Hello- what a relief to talk to people who get what I've been going through for the last 5 years of my life. A little background info (sorry I don't know all the lingo yet).... I have been suffering from AF for about 5.5 years now. It started when I moved in with my boyfriend (who I eventually married). It started with a very itchy bum. I didn't know the scratching would lead to a fissure. Anyway I didn't seek any medical care until about 2 year later. I'll fast forward the next 3.5 years. Saw my family doctor- she gave me numbing cream- didn't work. Saw a specialist next- more cream- no relief. Got married- had a baby- very healthy and normal pregnancy- still had AFs throughout though. Saw specialist again last December- he booked me for the LIS surgery. Had the LIS in June of this year. DID NOT HELP!!!!! Saw specialist in July- not any better, he thinks I have anal Crohn's- set up tests for that. Upper GI in October and Sigmoidoscopy today (Dec 16). Upper GI confirms I have Crohn's (but sig was ok- not anal crohns).
Last week I saw a naturopath and followed her recommendations. It was one of the most pain-free weeks Id had in years!!!!! here is what she said to do:
- drink more water (hard for me but I did it- atleast 60ounces a day)
- add ground flax, cinnamon, walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds to my morning oatmeal
- no dairy
- rye bread instead of whole wheat, rice noodles instead of pasta
- L-Glutamine powder in my water - 3 tsp per day
- probiotic - 1 capsule 2x/day
Even the specialist today noticed that I was HEALING WELL!!
I just wanted to share my story. Fingers crossed that this continues.