Canasia Sports

Firstly, many thanks for all the information on this group. I have spent many hours browsing the archives back to 1994! In case it's any help to anyone: I am 34 year old UK male, eventually diagnosed with Crohn's in 1997 after abdominal pains. After 2 or 3 courses of prednisolone, in the first year or so, I have been lucky to remain pretty much abdominal pain free ever since. I take 6x400mg Asacol daily which seems to have kept me in remission. Occasional pains seem to disappear after eating probiotic yoghurt and drinking green tea, which I try to take fairly regularly regardless. My major issue is with anal fistulas. I have had a number of these for over 3 years which seem to heal, reappear, new ones appear and disappear etc. Approximately 3 times a year abscesses have formed resulting in lots of time off work. I have had 3 excisions which have taken months to heal and have 2 seton sutures (2.5 years now). Metronidazole and Cipro taken together have always worked very well for me in the case of abscesses. Azathioprine (Imuran) gave me pancreatitis, Infliximab (Remicade) works brilliantly (but only for 3 months at a time - I have had 3 infusions) and Methotrexate didn't seem to do anything at all (stopped 9 months ago after 18 months treatment). I also trialled Tacrolimus applied in emollient ointment on the affected area twice daily for three months. The trial is still in progress with others, but as I had a flare up towards the end of it I guess it doesn't matter if I was on the placebo or not! I do still use the over-the-counter emollient (Dipro_base_ ointment) daily, as I find it soothing and it seems to get rid of any hard areas much more quickly. Despite therefore now being 'on my own' with the fistulas I have been doing well for the last 6 months (longer than usual), mainly because I have taken the extreme step of giving up work for a while and spending as little time as possible sitting down, and they are now better than at any time in the 3 years. I realise I could still be looking at proctectomy, but am holding out for a while longer as the emergence of treatments like Infliximab have given me some hope. Infliximab is not given in this country 'just' for fistulas, but I may get some more next time I have a bad flare up, and possibly try 6MP in case I am one of the few who can tolerate it whilst not being able to tolerate Azathioprine. Fresh garlic seems to be helping at the moment - early days though so I will report back with success/failure as time goes on. (Note: I was amazed to read here that blue cheese had helped with fistulas! One of the few things that seems to bring on abdominal pain for me is stilton - still, if the garlic doesn't help....) Anyway(!), for the last year and a half I have been suffering (sometimes severe) joint pains, mainly in my hips. I am guessing at inflammation as it can disappear as quickly as it occurs. I thought it may be a side effect of Asacol, but I see from the archives that it could be a 'crohn's' thing. It was most severe when I was on the Methotrexate (proving mtx did nothing much for me I suppose!). I read that people with joint problems often take fish oils and flaxseed oils (omega 3 fatty acids etc), and other supplements as well. Has anyone had any success with joint pains with any particular types/brands (in the UK)? Has anyone found garlic helps (with anything!)? Many thanks indeed for any replies.