The numbers of IBD patients using medicinal marijuana is increasing at a rapid pace and many patients who use it feel that it improves their quality of life. We need research-based evidence to determine the underlying connection. Does it improve symptoms that make patients feel better (pain, loss of appetite, decreased stress and increased sleep), or does it actually have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut?

Many medications and treatments for IBD are costly and long-term commitments. Dietary and lifestyle changes are a crucial first line of defense and often a more financially sustainable intervention. Patients and medical practitioners need more information about health-supportive diets.

Many patients, myself included, have either not responded to anti-TNF therapies or have lost response. It would be helpful for both doctors and patients to know what the next best step is.

IBD can have a significant impact on motility and gut absorption. Most medication pharmacokinetic studies are completed using healthy volunteers. If there is a significant impact on oral medication absorption/pharmacokinetics with active IBD, this may have an important role in determining a safe and effective dose.

While all IBD sufferers have unique food triggers, I was wondering if anyone has had success by eliminating certain foods.

In my experience with IBD, I have had several experiences where my insurance companies PA requirements have delayed my therapies weeks or months. I believe that this may lead to increased disease activity and poorer treatment outcomes or increased risk of treatment failure. If studies can effectively demonstrate this relationship, perhaps insurance companies will recognize the potential increased costs of therapy delays that result from the PA process and will strive to improve the expediency of their PA processes.

I think if I had better knowledge of a diet, I could reduce flare-ups.

Gets users talking about potential alternative treatments, as well as treatments that may have far less significant side effects when compared to biologics and steroids.

This is important for quality of life... and perhaps surgeons will be more conservative in cutting if there is a chance to save important regions of the intestinal track!