IBD Patients Using Immunosuppressants Have Increased Cancer Risk

A doctor who is considering treatment options for their patient who has any digestive disease or any disease that is believed to respond positively by a Biologic Drug/ Immunosuppressant, should take a close look at the genetic factors, person's current health state and family history before treating any person with these types of drugs. Let's take my situation to give you an idea about what I'm talking about.
My mother's side of the family has a genetic risk of cancer that has been seen in at least 2 generations. My grandmother had liver or colon cancer and died from the disease sometime in the 80's when she was around the age of 65. My mother, at the age of 39 was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer that spread like lightening through her body and she passed away by the age of 40. I was 16 at the time, but I believe from the time she found out she had cancer to the time she died, it was within a 6 month period. Any drug that kills my defenses against cancer and infections and viruses ect., is not the right drug for me. It doesn't take a genius to realize this. My fathers side has a history that I just learned about (thats why I am updating this) of cutaneous t-cell lymphoma....  Wait.... Isn't that the side effect that one taking a biologic is at risk of possibly getting.... That exact cancer... lymphoma?  Yes.
Anyone with knowledge about the risks that come with biologic drugs should do what's necessary to determine if this kind of treatment is the best option and SAFEST option for their patient. My doctor did have me try Remicade for a few months and I can't even tell you how I felt right after an infusion........ Dead ass drained. My hair fell out, I had absolutely no energy right after and a few days after the infusion. My point is that the drug was too strong for me, not a safe choice to treat my disease. The sad fact is that I'm sure I'm not the only person that this has happened to or is happening to.
With doing A LOT of research, searching, corresponding with people who also have Crohn's in forums, and being proactive and following my intuition, has led me to find one of the safest, cheapest and damn effective medications... 10X more effective than Remicade AND the beautiful thing about this drug - 0 ZERO side-effects... I haven't felt this good in 4 years and I can have a life again. I'm 100% happy with my choice to go on LDN and not fall into the intimidation of family/friends/doctors who didn't support my decision. When you do your part, which is research and talking with people that tried or use the medication, you now have that knowledge and NO ONE can steal that from you. You can take what these negative people say, and it will not influence your decision at all. You know the facts, you've done hours of reading (have they?) and you are confident that this is a medication that will be effective and safe to try. I'm glad I did go with my gut and give it a try. I haven't felt like this in a long time and I know for a fact that Remicade or Imuran would have gotten me to this place.
Be proactive and don't just take what your doctor says and trust him/her 100% until you do your part. It's your body & it's your life that will be effected by the things that go into your body. Do the research before saying "yes" to any treatment that is recommended. You'll learn a lot.


Click the link to read the article



PressTV - Bowel disease drug ups cancer risk


PressTV - Bowel disease drug ups cancer risk:

'via Blog this'

Expert Acupuncturist - Educates about Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Improve IBD

Kathleen Albertson, L Ac, PhD in Holistic Nutrition, and author speaks at a Digestive Disease Center to discuss the benefits of uniting Western & Eastern medicine. I have received acupuncture only one time and it was very interesting and helped me. It feels as if the toxins are leaving your body.. The only way I can describe it,is that it feels like a flow of air moving upward toward your head from your feet. Pretty amazing & I'd like to have more sessions.

This part of the article is 100% true; the connection between stress and IBD.
She stated, "The brain and nervous system becomes imbalanced by stress and overacts on the stomach and digestive system. This creates a domino effect of problems from pain, and inflammation to immune issues. Integrating TCM as part of patient care reduces the side effects of western medications and in many cases resolves symptoms. TCM calms the nervous system affecting both physical and emotional health. We see better outcomes when patients integrate Western and Eastern protocols. TCM, also widely recognized for reducing stress, benefits many of the emotional components associated with bowel problems---emotions such as depression, shame, and anger. Even patients who have had surgical procedures feel better and many insurance companies now cover acupuncture treatments.

Click Link Below to Read Article.

Renowned Acupuncturist Speaks at Irritable Bowel Disease Patient Education Conference, UC, Irvine:

'via Blog this'

Pretty cool article I came across. This was found on a NJ newspaper site, NJTODAY, but it talks about ArtWorks. The ArtWorks program, which is a creative and performing art program for children diagnosed with a terminal or chronic illness that is designed to encourage expression and through arts.
What an amazing program! In my opinion, medical facilities should develop more therapeutic programs like this. Self expression has been something that has helped me release stress and anxiety immensely. A program like this would be beneficial to people of all ages.


Children Battling Chronic and Terminal Illnesses Are Recognized As Artists Instead Of Patients

MONTCLAIR – On Nov. 13, ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation, will present its 9th annual Express Yourself-New Jersey event at the Montclair Art Museum sponsored by The Morty and Gloria Wolosoff Foundation and The Connors Group. Express Yourself is a creative and performing art exhibition that provides children and young adults suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings, with the open and loving forum to express themselves through the arts. In a safe environment, filled with families, friends, healthcare specialists and ArtWorks supporters, these children sing, dance, recite poetry, play instruments and stand proudly by their works of art.

Participants spend months preparing for the Express Yourself event which provides them with a much needed creative outlet and gives them something to look forward to and work towards, taking the focus away from the pain and sorrow of the illness. At Express Yourself-NJ 2011, over 116 artists and performers, ages 1-21, from 11 participating New Jersey healthcare agencies will display their creative masterpieces.

This year’s artwork will include 126 amazing paintings, drawings, and sculptures including a drawing by 13-year-old Lacey called “The Premonition” which she drew the night before she suffered an A.V.M on the left side of her brain. The face in her drawing has two distinct sides.

The show will also highlight over 20 performances featuring singing, dancing, readings, and instrumental compositions. This year, ArtWorks is pleased to welcome a new group performance by The Matheny Muses from Matheny Medical and Educational Center. In addition to artwork and performances by the inspiring participants, Express Yourself-NJ 2011 will also include art activities and refreshments for all attendees as well as gift bags and certificates of participation for all children and young adults who take part in the event.

Participating agencies in Express Yourself-NJ 2011 include:
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Memorial Hospital
Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center
Matheny Medical and Educational Center
Meaningful Movements
PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
The University Hospital
The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

To learn more about ArtWorks, visit http://www.artworksfoundation.org.


Read more: http://njtoday.net/2011/11/13/children-battling-chronic-and-terminal-illnesses-are-recognized-as-artists-instead-of-patients/#ixzz1djl4wXNG
WWW.NJTODAY.NET

Upcoming FREE Educational Event List- Topic: IBD - Role of Diet , Nutrition & Supplements

ANNOUNCEMENT

I thought this would be a helpful posting for people that are interested in nutrition/diet ect, in regards to their digestive disease. This was taken from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)home page. It lists the upcoming educational event schedule, and the great thing about these events is that they are FREE. Gotta love freebies and not much in life is, especially anything with beneficial value. All the programs/events are supported by grants


So, here's the list of events coming up across the US.


The number one request we receive from patients is for more information on diet and nutrition. We've heard you! We are pleased to announce a new, live CCFA patient education event that will take place in cities around the country. Nutrition & IBD: Choices for Adults and Kids, will answer the questions you have about the role of diet and nutrition in IBD.

Local physicians and dieticians will provide an in-depth overview of nutrition and IBD. Attendees will receive vital information that empowers them to discuss their disease, treatment choices, and nutritional needs with their health care provider. Topics will include:

Diets used by IBD patients
Eating well with IBD: the roles of diet, nutrition, and supplements
Tools and nutritional resources
This event is free, and open to all patients, family members, caregivers, and community members. We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Programs:

November 17: Little Rock, Arkansas

November 19: Charlotte, North Carolina

November 30: Norwich, Connecticut

December 12: Columbus, Ohio

January 12: Los Angeles, California

January 25: Tacoma, Washington



This program is supported by educational grants from:


More than 1.4 million Americans are currently living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). People of all ages, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds can be diagnosed with IBD. There are many effective treatments available, but it can be difficult to decide on the best approach.

Join other IBD patients and caregivers from your community, representatives from your local CCFA chapter, and a medical expert for Treatment Approaches in IBD: Options to Consider, a presentation and interactive question-and-answer session that will help you sort through treatment strategies. The following topics will be addressed:

Similarities and differences between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Risks and benefits of medication, surgery, and integrative treatments in IBD
Impact of treatment adherence on disease management and quality of life
Talking with your health care team about your treatment plan
This event is free, and open to all patients, family members, caregivers, and community members. We hope to see you there!

Fall 2011 Schedule:

November 16: New York, New York

November 30: Macon, Georgia

December 5: Downers Grove, Illinois

December 6: Towson, Maryland

December 10: Dallas, Texas


This program is supported by an educational grant from:


http://www.ccfa.org/info/localpatiented

Could Amount Of UV Light, Pollution & Vitamin D Levels Determine IBD Risk?

Isn't this an interesting article. I knew California was calling my name for a reason. lol


Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease have been linked to geographical differences between the northern and southern U.S., according to a new study.

Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Cases Show North-South Divide

Posted by Claire Shefchik on November 1, 2011 4:55 PM

"This differential risk may be explained by differences in UV light exposure, vitamin D status, or pollution," hospital researcher Dr. Hamed Khalili told Science Daily.

Investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital examined results from two studies of nurses enrolled in the U.S. Nurses Health Study I and II revealed a north-south divide in U.S. incidences of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

In a 4,209,454 person-year follow-up, the team confirmed 284 cases of Crohn's disease and 332 cases of ulcerative colitis. They found that where the women lived at age 30 was associated with incidences of the diseases. Women in the southern part of the U.S. had a 50 percent lower chance of Crohn's and a 35 percent lower chance of UC when compared to women in the northern latitudes. Researchers said further studies are needed to examine underlying genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors.

The study was presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 76th Annual Scientific Meeting, Oct. 28-Nov. 2 in Washington, D.C.

Julia Schopick -Speaks about Low Dose Naltrexone *VIDEO*

Author of "Honest Medicine", Julia Schopick speaks briefly about LDN/Low Dose Naltrexone for severe diseases that often do not respond well to mainstream treatments. Short video that gives brief information about how LDN works and she speaks of the founder of LDN, Doctor Bihari.

In Julia's book, "Honest Medicine", she introduces four lifesaving treatments that have been effectively treating—and in some cases curing—people for 25-90 years. However, for reasons of profitability (or lack thereof), these treatments have not been universally accepted. The treatments are:

Low Dose Naltrexone for autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease) HIV/AIDS and some cancers

The Ketogenic Diet for pediatric epilepsy

Intravenous alpha lipoic acid, for terminal liver disease and some cancers

Silverlon for non-healing wounds.

Julia Schopick's Site - http://www.honestmedicine.com