Health advice - Crohn's disease, Gut health and infection

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Hello lovely Avalonians,
I come to you today in search of advice. I have a condition called Crohn's disease, which I was diagnosed with around 8 years ago following a lovely procedure called a colonoscopy. Since diagnosis it has been the usual 'take this medication and as for diet, well, it may make a small difference, but don't count on it to really heal you or put you into remission'. For those who don't know, Crohn's disease is what is called an autoimmune disease where the body confuses healthy cells for invaders and starts attacking them, causing inflammation anywhere in the GI tract. This is the way I have understood it at least, and in truth I haven't done very much research outside of what I have been told by my doctor. Now don't get me wrong, the medication and help from my doctor I have been taking since diagnosis has spared me a lot of pain and it can be easily argued that it has saved my life, or at least parts of my bowel from being removed. I am lucky in that the medication has worked without much complication or many side effects and for that I am grateful. I am at the stage however where I feel an obligation to at least try some alternative and more gentle remedies in hopes of healing things more 'naturally'. I have in fact been juice fasting for about one week now, which I am going to continue for at least another week or so and perhaps for a month or longer if I feel called to do so. Following the fast I will be altering my diet and eating a lot more plant based whole foods along with a lot of pro-biotic rich foods (i.e. kombucha, kefir, kimchi, pickles - fermented foods basically). I am already vegan, so this should be more than doable, I simply need to eat more vegetables and to be aware of how they are grown and where they are coming from. If anyone has any advice/suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Now, onto the next health issue. I not so intelligently cut my toenail, on my big toe, too short a couple months ago resulting in an ingrown toenail, which has caused an infection in the toe. This infection has persisted despite taking 3 rounds of antibiotics, although they were taken 1 week or so apart from one another, and applying topical treatment (soaking in warm salt water with some peppermint and oregano oil). I've been told that at this stage surgery will be needed in order to narrow the nail, in order for it to start growing normally again. The problem is that I have to get rid of the infection first, and my only option seems to be antibiotics which I really don't want to take seeing as I'm on a fast, am trying to heal my microbiome and have already taken 3 rounds of antibiotics in the last month or so. More and more I keep reading about how important the microbiome and many issues can arise if there is an imbalance with the bacteria that make it up. I bought some colloidal silver just yesterday but I don't know how much to take or whether it is better than conventional antibiotics in regards to disturbing the microbiome. I might try soaking or applying some colloidal silver to the toe, but I'm dubious as to whether topical treatment will do much at this stage and whether the only thing that will work is to take something orally. The good news is that despite having had it for a month now, the infection is being kept at bay, and appears to actually have gotten slightly better over the last few days. This might be due to fasting as well as the bentonite clay I have been applying. And that just about covers it.

Thanks,
Billy.

[enfoldedblue]

My sister has Crohns as well. She has tried many meds. One alternative treatment that she found helped considerably was helminths (intestinal worms). There is a lot of info online. Of course she also made big dietary changes ie no gluten dairy etc. She is also keen to try canabis as a treatment..but hasnt found a source of oil. http://www.medicaldaily.com/medical-marijuana-achieves-complete-remission-crohns-disease-drug-improves-appetite-and-sleep-247783 All the best on your healing journey

[New Energy]

I suspect that the Beck Protocol, designed by Robert Beck in the 1990s, may be helpful in this case. There are some videos by a Crohn's patient who used this treatment method which are probably worthwhile to watch:

hSnWgK6gScY

That is just one of several videos done by that patient about his experience using the Beck treatment for Crohn's. I've found the Beck protocol extremely useful for flu, food poisoning, and other things.

The Beck treatment isn't very expensive; you can make most of the equipment yourself, if you have some background in electronics (or have a friend/relative with that background). Alternatively, there are some companies that sell the equipment.

Hope you are feeling well soon!

[genevieve]

Vasili--

My friend had Crohn's for many years.
She did everything the doctors told her to.
She changed her diet, had surgery, took blood transfusions and and and.
She was motivated.
And desperate.
Then she connected long distance with this man: http://ehealing.org/ehealing/
Crohn's disappeared!!!
Her health returned.
She's living a normal life again.

This was her experience, as told to me.
I have no personal experience with him.

Maybe the fellow could help you, too.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

Peace Love Joy & Harmony,
genevieve

[Daozen]

Only quickly skimmed this thread.

MSM (Methylsulfurmethane) is very, very good for crohns and all forms of IBS. It can soften the gut like nothing else, it's super cheap and has been around for ages.

My gut was wrecked when I first moved to China, I cured it mainly with MSM. Just don't get any on your teeth as it can erode them. Overuse (10+ grams a day for months at a time) can eventually deplete some other minerals like copper, but it's normally OK to use MSM for weeks. There is also a chinese formula called bao he wan, which works, but I would go for MSM first. Detoxadine can help nearly all conditions. Zinc may work too.

The rest of your plan sounds good. I would try whole grains like red and purple rice, and avoid bread and white rice like the plague. You probably already know that.

Even cheap povidone Iodine from any store can help nail infections quite quickly. It cleared up my nail infection when MMS (Miracle solution) didn't work. I applied povidone topically. I would avoid povidone if you have any kidney issues. It's only safe for a week or so at a time but it can help if Iodine is critically low. It saved my life when I had mitral valve prolapse.

Detoxadine or Lugols is better: You can also apply detoxadine topically. I know I repeat myself about Iodine, but Iodine deficiency causes so many conditions, and I made a promise to whatever saved me that I would mention it whenever I could.

Of everything I said, Methyl sulfur methane is by far the most important for crohns. Many people sell it loose by the kilo. Hundreds of sellers out there. Much better value than pills. Good luck.

[Gatita]

Crohn's is a tough one to deal with. I've only been on the nursing side of it, but I know it makes people miserable. Epsom salt soaks might help the toe. A good probiotic might help things in general. Best wishes to you.

Cat

[bettye198]

Hi Billy, I have compassion for your pain. I can share with you one interesting story we had in our practice. A 14 yr old boy was brought in to us, held up by both parents ( one an atty and one a teacher so they were professionally intelligent about this condition) and he was bleeding from his gut as his Crohns disease was in advanced stages and the Medical community had him on chemotherapeutic agents among other drugs. A 14 yr old boy who could not engage with normal activities at his high school never mind eat what other kids ate. We immediately got him on gluten free wheat free food, and tested him for various supplements that his body wanted. Gut health is so delicate when inflammed. And since the gut is our second brain, the neurobiological system needed addressing. We had him for five years and in those five years he grew in stature ( was very small and Drs said he probably would not grow), academically blossomed, engaged in sports, had a girlfriend and got into a fabulous college, became fraternity president. I am not saying all was perfect, he resisted but ultimately complied a large percent. He was a teenager! However, he went back to Cedars Sinai Hospital in LA and out of all the test groups the Doctors had for Crohns he was the only one who was diagnosed no longer had the disease. They attributed it to their drugs! ( the boy went off of them but they did not know that). There is always hope, always a way. We were not meant to suffer as human beings if our intent and our exploration to find that better way is engaged.

[Jhonie]

Research at the University of Lille Nord de France suggests that Candida yeast overgrowth can trigger the development of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease. (1)
Those with Crohn’s disease are more frequently and more heavily colonized by Candida yeast.

Scientists make the claim that Candida yeast may instigate the inflammatory process, which primes the immune system for a series of signaling that ultimately leaves the gut confused and tired.

http://bodyecology.com/articles/crohns-disease-and-candida

Have your doctor check you for candida.

[Baby Steps]

also research whether your stomach is producing enough acid
look at the minerals needed, and get enough salt, pink is best
crohns can be related to stress, do a peaceful meditation before meals, chew properly, peppery flavours stimulate the right enzymes
onion and garlic fight candida and promote good bacteria

note - gentian violet is a topical antiseptic supressed because it is so effective

[Billy Vasiliadis]

First of all, thank you all so very much for your generosity and kindness. This community really is quite special in how loving and supportive it is. Experiencing it first hand is a privilege.


My sister has Crohns as well. She has tried many meds. One alternative treatment that she found helped considerably was helminths (intestinal worms). There is a lot of info online. Of course she also made big dietary changes ie no gluten dairy etc. She is also keen to try canabis as a treatment..but hasnt found a source of oil. http://www.medicaldaily.com/medical-marijuana-achieves-complete-remission-crohns-disease-drug-improves-appetite-and-sleep-247783 All the best on your healing journey

Funnily enough, I was reading a book just the other day about the microbiome and in it there was information about Crohn's disease and helminthic therapy. From what I understand it is a rather new therapy, but some people have seen great success with using it, like your sister. The only problem is that no one offers such a therapy, at least where I live, and from the minimal research I have done it is quite expensive, and to be honest I'm pretty much broke haha. I've read about people creating and administering it themselves but I don't feel comfortable or confident in doing such a thing, maybe with more research though that will change.

[Vangelo]

Billy, I have Crohn's. I was diagnosed 22 years ago. This diet saved my life... http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
You must be very strict with the diet. If you cheat at all, you will not reap its benefits.
Best of luck,
Vangelo

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Hi Billy, I have compassion for your pain. I can share with you one interesting story we had in our practice. A 14 yr old boy was brought in to us, held up by both parents ( one an atty and one a teacher so they were professionally intelligent about this condition) and he was bleeding from his gut as his Crohns disease was in advanced stages and the Medical community had him on chemotherapeutic agents among other drugs. A 14 yr old boy who could not engage with normal activities at his high school never mind eat what other kids ate. We immediately got him on gluten free wheat free food, and tested him for various supplements that his body wanted. Gut health is so delicate when inflammed. And since the gut is our second brain, the neurobiological system needed addressing. We had him for five years and in those five years he grew in stature ( was very small and Drs said he probably would not grow), academically blossomed, engaged in sports, had a girlfriend and got into a fabulous college, became fraternity president. I am not saying all was perfect, he resisted but ultimately complied a large percent. He was a teenager! However, he went back to Cedars Sinai Hospital in LA and out of all the test groups the Doctors had for Crohns he was the only one who was diagnosed no longer had the disease. They attributed it to their drugs! ( the boy went off of them but they did not know that). There is always hope, always a way. We were not meant to suffer as human beings if our intent and our exploration to find that better way is engaged.

I myself am currently on chemotherapy drugs, of course at a much lower dosage than cancer patients, but it still sucks none the less. You mention a gluten and wheat free diet and I myself have seen that recommended a number of times, and am currently experimenting with it, although not to the letter. Now that I'm fasting however, I'm not ingesting either of those. The only problem is that if my fast is successful I won't really know the exact reason as to why. Is it the gluten, the wheat, or some other food and/or ingredient? Or is it some other reason all together? I suppose it's just a matter of trial and error. Do you know why it is that gluten and wheat cause issues in the gut? I've read a number of times now that people have seen gut issues heal and even miraculously disappear after cutting out wheat and gluten, but I can't seem to find a real reason as to why. Do you know if this young man is still following such a diet or if it was only temporary?

That is so good to hear that he is not on any drugs. I myself tried going off of the drugs cold turkey a couple months ago, but it quickly turned out to be a not so wise decision, mostly due to the fact that I had no back up plan. I just went off them without really trying anything else, and I was back on them in 3 months time after I was unable to eat anything, besides white rice, without terrible pain. He has no symptoms of the illness any more? That is remarkable, I only hope that I too can attain such healing and growth. Reading about such cases fill me with inspiration and tell me that I too can heal myself. It is exactly like you say Betty, I need to have and maintain hope, with the strong and determined intent of finding a path which is right for me. That has been my biggest issue with this illness. Since diagnosis I have just gone along with what the doctor said and I fee like I'm cheating and lying myself by doing that. I must persevere and strive for more. I just pray that this fast heralds the start of a new and more harmonious path for me. I'm just about ready to try anything, with the biggest problem being finances.

Thank you so much for sharing.

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Wow, a lot of information to take in all at once. A little overwhelming to say the least hah. There have been talks of energy healing, supplementation (MSM, iodine, detoxadine etc), diet change/alteration, and candida. Now, candida is an intersting one. It is something that I have read and known about for quite a while now, with it being linked to just about everything under the sun. That's not to say that it doesn't have any merits as a form of therapy, but I am sceptical. How would one go about getting a diagnosis of candida overgrowth and are such tests reliable? Sorry if I'm being dismissive, but I am eager to dedicate my efforts towards those things which, from my admittedly limited perspective, have a greater chance of proving successful. I am hear to learn though, and I won't rule anything out (unless it's something really ridiculous :))

Energy healing is another one I find really interesting and will look more into. A lot of these therapies are so expensive though, and with my current finances (hint, I don't have any) I don't think I'll be able to afford such treatments any time soon. It is definitely on my list though, I just don't know how I can access it at the moment. Maybe some self energy healing?

Billy.

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Billy, I have Crohn's. I was diagnosed 22 years ago. This diet saved my life... http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
You must be very strict with the diet. If you cheat at all, you will not reap its benefits.
Best of luck,
Vangelo
I have known about this diet for a long time now, but have yet to really implement it. It's so hard with diet. One diet says this, another says that, with so very many contradictions. It gets to the point where I just want to scream. I don't really feel called to implement this diet at the moment, but maybe that is due to frustration more than anything else, as the desire and willingness is there. I'm really glad that is has helped you so much though. Are you still following it?

[shaberon]

Someone posted it around here recently; the modern "gluten" problem may have more to do with the wheat being hosed with Roundup right before harvest. Apparently this makes it sprout an extra burst of wheat berries before dying.

That wouldn't seem to apply if you still have the problem with organics, but it's widely done. And even if a conventional farmer doesn't roundup prior to harvest, his wheat's going to go into the same pile with the rest of it anyway.

[Jhonie]

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8376/10-signs-you-have-candida-overgrowth-what-to-do-about-it.html

Here is some information. Do you have a white tongue?




Wow, a lot of information to take in all at once. A little overwhelming to say the least hah. There have been talks of energy healing, supplementation (MSM, iodine, detoxadine etc), diet change/alteration, and candida. Now, candida is an intersting one. It is something that I have read and known about for quite a while now, with it being linked to just about everything under the sun. That's not to say that it doesn't have any merits as a form of therapy, but I am sceptical. How would one go about getting a diagnosis of candida overgrowth and are such tests reliable? Sorry if I'm being dismissive, but I am eager to dedicate my efforts towards those things which, from my admittedly limited perspective, have a greater chance of proving successful. I am hear to learn though, and I won't rule anything out (unless it's something really ridiculous :))

Energy healing is another one I find really interesting and will look more into. A lot of these therapies are so expensive though, and with my current finances (hint, I don't have any) I don't think I'll be able to afford such treatments any time soon. It is definitely on my list though, I just don't know how I can access it at the moment. Maybe some self energy healing?

Billy.

[chancy]

Hello Vasil:
Here is a documentary Jason Vale – Super Juice Me documentary ( Juiceme.com ) that one girl (Sarah Crosby age 22) was cured of crohns in 1 month or less. I was interested in what happen to her 6 months after the 28 days was completed. She claims being cured. Hope you enjoy the documentary which has been posted quite a few times on project avalon.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaxa7rxEbyk

I think it's like Dr.Tennant said on "Cure any Autoimmune Disease" including Crohn's disease that a person's body has become like a battery that loses it's power. The body is like a battery that needs to be recharged with alkaline foods only to get it back into fighting health problems.
Here is the documentary with Dr. Tennant and many other Doctors that have only bad to say about the establishment in treating people with health problems.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dhlp8jSiiU

Good luck and please watch the documentaries. They will change your life. They have mine.
chancy

[Lifebringer]

Not so bad if you include yogurt for natural gut digestion bacteria and sharp cheddar sparingly(1 a month.) Some meds decrease this good bacteria and leave bad, causing highly reactive stomach acids, that cause ulcers especially if you are holding things inside or living a stressful life. Everything they gave me for it, ended up with lawsuits on it, so I cut out the tomatoe sauces, cut down on citrus(just concentrated frozen orange juice(no water added for high vit C) to kill cancer cells in my used to be multipolyped colin. One time they wanted to resection my intestines too, but after a good natural colonic/intestin cleanse and less beef, pork that take too long to digest, I've not suffered painfully in my lower right side of the tummy for 5 years and constipation is minimal unless I get a weakness for lasagne, then is a "phillips milk of mag nite";)

[Lifebringer]

Whole clove garlic to build your immune system and kill the infection. Also if there's a hard to heal area, try aloe plant. (cut a inch tip, squeeze aloe juice on wound.)

Keep garlic in your body to keep infections gone soon as they strike. It helps keep colds and flu away, haven't had any flu shots in 20 years, but others have and suffered anyway. I keep fresh garlic in my refrigerator as it's a root, and use as needed for the inside, as the aloe heals on the out. Aloe can be ingested also if you have ulcers burning, it will "instantaneously end the burning sensation and pain."

Good luck and eat the non-acidic juicy fruits like peaches, mangoes, pineapples, pears, and plums. Works great when you have "Diverticulitis or Crones."

[Billy Vasiliadis]

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8376/10-signs-you-have-candida-overgrowth-what-to-do-about-it.html
Here is some information. Do you have a white tongue?


I do in fact have a white tongue, after checking it in the mirror last night. I don't know if this has always been the case (I do remember seeing the same thing years back, but I haven't tracked it since) or if it is the result of toxins being released due to my juice fast. I will definitely keep an eye on it though and see if the fasting gets rid of it or not.

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Whole clove garlic to build your immune system and kill the infection.

I tried doing this but eating cloves of raw garlic was very difficult. I tried cutting them up into small pieces and swallowing them like tablets, but they kept on getting stuck in my throat which was very uncomfortable. The only way I could manage was by mixing it in with some food and I only did that for a day or two, definitely not long enough to see any results. I've read about spreading it on some toast which I may try once I finish up with my fast. How do you take garlic?

[Olam]

Do a search on bone broth. It cures candida and leaky gut.
Make sure you are using organic chicken bones as well as grass fed beef bones only!
Basically, you put all that in a crock pot with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, let cook for at least 24 hours, I like 48...
You then get a collagen filled broth that heals the gut.
I take a cup or two of that on an empty stomach in the morning.
I guess you would have to go very easy to start, please consult with a pro and do the research first as I have no idea if this is bad for you, but my guess
is that it would help.
many blessings to you..

[conk]

Having not read the whole thread, I'll risk repeating what some have likely said. The GAPS diet will most likely CURE your ailment. It is not a disease, it is an imbalance. Too much sugar eating parasites/fungi/yeast vs. not enough good gut bacteria. You must reverse the ratio. Gut bacteria and their DNA may have more influence on your state of health than does your own human DNA. You, we, must have an abundance of beneficial bacteria in our bowels or any number of ailments manifest.

There are many good books on this subject. One is called something like Breaking the Vicious Cycle. Just search on GAPS diet and you're there.