A Writer's Life Interrupted-- Back to Square One #humira #crohns

“Hum. It may not be Crohn’s disease.”

I could tell my doc didn't want to say this. He was a bit, um, evasive. In between me pontificating about my latest troubles, he didn't say much, except:

"Your symptoms are unusual for Crohn's disease. Have you discovered any foods that make the situation worse?"

Perhaps he didn't hear me. "No. I"ve stopped eating."

"Hum."

 “Then what—?“

“Could be from Humira. I’m going to schedule a colonoscopy and an endoscopy for August 1st. Until that time, just keep doing what you’re doing. ”

"Ah, oh."

"It's been awhile since we did one and we've never done an endoscopy. I'll get my nurse." 

And that was that.  *blinks rapidly as door shuts*

As soon as I get home, my research fingers dash over the keyboard. I find  NUMEROUS side effects from Humira that aren’t listed in the pamphlet I received. AND these other side effects are not easily discovered until you actually Google them along with Humira. Otherwise, you’ll strike out.

1.       Gastritis
2.       Inflammation of the intestines
3.       Vomiting
4.       Stomach upset
5.       Ulcers of the stomach
6.       MS
7.       Leukemia

Leukemia?

And those are just a few. So, miserable as I am, either from Humira OR Crohn’s disease, I began reading about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Think: no carbohydrates of ANY KIND. Not even corn, or soy, or or anything.

Now, that’s depressing.

But it beats the way I’m living now. I am subsisting on water and diluted coffee.

So, let’s suppose it’s the Humira.

*stomps feet*

I mean seriously, who would have thought the treatment could give me something that mimics the disease? It would have been nice if someone had TOLD me.

That means I have to stop taking Humira because, uh, you can die from not eating. Of course, not taking it is no way to live either.

I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.

So, back to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

It’s the caveman diet to the max that comes with a ton of warnings, like this is extremely hard to follow.

I did learn one thing.  I was wondering why my gut is so sore and swollen (more so than usual if that is even possible). Turns out while not eating is not a good thing, it kills the bacteria in the intestine that lives on sugar etc. So, while I may be uncomfortable now, it’s best to get the die-off over with. Tonight, I’ll have a meat patty with maybe some home-made chicken soup. 

Yum /sarc

I did the caveman diet a few months ago and made myself sick. I gave up after about a week or so because I was miserable. Turns out that was normal. I am supposed to get miserable before I get better.

*sigh*

No commitment here, I’m going to take this one day at a time. I’m no cook and the homemade yogurt looks daunting.  This is a life style change I'm not sure I can do, but then I never thought I could quit smoking either.

I will wait for the test results to come back before making a decision about the Humira. It’s always possible that a Crohn’s ulcer made its way in or even H. Pylori, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. My immune system is compromised, ya know.

I could really use some prayers. I’d like to give this diet a go, but I don’t have the strength to do it myself. I am, as you can see by my intro page, a chocolate addict. A SERIOUS chocolate addict. Plus, for whatever reason, right now I can only eat little bits or I get really sick so I’m a tad worried about trying the soup.

Note to self: Make it a small bowl.  

(((hugs)))

Louann

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