Positive Options for Crohn's Disease: Self-Help and Treatment

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing and Disappointing
Review: I found this book very disappointing. I have had Crohn's Disease for 17 years and have read all the books on Crohn's Disease. I found this book very disturbing because in many instances, Dr. Gomez claims that when the Crohn's patient "cleaned" up their life, they became well. This not only implies that it is somehow the patients fault for getting ill but also that they can control it. Unfortunately, the disease does not work like that. I feel sorry for the Crohn's patient who reads this book and thinks that all they have to do is take their medication live on the straight and narrow.

Rating:
Summary: Patronising and light on for real info
Review: I found this book very patronising, just do what you are told and you will get better. Very light on for details of any type. I would recommend Saibil if you just want the mainstream medical info. If you want alternatives to use either with or without maintream medicine try Atkins Vitanutrient Solution (yes the diet guy) or Berkson's Healthy digestion the natural way. They both offer a wide diversity of alternative treatment

Rating:
Summary: Be aware....
Review: I've just read this book and felt that it was fairly helpful, especially if you have just been diagnosed and are looking for ways to minimize the nasty symptoms of crohn's.

I had one problem with it. I've had crohn's for eighteen years and am something of an expert. Every crohn's sufferer Iknow avoids too much fibre as it acts like glass to our poor inflamed guts. Dr Hunter at Addenbrookes recommends a low fat LOW FIBRE diet as treatment. Whilst pears, apples, cherries, mango, melons and pineapple may be fine, other fruits such as citrus and bananas may cause further problems.

With vegetables, spinach, carrots & sweet potato, should all be fine, but onions, tomatoes, potato skin, and really anything high in fibre should, I believe, be avoided. To ensure adequate nutrition, peel all vegetables, avoid fruit and vegetables with pips and seeds or remove carefully, or try eating in pureed form or as soups.

Finally, if you have very severe crohn's or have had it for any length of time, this may not be the book for you as it deals with the basics and implies that there is a successful treatment for all, which unfortunately, isn't always the case. If you are looking for reassurance and support after a few hard years of recurring disease, this may not help.

However, a good, varied book, written by one who actually has the disease for once.