So I have to think that I got more than a placebo. While on the high level I am more relaxed, happy and content than I though possible, I am also under a lot of day-to-day stress and pressure. As almost anyone with Crohn's Disease will tell you, there is a near concrete link between stress and Crohn's Disease flare ups. With my recent stress levels, I am pretty confident that pre-Osiris Prochymal I would be in a flare up. The good news is that I am not. The pain has subsided quite a bit and I am generally feeling really great as it relates to Crohn's. My improvements were enough to qualify me for phase II and as soon as I enter a flare-up, I am ready for 4 more treatments. I am more living with Crohn's now than I am suffering from it, and that is a big step in the right direction! Anyways, to you guys that are in Crones flare-ups or have been recently diagnosed....keep your heads up...and let me know if you have any questions. Be sure to use the search feature on this blog as we have covered alot of topics over the years.
-Scottie
PS - Intersing info here exploring the genetic link to Crohn's
A team of scientists have discovered that the XBP1 gene is a risk factor for developing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The investigators created a mouse model in which they deleted XBP1within the epithelium. They found that the mice spontaneously developed an intestinal inflammation that resembled IBD. The lack of the XBP1 gene disabled the normal communication between intestinal epithelial cells and gut bacteria, resulting in dysfunctional immune response and disease, the researchers explain.
The researchers then reportedly demonstrated that alterations in this gene in the intestinal-lining cells represent risk factors for development of Crohn's and colitis. The study was conducted by scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and institutes in Germany, The Netherlands, and Austria. Results appear in the September 5 issue of Cell.
Showing posts with label IBD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IBD. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
New Genetic Marker for Crohn's Disease - Living with Crohn's Disease Research
FRIDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified new genetic markers for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in a study they say provides further evidence that people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are more likely to develop the conditions.
Up to 30 percent of people in the United States with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a family history of the condition, and about 25 percent of those families have histories of both Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, according to background information in this multi-center American and Canadian study. People of Ashkenazi Jewish (eastern European) descent are at least twice as likely to develop a form of IBD and are more likely to have a family history of IBD.
Crohn's is most frequently characterized by inflammation of the final section of the small bowel and parts of the colon, while ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the internal lining of the rectum and colon.
In this study, researchers looked for DNA variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 993 families (244 of whom were Ashkenazi Jews) with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Among those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, the researchers found evidence of genetic markers for familial Crohn's disease on previously identified areas of chromosomes 1 and 3. They also pinpointed a previously unidentified region of chromosome 13 in both Jewish and non-Jewish families with Crohn's.
The researchers also identified areas on chromosomes 2 and 19 that may be related to ulcerative colitis in both groups.
The findings were published in the March issue of Genes and Immunity.
Until now, no gene regions implicated in IBD were specific to Ashkenazi Jews, and there was no genetic evidence to explain why they were twice as likely to develop the disorder, said study senor author Dr. Steven R. Brant, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins.
"This increased risk for some Jewish people makes our study and results especially significant, since this is the first sample size of Jewish families, 244, that was large enough to identify novel gene regions for familial predisposition in this ethnic group," Brant said in a prepared statement.
Up to 30 percent of people in the United States with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a family history of the condition, and about 25 percent of those families have histories of both Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, according to background information in this multi-center American and Canadian study. People of Ashkenazi Jewish (eastern European) descent are at least twice as likely to develop a form of IBD and are more likely to have a family history of IBD.
Crohn's is most frequently characterized by inflammation of the final section of the small bowel and parts of the colon, while ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the internal lining of the rectum and colon.
In this study, researchers looked for DNA variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 993 families (244 of whom were Ashkenazi Jews) with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
Among those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, the researchers found evidence of genetic markers for familial Crohn's disease on previously identified areas of chromosomes 1 and 3. They also pinpointed a previously unidentified region of chromosome 13 in both Jewish and non-Jewish families with Crohn's.
The researchers also identified areas on chromosomes 2 and 19 that may be related to ulcerative colitis in both groups.
The findings were published in the March issue of Genes and Immunity.
Until now, no gene regions implicated in IBD were specific to Ashkenazi Jews, and there was no genetic evidence to explain why they were twice as likely to develop the disorder, said study senor author Dr. Steven R. Brant, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins.
"This increased risk for some Jewish people makes our study and results especially significant, since this is the first sample size of Jewish families, 244, that was large enough to identify novel gene regions for familial predisposition in this ethnic group," Brant said in a prepared statement.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Welcome to my Crohn's Disease Blog
Welcome to Scott Roy's Living with Crohn's Disease blog. This site is dedicated to helping raise awareness Crohn’s Disease, to bring together the community, and to chronicle the stories of my friends and I as we battle this disease and search for a cure. It’s my mission to provide a place where sufferes of Crohn's Disease can come together and help support each and learn more. Search this website:
What is Crohn's Disease? It is a form of recurring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), found in over 500,000 people in the United States. Symptoms of Crohn's Disease can include uncomfortable and sometimes devastating side effects if not properly managed including:
Diarrhea, Cramping, severe, Weight-loss, Malnutrition, Rectal bleeding caused by fissures.
What is Crohn's Disease? It is a form of recurring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), found in over 500,000 people in the United States. Symptoms of Crohn's Disease can include uncomfortable and sometimes devastating side effects if not properly managed including:
Diarrhea, Cramping, severe, Weight-loss, Malnutrition, Rectal bleeding caused by fissures.
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