruising tendency. My dietician said only one softgel a day. I was offered Asacol when I was first diagnosed, but after reading all the side effects and horror stories on the web, I declined it. I don't regret my decision at all. I suspect Pepto is probably as effective as Asacol, meaning, not so effective, but you may notice mild improvement. I pop Pepto tabs for occasional flares and it seems to help quiet things down faster. But my flares are very short-lived now, usually tied to something I ate in the last 12 hours, and never lasting more than a day.

What is the Vitamin E for?

[Gabes-Apg]

be mindful that Vit E is mostly derived from Soy...

[hoosier1]

Nat, I have heard about your snow over there. Must be all that "global warming". :) Good to hear from you. Sending you positive vibes.

Gabes, didn't know Vitamin E was derived from soy. Ugh. Is nothing safe?

Zizzle, I have been taking Vitamin E for the anti-inflammatory effects of this supplement. I think I read a study by the Cleveland Clinic that it had some efficacy for IBD.

Tex, no squirrel chasing license for the dog yet. In fact, it may be time to get the ole bb gun out to scare away the squirrels. I simply can't afford the vet bills they are creating. The squirrels up here are the size of large cats.

Rich

[tex]

The squirrels up here are the size of large cats.

But that just makes them all the more tempting to chase.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

From the Food Ingredients to be Avoided section......

All the names that soy will appear as on food and cosmetics

I have become a soy guru as i have been trying to find make up/facial moisterisers with minimal or low soy (Vit E) not easy .....



Soy
* indicates it could contain soy
List may not be complete

Alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E)*
Amylases
Broth
Calcium stearate*
Calcium stearoyl lactylate
Diglyceride*
Disodium guanylate
Disodium inositate
Edamame
Glycerin*
Glycerides*, any
Glycerol*
Isolates
Lecithin
Linoleic acid
Miso
Monoglyceride*
Natto
Natural coloring*
Natural flavoring*
Okara
Olean*
Olestra*
Oxystearin
Propylene glycol monostearate
Shoyu
Sodium stearoyl fumarate
Soy anything
Soy oil
Stearoyls
Structured protein fiber
Tempeh
Textured vegetable protein*
Tofu
Vegetable anything on food label*
Vegetable broth*
Vegetable oil*
Vegetable protein*
Vitamin E*
Yuba

[Rosie]

Thanks for posting that list, Gabes. There are some compounds that I wasn't aware were soy-based.

Rosie

[Gabes-Apg]

not meaning scare anyone but also investigate what your Vit E is contained in is it gelatin based capsule or Veggie based capsule

here is what the non gelatin veggie based capsule is made from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypromellose

There are many fields of application for hypromellose. These are not limited to the following:[5]

Tile Adhesives
Cement renders
Gypsum products
Pharmaceutical
Paints & Coatings
Food
Cosmetics
Detergents & cleaners

IKA CURUMBA -