# 228

Posted: 18/10/2009 19:25

hi everyone,

anoter hospitalisation with a partial blockage.  I left the hospital at midnight, i did not want to stay as i am feeling very anxious and poorly about things right now, as my twin wit pd is causing me stress not to mention my own demise.

I did not recover well from this bout, the crohns is active, i can tell, i am in pain and bloated, but have rested more or less since out of te hospital and shall make an early appointment with the gastro.

he wants me on inflixamab but there is a worry of brain trouble as i am a rubella adult and the brain is already compromised.

am very very worried indeed.  how does one get info of the supreme form when the gastro is unsure of the medication and i and my other probs.

xxbroken.  I am frigtened.  dont want more surgery, dont think my body would be able for it now.

"Clever people master life and the wise illuminate it and create fresh difficulties"

# 227

Posted: 24/09/2009 00:17

hi  all,anybody  taking isoniazid ive been taking it since last week and im not sure if its side effects or just me,i feel muzzy headed,blurred vision,they said i might have some tingling in my hands but i seem to have it in one arm???i seem to be drinking more water than i normally would,and i feel like all i want to do is sleep,thankfully except for one episode at the weekend the crohns is quite at the min,they did give me numbers to ring if i was worried but id rather ask you first,because you will have had first hand experience,

stay well,

# 226

Posted: 15/09/2009 13:59

Hi Broken

Ive been getting Inflimimab for about 3 years now if not longer and i feel great,  I go to the hospital every six weeks and that sorts me out.  I usually get it first thing in the morning and sometimes it causes some joint pain by the night, but i find if i drink as much water as possible and take to panadol before the pain starts it will keep it away. 

Dont get dis heartened if it doesnt work straight away it can take a few weeks. 

# 225

Posted: 14/09/2009 21:45

has anyone any comments on infliximab (sorry if i have spelt that medication wrong)?

my gastro wants me off the steroids which i have been on since 1999, albeit a small maintenance dose most of that time, except for flares.

my crohns is now unstable and i have more narrrowing too and some hospitalisations of late.

Because i was infected in the womb with rubella virus so am a CRS adult, he feels he knows nothing of a contra-indication of this med with the rubella virus in the womb and he has told me the risk of encephalitis/death.

I have many neuro probs now to boot so this decision would be one i would not take lightly.

I am more diligent on a celiac diet at present and i think it is helping somewhat, tis hard to say.

xbroken

"Clever people master life and the wise illuminate it and create fresh difficulties"

# 224

Posted: 14/09/2009 21:36

Hello All, hope you are all as well as can be. Surgery was end of May and it was a number of strictures that were repaired. I feel better generally but I aint too sure sometimes. I have a lot of wind (flatulence) nearly all day. Unmanageable, at times, to be truthful! I also have some cramping, not as bad as pre op but bad enough to make me wanna take to the bed! Stomach muscles also seem weaker too and anything physical, cutting the grass even, has been worn out. I tried vaccuuming the other day and gave up!! (And no, I aint allergic to housework!!! ) I thought I would be better than I am after the op. I am almost tempted to go back to hospital and ask what going on with me. I am on on Crohns meds other than some iron and Immodium..

Anyhow anybody have similar experiences or any ideas if I can do something myself to improve things

# 223

Posted: 01/09/2009 20:21

rehoused a month ago due to severe disability, i am stressed, really stressed about the trauma and the fact that this place is not suitable for me as a mobility challenged person.

I have spent three short stints in hospital during this whole process.

I was in hospital all day.  I was getting violent cramps and they were AGONY, i have never had anything like it.

no infection was found, but my stomach was bloated and so tender.

It was like going through labour pains.  the doc even asked if i was pregant!

I am 56 and single, unless its by divine intervention.

These little cramp spells are new to me, i am told i may be heading for further surgery as i have had one partial blockage.

On entering hospital by ambulance i didnt see a doctor for over one and a half hours, I was screaming when the pain hit.

I was told to stop screaming there were other patients there.

WELL, if they had administered pain control and anti spasmodics and THEN try to accertin what was wrong there would have been no cause for banshism!

oh i have a long history with this small hospital which has had a threat of closure, i was a trouble young lass who was a self injurer.

I think its time they buried the hatchet, i am well over all that, gee its hard to make a new life after being in the psych system.

Please tell me about these spasms and have you waited this long to see a doc and waited this long for relief.

Aslo i have sjogrens and they wouldnt give me anything by mouth.  I tried to explain that my mouth was all sticking together due to lack of moisture and they evenutlly gave me tiny bits of water.

Also i was frozen, I have never felt so cold, i begged for blankets.

NO ONE came to me for over an hour and a half, curtains closed, i couldnt get anyone to anttend to my needs.

as soon as pain relief and anti spasmodics administers i was ok.  so they again shoot the messanger

"Clever people master life and the wise illuminate it and create fresh difficulties"

# 222

Posted: 21/08/2009 16:05

The possible adverse effects of Imuran are risk for infection, neoplasia meaning theres a risk of cancer and leukopenia. I suggest you talk to your physician and discuss about the possible effects of that drugs and how to minimize the possible adverse effects.

# 221

Posted: 20/08/2009 18:05

whoa, did i throw awful wobblers yesterday! Was in dreadful stomach pain like a band around middle, runs very bad too.

Same today and a blinder of headache and dizzy.

I was told in london that wobblers go with autoimmune diseases and they are well used to them there.

also i do find that if things build up eg, new rehousing situation and place very untidy etc, i do too much, get very over tired and then the gasket goes.

Couldnt get my gastro, think i will just up the meds for a week, i rather stay away from the hospitals at present due to the pig pox around.

do people find that if they overdo it that the world changes for them!!! that is stomach, runs, head and crohns?

I still continue to have mega bruising and no one knows why, bloods all fine so is liver and kidneys.

keep well, thank god its cooler now as my sjoggies cant stand that hot humid weather.

xbroken

"Clever people master life and the wise illuminate it and create fresh difficulties"

# 220

Posted: 20/08/2009 12:51

has it ever happened anyone taking puri nethol for the crohns but my legs are coming out in black and blue marks was taking antidepressent but i am weening off them now so it could be one is counter acting with the  other but just wondering has it happened to anyone well mon going for full blood count

# 219

Posted: 14/08/2009 17:31

Hi Jen

i went to the gp and he gave me lexotan 1.5,ill give them a try,i know that i do get even more tensed when im in pain so hopefully they'll help.nfinally got appointment for TB clinic it's 4th sept-not too long, now it just depends on how long i need to be on that treatment before i can start Humira,i was a bit wary of humira when he mentioned it first but im now at the stage where i would take anything,im sure you,ve all been there,ill let you know how i get on with lexotan,and the tb clinic,

thanks for your help,

# 218

Posted: 13/08/2009 20:19

Hi Broken,

Sorry again you could check out the group in gotguts message aswell

# 217

Posted: 13/08/2009 20:17

Hi Broken,

Elective meant I decided to choose the surgery so it meant I could choose when I went in etc.. so I could plan. I was getting married the following May so my surgeon booked me in the previous September!

I go under my VHI for my Crohn's so I dont know much about the non Vhi route sorry. You should check out the web page Sal1990 has put up their is a link their that might be of use to you.

Sorry I cant PM you

C

# 216

Posted: 12/08/2009 17:48

for CD, what do you mean by 'elective' this is a word i have heard before but dont know what it means.

I have a few other questions. Many are telling me i eat like a bird. I find food horrendously difficult to eat. I dont quite know why, i dont seem to like it or feel up to it. Its awful strange.

I am wondering about my medical card. I see a gastro, rheum, eye specialist and everything seems to be in the private sector through VHI. I simply cannot WAIT the long waiting list times.

I have multiple autoimmune problems and neurological difficulties, many probably due to infection in the womb before birth.

My medical card pays GP visits and some of my meds. I often wonder, whats the 'thrill' in having it at all?

Do others feel the same.

I will add that having dystonia, i use valium when needed, it is a very good muscle relaxant but is addictive. It used to be used in the treatment of Parkinsons but science has moved on since then.

Anyone try peppermint tea or sweets, i find them very soothing and calming on the gut.

I get the flu jab every year, what is the problem with it. I was infected in the womb with a virus but no one has ever said not to get it.

anyone in the professional world i can ask?

x broken

"Clever people master life and the wise illuminate it and create fresh difficulties"

# 215

Posted: 11/08/2009 23:28

Hi Lightweight,

Im not sure if this will help or not. I suffer from bad spasms and have been on evrey anti-spasmodic going, I was even given an angina spray to see if that might help - it didnt, but the headache it gave me soon took my mind off the spasms! Anyway, the only thing that I found to be any help is diazepam (valium). Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it but if the pain is bad a low doseage 2.5/5mg might be worth considering. It doesnt get rid of the pain completely but it might take the edge off. Might be worth considering anyway!

I had a nine month treatment for TB a couple of years back I know its a long process - hope you get some good news soon. Ive been on Humira 2 years now and havent had a major flare up in all that time - thats going from hospitalisation nearly every second month, so hopefully you'll feel it was worth the wait.

Take Care.

# 214

Posted: 10/08/2009 18:26

just wondering can anybody give me any ideas on how to deal with the pain from strictures,my gp gave me spasmodal but their not doing anything,im waiting for an appointment with the TB clinic to see how soon can i start on the humira but that doesnt seem to be happening anytime soon,i have to wait till after i see him before i go back to the GI,clinic,so at the moment im in nowhere land,and in quite a bit of pain,any help will be much appreciated,

# 213

Posted: 05/08/2009 23:24

My consultant who knows his stuff!! has advisd me not to get the vaccine as they inject live virus but to take the Tamiflu if I get it which I probaly will as the auto immune system is comprismed with the Humira. Here's hoping i don't. I must adimit I am a bit worried about the whole flu thing but what the heck, I've managed to cope for half my life so far with Crohns so I am not going to let flu finish me off . Anyway, i've just sent my first letters to have IBd recognised as long term illness to Our mistress Mary Harney & opposition as well. I don't think it will do any good but at least I got to have a bit of a rant.

# 212

Posted: 05/08/2009 01:34

With all the hype about swine flu and the H1N1 vaccine I thought you might be interested in some research that was done on Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis back in the 1970's.

Please type the following into google search engine BBC News Health Discovery

could re-open MMR debate.htm

Irish Colitis & Crohn's Support

Phone: 016282618

# 211

Posted: 29/07/2009 11:58

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO GET CROHN'S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS ADDED TO THE LONG TERM ILLNESS SCHEME. WE HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR TOO LONG!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ibdforlongtermillness/index.html

And please continue to send letters to Mary Harney and your local TDs regarding this issue. If you need help feel free to contact the IBD for Long Term Illness campaign team and we can give you draft letters and guides to help you write your letter ibdcampaignforrights@gmail.com

Thank you

Sara and Ann Marie

# 210

Posted: 27/07/2009 00:11

Hi Broken

I had some narrowing ( strictures) they stretched them but at the same time removed some of the more diseased bowel. It has been the best thing that happened to me, my medication has changed but so has my life.

My surgery was elective as my gastro felt that I may end up as an emergency with food getting stuck and at the time of my life, elective was the way to give me a better quality of life.

# 209

Posted: 20/07/2009 15:50

Hey - thanks to everyone whos sent letters to get IBD on the long term illness scheme - theres an online petition set up now - so the more signatures the merrier :0 its @ http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ibdforlongtermillness/ - in england they are widening their long term illness scheme to include more illnesses & they are in a recession too so there might be hope - even if they could reduce the dps payments for patients with ongoing illneses that would help. i don't think they have ever been challenged before on a large scale about this - so the more the merrier :) :)

theres a support group on facebook & some discussion on diets - someone has mentioned the food combining diet too as being helpful to them  its @ http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106491930028

# 208

Posted: 20/07/2009 14:11

in hospital a few months ago with a partial blockage.  runs can be awful and i eat poorly, dont seem to have an appetite, have lots of other conditions to boot.

New gastro is considering stretching the part that has narrowed but i am not for this as the gut is diseased so could rupture, well thats what i feel.

any opinions on this would be gratefully received, mindful that neither i nor others are medical personel, but alot of us know what we are talking about!!!!

x

"Clever people master life and the wise illuminate it and create fresh difficulties"

# 207

Posted: 20/07/2009 14:00

For the last couple of months i have been on a low carb diet and i have found the results brilliant, I have so much more energy and am am not running to find a toilet every two minutes. 

I am now full time on a low carb diet and by low carb i mean LOW CARB and not no carb, I have just reduced the amount of carbs i eat, one slice of bread for breakfast, 1 slice of bread with lunch and one potatoe with dinner. 

I started the diet in order to loose weight, as after years of steroids i was bloated and swollen all over and since my diagnosis i had put on about 3 stone.

I do ocasionaly break out if i go out for a meal but about half hour after having a carb loaded meal im back to the loo again. 

Just something for people to think about, if you have tried everything else and nothing has worked it might just be worth a try.

# 206

Posted: 18/07/2009 19:42

I have Crohns now for over 22 years. Thankfully for most of that time I was able to lead a fairly normal lifestyle. But the last couple of years haven't been good to say the least. I totally support the campaign to have Crohns added to the long term illness plan but my guess is that it won't happen with an Bord Snip. I have spent thousands of pounds & euros on medication & consultant fees etc. I will defnitely write letters but won't hold out much hope. Luckily, I have had a good wage but I don't think I will be able to continue to work full-time for much longer so money will be a worry. I'm now on extended sick leave. I am lucky that I have a great doctor who is very knowledgable & up to date. I'm taking the Humira which is good but you need to be very careful about infections & the side effects are not fully known. Also on steroids for recent flare up.  I don't know if it will work long term but i've changed my diet over the last couple of weeks & feel a lot better.(might not be the diet but steriods, although when I've been on these before still had the usual pains) I still have the 'runs' but no pains at all or gurgling. Basically you can eat whatever you like but need to practice food combining. It is don't mix protien & carhodyrate at the same meal. So fish & chips , pasta & meat, the ham & cheese sandwich  etc are no nos. Also if eating fruit eat nothing else with it & leave at least 3 hours after protien or carb meal. Lots of vegtables & less meat & dairy. It is based on a diet called 'Hays Diet'. There's lots about it on the web.  I never could eat fruit or raw veg but now it seems I can. Anyway just thought I'd share that & maybe someone else has tried it?

# 205

Posted: 02/07/2009 15:21

The letter writing campaign is a brilliant idea! I've sent 3 letters off already to TDs in Dept of Health and Children. The more people we get to write letters, the better chance we have.

We are on medication for the rest of our lives and we are being financially penalised for having this disease.

# 204

Posted: 30/06/2009 18:26

Hi Gerry,

I had surgery aswell and had some strictures sorted. The gurgling was really bad after.

I had my surgery 3 years ago and everything else has really settled down, I am still on Humira though but the one thing that keeps going is my gurgling! I had a valve of some sort removed and I dont know whether that has created the gurgle ( I am sure there is probably a proper name to it!!) but gurgle is all I could call it aswell

C

# 203

Posted: 30/06/2009 10:44

Spent the last few months in hospital and had the surgery at the end of May. No small intestine removed but a large number of strictures repaired. Home a couple of weeks and I don't know how I feel. Blood count went really really low at surgery and needed transfusions during and after. Now I sleep at night and a few hrs during day. The wound seems to be healing ok and I am eating a low fibre diet fairly ok. Cramps aint present but a fair amount of gurgling and minor "explosions" inside. Diarrhoea is gone for now though I am still taking some Immodium (1 or 2). Iron supplements and Fortisips too.

The immediate aftermath of the surgery was an ordeal but no more than anticipated. Morphine because the Epidural wore off!! Spent two weeks in hosp post op.

Pre op I was really really ill  bout 2 out of 10. Now I am about 8 out of 10.

Just wanted to throw this up (pardon the pun) . Thanks for reading!

Cheers Gerry

# 202

Posted: 24/06/2009 22:30

Well guys the letter writing campaign is a great idea, the more poeple that sign up the better even friends or family members that help support us and deal with our condition should also sign up!!It is very unfair how Crohn's isn't recognised, this is because the health act has not been changed since 1970's, other conditions that are not regonised are also auto-immune diseases such as arthritis even asthma and heart disease are not recognised (these diseases were not recognised back the the 70's) some of which come part and parcel with the Crohns!

It is also disappointing to note that Crohns suffers are not entitled to even basic social welfare payments. I have fought for the past 18 months to be awarded disablity allowance from the social welfare. This was quite distressing as I had to under go several mediacl exams, appeals and finally an oral hearing to voice my concerns on my condition, it in turn made my condition worse. I encourage anyone who is severally suffering from the condition to apply for the allowance. Although I was only awarded the allowance for 18 months with the intention of reviewing it, this has given me great security in knowing that I am now entitled to a medical card and also don't have to work and can focus on trying to work my way out of a relapse, and fingers crossed getting into my first remission after 6 years!

Don't give up fighting there is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is always hope to guide us through.

# 201

Posted: 23/06/2009 17:47

Hi Gotguts and Sal1990,

Great idea, it is about time we were recognised as part of the Long Term Illness,

If you have certain long-term illnesses or disabilities, you may apply to join the Long Term Illness Scheme and you will be supplied with a Long Term Illness book. This book allows you to get drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of your illness, free of charge. It does not depend on your income or other circumstancesand is separate from the Medical Card Scheme and the GP Visit Card Scheme.

I never understood why Crohns was not considered a long term illness, do we not have it for life?

# 200

Posted: 20/06/2009 14:41

If you want to help get crohn's disease on the Long Term Illness Scheme please visit http://www.ibdforlongtermillness.weebly.com or email ibdcampaignforrights@gmail.com for more information!

Thank you,

Sara

# 199

Posted: 11/06/2009 19:51

LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN TO GET IBD ON LONG TERM ILLNESS SCHEME

Hey a letter writing campaign is hopefully being started with the aim of getting Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis on the Long Term Illness Scheme - giving us the right to free medications for our condition & ultimately our health. If anyone is interested in getting involved i.e. writing a letter please, please do - email for more information about this - ibdcampaignforrights@gmail.com - We will help re advise how to write a letter, whom to write it to etc.

Thanks!!

Ann M

# 198

Posted: 27/05/2009 09:08

True Niamh, medication can have side effects depending opn the patient but remember supllements too can have side affects on underlying conditions and also can interact dangerously with any medication which the person is taking which is why it is always best to let your Dr. know and discuss it with them.

My aunt, just this morning (unfortunately for her) had another experience of where antibiotics are needed. Overnight she had developed an abcess on a tooth that previously showed no sign of infection. Not life threatening certainly but a case where antibiotics are needed (along with analgesics of course and possibly anti-inflammatories).

# 197

Posted: 26/05/2009 15:49

Well medical science has to test there products rigoriously because generally medication has so many side affects. Why not use what nature has provided? That's the best thing about food and supplements you can try it out yourself, buy a book and learn stuff and try it out! Although trying out herbs can have a more potent affect so should probably be done under supervision of a medical herbalist.

# 196

Posted: 26/05/2009 09:21

You know that is very true Niamh - in evaluating any illness the medical community evalusate how it and its treastment affect normal (if you'll pardon the expression) patients. That is, patients which peviously did not have any pre-existing conditions. I'm not sure how much bearing the FDA has - given that its the IMB who license medicines for here. Also, testing on lab animnals does not always bear out how something will work with humans. That both qualitative and quantitative testing is important, I think we'd all agree to but it is important to consider as well that the alternative industry does not perform the kind fo scientific testing that the meidcal communiy does - possibly for a number of reasons. A new diet is something I would be willign to adopt,just for the sake of my overall health and curiosity (provided it was a safe and balanavced doet of course) but I wouldn't expect it to cure me of anything that clinically proven science based medicine could not

# 195

Posted: 25/05/2009 18:27

Well the reason I'm writing this information is for the benefit of the crohn's patients on this site to highlight the problems candida or any kind of pathogenic micro organism over growth can cause. When the medical industry is evaluating the affects candida on the body they don't take into consideration all the practitioners that are having great results in treating disorders/disases by bringing the bowel back to health. I mentioned Gerald Green as one herbalist treating auto immunity, MS, cancer the list goes on. They also don't take into consideration how amazing people feel after only a few months on for example an anti candida diet. These two latter cases are what would be considered qualitive research meaning it takes into consideration patients descriptions of how they feel and their experience after the treatment and would mostly be interviewd based. The standard tests for the FDA and medical profession are quantitive research based and are primarily lab based mostly measurements (in test tubes, on rats and also surveys- tick the box) This is what a lot of research papers would be based upon. Recently however it is recognised that a combination of both gives a more accurate result but that quantitive standard is already in place. So if you want what would be considered research on this topic you probably won't find anything lab based however if you work backwards looking at the success others are having or perhaps even try it out yourself that is also valid research. Check out the books and what others have found : )

# 194

Posted: 25/05/2009 16:34

Thanks Lightweight! Hope you are feeling a bit better too and all works out for you! Hope that TB treatment is going okay!! !

# 193

Posted: 25/05/2009 14:09

Hi Niamh, I would be most interested to see the medical evidence for the relationship between candida and the other illnesses you mention. It sounds literally breakthrough as well as being fascinating. I was on my fair share of antibiotics as a child - usually for chest infections but never got thrush as a result. In fact I only ever got thrush from the pill - many many years later and as I said, it was easy to clear up. My chest infections  weren't life threatening but were severe enough to make me very ill for many weeks and so the only method of treatment was antibiotics - penincillin was the only thing which could clear it up. In fact one attempt by a locum to keep me off antibiotics resuts in me ending up in hospital -  on high dose IV antibiotics. Clearly my immune system was not strong enough to combat them on its own. Tho I'm fine as an adult, thankfully. It is impossible to be perscribed antibiotics without attendinG a doctor for diagnosis. I think it is important to differentiate between a viral infection - for which antibiotics are largely useless and a baterial infection, which antibiotics are used for.

# 192

Posted: 25/05/2009 14:01

Hi Jerry,

 good to hear from you,i was thinking of you the other day,i was going to ask had anyboby heard anything about you,but i was actually afraid,in case something awful had happened,great to hear you still have a sense of humour,it does help a little,the best of luck on weds,hope all goes well for you,im sure everyone on here will be thinking of you,

# 191

Posted: 24/05/2009 17:00

Well, now my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday coming and its a small bowel resection and strictures, (god knows, how many) and I'm s**tting it, literally!! Ha Ha!! No food at all since Easter just my NG tube as an inpatient. Weight is 53kg and blood count aint what it should be. Diarrhoea is still going on and on and on. Reckon I should move a TV into the jacks or put a jacks in the sitting room!!! Cramps are still there a few times a day!!

Just hope this surgery gives me some quality of life for a while at least!!!!!!!!!

# 190

Posted: 23/05/2009 23:54

The medical profession is just realising now how dangerous candida really is.   Thrush is just a symptom that candida has passed into other systems of the body, usually when it has passed through our gut wall into the blood.  It is highly related to cancer, auto immune disease, inflammatory conditions, IBS, IBD, Asthma, Eczema, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus....the list goes on.... That's why I originally included it on this wed page.  To say thrush is easy to clear from one region of the body is entirely different then to say, it is easy to clear from the body.  It is difficult to remove from the body once it has colonised and can take months to years!  It is easy to get though...from anti biotics!   Keep it at bay by staying away from anti biotics which should only be used during life threatening illnesses eg TB or pneumonia. THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE INVENTED FOR! Get diagnosed first by a doctor and RESTING is always the best strategy for combating infections.  Getting over an infection yourself is actually strenghteing your immune system!    Eating lots of vegetables and not over consuming animal products, sugar or alcohol will help.  Vit C, Garlic esp the fresh stuff!  Echinacea and Zinc will all promote your recovery quicker : )    

# 189

Posted: 22/05/2009 12:54

In that case Niamh you really should take a look at the PCOS discussion. I believe its most interesting and the ladies on there seem very helpful. Yes, the pill can increase the risk of thrush in those who are sensitive to it - I am surprised you gynaeclogist tried to claim otherwise!! Thrush is something which is easy to clear up in my own experience. I was on the pill for years and experienced a couple of times but found it very easy to treat at first onset. Funny it as when I went off the pill the I started to get mild acne (not related to PCOS obviously but to my alternative contraceptive). It didn't greatly bother me but I think there is a thread on here on acne (probably for more severe sufferers) and if you don't want to go back on the pill - tho you may have to try several brands before you find one to suit you, I was told that benzadine peroxide lotion can help - tho I never tired it and also a three month course of minocin was suggested (I think it's an anti-inflammatory) . But I don't know how severe an acne this treatment merits. Doctors do refer patients to nutritionists but from what you say maybe they don't do it often enough or there are insufficient nutritionists due to funding issues.