Chemotherapy for Crohn's Disease

Chemotherapy for Crohn’s Disease

Learn how certain chemotherapy drugs, including 6-MP, Remicade, and Methotrexate, can benefit people with Crohn's disease.

Chemotherapy involves treating an illness using chemicals and has long been among the most successful treatments for patients with various forms of cancer. Certain forms of chemotherapy also have been effective for autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease.

6-MP

Administered orally, usually in tablet form, mercaptopurine, also known as 6-MP, is among the more popular chemotherapy treatments used for Crohn’s sufferers. 6-MP has been classified as an antimetabolite, a drug that interferes with metabolic action. Although antimetabolites have been found to be effective in the treatment of Crohn’s, they’ve been associated with side effects, too.

As with traditional forms of chemotherapy, the side effects of 6-MP can be difficult to handle. Extreme side effects include a temporary reduction in white and red blood cell count, which can increase your risk of infection and anemia. Liver problems and traditional chemotherapy side effects like nausea and vomiting may occur.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate is another popular Crohn’s prescription that has roots in chemotherapy treatments. Originally used for breast cancer patients, methotrexate is also used as chemotherapy for lymphoma and leukemia, among other illnesses. For treatment of autoimmune disorders, the dosage is lowered to a safer level.

Administered once a week, either orally or via injection, methotrexate blocks cell production, making it effective in controlling the inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease.  Methotrexate’s side effects include a reduction in blood cells produced by bone marrow, which can lead to complications. Methotrexate patients may be required to be tested occasionally to ensure adequate blood count. Patients taking methotrexate will often receive blood tests every two months to test liver function and creatinine levels in the urine to test for kidney function. Lung scarring is possible, so patients may be asked to watch for issues such as persistent coughing or trouble breathing.

Remicade (infliximab) (, a TNF blocker) often used in treating Crohn’s disease, has been reclassified as a chemotherapy drug because it requires special safety standards by the facilities that use it. It also falls into this category because it works by blocking proteins created by blood cells in your body.

Remicade is administered via IV, in a medical facility during an appointment that can take hours. Remicade is often used in more severe Crohn’s patients because it carries a lymphoma cancer risk, mostly among younger patients who take it. It also carries a risk of tuberculosis, which has sometimes been fatal among Crohn’s sufferers taking the drug.

Some people have experienced allergic reactions to Remicade, and a few have reported lupus-like symptoms, including chest or joint pains, shortness of breath, and rashes. If you begin to experience these side effects, your doctor may choose to either change your dosage or take you off the drug altogether.

Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine, also used in chemotherapy, has shown to be effective for Crohn’s sufferers. Like other medications used in the treatment of Crohn’s, cyclosporine decreases the body’s immune response.

Cyclosporine is traditionally used to prevent rejection during organ or bone marrow transplants.  Although it’s still unproven in the treatment of Crohn’s, the theory in using it is that weakening the body’s immune response will result in a lessening of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Some Crohn’s patients suffer from fistulas, abnormal connections in the intestines that can create discharge, fever, pain, and itching. Cyclosporine has had success in closing the resulting openings.  Some of the more severe side effects of cyclosporine include blood in the urine, high blood pressure, and kidney and liver problems. Because cyclosporine has such severe side effects, it’s rarely used to treat Crohn’s.

In 1997, researchers conducted a trial to determine if antituberculous chemotherapy worked in patients suffering from Crohn’s. The basis for this test was the theory that mycobacterium paratuberculosis is the cause of Crohn’s—a theory that has not been proven.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis is a bacterial infection originates from the milk, feces, and meat of infected cattle. Some believe that the bacteria isn’t killed off during the cooking process and infects the humans who eat it, leading to Crohn’s.

Researchers hoped to eradicate Crohn’s disease in test subjects by using antituberculous chemotherapy, a tuberculosis treatment. However, the two-week trial found no change in Crohn’s patients participating in the study. At the end of the study, researchers concluded no detectable link between mycobacterium paratuberculosis and Crohn’s disease.

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Fecal Transplant Study As A Possible Cure

Inflammatory Bowel Disease 'Cured' With Fecal Transplant

January 22, 2015 5:06 PM
By Jessica Berman

Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are extremely painful and can lead to colorectal cancer. Now, researchers have effectively cured the conditions in mice, offering hope for human sufferers of so-called IBDs.

Waste material from healthy people is rich in helpful bacteria. When transferred to the digestive tracts of sick individuals, in whom there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria, the fecal matter helps restore the balance of healthy flora.

Some cutting-edge doctors have used so-called fecal transplants to treat severe bacterial infections, including Clostridium difficile or C. diff, which releases toxins as it grows, attacking the lining of the intestines.

Scientists also have found the transplants appear to reverse autoimmune diseases of the bowel.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, also known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, are life-long disorders that cause severe diarrhea, painful cramps and bleeding.

According to June Round, a professor of medicine at the University of Utah, such diseases are becoming increasingly common around the world, as more and more people eat a low-fiber, high-fat Western diet.

Round also blames the widespread use of antibiotics.

“So, I think a lot about the microbes that naturally reside in our bodies. And antibiotics can not distinguish between what is good and what is bad," she said. "They kind of wipe-out everything. So, there is a very clear-cut correlation between when Western civilization started using the antibiotics and the increased incidence of a lot of these autoimmune diseases.”

Currently, treatments for these conditions are supportive, designed only to ease the symptoms. So, the idea of a potential cure for IBD is very appealing.

In experiments with mice with inflammatory bowel disease, Round and her team found that fecal transplant restored the healthy balance of intestinal flora, returning the intestine to near normal.

But the notion of transferring fecal material from one person to another -- and in the case of mice, through a tube into the stomach -- makes many people say "yuck." So Round said researchers are now trying to identify the helpful bacteria in human waste so they can be put into pill form.

“You know, right now we have to do fecal transplantation because the [bacterial] communities are so complex, and we just do not know what organisms are doing the good thing," she said. "So, we just kind of put it all in there and hope for the best. So, there is no way of getting around it right now, but hopefully in the future there will be.”

The work is published in the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

Herbs and Supplements For Crohn's Disease

Herbs and Supplements to Treat Crohn’s Disease

Written by Stephanie Faris 
Published on March 2, 2012
Medically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD

These days, modern medicine often involves a combination of medicine and natural remedies, with many in the medical community eschewing the claims of ‘snake oil salesmen’ that certain remedies work. However, there’s no denying that herbs and supplements can be of great benefit to our overall health and well-being. For those suffering from various ailments, sometimes these herbs and supplements provide a more natural way to find relief.

For Crohn’s patients, hope comes in the form of achieving and maintaining remission as long as possible. Since there is currently no known cure for the autoimmune disorder, the most that many Crohn’s sufferers can hope for is to remain symptom-free as long as possible. While there are several chemical ways to achieve this, some Crohn’s patients are turning to alternative medicine to alleviate their symptoms.

Boswellia

One remedy that has been researched in Germany is Boswellia, a type of tree that has been used to treat asthma, inflammation, anddepression. The German study compared Boswellia to the popular Crohn’s treatment mesalazine with similar results. Boswellia is sold in health food stores as a dietary supplement.

Turmeric

Turmeric, a ginger-related spice found in curry, was found to have the ability to reduce inflammation in laboratory rats. In addition to its anti-inflammatory abilities, turmeric also has antibacterial elements, which may help fight infection in Crohn’s patients.

Green Tea

?Green tea is popular across the world. While health enthusiasts have long touted the many health benefits of green tea over the years, its effects on the bowels and colon are still being researched. For Crohn’s patients, green tea may help reduce inflammation and risk of colon cancer.

Marshmallow

Marshmallow is more than just a sweet white dessert you roast over the fire. An herb called marshmallow that comes from the marshmallow plant has been tapped for use in treating Crohn’s disease. Primarily used to sooth tissues during healing, marshmallow is thought to reduce inflammation in Crohn’s patients, and the root’s polysaccharides are believed to protect the lining of the stomach, reducing stomach acids.

N-acetylglucosamine?

N-acetylglucosamine has been linked to success in treating autoimmune disorders, in some tests inhibiting T-helper cells. More tests are needed to determine N-acetylglucosamine’s role in helping reduce symptoms in Crohn’s patients.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, a staple in many multivitamin supplements on the market, has actually been connected to treatment of Crohn’s disease. The problem, some researchers say, is that a vitamin D deficiency is believed to contribute to the disease, so by adding vitamin D back into the diet, Crohn’s patients may help minimize symptoms and aid in the immune system. Since Crohn’s is an autoimmune malfunction, providing a boost to your body’s immune system can be a bonus.

?B12

While you’re at it, find a supplement that offers a hefty dose of B12, as well. B12 helps boost your body’s red cell count and prevents anemia. Iron can also help ensure your blood cells are as healthy as possible.

Whether you choose a mostly natural treatment or use natural treatment as a supplement, plenty of natural herbs and supplements exist to treat Crohn’s, most of which are easy and inexpensive. With so many choices, it might be worth trying one or two to see what effect it has on your symptoms.

However, you should consult your doctor before starting any of these treatments, as they may interfere with your medication or you may have an unknown allergy to these substances. 

RESOURCE : healthline.com

Complimentary Crohn's Treatments

Resource: Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), can be treated but not cured with conventional medical therapies. Therefore, some people living with either of these diseases look toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to supplement conventional therapies to help ease their symptoms.

CAM is an umbrella term that encompasses a vast array of treatment options. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine. While scientific evidence exists regarding some CAM therapies, for the most part, well-designed scientific studies to answer questions such as whether these therapies are safe and whether they work for the purposes for which they are used have not been conducted.

Complementary therapies are intended to be used together with conventional treatment, while the term “alternative” implies replacing the treatment you receive from your doctor with one or more approaches that fall outside mainstream medicine. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (CCFA) recommends that anyone considering any of the CAM approaches should discuss them with their doctor, and use CAM as a complement to prescribed medications and not as an alternative to other doctor-recommended treatments.

CAM therapies may work in a variety of ways. They may help to control symptoms and ease pain, enhance feelings of well-being and quality of life, and may possibly boost the immune system.

When considering any therapy, it is important to weigh the risks and benefits. In general, less research has been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of CAM therapies compared with conventional therapy. However, CAM therapies are increasingly subjected to scientific trials and more information is becoming available to evaluate some of these therapies. Ask your physician or CAM practitioner about any relevant research on the therapy you’re undergoing.

In addition to considering safety and effectiveness of a particular practice, it is also advisable to carefully choose a practitioner. For many of the CAM practices, practitioners must have specific education, licenses, and accreditation. Investigate the requirements and then check with the appropriate regulatory board or agency.

The NCCAM divides CAM into four major domains—Mind-Body Medicine, Manipulative and Body-Based Practices, Energy Medicine, and Biologically-Based Practices.

Mind-Body Medicine

Mind-body medicine is a set of interventions that focus on the interplay between emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors and their influence on health. Examples include prayer, tai chi, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback, and yoga. Some techniques that were considered CAM in the past, such as cognitive-behavioral therapies and patient support groups, are now offered as conventional therapies.

Manipulative and Body-Based Practices

Manipulative and body-based practices involve manipulation or movement of one or more parts of the body as a means of achieving health and healing. Examples include chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation, massage, reflexology, Rolfing, Alexander technique, craniosacral therapy, and Trager bodywork.

Energy Medicine

Energy medicine draws on a number of traditions supporting the view that illness results from disturbances of subtle energies. Energy therapies are based on the use of energy fields of two types:

Biofield therapies affect energy fields that allegedly surround and penetrate the body. These energy fields have not yet been scientifically measured. Biofield therapies involve the application of pressure or the placement of hands in or through these energy fields. Examples include Reiki, qi gong, and therapeutic touch.Bioelectromagnetic-based therapiesutilize electromagnetic fields for the purposes of healing. Examples include magnetic therapy, sound energy therapy, and light therapy.Biologically-Based Practices

The use of substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins to strengthen, heal, and balance the body is considered biologically-based practice. Examples include dietary supplements (such as vitamins), probiotics, prebiotics, herbal products, fatty acids, amino acids, and functional foods. Some dietary supplements are recommended for people with Crohn’s and colitis because aspects of the disease can potentially cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Unlike pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements do not need approval from the Food and Drug Administration before they are marketed, except in the case of a new dietary ingredient.   Prescription drugs are subjected to rigorous testing. They must be shown to be both safe and effective for the condition they are intended to treat before receiving approval from the FDA. These requirements do not apply to natural remedies, which mean that claims about their effectiveness are largely unproven. Just because the label on the bottle says its contents are safe and effective doesn’t make it so. For patients with Crohn’s and colitis, the use of biologically-based products should only be used in addition to conventional medical treatment. Patients should not stop taking their prescribed medications even if they decide to use a supplement.  To learn more about regulation of dietary supplements visit:http://www.fda.gov/Food/Dietarysupplements/default.htm

Vitamins

People with IBD may develop vitamin or mineral deficiencies that require supplementation for a variety of reasons, including Crohn’s disease that affects the small intestine, certain drugs or surgeries, and other aspects of the diseases.

Vitamin B-12 is absorbed in the lower section of the small intestine (ileum). People who have ileitis (Crohn's disease that affects the ileum) or those who have undergone small bowel surgery may have vitamin B-12 deficiency. If diet and oral vitamin supplements don’t correct this deficiency, a monthly intramuscular injection of vitamin B-12 or once weekly nasal spray may be required. Folic acid (another B vitamin) deficiency may occur in IBD patients who take the drug sulfasalazine or methotrexate. They should take a folate tablet, 1 mg daily, as a supplement.Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with Crohn's disease. Vitamin D is essential for good bone formation and for the metabolism of calcium. A vitamin D supplement of 800 IU per day is recommended, particularly for those with active bowel symptoms. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to a calcium deficiency, which can also occur in people with Crohn’s disease in the small intestine or who have had a section of the intestine surgically removed. This may impair the ability to absorb calcium, requiring supplementation. At least 1,500 mg of calcium daily is recommended, either in dietary form or as supplements taken in three divided doses during the day.Bone health: Certain medications may also have an adverse effect on bone health. Long-term use of prednisone and other steroids slows the process of new bone formation and accelerates the breakdown of old bone. It also interferes with calcium absorption.Iron deficiency (anemia), which results from blood loss following inflammation and ulceration of the intestines, can occur in people in people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis. Anemia is treated with oral iron tablets or liquid, usually taken one to three times a day or intravenous infusions of iron taken weekly for eight weeks.Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to beneficial (often called “good” or “friendly”) bacteria that normally reside in the intestines. Under normal circumstances, beneficial bacteria keep the growth of harmful bacteria in check. If the balance between good and bad bacteria is thrown off, causing harmful bacteria to overgrow, diarrhea and other digestive problems can occur. Probiotics are used to restore the balance of these “good” bacteria in the body. They are available in the form of dietary supplements (capsules, tablets, and powders) or foods (yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages).

There is some evidence to suggest that use of probiotics may help people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis to maintain remission. Scientific studies have also shown that they may be useful for preventing and treating pouchitis (a condition that can follow surgery to remove the colon).

Taking probiotics is generally safe. Any side effects (such as gas or bloating) are usually mild. The safety of probiotics in young children, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems has not been adequately studied.

Fish Oils

Omega-3 fatty acids—found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines as well as some nuts and green vegetables—provide an anti-inflammatory effect. They have several health benefits, including helping to relieve the joint pain of rheumatoid arthritis (an inflammatory disorder). It has been suggested that they may also help to relieve the intestinal inflammation of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Several studies evaluating omega-3 fatty acids for maintenance of remission in Crohn’s disease have yielded conflicting findings. A study published in April 2008 of over 700 Crohn’s disease patients failed to find any benefit of omega-3 fatty acid supplements (4 g/day in capsules).

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is widely used topically for wound healing and pain relief. It is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Some people with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis who drink aloe vera juice have reported reduced symptoms.

However, this effect has not been demonstrated in scientific studies.

Anyone with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis considering using aloe vera should be cautioned that aloe vera, when taken orally, also has a laxative effect. In addition, it has qualities of an “immune booster.” A person with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis should be careful about treatments that can boost an already overactive immune system.

Should I Tell My Doctor If I’m Using CAM Therapies?

Inform your doctor about any CAM treatment (in any of the four domains described above) you’ve been using or are considering using. Even the most innocent-looking vitamin supplement might contain ingredients that could interact with your medication or with other products. Unconventional therapies can complement medical treatment, and possibly help control symptoms, ease pain, and increase well-being. But many questions remain surrounding their safety and effectiveness in treating the diseases and conditions they are supposed to treat. Open discussion with your physician will give you the opportunity to consider complementary therapies in an informed manner.

Day 152: Part II: Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid

What is this? Has anyone ever heard of it? It is new to me. So what do I do when I don't know enough about something? GOOGLE the heck out of it! So once again, I've compiled some info but there wasn't much...if you find any yourselves..pleased let me know

Information

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has many functions, but it's one of the most effective free radical scavengers, and the only one known to easily get into your brain.
It also has the ability to regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and glutathione. So, when your body has used up these antioxidants, if there's ALA around, it helps regenerate them.
You may not know this, but glutathione is another very important antioxidant. You can get it from supplements, but the only form that works effectively is the reduced form, which is difficult to absorb when taken orally. It is much more cost effective to supplement with precursors, or items like alpha lipoic acid that regenerates glutathione.
Alpha lipoic acid also recycles coenzyme Q10 and NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).
But, if that wasn't enough, this powerful antioxidant is also:

• A great modifier of gene expression to reduce inflammation

• A very potent heavy metal chelator

• An enhancer of insulin sensitivity

The benefits of ALA can appear near miraculous. For example, according to Dr. Berkson, Russia has successfully used ALA intravenously to reverse ischemia reperfusion injuries by injecting it right after a heart attack or a stroke.
And people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome tend to do much better when taking lipoic acid, as it enhances insulin sensitivity.
There's even been quite a bit of research showing it can restore T cell function. T cells are a type of white blood cells that are of key importance to your immune system, and are at the core of adaptive immunity, the system that tailors your body's immune response to specific pathogens.
What Health Conditions Can be Treated With Alpha Lipoic Acid?
Clinically, alpha lipoic acid seems to be a useful supplement in treating hepatitis C. It can also be used for painful nerve conditions in diabetes, and may help slow down the aging process itself through its reduction in free radicals.
Dr. Berkson uses ALA along with low dose naltrexone (LDN) for the reversal of a number of more serious health conditions such as:

• Lupus

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Dermatomyositis (an inflammatory muscle disease)

• Autoimmune diseases

Most of his patients normalize in about one month on this combination of ALA and LDN.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/antioxidants-benefits_b_509655.html

One of the newest treatments in Crohns disease research is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) used as an alternative Crohns disease treatment. This combination of a drug and a nutritional supplement is looking like a possible future Crohns treatment, hopefully. It seems to work for cancer and autoimmune diseases like Crohns, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus and more.

Testimony

I have actually made an appt with Dr. Berkson in May 2010. I will be going out to his clinic in New Mexico for 2 weeks of IV ALA treatment. I will let you all know what he recommends as far as dosing and supplements.
He is going to treat my Crohn's. He uses IV ALA in conjunction with LDN to treat Crohn's as well as various supplements. I am not sure of the details, they of course will not tell you that over the phone. But I am excited. It is a huge out of pocket expense, but as I plan on having children in the next few years, I want to get as healthy as possible. And I am willing to pay or try almost anything so that I can do that.

As I said, I will definitely share my experiences in detail with the group. I am on a cancellation list so if appts earlier than May open up, I will be flying out sooner than May (I hope)!

Later Post by same patient:

I am scheduled to be treated by Dr. Berkson in mid-May for my Crohn's. I will receive 2-daily ALA IVs and 1 daily B-12 injection, in additional to myriad tests and consults with Dr. Berkson. I can't wait! I am already on LDN for my Crohn's, which the Dr. also uses to treat autoimmune conditions, but am still having intermittent flares and other symptoms. I am hoping the treatment by Dr. Berkson will give me the final push I need into (hopefully) remission or something like that. I plan on having children in the next 2 years, so I would like to get as healthy as possible.

 

 

Websites



http://www.journey-with-crohns-disease.com/crohns-disease-treatment.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?orig_db=PubMed&db=pubmed&cmd=Search&TransSchema=title&term=American%20Journal%20of%20Gastroenterology%5BJour%5D%20AND%202007%5Bpdat%5D%20AND%20Low-Dose%20Naltrexone%20

Day 152: LDN for Crohn's and Colitis?

I'm super interested in trying LDN while I wait to hear back from Northwestern..I mean why not? Who knows, I may not even need any radical treatment! It's worth a try and it would eliminate my need for narcotic pain killers, how cool would that be? I called my nurse tonight and left her a message so she would have it in the morning...I told her what the drug was, what it was called, that the clinical trials went well, and that I could order it from Canada but I'd REALLY like for my doctor to prescribe it. In other words, I let her know I would try it regardless so make it easy for me lol. Hopefully she'll call me back tomorrow, no later than Monday atleast with an answer from my doctor. He seems pretty willing to experiment with me...i mean this is way less risky than a stem cell transplant, right? So say a prayer he says yes and it works. Below is some info about LDN and some testimonies that offer good info too!

Article:

Use of naltrexone reduces inflammation in Crohn's patients

Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hershey, Pa. -- Naltrexone reduced inflammation in Crohn's patients in a research study at Penn State College of Medicine.

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding and weight loss. Treatments for Crohn's disease are designed to reduce the inflammation but may be associated with rare but serious side effects, including infections and lymphoma. Research suggests that endorphins and enkephalins, part of the opioid system, have a role in the development or continuation of inflammation.

Naltrexone is a drug used to help recovering alcoholics and drug users stay clean. It inhibits the body's opioid system that regulates pain and is involved in cell growth, repair and inflammation. Naltrexone binds to a protein receptor that blocks the effects of opioids, including the body's own enkephalins and endorphins, substances that reduce pain and produce a feeling of wellbeing.

"Although the cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, research suggests it involves a complex interplay of environmental, genetic, microbial, immune and nonimmune factors," said Dr. Jill P. Smith, professor of medicine. "We hypothesize that the opioid system is involved in inflammatory bowel disease and that interfering with an opioid receptor will lead to the reversal of the inflammation."

Researchers studied 40 patients with active Crohn's disease. Patients received either naltrexone or a placebo for 12 weeks. All patients then continued on naltrexone for an additional 12 weeks. This was a double-blind study with neither the patient or healthcare provider knowing which treatment was being received.

Eighty-eight percent of those treated with naltrexone had at least a 70-point decline in Crohn's Disease Activity Index scores compared to 40 percent of placebo-treated patients. CDAI is a point system used to quantify symptoms in Crohn's patients. Researchers noted no statistical difference at four or eight weeks of treatment, suggesting a response requires at least 12 weeks of treatment. Results were published in the journal Digestive Diseases and Sciences.

Gastrointestinal inflammation was evaluated by appearance of the intestine on colonoscopy and scores from biopsy specimens. After 12 weeks, researchers noted no change in those taking a placebo. However, 78 percent of those on naltrexone experienced healing in the lining of the intestine.

For those patients who received a placebo for 12 weeks and then were placed on naltrexone for the following 12 weeks, 70 percent experienced at least a 70-point decline in the CDAI score and healing of the colon as seen on colonoscopy. Patients who continued use of naltrexone for an additional 12 weeks (24 total weeks) had a further 75-point decline in CDAI scores, leading to remission (score of less than 150) in 50 percent of the patients.

"We report that naltrexone improves clinical and inflammatory activity of subjects with moderate to severe Crohn's disease compared to placebo-treated controls," Smith said.

The researchers are planning clinical trials to look at use of naltrexone in children with Crohn's disease and have secured orphan drug status from the Food and Drug Administration for the use of naltrexone in children with Crohn's disease. Smith and Zagon hold a patent for the use of naltrexone in inflammatory bowel disease -- Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

The National Institutes of Health's Broad Medical Research Program funded this project.

Other researchers on the project are Ian Zagon, Ph.D., Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences; Sandra I. Bingaman, R.N., Aparna Mukherjee, M.D., and Christopher O. McGovern, B.S., Department of Medicine; Francesco Ruggiero, M.D., Department of Pathology; and David Mauger, Ph.D., Department of Public Health Sciences.

http://live.psu.edu/story/53494
Testimonies: (Each color is a different person)

 I've used it for over a year now. I would highly recommend you try it first along with a restricted sugar diet. It has made all the difference for me and many others. I have crohns, but LDN is good for any autoimmune and many other types of disease. You'll be able to find LOTS of good info and people to answer any questions you might have at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/grou...
Be sure to check out their LINKS and FILES sections...so much good stuff! If your GI won't prescribe, others will, or you can also order through Canada without a Rx...let me know if have any questions :)

I have also used LDN for over a year very successfully. I also use SCD and VSL #3. I think that these 3 things have really turned my health around. My diagnosis is pancolitis. The only other medicine that I take is 400mg of asacol once or twice a day.
Once you try it, it may take a couple of weeks to see a difference but stick with it. I was in your situation and they were talking about starting Remicade. I am so glad that I went on LDN. Please remember it is not an instant cure. I still had to change my diet and practice good self care but it made a huge difference. Good luck!

 

 I have been taking 4.5 mg of low dose naltrexone daily at bedtime. It has given me my life back and kept me from meeting surgeons. You can read my story in detail on my blog at http://tinyurl.com/3w8v6v2 . My fear was exactly what your situation is now. My PCP wouldn't prescribe it and my GI wouldn't even discuss it. These people not only don't think outside the box they HIDE inside the box. The time may come when they change, but not in time to save your colon. If you are on Facebook there is a closed group you should check out: "Got Endorphins? LDN" My lesson: I am the only person responsible for my health. The days of presenting myself passively to a doctor and plaintively asking to be healed are over.

 

I use the 50 mg and dissolve it also. Very easy and MUCH cheaper this way. Also, it's better to do it that way because not everyone does well on 4.5 mg. I can't tolerate it. I started at 1.5 mg and it worked wonders. I slowly increased up to 3.5 mg and noticed I was having more and more problems, so I went back down in increments until I felt the best. I've found that 2.25 mg works the best for me. So don't be afraid to experiment with the dosage to find the one that works for you. I get mine from River Pharmacy in Canada

 

I kept a diary of my starting on LDN. Its titled LDN and me, a personal diary. You should be able to find it in the Treatment section (Why it's not in the LDN section I'll never know?)
Side effects (for me) was the occasional vivid dream, but they soon faded away. Aside from them, no side effects. Nada! Zilch! And I've been on it daily since November of 07.
My dose is 4.5 mg. That was the dosage used in the original Penn State study that Dr Jill Smith did. I've heard of people going lower, but I don't know if the lower doses work.
I took a printout of the above study, the name of a Canadian compounding pharmacy & the name of a US doctor who consults via telephone to my GI. She looked at the study (she went through the entire study posted in the American Journal of Gastro-eneterolgy) and agreed to put me on it AND convinced a local pharmacy to compound it.
It has been a success story for me since going on it; so much so that my GI placed more patients on it since. To date, all of us are doing extremely well.

 

 if you try LDN, be patient and give it time to work! I started off at 1.5 mgs for 2 weeks, then increased to 3 mgs for weeks and since then have been at 4.5 mgs. 4.5mgs is considered (generally) to be the optimal dose. I had very minro side effects like appetite suppression and vivid dreams, but that went away within a month. Hopefully, there will be more testing on this substance in the future that will work out the dosing. But for now, 4.5mgs is generally considered standard. However, should you reach 4.5 mgs and feel side effects that are unbearable that you did not feel at 3 mgs, you may consider taking the lower dose. If you are really concerned, you may want to get your LDN script written for .5mgs so that you can increase your dosage by .5 mgs and increase very slowly.In addition to LDN, I have received intravenous Alphia Lipoic Acid treatment last May--I am currently still doing the treatment, only orally now. I do feel that my insides are SLOWLY changing--I was told by Dr. Berkson (who gave me the ALA treatment) that this is a slow working therapy and takes time. That being said, I feel different. But I do still have some minor bleeding and mucus and slight pain occassionally. But it is nowhere near where I had been. I am getting better very very very slightly everyday. My treatment regimine has taught me to be very patient.

LDN is a very diluted form of the original drug Naltrexone, which is used for substance abuse in its much higher original dosage. Drugs are often compounded by the pharmacist when the manufacturer does not make the dosage desired, or when a manufacturer does not make a particular formulation of a drug.
Here the important thing is to use one of the approved LDN pharmacies on the www.lowdosenaltrexone.org website. There is no reason to use any other pharmacy, as you can have it delivered anyplace. I use “The Compounder” in Aurora Illinois. “Skip’s Pharmacy” in Florida is another good source. Don’t risk your results using a pharmacy that has to learn how this is done properly.
It is generally thought that six months and even a years time is needed to see if LDN is going to be beneficial.
That is a disadvantage, but it also has many advantages that make it worth trying.

***I want to make a note that I find interesting about this testimony...he says that it typically takes 6 months to a year to see results..but several Crohnies have said it had a quick response...so IDK??

 

My son has been on LDN since August 2009, he has been in remission for most of that time. He has not been on any drugs other that Cipro and Flagyl (for a fistula/abscess) he was on these drugs for 3 months before we started LDN. We saw results with the LDN within 4 weeks, but we were also following SCD and had started hyperbaric oxygen therapy at the same time.
Mitch starts to feel worse if we try to take out one of these things, tried adding in a few new foods - they didn't agree with him. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was started specifically to help heal the fistula.
He did well with just the combo of SCD and LDN, but his CRP never came down to a normal range, and he still had urgency in the morning.
With the addition of HBOT it seems to kick him over to real remission, where he has no urgency, CRP is normal and he's got a great appetitie and energy.
In the past year and a half he has not taken a break from LDN.
Also, his LDN was compounded incorrectly last January (lactose was used as a filler) and he definitely was heading into a flare - CRP went up, urgency morning and night, and starting to get stomach pain and nausea again. Once we got that corrected he started feeling better within 2 weeks. Took a lot longer for the urgency to go away though.
So for us - LDN was not a miracle drug - but in combination with a few other things it's working great.

 

More info on these sites:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17222320
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0902133047.htm
LDNscience.org
 www.lowdosenaltrexone.org
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32 (SOOO many posts about LDN for Crohns)
http://www.dailystrength.org/treatments/Low_Dose_Naltrexone

Go to dailystrength.org. Join the site. Join the Crohn's and UC Support Group. Type in LDN in the search box beside discussion under the support group page...you will find soooo much info at your fingertips!! And the site is a true blessing!

SIDE COMMENT: WHAT IS ALA??Alphia Lipoic Acid? ANYONE??? I'm going to do research and post!!!