Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog!

Back in 2005, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and from that point on, my life completely changed.

After my diagnoses, I was immediately put on anti-inflammatories and steroids. Unfortunately, the steroids, like many other medications, gave me some bad side effects after a few weeks. I got bloating all over my body. My stomach swelled as if I was four months pregnant and I had 'moon-face' swelling around my jawline. It was embarrassing! It also didn't help that I was dating again and already feeling a bit self-conscious about myself. But I dealt with the steroids as best I could, and the medications were helping. I wasn't flaring at all, so I told myself that it was worth it. But steroids can't be taken long-term and I had to eventually wean off of them. It came to a point where I started flaring again. Following was a game of 'see-saw' where I flared as I went on and off steroids.

But I've always had a huge interest in health and nutrition; I wanted to believe that there was more than one way to help my Crohn's symptoms. So I started looking for any alternatives to the medicines. You've probably heard the saying "Always trust your gut" right? Well, I had noticed that some days were better than others, which made me think that maybe my symptoms were being caused by diet. After all, Celiac disease is related to diet where no wheat or gluten can be eaten.

I started a food diary where I kept track of every single thing I consumed. I also recorded everything that came out. Yuck! But also necessary to tell when I had worse days. After a while, I began to notice a pattern. Every time I ate corn or gluten I would flare worse the next day.

So I cut out all gluten, corn, and their derivatives. But gluten and corn is everywhere and it wasn't easy! It took me until 2009 to perfect my diet, but when I finally did that, I got better. I was COMPLETELY HEALED! I had no more symptoms of Crohn's. No diarrhea... no bleeding... NOTHING!

Ever since I fine-tuned my diet back in 2009, I have been off of all medications! For over TEN YEARS I have been free of Crohn's.

I want make it clear that I did NOT go off any medications until I talked to my doctors and was given permission to do so. I still see my gastroenterologist and get regular check-ups and colonoscopies.

There's a lot to "digest" here on this site, so please feel free to post any questions or email me:

       lynne1408@earthlink.net

For those of you that are interested, my story is now in book form:

         

DISCLAIMER:
I am not a doctor and I can not claim to know the true cure for Crohn's disease. I found a diet that works for me PERSONALLY. I can not legally recommend this diet for anyone. The decision to begin a new diet plan should alway be first discussed with a doctor.