That gene was the interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor. However, according to a release from BioResearchOnline.com, it seems that another gene may have been found that seems directly lined to Crohn’s Disease…

As part of the genotyping study, the team conducted a genome-wide association scan of approximately 20,000 “coding” genetic variants that are thought to produce functional changes at the protein level.

Among their findings, the researchers identified a protein-coding genetic variation (a single nucleotide polymorphism, or ‘SNP’) in the autophagy-related 16-like (ATG16L1) gene. Neither the ATG16L1 gene, nor this specific genetic variation, has been previously implicated in Crohn’s disease. The ATGI6LI gene is part of the autophagosome biological pathway, which normal cells use to destroy harmful bacteria.

This variation seems to be contributing to the theory that it’s something in the immune system that is causing Crohn’s Disease. This particular genetric variation would support the thought that there is a genetic weakened and Abnormal Immune Response to Intestinal Bacteria in Crohn’s Disease.

Undoubtly, this could play a major role in further treatment research, leading to drugs that treat the CAUSE and not just the symptoms.

Fellow Crohnees, I don’t know about you, but “I’m” starting to get very excited about all this late research and findings - this all means much better medications for us!

A while back I talked about how much of a life-savor Dilaudid had been for me in 2006 every time I ended up in the hospital or had surgery, however, it was not until recent that I learned about how some of the side-effects and other “negative” things that I think everyone should know about as well.
You can develop tolerance - I had no idea, but since my last surgery, Dilaudid is not working nearly as well on me. Or, to make it work, I have to take major dosages - this is because I have taken so much Dilaudid in this past year that my body is becoming intolenart.

This is also true with ANY narcotic pain medicine.
Could cause breating problems - Apparently narcotics can cause your breating to slow down and even stop if severe enough. This is the typical reaction to an extreme over-dose. However, almost all hospitals avoid this by placing patients on a “PCA” pump. This is a pump that requires you to be concious to get your next shot of pain medicine (since you are self-administering it). But at the same time, the nurse controls how often you are allowed to push the button.

So, if for some reason you fell asleep from the over-dose and your breathing slowed down, you should NOT get to the point where you would risk your breating completely stopping since you would no longer be able to administer more medication.
Slow down the digestive system - This one is very important, especially if you are recovering from gastric sugery and if a part of your recovery is that your doctors are waiting for you to “pass gas.”

ALL narcotics slow down your gastric system and can eventually lead to a longer recovery.

Once again, we’re not doctors at CrohnsHelp.com - so you should always talk to your doctor about your pain management in a hospital. Dilaudid is used in only moderate to severe pain as there are many other options also available.

Their has been a major difference between this surgery and the other 2 I had last year, the difference is that the RECOVERY from this last surgery has been much more painful. When I asked the surgeons about this, they said:

Since the main purpose of this surgery was to remove a lot of adhesions and scar tissue, there was obviously a lot of cutting inside - they were fully expecting much more pain this time around.

So, I am still on TPN (food through I.V.) and am feeling much better as far as my strength is concerned. Now we are just waiting for me to pass gas (a sign that my entire digestive system has turned back on) and then they will be able to start me on clear liquids again.

And, yes, the end finding was exactly what we expected. A very aggressive narrowing at the point of old connection (anastomosis) - it was absolutely necessary to remove it so we are all glad that we did!

A lesson from everyone from this - if you are getting an iliostomy reversed, do anything you can in your power to make sure that your surgeon does it in such a way as to maximize the size of that opening.

They will also have to re-do my anastomosis by creating a bigger hole. The surgery is semi-serious but I should be fine, I have a great surgeon.

Anyways, there may not be any updates on the site for a week or more, so please don’t mind.

Well, here’s what happened in greater detail…When the surgeon re-connected me after the iliostomy the surgery was more complicated than he expected. Due to being able to finally eat after 2 years, I had gained a good amount of weight.

Add to the weight the massive amount of scar tissue from the prior surgery and the intestines were way too deep for the surgeon to properly connect my small intestine to my colon using just tools and robots with a minimal incision.

See, their SUPPOSED to connect the small intestine and the colon in a “V” shape - this creates a much larger hole and far less risk of that connection area closing up due to inflammation or scar tissue. However, they can only do this using STAPLES.

Now, with my surgery, they were unable to use staples at that time - so now he had to STITCH it. Well, when they stitch, they cannot connect in the V shape, they have to connect it straight. Now this put me at a much higher risk of having a “anastomosis stricture” among other things.

So, low and behold about 3 weeks after surgery I started having severe pain in that area.

The pain would RISE, get worse and worst then ALL of a sudden I’d hear all this gurggling (as if stuff was SHOOTING through) and that would relieve the pain.

The situation continued to get worse and worse, day by day until the day after Christmas, the 26th when I landed myself back in the hospital.

We have since run X-rays, CT scans and an upper-GI scan using contrast. They have confirmed that I do have a stricture there - a partial obstruction.

9/10 chances I need to get surgery again this week to take that part out and re-connect. This time, to re-connect they are going to have to make a large mid-abdomen incision and go in, clean out the scar tissue and re-connect me in the V shape.

I’ll keep you posted as to what the surgeons decide to do.

But, from this, please take the following lessons in case you ever get or currently have a temporary iliostomy:

1. Watch your weight, don’t gain too much or else the reversal surgery becomes more complicated.

2. Stay on LOW RESIDUE diet for at least 4-6 weeks no matter WHAT your doctors say. Mine approved a “eat anything you want” diet too soon in my opinion.

Unforunately there is not much more you can do to avoid this from happening. It is just a known complication that can occur and even if you take all the procautions in the world, it may still happen.

Make sure to talk to your doctor about this much before your reversal surgery so you can prepare properly.

Now, this is a major debate going on in the Crohn’s area for a long time - is it MAP or is it not MAP? MAP, by the way, is just a theory that says that certain strains of bacteria found in cow milk is what causes Crohn’s Disease.

Many patients who are given a series of antibiotic Anti-MAP treatment DO report great results, while others also don’t.

Anyways, I visited that article again and there is a hefty and spirited debate started from over 14 people offering their perspectives based on their own personal experiences.

One even theorizes that it’s VACCINES that are causing Crohn’s Disease in the first place! He says…

Yet again, we see a disease which is linked with vaccination being targeted by vaccines! What a blessed position doctors are in - both causing and then trying to cure the same diseases.

Here are the reportings of a patient who claims to have highly benefited from the anti-MAP treatments:

I have suffered from CD most of my life but was only diagnosed 10 years ago. The standard protocols did nothing and only created other problems. My blood tested positive for MAP and after 6 months of RMAT treatment it tested negative. I continued the treatment for 2 years (from 2000 to 2002) and have been in remission ever since.

I think reading these views is incredibly interesting and helpful - have a look yourself!

For those of you with Crohn’s who’s system seems to be very fast, the “red” in the gatorade actually seems to stick and comes out quite red the other end. DON’T be confused or mis-led, it really only is Gatorade.

I try my best to avoid Red Gatorade now. I stick to the bright yellow and orange.

Guess what color the purple makes it?

Haha…dark green - it’s strange, so I stay away from purple gatorade too!

1. Because I felt that since I don’t have an active flare right now, I can afford to wait a bit past my usual 6-7 weeks.

2. I have to take Prednisone before Remicade and since I am recovering from surgery, I wanted to avoid taking Prednisone right now.

Anyways, I started to evaluate my symptoms and realized that they were exactly what I used to have before when my body needed a shot of Remicade. Here is the order they used to come in:

1. Gas
2. Diarrehea
3. Blood
4. Pain
5. Rolling on the ground

Well, I was at #2 and not moving past it so it occured to me, maybe I should NOT put off getting the Remicade shot for much longer.

I had my appointment today and went and got the infusion - it took a total of 3 hours, no reactions this time (woo hoo)!

Here’s the AMAZING THING!!! I swear, I’m not kidding - Gas, GONE - Diarrehea, GONE. I’m telling you, this drug (for me) is the closest thing to magic I have ever seen! It just makes me feel better almost instantly.

Now all of a sudden I am recovering a lot better from the surgery - I’ll keep you posted, hopefully it stays this way!

Hey Crohnees, the CCFA needs our support. For those of you who don’t know, CCFA is the largest support and advocacy group for Crohn’s and Colitis patients and helps fund millions of dollars in research!

Well, the CCFA is talking about budget cuts that are extreme and not fair.

Please visit the CCFA press release about this right away and follow their instructions to supporting their cause and putting a stop to this immediately.

Click here to fight back! 

I have tried many things in the past but about 9 months ago when I had to get a temporary illiostomy bag, my surgeon recommended that I would need Imodium. Well, that was the first time I had ever heard of it so I thought to give it a try.

Since that day it continues to be an important drug in my arsenal against Crohn’s Disease. It can really help relieve Diarrhea when you are having trouble. Please make SURE to talk to your doctor before taking it.

It’s not too expensive and it’s over the counter. It comes in liquid (the one I prefer to take) and it also comes in tablets (I have never tried the tablets).

For more information, visit their website: http://www.Imodium.com