The illnesses I suffer from are chronic, incurable, unpredictable, have no known cause, and only have treatments to deal with the symptoms.
So what do I think about those who have gone into remission?
Every day I see anecdotal evidence that some new 'treatment' or 'diet' has put someone into Remission. Some people even claim to be cured by said treatment. But what about all of those other patients who have tried the same treatment but have had no improvement?
While it is generally understood that every person is different and requires a different approach, there are still many people who cannot comprehend that even if a treatment worked for you does NOT mean it will work for anybody else.
For almost 16 years, my life has been spent trying to find new ways to help with all of my symptoms. If someone claimed to be cured by a special diet or by naturopathic treatments, I would discuss the risks with my doctor and then try it. I have tried countless special diets that have eliminated foods from sugar and carbs all the way to fruits, vegetables, dairy, red meats, salt, butter, processed foods, etc... I have tried physiotherapy, acupuncture, body talk, reiki, muscle release therapy, cupping, chiropractor, cranial-sacral therapy, yoga, meditation, relaxation massage, therapeutic massage, therapeutic acupuncture, pressure point analysis, vitamin combinations, natural remedies, group therapy, medical cannabis, and more.
Each time I tried one of the above, I had someone tell me that that particular therapy is what cured them or put them into remission. So I approached it with an open mind and a positive attitude... and yet, still no remission.
On the other side of the coin, I have tried biologics, antibiotics, opioids, anti-nauseates, acid-reducing medications, injections, low-dose chemotherapy, numbing creams, anti-inflammatory topical medications, probiotics, prebiotics, you name it.
At times I have completely reduced all Western medications and tried the Eastern route, I have tried combining the two while being monitored by my doctors, and have eliminated Eastern ways and focused on Western ways.
Luckily, my physicians were always supportive of me trying all of these other therapies to help with my symptoms. While some remedies seemed to help alleviate my symptoms for a short time (a couple hours at most), nothing seemed to put me in remission and nothing ever cured me, that's for sure.
A couple of years ago, when my arthritic symptoms and swelling episodes seemed to get worse, my Crohn's actually settled down. I have no clue why. It definitely has nothing to do with my diet, and I had not tried any new medications or treatments, and my stress levels were no less than the year or two prior to this.
So what is my guess?
I am inclined to believe that every person has their own medical path. It is the body's choice when to go into remission. While certain medications can reduce the symptoms, when removing those medications, the illness comes back full-tilt. It just seems that no matter what you do, some remedies can help relax the system long enough to possibly influence remission to take hold, but the idea of remission seems to happen to each person for very different 'reasons'.
With that said, I think it is really dangerous and irresponsible to claim to be cured by a specific diet or treatment - only because it will not work on everyone with the same disease. It can provide false hope and unrealistic expectations, and then makes you feel like you are doing something wrong if you are not cured by the same treatment.
Some people have achieved remission within their first few months of being diagnosed, others will try absolutely everything and never achieve remission.
And it is NOT the patient's fault.
But many people will make you feel like it is your fault, like you obviously aren't trying, or you are not being 'positive enough', but numerous sufferers spend their entire lives trying (and are ultimately unable) to feel better.
By all means, I am thrilled that people have been able to achieve remission, even if we cannot know for sure what caused it. What I do not like is people who claim to have been cured by something that has not been proven to work for all sufferers.
Right now, there is no known cure. So please don't bombard me with anecdotal 'proof' that something works and then insinuate that I have done something wrong if it does not work for me.
I believe that I will go into remission if I am meant to go into remission. I will experience relief when it is my time to feel relief. Barring any miraculous discovery of an actual scientifically proven cure, I will do whatever I can to reduce my symptoms, and will live day to day not expecting any miracles.