tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71557331143947284672024-03-05T21:43:20.789-05:00The Bright Side of Crohn'sStaying positive, and kicking some Crohn's Disease butt.BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-4771431618539947712021-05-04T12:36:00.002-04:002021-05-04T12:36:20.694-04:00Covid-19 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)<p> Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've written, really that's because I'm feeling great, been in a long remission and life is busy with 3 children. I haven't forgotten this blog however, nor the community of all of us online, sharing our Crohn's stories.</p><p>I'm sure that if you're like me, what's top of mind is the pandemic. And many questions around Covid-19 and how it may affect us with IBD. What about the vaccines? Are they safe for us.</p><p>I have a Google alert set up that emails me occaisonal news that pops up about Crohn's and IBD. This week it sent me a great article that appears to be well researched (has link to a lot of source studies) that answers many of these questions. I thought I'd share with you, dear readers in case you're also wondering about these topics.</p><p>To be clear, I'm not familiar with this website and this isn't an endorsement. It appears to be a well researched article, but do your own verification and as always, talk to your doctor for professional medical advice! <a href="https://www.verywellhealth.com/ibd-and-covid-19-risks-5180123" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.verywellhealth.com/ibd-and-covid-19-risks-5180123</a>.</p><p>I hope everyone is feeling as well as possible. Good luck and stay safe!</p>BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-55298240619225980952019-05-09T16:34:00.001-04:002019-05-09T16:35:03.711-04:00Bright Side is now Ad Free!After some reading about the declining trends (and opinions) in online advertising, and doing some soul searching about how I want to monetize (if at all) my various online projects and websites, I've decided to rip all the Google Adsense advertisements off my blogs and sites. It was earning me pennies and leaves a bad taste in my mouth anyway.<br />
<br />
I hope to instead provide more meaningful content, like a longer, revamped version of my Crohn's Tips Guide as content with real value, and perhaps more book reviews and posts of that nature.<br />
<br />
Anyway, enjoy the blog ad-free, thanks for reading! I hope to post some new updates soon (life with 3 kids is crazy).BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-945077557504742662019-04-09T19:05:00.002-04:002019-04-09T19:10:01.559-04:00Coping With Crohn's Disease - Free Tips E-GuideThis is a re-post of a Crohn's Guide that I had previously had on another website.<br />
<br />
It's hard to find practical advice and tips for living and coping with Crohn's Disease. This <i>free</i> e-guide is packed with helpful suggestions for living with Crohn's Disease and managing it in your life. <br />
<a name='more'></a>I created this guide because most books and resources available focus on what Crohn's is, and the various treatment options, but practical advice for just living with it seems to be hard to find. If just one person finds just one tip helpful, it's worth it. Enjoy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>➤ <a href="https://sherriw.com/hosted_files/Crohns-Tips-E-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">Crohns-Tips-E-Guide.pdf</a></b><br />
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<br />
<h3>
Comments & Reviews</h3>
</div>
"I just wanted to let you know that I finally had time to read your guide and I loved it! You are absolutely correct in that the material out there is often geared towards the medical side or symptoms, but not usually general well being. I think this will be of great benefit to the other volunteers and am looking forward to sharing it with them."<br />
<div>
<br />
Janice Bottrill<br />
Vice-President - CCFC Windsor Chapter</div>
BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-90714621350457581562017-06-29T14:22:00.000-04:002017-06-29T14:43:48.405-04:00On Bodies, Scars, Pregnancy & PositivityThis post is in response to an Anonymous comment left on my <a href="http://www.brightsideofcrohns.com/2012/10/crohns-disease-ulcerative-colitis-and.html">Pregnancy and Crohn's Disease</a> blog post from a reader who is planning a first pregnancy and concerned about the physical challenges. This is my reply:<br />
<br />
First, I think it's wonderful that you are getting the green-light to try for a baby! Extra wonderful after a struggle with Crohn's Disease!<br />
<br />
I'm not sure why your doctor is concerned about tearing not healing... do you have issues with wound healing? Anyway, I always err on the side of trusting my doctor, since I'm not an expert. I had <span style="font-family: inherit;">3 <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">caesarean</span>-sect</span>ions myself. Not due to my Crohn's but due to my babies all being breech. I loved my c-sections. They were calm and quick procedures. Healing took a while, but it just meant no carrying anything heavier than my baby, and it was a bit of a trick to sit-up in bed. Pain when coughing. But it only lasted a few weeks.<br />
<br />
(Most light exercise is ok when pregnant if you check with your doctor. I liked to go for walks myself.)<br />
<br />
My c-section scar is below the waist band of a pair of bikini panties. So, no one would ever see it. It has faded quite a lot in the year since my last baby. Although I'm sure it will always be there.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Along with my resection surgery scars, my belly is a bit of a patchwork as well. But... I don't feel less beautiful because of them. They are my battle scars. They are a story of my life, my challenges and triumphs. I would not be ashamed to wear a two-piece bathing suit because of my scars- anyone thinking negatively about me because of them, is a reflection on that person. Who are these people judging our bodies? We are our own worst critics by far. Now, at 37, I have more important things to worry about than a flawless body - and bigger sources of joy than getting eyeballed for my looks.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Motherhood will change you. Things you feared before will be laughable because you now have REAL fears. I used to be terrified of spiders. Now I pick them up with my bare-hands and toss them in the sink. Because nothing is scary like the fear when my son broke his arm. Motherhood has made me into a superhero- bulletproof to the worries and problems of my past (lol). Years ago I missed out on experiences because of shyness and fear of being judged. Now? I dance even if I look silly. I sing to my kids in the grocery store even though my voice is terrible. I don't let self-consciousness prevent me from having experiences- life is too short.<br />
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My internal scar tissue did indeed cause a small problem during my pregnancies. It adhered to the outside of my uterus and caused some painful contraction type cramps. I received a brief treatment of pain medication and muscle relaxant that helped a lot. The main thing I learned was to drink extra water. So much water. Like, non-stop. This made my 3rd pregnancy easier in that regard.<br />
<br />
Pregnancy can be tough for so many reasons. Your Crohn's might indeed cause some challenges - but so what? You have conquered so many problems so far it sounds like - what's one more? You sound like a warrior already! :D<br />
<br />
I did find that my abdominal muscles took a while to recover. Situps/crunches were painful for about a year after a c-section. I had to keep it to only 5 situps at a time for a long while. Now, at 1.5 years later, I'm finally able to do a full set. I sometimes get an ache in my abdomen after strenuous work. But... shrug. Honestly all the lifting and work of motherhood - my back is the real problem! HAHA.<br />
<br />
I know that I am unusually unconcerned about some of these issues. I feel that the last 5 years have changed me considerably... and I was never particularly concerned with looks to begin with. But now, even less so. It's funny though... I'm pushing 40, I've had 3 babies, I rarely have time for my makeup... yet I feel sexier and more at peace with my body than at any other time in my life. I love what my body has done for me, and the challenges we have conquered together. My sex-drive got an extra boost in my late-thirties, and I feel confident and comfortable in my sexuality. My husband helps by always making me feel attractive and loved. When old insecurities creep back up, I tell him what I'm feeling and he helps me get over my funk. We laugh about our grey hairs and our mom & dad bods... high-fiving each other for all we've been through & accomplished.<br />
<br />
You can do this Anonymous. It is 100 times worth it. You are beautiful for who you are, for what you put into this world, for the energy you give out and the things you do. Crohn's disease, age, pregnancy, and more... can not change that... and anyone who tries to tell you differently, or to value you based on your looks... is revealing their own ugliness. It is time for women (and men) to own their internal beauty and reject the fears that come from the superficial side of society.<br />
<br />
Good luck!!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-36907949440474704092016-10-25T21:01:00.000-04:002016-10-25T21:01:57.825-04:00A Quick UpdateHi my fellow Crohnies!<br />
<br />
I wanted to write a quick update to reach out and make sure everyone is keeping hope alive, staying strong, and fighting hard. I know, with these diseases it gets so, so awful sometimes, and keeping a positive outlook can be nearly impossible. You can do it. Yes, you. You have people who care about you, hobbies to have fun with, holiday seasons coming. Just breathe. Watch a good TV show. Read a good book. Hug your family. Call your doctor and work together. <b><i>You can do it.</i></b><br />
<br />
Me? Well life is insane. Insane...<br />
<a name='more'></a>With 3 sons (4.5y, 2.5y, & 9 months) there is very little sleep happening around here. And add my Crohn's to the mix plus diapers, toilet training.... let me just say I practically <i>live</i> in the washroom! My oldest started junior kindergarten this year, and since Sept we have had constant colds, fevers, runny noses, ug! But all in all things are great. My Crohn's Disease symptoms are there, they came back after the baby was born as expected. But my last round of blood work came back looking all good according to my doctor, so he sent me for a recent CT scan to check for any scar tissue or strictures from my resection surgery. Waiting on those results. And meantime, eating lots of bananas and yogourt!<br />
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Halloween is coming. Crohn's or no... I'm gonna eat <b>SO MUCH CANDY!!!</b>BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-66068253753221351552015-08-05T15:45:00.001-04:002015-08-05T15:45:49.889-04:00Letting Myself DownThe last few months have been hard for me. In fact, my nick name on this blog, Bright Side, might as well have been Dark Side. I'm disappointed in myself and it's time for a kick in the pants.<br />
<br />
At the core of it has been a perfect storm of family drama, loss, grief and stress. And below that, has been physical challenges associated with my current pregnancy (just arrived at the 2nd trimester, yay!) which have made me lose touch with who I am like never before.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I'm ashamed to say that 3 months of severe nausea and extreme fatigue have kicked my butt. How can this be? I have dealt with the fearsome pain of Crohn's Disease, 2 abdominal surgeries and 2 cesarean section childbirths. I'm not sure why what seems like it should have been laughable compared to pain, has been so hard for me... but having trouble functioning, trouble focusing on tasks, and trouble even being at a computer for more than a few minutes had really shaken the foundation of who I am.<br />
<br />
I realized not long ago, that I had lost touch with the real me. The reason why I go by the name Bright Side on this blog. I let projects, tasks, and clutter pile up. I was surfing on my phone reading the same crap over and over. Some of this I attribute to trouble sleeping and pregnancy fatigue, but my un-productiveness really shook my personality and outlook too. It made me less resilient to withstand the family challenges which have been steadily pounding me for the last year. My Bright Side got a bit dingy.<br />
<br />
But.... I'm climbing back out of the gloomy shadows of exhaustion and inactivity and self-pity and getting back in touch with who I am. I'm a mom, wife and techie. I love to laugh, make fun, goof around and play games. I get giddy finding garage sale deals on Nerf guns for when my boys are older and we can pummel them (more likely they'll pummel us), and second-hand Thomas The Train sets that are good as new for this Christmas. I look at the Bright Side of challenges and of people.<br />
<br />
Step 1: get some of the tasks that have piled up off my plate so that I get some small wins under my belt. Step 2: get MOAR sleep! Step 3: play.<br />
<br />
Are you facing challenges this year? Share your story and know you're not alone!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-59373646736348228982015-02-11T12:23:00.000-05:002015-02-11T12:23:00.428-05:00Two Toddlers And Time OutsTime for writing on my blog is taken from that all too precious "<i>free time</i>". Oh where have you gone!? Ha! These days I am a work at home mom with a 1 and 3 year old. Time has flown by. Every day is like <b>baby wack-a-mole</b> and I go from diaper to potty to bottle to crying to spills to snuggles and around again. It's crazy! Even crazier is we're thinking about baby # 3! I must be insane.<br />
<br />
But life is good despite stress and busyness and doctor visits. I wanted to write a post to fill in my last several months and kick off a renewed determination to write more regularly. Time to dust off the Bright Side blog and get back in touch with readers. Emails I receive that thank me for my positive take on life with IBD, remind me that people struggle to find an encouraging and optimistic voice when dealing with this disease. So, what's new!?<br />
<a name='more'></a>Well, my two boys are turning 1 and 3 in a few weeks. We're having a joint birthday party for them next weekend. That should be fun. The 3 year old (OS) is just starting to be at an age where he understands the concept of presents and parties, which is making holiday events even more fun. My youngest (YS) is, shockingly, a red-head and we have no idea where that came from, but he's the cutest thing I've ever seen! He's been pulling himself up to standing position on the furniture and reaching his big brother's toys. So, yeah, there's a lot of yelling and pushing going on. Lots of time-outs. I think <i>I</i> need a time-out. *laughs*<br />
<br />
For myself I've been busy working on a new programming project. The most fun I've ever had in my professional life, combining two of my hobbies: development and games! I've launched a <a href="http://roboid.com/">free sci-fi browser game called Roboid</a>. It's completely mobile-friendly and growing quickly. We have over 200 registered players so far! So if you like casual games you can play on your phone or browser... or if you like robots and a good story, come check it out! <a href="http://roboid.com/">http://roboid.com/</a>.<br />
<br />
Other than Roboid, I've been dusting off some of the blogs, updating things and trying to consolidate my growing collection of web sites and projects. Also keeping busy with the occasional client work.<br />
<br />
On the medical side, things are flaring up again. Oh of course. Ug. As often happens, the hormone flip-flops of pregnancy and delivery caused me to have symptoms return after each of my babies were born. My doctor recently sent me for a colonoscopy and I'll be getting an MRI soon, then in to Dr GI for the results. My doctor is big on drugs and has been pushing the major ones like Remicade and Humira on me. But I'm not keen on this route. My husband (DH) and I are considering rushing on our next and probably final baby (fingers crossed for a girl!) to hopefully squash my symptoms and/or to get through the baby making phase of my life before I consider major drug options. So, Crohn's is still knocking on my door. Boo.<br />
<br />
To add insult to injury I had an episode of Atrial Fibrillation in December. This is where your heart goes into irregular rhythm. I had to go to the hospital and be <b>shocked</b> back into a normal heart rate! Shocked! Crazy. I'm not surprised or worried much though because my dad has had this for 30 years and I've had rare episodes most of my life that only last a minute or two. So I kind of saw this coming. As I write this I'm wearing a monitor which is recording my heart for two weeks so the cardiologist can take a look. I think there's not much to worry about though.<br />
<br />
I've had just about the most stressful year anyone can have. Which is why I'm not surprised about the heart episode. On top of having a baby, I also lost one of my brothers in an unusual and horrible way. I'm mostly zen about it now, but this past year has been, well, emotional. I don't want to dwell though, so I'm focusing on my many, many blessings!<br />
<br />
Getting back into the swing of writing, I hope to have more info and posts for you! Share your stories or ask questions in the comments and I'll do my best to reply. In the sidebar you can also subscribe to the blog to get notified of updates.<br />
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Hope everyone is well! Nice to be 'back'!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-20153819882462034982014-09-05T14:00:00.002-04:002014-09-05T14:00:51.919-04:00Ostomy InfographicI'll admit, having Crohn's Disease, one of my biggest fears is ending up with an ostomy. Lucky for Christopher Wilson of<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <i>Finnegan Medical Supply</i> who contacted me last week through this blog with an info graphic they are promoting about ostomies - it struck a nerve. Actually I found this very helpful...</span><br />
<a name='more'></a>If you know someone with an ostomy, have wondered about them or like me, feared them here is a write up by Mr. Wilson and the infographic he shared:<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When talking about Crohn’s and other forms of inflammatory bowel disease, one topic that comes up a lot is ostomies. After all, </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">by some estimates</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> [</span><a href="http://www.everydayhealth.com/crohns-disease/living-well-after-ostomy-for-crohns-disease.aspx" style="letter-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Article @ everydayhealth.com</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">],
up to 75 percent of Crohn’s sufferers will undergo surgery at some
point, either out of medical necessity or to improve their quality of
life. So, conversations about the two go hand in hand.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In recent days, ostomates have been in the news quite a bit: We’ve had <b>bodybuilder ostomates</b> [<a href="http://www.today.com/health/male-model-blake-beckford-poses-shirtless-ileostomy-bag-1D80024388" target="_blank">Article @ today.com</a>] on the <i>Today </i>show<i>, </i>bikini model ostomates [<a href="http://www.people.com/article/bethany-townsend-bikini-colostomy-bag-crohns-disease-inspiring-viral" target="_blank">Article @ people.com</a>] in <i>People</i> magazine, and the #GetYourBellyOut campaign [<a href="http://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/whats-new/the-rise-of-getyourbellyout" target="_blank">Article @ crohnsandcolitis.org.uk</a>]
covering the web. It’s a pretty exciting time for ostomy advocates.
There’s never been a better time to raise awareness of IBD than right
now. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So, it’s with that spirit of advocacy and raising awareness, that I’m sharing <b>this infographic</b> [<a href="https://www.finneganmedicalsupply.com/blog/page/infographic-the-ultimate-ostomy-explainer" target="_blank">Article @ finneganmedicalsupply.com</a>]. It was created by Finnegan Medical
Supply, and it explains the subject of
ostomies in a creative and fun way. I hope you like it, too.</span></div>
<br />
Christopher Wilson</blockquote>
<br />
<center>
<img src='https://www.finneganmedicalsupply.com/product_images/ostomy_infographic_finnegan_medical_supply_fullresolution.jpg' alt='ostomy-infographic-finnegan-medical-supply' width='600px' border='0' />
<br clear="all" />
<a href="http://www.finneganmedicalsupply.com">http://www.finneganmedicalsupply.com</a>
</center>
<br /><br />
BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-19349039985410254872014-02-12T13:48:00.000-05:002014-02-12T13:49:11.092-05:00Get Your Sleep!A recent study I read about, which covered a whopping 3,173 patients with IBD revealed that impaired sleep doubled the chances of a flare up! This is a very interesting study because it reveals something all of us can do, to help maintain remission and reduce our risk of a flare up. Something that doesn't involve powerful drugs or invasive surgeries. Article excerpt:<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
A 2013 study completed at the Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the journal <i>Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology</i>,
analyzed the sleeping disorders of 3,173 patients with IDB. The study
showed that, among the 1,291 patients with Crohn’s disease in remission,
those with impaired sleep were twice as likely to have a flare-up of
active disease when followed for six months. This study in particular
did not show a similar relationship between sleep to ulcerative colitis,
but others have. (Source: <a href="http://bionews-tx.com/news/2014/02/06/disruption-of-sleep-influences-inflammatory-bowel-disease/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BioNews Texas</a>)</blockquote>
So what does this mean? It means not only getting a sufficient amount of sleep in terms of length, but also reducing the disruptions to your sleep. What can we do to maximize our sleep quality? Here are some tips:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Go to bed early enough that you can get at least 8 hours before you have to wake up.</li>
<li>Avoid stimulating activities right before bed. Give yourself at least half an hour to unwind.</li>
<li>Don't consume caffeine in the hours before bed time.</li>
<li>Develop a relaxing routine like a warm bath/shower and some reading that you follow every night.</li>
<li>Sleep in a very dark and quiet room.</li>
<li>Make sure your mattress and pillow are comfortable and in good shape.</li>
<li>Train any pets to stay out of the bedroom.</li>
<li>Turn the temperature of your home down a degree or two at night. Cooler temperatures are best for sleep.</li>
<li>If you have to get up at night for any reason like to use the washroom, avoid turning on lights or doing anything that will bring you fully awake.</li>
<li>Don't sleep with the TV or radio on in the background. If you need these to fall asleep, use the sleep timer function so they turn themselves off automatically.</li>
<li>Before you go to bed, think through or write down plans for the next day and ideas to solve any problems on your mind, so you aren't fretting about them in bed.</li>
<li>If you or your partner suffer from sleep apnea or snoring, check with a sleep clinic to get help.</li>
</ul>
In addition to the recently revealed benefits for your Crohn's disease, you'll also notice that better sleep improves your overall health and mood during the day, so it's a win-win! <br />
<br />
<br />BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-748303651927159122013-12-09T11:22:00.000-05:002013-12-09T11:22:19.301-05:00My New Food Adventure: IBD and Diet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuLW9Ouk8n_VWJoMTTdGnf70IjlvCYJHThZ-AoGD_R73_CEyZihXBXtN3TM1IwOJOqgBnPT86KJSZLH79-4O7hfeCV6caRt9hYjv2O5dHLC9kTmg3sQ_SxXT67aer8e_o7uLUh0wzuko/s1600/Brown_Flax_Seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuLW9Ouk8n_VWJoMTTdGnf70IjlvCYJHThZ-AoGD_R73_CEyZihXBXtN3TM1IwOJOqgBnPT86KJSZLH79-4O7hfeCV6caRt9hYjv2O5dHLC9kTmg3sQ_SxXT67aer8e_o7uLUh0wzuko/s200/Brown_Flax_Seeds.jpg" width="200" /></a>Having Crohn's Disease as well as being pregnant, both get us thinking about what we <span id="goog_386812365"></span><span id="goog_386812366"></span>are putting into our bodies. My husband, son and I currently eat what I consider to be a fairly healthy diet. We rarely get fast food or take-out, we eat lots of fruit and veggies, avoid too much dairy, and cook a lot from scratch. However, the information out there about what is good for you is changing. Butter and eggs are no longer bad? Fat is good? Crazy! There's also a lot of new information coming out regarding foods which reduce inflammation in the body. Hey, we have an inflammatory disease! So what should we do?<br />
<a name='more'></a>I'm currently on an adventure, slowly changing what my family eats. We are very heavy in the breads and pastas category, and low on veggies and fish. We do eat some pre-packaged foods, probably too much. And what I thought I knew about those awesome, inflammation busting Omega-3 fatty acids is changing.<br />
<br />
<h4>
The New News About Omega-3s</h4>
<br />
If you have an inflammatory disease like Crohn's or Colitis, then you have probably read that Omega-3 fats help reduce inflammation in the body. Awesome right? However new research is showing that many foods high in Omega-3s are also high in Omega-6s. And Omega-6s counter act the inflammation fighting of Omega-3. So you might be negating the benefits of what you're eating or even worse. The trick? Find foods that are high in Omega3s, and low in Omega-6s. Here's a great article I found about this: <a href="http://chriskresser.com/how-too-much-omega-6-and-not-enough-omega-3-is-making-us-sick" target="_blank">(Omega-6 vs Omega-3)</a>.<br />
<br />
Two of the best high Omega-3 and low Omega-6 foods I've found are flaxseeds and fish. So I bought a small coffee grinder to grind flaxseeds into powder (they are not digestible whole) and keep the powdered seeds in the fridge to add to various things I cook. I have also started buying and cooking a bit more fish than before. I even tried one of those canned herring snack tins which have tons of Omega-3s and other great nutrients we Crohnies need (like B-12, D, protein, etc), and despite the strong fish flavour it was quite good (and inexpensive! and low in mercury!).<br />
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I've also switched from margarine to butter much to the joy of my husband! The olive-oil containing margarine I used to buy touted itself as being high in Omega-3s. However it's also <i>very high</i> in Omega-6s. So it wasn't doing me the good I thought it was.<br />
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<h4>
Healthy Changes</h4>
In addition to my quest for more Omega-3s and less Omega-6s there are also several other changes I'm introducing. I'm trying to cook more veggie rich meals and less pastas (we buy gluten free pasta). More raw veggies and nuts like almonds and walnuts. Also very important is I'm trying hard to reduce our white sugar and refined sugars content. Sugar in your diet can also increase inflammation. More water and less juice. And aiming for less ultra-sugary cereal in the morning and instead breakfasts of oatmeal, whole wheat toast, or yogurt and fruit, eggs, etc.<br />
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These changes are difficult. Especially since I have to get a husband and almost-two year old on board with me. I will probably never go all the way on these ideas. I love my pastas too much... but a few degrees of changes will hopefully introduce benefits to myself, my family and my soon to arrive second son (due in 3 months!).<br />
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I will report back here any changes or challenges I find and other suggestions and tips.<br />
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Have you made any similar changes to your diet? What do you recommend?BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-70205111498079669482013-11-11T16:10:00.001-05:002013-11-11T16:14:20.791-05:00Scar Tissue And PregnancyI occasionally get asked what sort of things women should know when pregnant if they have Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. In my first article about this topic (<a href="http://www.brightsideofcrohns.com/2012/10/crohns-disease-ulcerative-colitis-and.html">read the article here</a>), I shared a lot of information and things to consider.<br />
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But what about my personal experiences? I'm now half-way through my second pregnancy and so far all is going well, but I have experienced some issues related to my Crohn's Disease. After my first baby was born, I had a small return of my symptoms, but my GI Doc put me on Salofalk which I'm still taking and my symptoms greatly improved. I'm still in remission today.<br />
<br />
However, other than having to continue on the Salofalk to be on the safe side (which my Doc reassures me is a very safe medication), I've also had a much more difficult issue cropping up.<br />
<a name='more'></a>It happened once in my first pregnancy and now twice in this one so far. I've had very painful uterine contractions which my OB thinks might be related to scar tissue from past surgeries (and c-section) adhering to the outside of my uterus and as things grow, is causing irritation and leading to these painful muscle cramps or contractions.<br />
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Luckily my doctor says that there are no other signs of labour, and the contractions are not my body getting ready to deliver, but rather a reaction to some irritation going on in there. Scar tissue is the best guess.<br />
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While both baby and I are totally safe, these episodes have been super painful. The hospital monitors the fetus and me, checks that I'm not in labour then gives me a pain killer and mild muscle relaxant and sends me home. Luckily this seems to calm things down. So now I'm trying to take things extra easy and avoid too much lifting or heavy physical work.<br />
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Any other ladies out there experience the same thing? I was told it wasn't very common, and that I might just have more sensitive insides. I can't imagine the situation if my surgery had not been laparoscopic which minimizes scar tissue. But to be fair my poor abdomen has been through a lot. One small bowel resection, one smaller surgery to deal with an abscess+fistula and one c-section. Poor belly!<br />
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On a fun note, here's my son, stuck in his ball pit! <a href="http://youtu.be/2xlr4vh5fqA" target="_blank">(YouTube video)</a> BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-58962284475789341282013-09-27T16:54:00.000-04:002013-09-27T16:54:37.646-04:00Where Has The Time Gone?For my regular readers, you might be wondering where the heck I've been? I always told myself I wouldn't be one of those IBD bloggers who disappear when they feel well, and start posting again only when they flare up. I don't want this blog to be about the negative times.<br />
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Well, I apologize dear reader, I don't have a good excuse other than... bam! Motherhood is busy! Ok, ok, all kidding aside, a number of factors have been keeping me occupied. Indeed my 1 and a half year old super cool little guy is keeping my on my toes. My web development business I operate from a home office is also keeping my hopping - that's a good thing!<br />
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Also... and here's the <b>big news: I'm once again pregnant and expecting my second baby in March</b>! So... everything is a whirlwind these days.<br />
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However, I still have a lot to write about, including more information about Crohn's Disease and pregnancy, children and more. So please stay tuned, there are more informative posts coming soon!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-25854446618453796302013-06-07T04:56:00.000-04:002013-06-07T04:56:00.461-04:00Universal Health Care Isn't ScaryI was recently spending a lazy hour channel surfing and watched a short segment on the ongoing debate across the border in the USA about universal health care. The speaker was ripping on it calling it a slippery slope to all kinds of alarming sounding things. Socialism was tossed out like a bad word, and there was a lot of fear-mongering coming from this man. I'm not sure what his political position was, but given he was on TV he was obviously someone that people listen to.<br />
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I'm keenly aware that most of my readers live in either Canada or America and probably have two very different reactions to my suggestions of "talk to your doctor" or "go get such and such test". I wish I had an easy solution for my American neighbours who see dollar signs in their nightmares when contemplating treatments for Crohn's, Colitis or other illnesses.<br />
<br />
On a past vacation in Orlando, Florida I came down with a super painful sore throat and had to visit an Orlando clinic. I spoke to a doctor for a few minutes and was given a test for strep throat, then a prescription for antibiotics. This visit left me with an over $300 bill, plus the cost of the Rx! What! I can only shudder to think what a colonoscopy or small bowel follow-through costs. Or a night's stay in the hospital, let alone repeat doctor visits to try and get things sorted out and a treatment plan that works.<br />
<br />
I know that many Americans with chronic illnesses are among the many who are clamoring for universal healthcare, but honestly I don't know that much about the politics behind the issue. Here in Canada we all pay a little extra via our taxes - that's everyone regardless of whether you're sick or not. Then if you ever need it, the primary health-care services are there for you at usually no cost. Some optional services and most cosmetic ones are not covered.<br />
<br />
The argument I hear from some who are against this system is why should I pay for something I don't need? Insisting that this form of socialism is somehow evil. Americans have car and home insurance right? Isn't this the same? Everyone pays a certain amount and then you're covered (usually) in the event of an expensive accident. Isn't that socialism too? Is it ok because it's run by a company and not the government? Why is it ok to 'bail out' sick companies but not sick people?<br />
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Again I don't know much about the issue State-Side but I respect Americans for how they stand up for what they want, and work darn hard for what they have. In my opinion those who are in favour of a system which ensures everyone is cared for when they are sick or injured should start making even more noise... government spending needs new priorities - the people and not corporations.<br />
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That's just my 2 cents. Anyone with tips on government grants or medical programs to help people with IBD cover their medical costs, please post in the comments, it would be greatly appreciated!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-73236655170159551282013-05-28T04:24:00.000-04:002013-05-28T04:24:00.105-04:00Important News: Biologic Drugs Linked to Liver DamageIn recent very important news, a study has linked biologic drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases to acute liver damage. Bad news for people like us who have looked to these drugs (like adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, infliximab, and natalizumab) as saviours from our Crohn's or Colitis symptoms. What does this mean? Talk to your doctor about tests and/or monitoring for your liver if you have already taken these. And if your doctor is suggesting these drugs, factor this into your decision.<br />
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<b>Yahoo News: Biologic Drugs Used for Crohn's Linked to Acute Liver Damage</b><br />
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According to ScienceDaily, medications called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNA-α) antagonists treat inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease, <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1367354543618_4">ulcerative colitis</span>,
and joint and skin disorders. Researchers at the University of
California, San Francisco found that these drugs, which modify a
patient's immunity, can cause elevated liver enzymes and acute liver
injury.<br />
...<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/biologic-drugs-used-crohns-linked-acute-liver-damage-203200639.html" target="_blank">(Read Full Article) </a>BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-21274709329089669622013-05-12T06:51:00.000-04:002013-05-12T06:51:00.664-04:00Happy Mother's Day!To all the Moms out there - <b>You Rock</b>! This is a great time to thank our mothers for all they've done for us. If you have Crohn's Disease, your Mom has probably come to many doctor appointments and tests with you. Gave liberal doses of hugs and listened to tearful phone calls when the stress and pain of it all feels like too much.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Moms with children who have IBD are extra amazing heroes. They take care of their sick angels while doing their best to hide their own fear and worry. I can't even imagine it...<br />
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Now's the time to give Mom a call, thank her and let her know how much we appreciate her.<br />
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To my Mom... I love you. You are my inspiration and role model every single day. Thank you!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-31904645207490131132013-04-29T14:22:00.000-04:002013-04-29T14:22:48.618-04:00When Forgetting is BlissLife has been rolling lately at a wonderful pace. I'm in the absolutely perfect point in my life. My son who is now 14 months old is challenging and wonderful and being able to stay at home with him while running my own business part-time from home is a perfect balance. Between my relationship, being a Mom, taking a little time for myself now and then and pursuing my intellectual interests it feels like this is what my life was always meant to be.<br />
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So, the other day I was checking the mail and,<br />
<br />
<b>BAM!</b><br />
<br />
... a letter from the Crohn's And Colitis Foundation of Canada asking for a donation. I stood and gawked at the letter with a little light rain pattering on my head and thought "Oh yeah! I have Crohn's Disease.... right.... bummer..."
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<a name='more'></a>This isn't to say that I've been completely unaware... I've just been so wrapped up in living life, running a household and, well, being busy that for once in a long while I haven't had time to really think about it. I sort of forgot about it. My symptoms have been very mild, and taking my 3 Salofalk tablets twice a day has become a habit. I haven't really brooded on things in a long time.<br />
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That's a good thing... and a bad thing!<br />
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It's nice for once to be living a 'normal' life where you don't have to worry constantly about what you can eat and where the restrooms are. It's nice to not be wearing the label of 'sick' and to have the people around you stop thinking of you that way. It's a joy to have a calendar that isn't full of doctor appointments and a purse not full of pills. It's indescribable to not have a constant droning level of pain and exhaustion following you around every second of every day.<br />
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On the other hand.... as nice as it is to feel well and living unburdened by medical worries, it's not something that I really want to forget about. Strange right? I want to always remember that I have a chronic illness that will probably return one day to knock me spinning. Why? Because remembering puts things in perspective. It reminds me to appreciate everything. It helps me to avoid procrastination, to get things done now while I can. It makes every day taste sweeter when I know that just a couple years ago I was not able to do all the things I can do now. Time to play with my son, outings on the weekends and just having the energy to work in the garden for a couple hours are blessings that I never want to take for granted.<br />
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So while it may have been nice to go on blissfully forgetting for a little while, I want to give my head a shake and remember to live every day to it's fullest. No matter what you're facing, you have many blessings just waiting to be counted. Get to it! BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-23689744140373279992013-04-14T11:46:00.000-04:002013-04-14T11:51:29.024-04:00People With Crohn's/Colitis: Amy Brenneman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CGbv8v-qJHe344wSfq1lo20GsqTbLk447056u6PIc2nUyprE1hlXkKuz9hn40wc1LfcQtMViZ_d0sSQha4TdgP2Jmttw6a6qupslTUYFMrDFfImafRAwkAjw2i4mvnRtw-ORClrZ_XQ/s1600/amy-brenneman_70946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CGbv8v-qJHe344wSfq1lo20GsqTbLk447056u6PIc2nUyprE1hlXkKuz9hn40wc1LfcQtMViZ_d0sSQha4TdgP2Jmttw6a6qupslTUYFMrDFfImafRAwkAjw2i4mvnRtw-ORClrZ_XQ/s200/amy-brenneman_70946.jpg" /></a>For a change of pace I thought I'd profile a famous person who has Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis from time to time. Here's the first one, enjoy!<br />
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Amy Brenneman is a well known actress who's accomplishments range from climbing the Himalayas to <i>Judging Amy</i>. She's a mom, writer and producer and an active spokeswoman for Healthy Child, Healthy World.<br />
starring in a long running TV series: <br />
<br />
She also has Ulcerative Colitis.<br />
<a name='more'></a><i>"Years ago, my doctor told me there was a surgical solution, but I
thought, I will never do that. But surgery ended up being what healed
me. I'm so grateful to Western medicine. And while I have found a way
past my ulcerative colitis, there are so many who still suffer." (Source: CCFA.org)</i><br />
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Her recent filmography:<br />
<ul>
<li>2007-2013 Private Practice (TV series)</li>
<li>2011 Robot Chicken (TV series)2009 Mother and Child</li>
<li>2008 Downloading Nancy</li>
<li>2007 The Jane Austen Book Club</li>
<li>2007 Grey's Anatomy (TV series)</li>
<li>2007 88 Minutes</li>
<li>1999-2005 Judging Amy (TV series) </li>
</ul>
<br />
Read her story at: <a href="http://www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/personal-stories/my-story-amy-brenneman.html" target="_blank">http://www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/personal-stories/my-story-amy-brenneman.html</a>BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-1121024568096307832013-03-26T09:17:00.001-04:002013-03-26T09:17:50.949-04:00Changes To Following This BlogIn their endless evolution of services, Google (aka Blogger) have changed a feature that I've used for a while on this blog - Google Friend Connect is being discontinued. This means that the widget in the sidebar which shows followers and allows readers to click and follow the blog will no longer work when it is discontinued very soon.<br />
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So, to try to stay available to readers and get new posts out to those who are interested, there are now two new ways to follow this blog. Down there on the sidebar you'll see a box to subscribe by email address via FeedBurner (email addresses are covered by Google's privacy policy) and a box to subscribe to the RSS feed using your favourite feed reader (use 'Atom' for the general feed URL).<br />
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For convenience, the feed url for blog posts is:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.brightsideofcrohns.com/feeds/posts/default">http://www.brightsideofcrohns.com/feeds/posts/default</a></b><br />
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Thank you for reading, more excellent posts are coming soon!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-21050567529200952152013-02-08T15:45:00.001-05:002013-02-08T19:08:12.616-05:00Crohn's And Colitis - How To Be A Supportive PartnerA question I commonly get asked from readers is something like "I don't have IBD myself, but my spouse/partner/friend does. I feel so helpless, how can I be supportive?" Well, here they are, my tips for being a gold star, superhero partner or friend.<br />
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Crohn's and Colitis are usually invisible diseases. This means that while the individual might look just great on the outside, on the inside they may be suffering varying levels of pain, exhaustion, fear, malnourishment, severe diarrhea or constipation, lack of appetite, nausea, heartburn, joint pain and muscle aches, anxiety, depression and more. We are often embarrassed about our disease and the symptoms it causes and so we try to put on a brave face. Sometimes that brave face catches up to us and we break down.<br />
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Having a friend, spouse or partner who truly understands and knows how to be supportive in the right ways can make a world of difference. Feeling alone with our disease is crushing.... feeling understood can be a ray of sunshine. Here are some tips to help you be supportive in the best ways possible.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Never, ever, ever make comments about how frequently we use the rest room. Statments like "Again?!" or "But you just went!" are hurtful. We are well aware of our double digit bathroom count and don't need to hear it or be reminded that other people notice it.</li>
<li>If we need to interrupt an activity, an outing, a car-ride or even intimacy to use the washroom, or to just rest... please be understanding. We would not be putting things on temporary hold if it wasn't absolutely necessary. It's better to be safe than sorry.</li>
<li>Help us to make light of situations and laugh at things when appropriate. Make a joke, smile a silly grin and make up crazy words like "crapaclism"! If you sense that jokes aren't being appreciated at the moment... let it drop. Sometimes we are in a grim head-space.</li>
<li>Be tolerant of food restrictions. If you have to eat some low fibre meals, or can't go out for mexican food, know that your partner thinks you're awesome for understanding.</li>
<li>When we are in a flare up, take some of the load off. Help out where you can, especially running errands because being away from the house is sometimes difficult.</li>
<li>As tempting as it is, not eating is not an option. Gently encourage and remind us to eat some healthy, mild meals.</li>
<li>You can't help much with the physical symptoms, but for spouses and partners, a nice gentle massage of the lower back, sides and abdomen can feel like a miracle; sometimes helping the pain better than medication. It's romantic too! </li>
<li>Just listen. Sometimes we need to vent to someone who will listen without judging or fixing things. Someone who will commiserate ("Yeah, that does suck!") and let us get things off our chests.</li>
<li>Don't let us wallow. Sometimes, if we are in a pattern of wallowing or complaining, we just need someone to listen. But sometimes we need a friend who will remind us of our many blessings, help us focus on the positive and keep a view of the big picture. Don't let us start to think that everything is all bad all the time.</li>
<li>Be patient. A side effect of frequent washroom trips and poor nutrient absorption is that we are probably feeling tired and sore. Don't make comments like "Wow you're out of shape!" Instead try to understand that physical activity is often a tough battle. Help us to take it slow by going for walks and keeping outings as short as we can handle.</li>
<li>If we talk to you about resolutions we are making or things we want to change, help us to follow through. If we mention wanting to get more light exercise, pay off debt, or simplify our clutter, help us out and don't let us lose focus. Having IBD can make you feel like your life is on hold and you aren't accomplishing much. Help us to follow through on small projects and achievements so we'll feel better about ourselves and our situation.</li>
<li>Being in the hospital is scary, lonely, and embarrassing. Visit often, bring lots of good cheer, games, audiobooks, magazines and jokes, and keep your bad news for another day. This is not the time to give us more to worry about because this is usually when we are at our lowest point, and need you at your best.</li>
<li>Celebrate the good days. If we are in remission or just having a particularly good day or week, celebrate! Let us rest but also encourage us to pack in a lot of fun and productivity into our good days. Help us to appreciate how good we feel today instead of letting it pass us by.</li>
</ul>
Remember, being a superhero partner and friend is about understanding our limitations, staying positive and cheering us up. Just know that your help and support is more valuable and appreciated than you know, and it does make a difference! Special kudos to my all-star husband... I love you!BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-73027267478112458112013-01-05T10:14:00.000-05:002013-01-05T10:18:23.419-05:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year to all my readers out there! January is a great time to think back and reflect on what we've been through and how far we've come. If you're feeling great these days, try to fully appreciate it. Remember some of the things you vowed you'd do once you felt better (clean out the basement? exercise? wrestle the kids?) and make a renewed effort to actually do those things. I myself am kicking my own butt to get more physical activity like I promised myself I would during my last flare up.<br />
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What if you're not feeling so great these days? Focus on a 2013 that's all about being kind to yourself. Cut yourself some slack for not feeling well. Don't carry around guilt and misery, and don't take it out on those around you. Instead try to think up a short list of things you could do to feel a little better. Like check in with your doctor, avoid pizza, do some morning stretching, keep a journal, take up a low impact hobby, make a weekly phone call to a loved one. Etc, etc. Physical pain and trouble is horrible, I know, but it does not have to define your life. Don't give up on finding a treatment that will help, and don't let how you feel physically become the ONLY thing you're feeling!<br />
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Now is also a great time to make sure that the other areas in your life are getting attention and getting organized. Can you review your financial buget and get things balanced? Do you have some loved ones you've been neglecting? Got a corner of the house, or even just a shelf that could use a good clean out? Maybe your spiritual side needs some TLC? Now's a good time to take action, don't just talk, read and think about it- do it! You'll feel great and won't be letting your IBD keep you down!<br />
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Have a Great New Year, and thank you for reading!!<br />
<br />
~BrightsideBrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-63934327059241178972012-12-04T16:30:00.000-05:002012-12-18T16:46:18.509-05:00IBD Connected To Accutane MedicationSufferers of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) who were prescribed Accutane for acne in their past, should be aware that some cases of IBD have been connected to the drug - which was popular for a while but has been pulled from shelves since 2009.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Apparently the drug is suspected of causing serious side effects including Crohn's Disease. If you think this may apply to you, you might be able to be involved in a lawsuit regarding this. More info can be found here: <a href="http://accutanelawsuit-info.com/2012/11/accutane-crohns-disease-what-you-need-to-know/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">accutanelawsuit-info.com</a>.<br />
<br />
It's important to know that there is no cure, and most cases of IBD cannot be traced to a drug like this. I personally never took Accutane, but wanted to pass on the info.BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-362459976578629022012-10-10T21:02:00.001-04:002012-12-18T16:35:06.990-05:00Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Pregnancy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ooGxnNBGz-tzeINst7KTqIW93JRwrNkmTiDRQtxnPu1QWchp2lnWGoUdkZYxlfH7R1JOWYXnPuMcExiuOmt7UgM8JP7RrDVw4epcJC-pWsMF_ExB_5uJW5hj5gzVpIuohg2xJ3bvAuA/s1600/baby-bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ooGxnNBGz-tzeINst7KTqIW93JRwrNkmTiDRQtxnPu1QWchp2lnWGoUdkZYxlfH7R1JOWYXnPuMcExiuOmt7UgM8JP7RrDVw4epcJC-pWsMF_ExB_5uJW5hj5gzVpIuohg2xJ3bvAuA/s200/baby-bottle.jpg" width="121" /></a>The decision to have a child is an important one, and there are many things to think about before you take the plunge. For people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease there is an extra layer of considerations to add to the list.<br />
<br />
When I spoke to my doctor, he told me about the 'thirds' rule. That generally speaking women with IBD who get pregnant find that one third feel worse, one third feel better and one third feel the same. Not a very helpful rule in my opinion. My research has found a consistent statistic that if you are in a flare-up when you conceive, you will possibly feel worse and potentially have more complications than if you are in remission. So if possible, try to time a pregnancy between flare-ups. I was in remission and my own pregnancy went pretty smoothly.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The main things I encountered were a continuation of my remission, some stretching and painful tugging of my surgery scars, and a post-delivery return of symptoms. Luckily I was not on any medications other than vitamins before conceiving. <br />
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Talk to your doctor before planning a pregnancy. This is the most important tip, which precedes the entire following list. Here are some helpful tips and pieces of information to consider and discuss with your doctor.<br />
<ul>
<li>Drug interactions can be potentially serious for a fetus or breastfeeding baby. Even some drugs taken by the male partner can be dangerous during conception. Talk to your doctor about what you are taking. Some common dangerous drugs are methotrexate, sulfasalazine , steroids like prednisone, and antibiotic. There are also many drugs which are safe for pregnant women.</li>
<li> Pay special attention to your nutrition, especially if you are on a restricted diet. Ask your doctor about pre-natal vitamins and especially folic acid. Pregnant women need to slightly increase their calorie and nutrient intake during pregnancy.</li>
<li>Past abdominal surgery may be a factor for pregnant women. Check with your doctor. Scar tissue from past surgeries can cause slight to severe painful tugging, stretching sensations. Scarred skin is not as stretchy, so moisturize well.</li>
<li>Simplify your life as much as possible before you conceive. You'll thank me once your little bundle of work - I mean joy - arrives! You might also feel more tired during pregnancy and not up to tackling household projects.</li>
<li>There is a slight increased risk of miscarriage for women with IBD.</li>
<li>Some research indicates that being pregnant may decrease your risk of future flare-ups or surgery. Yay!</li>
<li>The procedures and medical tests you can undergo safely during pregnancy are restricted. X-rays are out but ultrasound and colonoscopy are safe.</li>
<li>If both parents have IBD, there is a 33% chance that a child will have it. If only one parent, there is a 9% chance.</li>
<li>Some women report a return of symptoms shortly after delivering. </li>
</ul>
Ultimately you should consult seriously with your partner and doctor to make this decision. It is a life changing step and you should not put aside your desire to have children out of fear, until you have explored all your options. A baby can be a blessing and a miracle, just be careful with your planning. BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-5523487890105336592012-09-18T14:28:00.001-04:002012-12-18T16:37:42.428-05:00News Article: Immune system compensates for 'leaky gut'<b>Article Summary:</b> A recent news article reports that university scientists discovered that a defect in the intestine causes it to break down due to bacteria or stress. A normal immune system would help heal the damage but the defect causes a 'leaky' barrier in the intestine and as a result the individual is more susceptible to developing IBD. How this can be connected to a treatment or cure remains to be seen.<br />
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The article:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Immune system compensates for 'leaky gut' in inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">New research could clarify how inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), conditions that include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are triggered and develop.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have shown how the immune system can compensate for a "leaky gut" and prevent disease in mice that are susceptible to intestinal inflammation. These findings could explain why some individuals who are susceptible to developing IBD do or do not get the disease.</span><b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Read full article:</span> </b></span><b><a href="http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-09-immune-compensates-leaky-gut-inflammatory.html" target="_blank">medicalxpress.com</a>.</b>BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-59155536552317264622012-09-10T12:39:00.001-04:002012-12-18T16:38:07.317-05:00Don't Give Up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe9ioSWWhxXXInEXuapH-Nh3QaxKwXARIozlAki1Lco3VlcOtr78mNFhbDgFdvFcGrsKiNzgkb5nETtrgqOZXb5JjP4bHHTn0VSa531CVMvnPVGr9ARHk_9vJPKiUj1gI9_HkgLSSL1g/s1600/help-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ask for HELP." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe9ioSWWhxXXInEXuapH-Nh3QaxKwXARIozlAki1Lco3VlcOtr78mNFhbDgFdvFcGrsKiNzgkb5nETtrgqOZXb5JjP4bHHTn0VSa531CVMvnPVGr9ARHk_9vJPKiUj1gI9_HkgLSSL1g/s1600/help-image.jpg" title="Ask For Help" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo: marc falardeau)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before I start writing about what's going on in my life on the IBD front, and providing some helpful information about Crohn's Disease and such... I have a feeling that some Readers out there might need a pep talk.<br />
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Don't give up. There, I said it. Three little words. You're reading and you're thinking "Whatever, you don't know <i>my</i> situation." <b>Don't give up.</b> There is always something to fight for. There is always a reason to go on. Stay determined with your doctor visits and treatments. Something might work one day, and remission will come. "What if it doesn't?" True, you might struggle with this for a long time. But there is a reason to go on in your life. Think! A child maybe or a spouse? A close sibling or a good friend who makes you laugh? A treasured hobby or a fantastic adventure in a good book. Learning something new, or creating something yourself? Think hard, you can find your reason somewhere.<br />
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There is someone out there who needs you. You mean the world to someone out there. Maybe someone you already know. Maybe you haven't met them yet. Maybe there is a charity out there who needs your skills, knowledge or time to help others. Maybe there is a puppy at the shelter who needs a home. Keep your mind open.<br />
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Don't give up. Giving up takes away all your options. All your chances. If you keep fighting, then you still have a chance. Happiness won't drop in your lap, you have to fight for it and search it out.<br />
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You can do it. "Oh sure, easy to say, harder to do." Well I've hit bottom and I know what's it's like to look at your life and ask, 'is this it?' You can do it. <b>Ask for help.</b> Write an email, make a call, sent a text message. Ask someone you trust to hold your hand and help you keep hoping. Reach out, and help someone else.<br />
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<b>Suicide Prevention Hotlines</b><br />
USA: <a href="http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/">http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/</a><br />
Canada: <a href="http://www.suicideprevention.ca/">http://www.suicideprevention.ca/</a>BrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155733114394728467.post-19108574585930468842012-09-06T09:42:00.002-04:002012-09-06T16:43:22.204-04:00Back On the Bright SideWell, life is rolling these days, and I'm back to blogging! My little guy is 6 months old and doing amazing! My darling husband is back to teaching now and our nice summer together is over. What a great time!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sgL1_Np4VhqEYaKCSVQUaOqPoeonLRQ6eS2l-_BNFj2mNCwqIsh6h7gJ0rjKco1B091aFswAmY5NtvZOFA3GNHQgn-P4N9iDD2RyMLOXx6XCUvzp8i-eyCZhaFBmEoWElO2_1jf-gXo/s1600/month-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="My little guy." border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sgL1_Np4VhqEYaKCSVQUaOqPoeonLRQ6eS2l-_BNFj2mNCwqIsh6h7gJ0rjKco1B091aFswAmY5NtvZOFA3GNHQgn-P4N9iDD2RyMLOXx6XCUvzp8i-eyCZhaFBmEoWElO2_1jf-gXo/s200/month-2.JPG" title="The little guy." width="200" /></a><br />
I'm currently working on some posts covering some of the pregnancy and post pregnancy issues and considerations related to Crohn's Disease that I experienced and learned about over the last year. I'll try to add in some info for the men out there too!<br />
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Good news - the blog now has it's own domain name. So update your links! <b>http://www.brightsideofcrohns.com</b>!<br />
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Let me know if there is any interest in another scheduled group IBD chat. We haven't had one in a while.<br />
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Having IBD is a life-long deal. But with a little support, strength and tips, we can kick it in the butt!<br />
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Glad to be back. Sincerely,<br />
Bright SideBrightSidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18397179852762741795noreply@blogger.com3