I am writing to request that the CCFA acknowledge and strive to publicize alternative treatments with which patients can achieve controlled remission of Crohnís Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

I was diagnosed with Crohnís Disease in 1981. For sixteen years I suffered through pain, weight loss, and diarrhea -- even while I was taking medications such as Prednisone, Azulfidine, 6-MP, and Asacol. Dissatisfied with the lack of consistent results from the prescribed traditional treatments, I went to the Internet for information. For example, that is how I learned of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).

For nearly 3 years I have been following the SCD and have been off medication. I have gained weight. I now have regular bowel movements. I do not have pain or cramping. In fact, over a year ago I went in for a colonoscopy. My doctor said, "We got all the way to the cecum. You have no evidence at all of Crohnís. No scars. No inflammation. Nothing. You look completely normal."

To my knowledge there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of patients that have achieved a controlled remission of their IBD with the SCD. This diet is based on research of Dr. S. V. Haas and Elaine Gottschall. Over 250 of us worldwide subscribe to an email listserve where we share testimonials, success stories, recipes, questions, and answers. New subscribers constantly indicate their gastroenterologist is "not familiar with the SCD". My own doctor said he was not familiar with the diet and was intrigued by my success.

I wish my doctors had told me about alternative treatments! I wonder: are they unaware of the alternative treatments, or do they lack sufficient confidence in these options and therefore donít mention them?

My experience indicates that the alternative treatments are not appropriate for everyone at all stages of their illness. Nevertheless, I believe that you and your member MDís should acknowledge and make patients aware of their options. Imagine the detrimental long-term effects of drugs that could be avoided! Imagine the hundreds, probably thousands of surgeries that could be avoided!

Patients look to you for guidance. I believe your membership would increase by acknowledging alternative medicine. I implore you to provide information regarding the success I and so many others have found with alternative treatments such as the SCD.

Sincerely,

Michael H. Simons
Tucson, AZ