The Great October Mystery

I was reading some of the feedback the other day when I noticed something, how shall I say... odd. It seems that a lot of people, myself included. have had Crohn's-related problems in or around October. What is it about the tenth month of the year that causes intestines to argue with us? Share any theories you have with the rest of us by sending them to me.

Here's what I've thought of so far:
Halloween candy (Hey, we're only human <G>), Holiday shopping, stress, and Planetary alignment.

Mozart55 had this idea: As the mother of a teenager with Crohn's I believe I have a theory. Every year in October my son ends up in the hospital. I attribute this to having had a relaxing summer off from school with little stress. In late August or early September you return to school along with all the stresses of being a teenager, dealing with the anxieties at school, the increased work load and it eventually wears you down! This year I had Gary's doctor increase his medication in August and GUESS WHAT? First year in four we didn't have to go to the hospital!

Sue thought of this: I've always blamed it on the weather changes. As your body gets ready to combat the cold weather approaching, everything else is left unattended. With cold weather comes the flu season, and people coughing and sneezing, which in turn may make many of us sicker (cause a flare up). I agree with Mozart55 "MOM" -- if you feel yourself getting sick, start your meds right away. I also think a flu shot can help in the long run. This is the first year I haven't gotten the flu or a cold thanks to the doc's suggestion.

D offers this: I have thought about the October theory, and I agree with the "stress" idea. The last few times I have had recurrent symptoms, they have been in October. Being a student, that is usually the time when all the stress builds up --- exams, midterms (if in college) or the end of the marking period (if in HS). Perhaps we can find some kind of connection between OCT and Crohn's through this forum!

Kbaglio remembers: About the October mystery. I have recently read in a book entitled "Eating Right For a Bad Gut" that most CD sufferers experience flare-ups at least 2 a year during the fall and spring. Dr. Scala (the book's author) attributed this to weather changes.

Olaf recalls: I have another theory that is a bit different. Even though I didn't know then what was going on, I had my first Crohn's attack in October 95. This was a couple of days after my 19th B-Day and after having had a really stressful time. I believe, one's personal psychological situation has the worst effect on the disease. Personally, I tend to feel a bit depressed as the days become shorter and darker around OCTOBER and the summer fun is over. No joke. Maybe unrecognized winter-depression (caused by too few light) is the solution to the problem. Some research has been done on the relation of light and the mind. Great page by the way.

Aaron recalls: I must agree with Olaf. It was October of '96 when I was first having trouble. It was right before I turned 18. And it was actually on my birthday that I had to drop out of college. The closer it became to being my birthday again, the worse my Crohn's got, and as soon as that day passed eveything was alright again. (Pretty bad when you start fearing your birthday at such a young age.) So I would say that it is more of a psychological thing than anything else, for me at least.

Tammy offers: I was browsing thru your web page (which is really nice by the way) and thought I'd pass on to you (even though I am no longer a teen) what my doctors recently said to me. Although no one knows they are agreeing with the theory that weather changes in the spring and fall can induce flare-ups. They told me it supposedly has something to do with the change in the barometric pressure. As my flare-ups are always in spring and fall this could mean something. On the other hand - who knows! Keep up the good work.

Troy says:  I personally think that it is due to the stuffy noses and sinus problems that I usually get around that time of year. And since a large portion of the mucus drains right down into the stomach and just sits there. I was told by a doctor once that the stomach can not digest mucus so when its in there the stomach just keeps producing more acid and more which I think is what aggravates my Crohn's.

George says: I hate to blow your October theory but I always ended up in the hospital in April. My Doctor says that there is something with spring and fall though
giving us Crohnies trouble. I am 42 years old and have had Crohn's since 20 years old. I have had 2 resections and finally an illiostomy and am doing great now have been Crohn's-free since '96. The longest I have gone without it. I will also pass this on if I had the chance to reverse my ostomy I would not do it I like my new lifestyle. So If you know of anyone having a hard time accepting theirs have them write to me.

Sally found this: I followed your link PARA and here's what I found in a 1996 USA study: (http://www.slackinc.com/general/idn/199607/crohn.htm)

Transmitted to humans by milk? 

Hermon-Taylor noted that M. paratuberculosis is endemic in dairy herds throughout Europe as well as in North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In the United Kingdom, at least 3.5% of cattle harbor the bacterium, as determined by PCR analysis of intestinal tissues. M. paratuberculosis can exist in apparently healthy animals for years without the animals showing signs of clinical disease. These animals shed the bacterium in their milk. In fact, Hermon-Taylor and colleagues recently completed a 4*-year study throughout central and southern England that showed that intact M. paratuberculosis bacteria are present in an overall 7% of retail supplies of pasteurized cow's milk, especially from January to March and from September to November.

Brian postulates: Sorry to be reading a teen site about Crohn's, but saw your link on Dr. Shafran's site. I am 43 and have had CD since I was 11. My bad month is March.  Have had surgery 3 times (all in march and two of em on march 13!) I think my Crohn's is caused by a bug (Mycobac Para T?) and that it's life cycle along with the time that you were first infected have something to do with the bad month syndrome.  Unfortunately if Meat or Milk are found to be the cause it will be very difficult to do anything about it.  Remember when Oprah Winfrey said bad things about beef? She was sued and in court for weeks!  The politically astute Dairy and Beef industries are not interested in finding fault with their products.

Jean says: My daughter is 20 yrs old and was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when she was 17.  After getting her over the first flare-up she did GREAT until, you guessed it!! - Oct 99.  This was a bad flare-up and she got an infusion of REMICADE.  It dramatically changed the way she feels -- literally gave her her life back.  I know "we" are not sure of the side effects, but it kicks the heck out of Crohn's.  She may need more of this drug, we don't know right now.  But so far so good.

Sam theorizes: A slow growing bacterium that is resistant to heat, cold, dehydration and antibiotics.  This bacterium is found in a large percentage(50-75%) of those with CD. I haven't seen anyone post the exact period if growth for M. paratuberculosis, but I'm willing to bet that it is around 6 months, which corresponds to the increase in the bacteria found in Dairy cows in this same time frame (spring and fall) as the flare-ups observed in those suffering from CD.  Just like your first experience at the Italian restaurant, scientists are still exploring this bacterium, trying to find out the answers.  at this time they say it doesn't appear to be able to spread to humans through milk, despite the fact that a small percentage of milk has been found to contain the bacterium, even after pasteurization.   Eventually
science will be able to explain why , but in the mean time, I agree completely with your comment that we should live life to the fullest.

Janel presents this evidence:  I was diagnosed w/ CD 8 yrs ago but didn't start having a lot of trouble until 3 years ago.  I don't know why, but I have spent several weeks of the last 2 Novembers in the hospital.  I have heard that it could have something to do with some environmental factors / allergies...  The mystery continues.

Graeme suggests: After finding this fascinating page on the October mystery, I have done a bit of research on this and all I can tell you is it's not the October mystery.  It's the October-April mystery or the spring-autumn mystery.  I am currently a long term patient in hospital and have met many people with CD and they have flare ups in April as well as October and also reading this I see this occurs to most TWC visitors.  One of my surgical doctors has promised to look into this and I am yet to ask my gastrointerologist.  This mystery applies to me also, last October I was diagnosed with Crohn's and the April before I had "food poisoning".  And I recently had a nasty flare up last April.  Unfortunately my birthday is in April!  This flare up caused me to have 2 pieces of small bowel removed 2 days before my birthday.  I am already on the maximum dose of Crohn's medication and so I am sitting tight for October coming!  I have no new suggestions but it is something I'm very interested in finding out more about so if I get anywhere I'll let you know.

Another submitted theory from an anonymous person: I was diagnosed in early November not October, but close enough. I think maybe its because in the fall it starts getting colder and I seem to think that Crohn's gets worse when its cold outside.

Louisa offers: In Traditional Chinese Medicine 5 element theory, the element metal associated with autumn and the meridian lung-large intestine may be activated by chi influences or imbalances in the fall of the year.

Let's all start thinking and see who can solve the Great October Mystery!

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