Can you die from Chron's disease, does the medication kill you eventually?.?

Answer 1

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. Crohn’s disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues, such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery. In addition to fistulas, small tears called fissures may develop in the lining of the mucus membrane of the anus.

Nutritional complications are common in Crohn’s disease. Deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins are well documented. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of protein, or poor absorption, also referred to as malabsorption.

Other complications associated with Crohn’s disease include arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these problems resolve during treatment for disease in the digestive system, but some must be treated separately.

Anti-Inflammation Drugs. Most people are first treated with drugs containing mesalamine, a substance that helps control inflammation. Sulfasalazine is the most commonly used of these drugs. Patients who do not benefit from it or who cannot tolerate it may be put on other mesalamine-containing drugs, generally known as 5-ASA agents, such as Asacol, Dipentum, or Pentasa. Possible side effects of mesalamine-containing drugs include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and headache.

Cortisone or Steroids. Cortisone drugs and steroids—called corticosteriods—provide very effective results. Prednisone is a common generic name of one of the drugs in this group of medications. In the beginning, when the disease it at its worst, prednisone is usually prescribed in a large dose. The dosage is then lowered once symptoms have been controlled. These drugs can cause serious side effects, including greater susceptibility to infection.

Immune System Suppressors. Drugs that suppress the immune system are also used to treat Crohn’s disease. Most commonly prescribed are 6-mercaptopurine or a related drug, azathioprine. Immunosuppressive agents work by blocking the immune reaction that contributes to inflammation. These drugs may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and may lower a person’s resistance to infection. When patients are treated with a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, the dose of corticosteroids may eventually be lowered. Some studies suggest that immunosuppressive drugs may enhance the effectiveness of corticosteroids.

Infliximab (Remicade). This drug is the first of a group of medications that blocks the body’s inflammation response. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn’s disease that does not respond to standard therapies (mesalamine substances, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents) and for the treatment of open, draining fistulas. Infliximab, the first treatment approved specifically for Crohn’s disease is a TNF substance. Additional research will need to be done in order to fully understand the range of treatments Remicade may offer to help people with Crohn’s disease.

Antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine caused by stricture, fistulas, or prior surgery. For this common problem, the doctor may prescribe one or more of the following antibiotics: ampicillin, sulfonamide, cephalosporin, tetracycline, or metronidazole.

Anti-Diarrheal and Fluid Replacements. Diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain are often relieved when the inflammation subsides, but additional medication may also be necessary. Several antidiarrheal agents could be used, including diphenoxylate, loperamide, and codeine. Patients who are dehydrated because of diarrhea will be treated with fluids and electrolytes.

I think you have a better chance of dying from NOT taking the tretments then from taking them. Good Luck to you and Feel better!

Answer 2

uncontrolled Crohns can kill from bowel perforation or dehydration the meds are tough but better than the disease.

Answer 3

Yes you can die from it, no, the meds don't kill you.

Even if they do, if it allows you to live longer than if you didn't take it, wouldn't it be better than dying sooner?

Answer 4

Chron's disease is a very slow cancer of the bowels. I know a gal who has had it over 20 years she works and takes care of her family. She just needs to be careful what she eats or it makes her violently ill. Your doctor will give you instructions on what you can and cannot eat as long as you stick to the diet you can live for many many years. She recently found out her husband has it too.. its a genetic thing. They caught him earlier than her diagnosis so he takes his meds and doing fine.

Answer 5

i know prednisone almost killed my grandfather. thatsused for chrons if im correct?

Answer 6

Calm down and have some knowledge...
Crohn's disease is marked by chronic inflammation of the colon. Crohn's disease will wax and wane in severity. Many patients develop diarrhea as well as abdominal pain and weight loss. Bloody diarrhea is less common in Crohn's disease when compared to ulcerative colitis.

The treatment for Crohn's disease is very similar to that of ulcerative colitis. Patients thus may be treated with sulfasalazine, Mesalamine preparations and Glucocorticoids as well as 6-mercaptopurine.

Some antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole can be effective for specific complications associated with Crohn's disease. Particularly, Metronidazole has been useful in treating patients who have fistulous disease. Ciprofloxacin has also been utilized in some patients who have "micro perforations".

It is of essence that adequate nutrition be maintained in Crohn's disease. Thus patients may require B12 therapy as well as supplementation of calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin D, vitamins and folic acid.

On occasion, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may be required for patients who have severe disease. (TPN is a method for providing nutrition to patients through the veins. This is especially useful in some patients with inflammatory bowel disease, malabsortive disorders and severe malnutrition.) Usually these patients have been hospitalized and have been refractory to high dose IV steroid therapy. Under these circumstances, total parenteral nutrition may provide improved bowel control and induce remission. In some cases, total parenteral nutrition may be administered at home under the close supervision of a physician.

Complications associated with Crohn's disease include:

Abscesses
Fistula formation
Obstruction
Anal disease
Non-healing ulcer disease, etc.