Tag Archives: Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s Update….after pregnancy

During pregnancy, I felt amazing. I could eat anything I wanted, I wasn’t in pain and I didn’t worry about finding the closest bathroom. I went down to 3 pills a day and truly thought I could possibly be in remission. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

Many women complain about being constipated after having a child but that was the opposite for me. I went pretty much right away and had trouble even making it to the restroom in the hospital. When I got home, nothing changed. I wasn’t having the cramping like I usually do with my Crohn’s, but I was having issues being able to control it. 6 weeks later and I am still in the same situation and taking imodium every few days to help me. Having a newborn with a flare-up is extremely hard especially since it makes you fatigued and I am already so tired and worn down!

I went last week for a few tests and I am waiting to hear back from my doctor to see if we will up the medicine and possibly put me on a steroid. I am trying to watch what I eat (I know, I know…most important part), and possibly going back to gluten free. All my time and energy is going into my daughter and it is hard to remind myself to take care of my own health, but I am doing a better job at it.

That is the update for now.. 🙂 If anyone who had a baby and Crohn’s has any suggestions, please let me know!!

My new found love- Acupuncture

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When we have been trying for a baby for about a year, I decided to try acupuncture. Not just for infertility but also for my Crohn’s disease- I figured anything could help! I found a place a block away (perfect!) and began going twice a week. My doctor is awesome and he was actually the first acupuncturist to be licensed in the state of NJ. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover ANY of it and I have to pay $50 out of pocket every single time. (I eventually had to stop and go once a week or every other week because it was just too much $$).

I have never been super afraid of needles, just the pain of certain shots and the way it looked if I watched it get jabbed into me! I was a little weary when I started- but oh my- it is so relaxing. The doctor comes in after you first appointment (a good hour long telling him all of my lovely issues haha) and puts needles in the points that would relate to what you are trying to help. I get them in my arms, stomach, legs and feet.. many points that lead to different channels such as your kidney (The Chinese say this point is one of the most important for fertility) and spleen. A few times a session I feel a jolt of electricity when he puts the needle in- that is good, it means it is working extra hard in that spot that day and your body needs it. (Not the best feeling and kinda hurts but goes right away.)

I think it has helped my stress levels and Crohns. Still working on the infertility part- I am sure it doesn’t hurt anything and does help, but hoping for a positive test soon from all of my appointments. They actually offer acupuncture now after egg retrievals and embryo transfers right in the doctor’s office- how cool is that? Shows you how much it is helping people and our doctors are finally seeing the true benefits.

I took this picture a few weeks ago….it was extremely challenging because I had needles in my arms! 🙂 HAHA. You can see all the spots in my stomach and legs– the most I think I may have gotten at once is 30-35 needles. That is a heat lamp that he puts on because it gets a little chilly in the room.

Namaste 🙂

Holy Amazingness!!

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So, I have gone Gluten Free about 3 months ago due to my Crohn’s and stomach issues. (Yes, I do cheat here and there….oh how I love my bagels). My friend Amber sent me a recipe for GF bread that she swore tastes like true, real gluten, tasty bread. IT DOES! I just made it and I have to work more on getting it to rise before I put it in the oven next time…but oh so good. Somehow it collapsed a bit when I took it out of the oven, but for my first time I am so pleased. WOOP WOOP!