Anyone on here with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis use gh?

**Spartans09** · 12-28-2009, 03:57 PM

I'm interested in hearing anyone's experience with GH while having Crohn's or U/C? I'm 38 and have UC and am considering an 9-12 month run of low dose gh (2-3 iu's/day). Never used GH before but have a few cycles of test cyp with anavar and proviron under my belt. There have been a few studies on the use of GH with the above condition that seem to have some promising results.

**Femme40** · 02-02-2010, 12:53 PM

Actually, one of the new treatments for IBD among gastroenterologists is GH. It functions in the repair of the intestinal lining. Certainly will not cause a flare of your disease...will in fact heal your Ulcerative Colitis. Many articles in medical journals regarding this. No concerns at all. I have Crohn's Disease...have not gone that route yet. Have thought about it, though. Not sure of dosage.

**MuscleScience** · 02-02-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Femme40

Actually, one of the new treatments for IBD among gastroenterologists is GH. It functions in the repair of the intestinal lining. Certainly will not cause a flare of your disease...will in fact heal your Ulcerative Colitis. Many articles in medical journals regarding this. No concerns at all. I have Crohn's Disease...have not gone that route yet. Have thought about it, though. Not sure of dosage.

Have you switched to a wheat gluten diet?

**Femme40** · 02-02-2010, 07:28 PM

I appreciate your follow-up question. Just to let you know, I am one of two medical professional in my town with Crohn's Disease. I have extensive knowledge on IBD and anything I write on this blog I have researched extensively and/or experienced myself. That being said, I have tried many, many diets...as I am resistant to several medical therapies, including Remicade and 6-MP.

I currently take Asacol 3x daily, Bentyl 3x daily, Canasa suppositories (as needed) and Colocort enemas (as needed). This regimen works for me, but I truly believe diet is key to avoiding exacerbations of your disease.

I have tried a gluten free diet, but that in and of itself did not work for me. Many physicians and nutritionist will give you varying opinions regarding dietary recommendations. What worked for me (and truly saved me) by helping me gain weight in the form of lean muscle (as I weight train extensively 6x weekly) is a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. And I mean HIGH protein. I am 5'4" and weigh 125lbs...low body fat...lean muscle. This is a significant change from weighing 105lbs and having muscle atrophy after a disease flare.

Low carbs meaning NO pasta or potatoes. Brown rice 2, maybe 3 times weekly. Bread in the form of whole wheat/multi-grain 2, maybe 3 times weekly. Certain vegetables are a good form of carbs, depending upon what works for you. Cauliflower, broccoli tend to irritate the GI tract. No corn (starch, anyway).

High protein depends on height/weight. Go back to my stats. I consume at least 150grams of protein daily. With PLENTY of water (no Propel, etc....too much sodium). Protein shakes (with low carbs and low sodium) with 50g of protein per shake, protein bars, in addition to your meals will easily meet this criteria. Again, I have researched this and there is plenty of data in medical journals supporting high protein diets in conjuction with medical therapy for those with IBD. I have never felt better. This amount of protein might also make your stools more formed, or possible decrease the number of bowel movements you have daily.

Give it a try for several weeks. You may be pleasantly surprised. Don't be swayed by others telling you your kidney function is going to suffer. As long as you are not a diabetic or have high blood pressure, you will be fine. As long as you consume PLENTY OF WATER!!! Be well and I hope you give this a go

**MuscleScience** · 02-02-2010, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Femme40

I appreciate your follow-up question. Just to let you know, I am one of two medical professional in my town with Crohn's Disease. I have extensive knowledge on IBD and anything I write on this blog I have researched extensively and/or experienced myself. That being said, I have tried many, many diets...as I am resistant to several medical therapies, including Remicade and 6-MP.

I currently take Asacol 3x daily, Bentyl 3x daily, Canasa suppositories (as needed) and Colocort enemas (as needed). This regimen works for me, but I truly believe diet is key to avoiding exacerbations of your disease.

I have tried a gluten free diet, but that in and of itself did not work for me. Many physicians and nutritionist will give you varying opinions regarding dietary recommendations. What worked for me (and truly saved me) by helping me gain weight in the form of lean muscle (as I weight train extensively 6x weekly) is a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. And I mean HIGH protein. I am 5'4" and weigh 125lbs...low body fat...lean muscle. This is a significant change from weighing 105lbs and having muscle atrophy after a disease flare.

Low carbs meaning NO pasta or potatoes. Brown rice 2, maybe 3 times weekly. Bread in the form of whole wheat/multi-grain 2, maybe 3 times weekly. Certain vegetables are a good form of carbs, depending upon what works for you. Cauliflower, broccoli tend to irritate the GI tract. No corn (starch, anyway).

High protein depends on height/weight. Go back to my stats. I consume at least 150grams of protein daily. With PLENTY of water (no Propel, etc....too much sodium). Protein shakes (with low carbs and low sodium) with 50g of protein per shake, protein bars, in addition to your meals will easily meet this criteria. Again, I have researched this and there is plenty of data in medical journals supporting high protein diets in conjuction with medical therapy for those with IBD. I have never felt better. This amount of protein might also make your stools more formed, or possible decrease the number of bowel movements you have daily.

Give it a try for several weeks. You may be pleasantly surprised. Don't be swayed by others telling you your kidney function is going to suffer. As long as you are not a diabetic or have high blood pressure, you will be fine. As long as you consume PLENTY OF WATER!!! Be well and I hope you give this a go

Thanks for the reply,

I am asking as I have a few patients/clients that either have IBD, Celiacs or Crohns depending on the specialist they see. One reacted very favorable to a gluten free diet. The others where in the low carb or even the Ketogenic type diets. I think that Crohns has a lot of varied presentations clinically and the medical literature is really kind of all over the place for treatments really.

**NVR2BIG1** · 02-02-2010, 09:48 PM

yes, if someone has any of those they shouldn't even wait or **** around, get on GH like yesterday!! It works, my buddy had like the worse case of Colitis there was (stage 3?) they were going to remove his intestines and put him on a costamy bag.after 1 month of GH treatment he was off most of his meds. And the meds he was on were a hell of alot harsher than the GH. any Dr. that advices against it doesnt know his ass from a hole in the ground, get it!!

***FireGuy*** · 02-02-2010, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Femme40

I appreciate your follow-up question. Just to let you know, I am one of two medical professional in my town with Crohn's Disease. I have extensive knowledge on IBD and anything I write on this blog I have researched extensively and/or experienced myself. That being said, I have tried many, many diets...as I am resistant to several medical therapies, including Remicade and 6-MP.

I currently take Asacol 3x daily, Bentyl 3x daily, Canasa suppositories (as needed) and Colocort enemas (as needed). This regimen works for me, but I truly believe diet is key to avoiding exacerbations of your disease.

I have tried a gluten free diet, but that in and of itself did not work for me. Many physicians and nutritionist will give you varying opinions regarding dietary recommendations. What worked for me (and truly saved me) by helping me gain weight in the form of lean muscle (as I weight train extensively 6x weekly) is a high protein/low carbohydrate diet. And I mean HIGH protein. I am 5'4" and weigh 125lbs...low body fat...lean muscle. This is a significant change from weighing 105lbs and having muscle atrophy after a disease flare.

Low carbs meaning NO pasta or potatoes. Brown rice 2, maybe 3 times weekly. Bread in the form of whole wheat/multi-grain 2, maybe 3 times weekly. Certain vegetables are a good form of carbs, depending upon what works for you. Cauliflower, broccoli tend to irritate the GI tract. No corn (starch, anyway).

High protein depends on height/weight. Go back to my stats. I consume at least 150grams of protein daily. With PLENTY of water (no Propel, etc....too much sodium). Protein shakes (with low carbs and low sodium) with 50g of protein per shake, protein bars, in addition to your meals will easily meet this criteria. Again, I have researched this and there is plenty of data in medical journals supporting high protein diets in conjuction with medical therapy for those with IBD. I have never felt better. This amount of protein might also make your stools more formed, or possible decrease the number of bowel movements you have daily.

Give it a try for several weeks. You may be pleasantly surprised. Don't be swayed by others telling you your kidney function is going to suffer. As long as you are not a diabetic or have high blood pressure, you will be fine. As long as you consume PLENTY OF WATER!!! Be well and I hope you give this a go

Do you have issues with all fibrous carbs or just the cauliflower and broccoli? If not what do you attribute the problems to from those two?

**Femme40** · 02-03-2010, 12:16 AM

No, I do not take issue with all fibrous carbs (as cauliflower and broccoli)...there is no negative association with those and Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. They are both simply vegetables/fibrous carbs that have been known to be excessively gas-forming. Any foods which are gas producing have a high probability of causing intestinal cramping. Others may or may not...depending upon the individual.

I apologize for leaving out one category with my prior post...and this is VERY important. One to not be ignored, as it has been stated in many journals. Those with UC or Crohn's Disease MUST (and I cannot stress this enough), MUST avoid watermelon and pineapple. These are two fruits that will cause diarrhea and cramping the following day...along with decreased transit time (meaning that the time from when the food is eaten to when it is 'expelled' from the body is shortened). One may even see remnants of undigested food in the toilet. This can be a very painful process. These two fruits must be avoided. Again, other fruits are based on an individual basis. I apologize for not addressing fruits, especially as I used to eat 1/2 a watermelon daily in the sumer prior to my diagnosis...talk about withdrawal!!!!

**Femme40** · 02-03-2010, 12:35 AM

In response to Post #6, you are absolutely right that GH is an excellent treatment for IBD. However, it is reserved for moderate to severe disease as in your friend who had Stage III. The dose is significantly lower for those who use GH strictly for bodybuilding. I considered using GH as an adjunct in my weight training routine, also taking into consideration that I have Crohn's Disease. But the fact that my disease is so well controlled, my colonoscopy has been clean and I have been without flares for an extended period of time at this point did not make me a candidate for a prescription from my physician (unfortunately, as it is quite expensive!) I would have to obtain it through other means.

GH for IBD works through repairing the ulcerations of the small/large intestines...which is a godsend for those who are bordering on surgery. A resection of the intestines followed by a colostomy bag is THE worst nightmare for those with this disease. So, anyone with moderate to severe disease, please ask your physician about treatment with GH. It is covered by health insurance...and is the most current form of therapy. Again, can be found in many journals. Great articles found in the New England Journal of Medicine, if interested. In addition to healing the intestinal wall....many wonderful benefits, as well!!!

**Femme40** · 02-03-2010, 12:46 AM

In response to Post #6, you are absolutely right that GH is an excellent treatment for IBD. However, it is reserved for moderate to severe disease as in your friend who had Stage III. The dose is significantly lower for those who use GH strictly for bodybuilding. I considered using GH as an adjunct in my weight training routine, also taking into consideration that I have Crohn's Disease. But the fact that my disease is so well controlled, my colonoscopy has been clean and I have been without flares for an extended period of time at this point did not make me a candidate for a prescription from my physician (unfortunately, as it is quite expensive!) I would have to obtain it through other means.

GH for IBD works through repairing the ulcerations of the small/large intestines...which is a godsend for those who are bordering on surgery. A resection of the intestines followed by a colostomy bag is THE worst nightmare for those with this disease. So, anyone with moderate to severe disease, please ask your physician about treatment with GH. It is covered by health insurance...and is the most current form of therapy. Again, can be found in many journals. Great articles found in the New England Journal of Medicine, if interested. In addition to healing the intestinal wall....many wonderful benefits, as well!!!