I have Crohn's for 20 years now. Asacol is my med that I take (4 a day, and 10 a day with a major flare up). What I found that works to keep it in remmission is to avoid stress, eat small meals through the day instead of 3 main meals, watch food that has too much fibre, too gassy etc, get plenty of rest and the most imprtant thing is to have a positive outlook and don't let the disease run yuor life.

Foods that make me ill and I avoid are: fried foods (bacon is ok here and there), cherries, figs, peanuts (well most nuts except almonds and pecans), fruits with seeds, seeds such as sunflower, pumpkin, poppy, and sesame, bottled tomatoe sauces, beans, pizza, cabbage, brussel sprouts, corn, peas, oranges, avocadoes, pomegrants, grapes, ice cream, smoothies, milk, coffee, and some juices.

In saying this, it is really trial and error with foods. Some crohn's patients can some foods while others can't. It's seems to be individual. The foods that keep me symptom free are meats, pasta, potatoes, breads, apples, bananas, and steamed veggies like green beans, spinach, brocolli, cauliflower, sauted mushrooms, stir frys with celery, mushrooms, onions, brocolli and snow peas, and salads made with lettuse, tomatoes (take the skin and seed off) cucumbers (take the seeds out), a few onions feta cheese and olive oil and balsalmic vinegar.

Also excersise is important, but if you feel weak, rest.

In my 20 years with crohn's I have had only 4 major attacks. I do have small ones, but I recover within a week.The major ones took at least a month to recover, as I also have other manifestations of crohn's such as spondilosis in my back and an obstruction at one point. Then I needed prednisone along with the asacol.

The pain and bloating also is an issue some days. What I do for that is take a Tylenol extra strenght and lay on my left side. If the bloating and pain increase to unbearable, get to a hospital!! The bowel can rupture.

This disease is sometimes unbearable and depressing (the pain, fatigue and frequent visits to the washroom) but it can be controlled with due dilligence. It takes a long time to figure out what works with your body and what doesn't but overall I stress that it can be controlled and you can live a fairly normal life.