Crohn's Disease Treatment Case:
Moving Beyond the Limits of Remsima to Complete Remission
Crohn's disease that began with fistula symptoms; the journey to breaking free from recurring flare-ups
Patient History
Hello. We are HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic, which has been researching and treating Crohn's disease since 2007. We would like to introduce the case of a patient who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease after visiting the hospital for fistula symptoms in 2022.
Approximately 25% of all Crohn's disease patients experience fistulas or anal abscesses, and for 10-20% of them, anal diseases appear before diagnosis. This patient also received treatment with the biological agent Remsima for over a year but suffered from periodic flare-ups without achieving complete recovery.
Summary of Main Flare-up Symptoms
- Digestive: Dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux
- Abdominal: Abdominal pain, diarrhea when consuming cold or spicy food
- Bowel Movement: Bloody stools, mucus in stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, loose stools
- Other: Chest tightness and digestive issues during stress
Treatment Progress and Changes in Metrics
A record of eliminating flare-ups and discontinuing biological agents through Korean medicine treatment.
Start of Korean Medicine Treatment and Discontinuation of Western Medication
Four months after starting Korean medicine treatment, the flare-ups disappeared. Abdominal pain did not occur even when it was time for the injection, so the biological agent Remsima was completely discontinued starting in September.
Diligent Treatment for Relapse Prevention
The inflammation levels rose temporarily due to negligence in taking medication during the treatment period, but after diligently resuming the herbal medicine, the November test results showed a full recovery with a calprotectin level of 1.1.
Confirmation of Complete Normalization
MRI scan results confirmed no lesions, and stool tests show that the calprotectin level is maintained at a normal reading of 7.8. Both digestive function and bowel movements have recovered to normal states without the use of western medicine or injections.
Conclusion
This is a case that reaffirms the importance of the "3 Sincerities (Diagnosis, Decoction, Consumption)" in Korean medicine. Through the patient's consistent effort combined with proper Korean medicine treatment, we were able to overcome a difficult disease like Crohn's. HanStep Korean Medicine Clinic will always be by the patient's side.