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Archive-name: medicine/crohns-colitis-info-faq
Posting-frequency: every two weeks
Last-modified: 2000/11/29
Version: 4.01

Information Resources for alt.support.crohns-colitis newsgroup
Frequently Asked Questions
Version 4.01
Last revision-11/29/00

INTRODUCTION

The following is the information resources FAQ for 
alt.support.crohns-colitis, including an introductory section explaining the 
purpose of the newsgroup.  This FAQ is and will continue to be a
"work in progress", meaning that additions and corrections will always
be welcome, just email me at smb@panix.com.

There are currently three other FAQs for this newsgroup - the Inflammatory 
Bowel Disease FAQ, which answers tons of questions about Ulcerative 
Colitis and Crohn's Disease, the Irritable Bowel Syndrome FAQ, which 
is equally informative about IBS, and the Collagenous Colitis FAQ, which 
provides detailed information about a less prevalent form of IBD.  The 
first two FAQs are posted every two weeks to alt.support.crohns-colitis, 
news.answers and alt.answers, and are available by anonymous ftp to 
rtfm.mit.edu, in pub/usenet-by-group/alt.support.crohns-colitis.  All 4 
FAQs are also available through the World Wide Web 
at qurlyjoe.bu.edu/cduchome.html.  

COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER

See the end of this FAQ for a whole lot of boilerplate language designed 
to ensure that this FAQ is only used by the forces of goodness and not 
of greed, and that no one ever accuses me of impersonating a
medical professional.


What is alt.support.crohns-colitis?

Alt.support.crohns-colitis was created in early 1994 as a forum where 
people suffering from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, and irritable 
bowel syndrome can share their everyday struggles with these illnesses, 
as well as discuss medicines, treatments, surgery, diet, health care 
providers, related illnesses, and anything else anyone can think of that 
relates to these diseases.  In other words, this is the online equivalent 
of a support group, which means that no question is stupid and no 
condition embarrassing here.  It also means we're all here to help each 
other out, so please be nice, be polite, and no flaming. 
Discussions of all types of medicine- conventional and alternative, 
Western and Eastern, your Aunt Harriet's home remedies, whatever-
are welcome here; however, any person discussing a potential remedy 
which he or she also sells must explicitly begin the Subject
header of  their post with the word "Ad" or "Advertisement" 
in all caps, regardless of whether or not they profit 
from such sales.  Spamming is expressly forbidden as violating the rules of
netiquette as well as those of this newsgroup.  Finally, please keep in mind
that no one knows what causes these illnesses, no one's come up with a cure, 
and we need all the help we can get.

Commonly-used abbreviations in this FAQ and on 
alt.support.crohns-colitis (a.s.c.-c):

IBD- inflammatory bowel disease- includes Crohn's Disease and ulcerative
     colitis
IBS- irritable bowel syndrome
UC-  ulcerative colitis
CD-  Crohn's Disease
CC-  Collagenous Colitis
CCFA- the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
UOA-  the United Ostomy Association
NSAIDS-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (examples are aspirin, 
ibuprofen, and naproxen.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is *not* an 
NSAID.  
WWW- World Wide Web

QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS FAQ

1.0  I've just been diagnosed with IBD and I've never heard of it before, 
don't know anyone else with it, and am feeling all sorts of unpleasant 
feelings as a result.  Where do I begin finding out enough about this 
illness to cope- are there organizations out there that can help me?

1.0.1  What support organizations exist in the US?

1.0.2  What support organizations exist in Canada?

1.0.3  What support organizations exist in the UK?

1.0.4  What support organizations exist in Ireland?

1.0.5  What support organizations exist in Austrailia?

1.0.6  What support organizations exist in Austria?

1.0.7  What support organizations exist in Belgium?

1.0.8  What support organizations exist in Denmark?

1.0.9  What support organizations exist in France?
 
1.0.10  What support organizations exist in Germany?

1.0.11  What support organizations exist in Italy?

1.0.12  What support organizations exist in Luxembourg?

1.0.13  What support organizations exist in New Zealand?

1.0.14  What support organizations exist in The Netherlands?

1.0.15  What support organizations exist in Norway?

1.0.16  What support organizations exist in South Africa?

1.0.17  What support organizations exist in Spain?

1.0.18  What support organizations exist in Sweden?

1.0.19  What support organizations exist in Switzerland?

1.0.20  What support organizations exist in Zimbabwe?


1.1  I'm already a member of one of the above organizations, and I need 
additional support in a specific area or additional knowledge on certain 
topics.  What other organizations are out there that I might find useful?

1.1.1  What organizations are there for people with colostomies or 
ileostomies? 

1.1.2  What organizations are there for people using tube or intravenous 
feeding?

1.1.3  Hey, I thought this newsgroup was for people with IBS too!  How about a 
support organization for us?

2.0  Are there any other places on-line that I can find out more about 
IBD, IBS and similar illnesses?

2.1  Are there any Web sites I should check out?

2.2  Are there other sources of information here on the Internet?

2.3  Is there help on the commercial on-line service Prodigy?

2.4  Is there a support group on the commercial on-line service America 
On-Line?

2.5  How about if I want to do some serious research about IBD, IBS or 
other illnesses?  

3.0  I want to read as much as I can about these illnesses.  Have any 
books been written on the subject of IBD or IBS?

3.1  Are there other useful books about coping with chronic illness?


================================================================

1.0  I've just been diagnosed with IBD and I've never heard of it
before, don't know anyone else with it, and am feeling all sorts
of unpleasant feelings as a result.  Where do I begin finding out enough 
about this illness to cope- are there organizations out there that can 
help me?

1.0.1  What support organizations exist in the US?

If you live in the U.S., start by contacting CCFA- the Crohn's and Colitis
Foundation of America, 386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 
10016-8804, at 1-800-932-2423 or 212-685-3440, fax 212-779-4098. 
They have books to buy (see below), newsletters to subscribe to, support 
groups to join in many areas, information about doctors to see, and they 
are major fundraisers/supporters of research into the causes of IBD and 
hopefully, eventually, a cure.
Website:  www.ccfa.org

Another U.S. organization worth contacting is the Intestinal Disease 
Foundation, 1323 Forbes Avenue - Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219,  
1-412-261-5888.   This is a very patient-friendly, hard-working, and 
savvy non-profit organization that provides support and 
education to individuals with any intestinal disease. 
They serve many patients with Crohn's and colitis, and also
fill specialty niches which CCFA does not, i.e. also helping those with
irritable bowel, diverticular disease, short-gut syndrome, and "gas".
The Foundation's executive director is Carolyn Russ, who coordinates a large 
cadre of volunteers.  The Foundation also puts out a quarterly 
newsletter which is quite informative.  

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2 Information 
Way, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-654-3810, is a government-funded agency 
that provides information to patients, families, and medical professionals. 
They answer questions, coordinate informational resources on digestive 
diseases, and distribute publications about many conditions.  
Website:  www.niddk.nih.gov

The Pediatric Crohn's and Colitis Association, P.O. Box 18, 
Newton, MA 02168-0002, 617-290-0902, supports research and 
addresses medical, nutritional, psychological, and social factors relating
 to pediatric and adolescent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. 
They can also give you the names of specialists in your area.

Reach Out for Youth With Ileitis and Colitis, 15 Chemung Pl.
Jericho, NY 11753, 516-822-8010, Fax : 516-822-8885., provides 
nationwide information and telephone support for social as well as 
medical issues. In the New York region, they organize educational seminars
and individual and group support for patients and their families. If you call 
you can ask for a free sample of their quarterly newsletter Inner Circle.

The Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation of Chicago (GIRF) provides
funds to support researchers at Uchicago's Gastroenterology Division.
For more information about GIRF, contact:  The Gastro-Intestinal
Research Foundation, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 1015,
Chicago, Illinois 60601-5907, tel (312) 332-1350. 
Website:  homepage.interaccess.com/~ring/girf

1.0.2   What support organizations exist in Canada?

If you live in Canada, you can contact the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of 
Canada, 21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 301, Toronto, Ontario M4T 1L9, at 
1-416-920-5035 or 1-800-387-1479. 
Website:  www.ccfc.ca/site.html.

Another Canadian organization worth contacting is the Northwestern 
Society of Intestinal Research, c/o Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences
Centre, 855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5Z 1M9, phone is
(604) 875-4875.  The Society is a federally registered charity, dedicated to 
supporting research and education into gastrointestinal diseases, with a 
particular focus on inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and 
ulcerative colitis. It has been in operation since 1976.  Its mandate is 
two-fold: firstly, to raise monies to support research into 
intestinal diseases; and secondly, to educate the public, health 
professionals and patients about intestinal diseases. 
The educational aspect of the Society's mandate includes 
informational brochures and pamphlets printed and distributed regularly to 
hospitals, clinics, doctors and patients; two active support groups (one 
for Crohn's & Colitis patients, another for people with IBS, and a third 
for children and their families in the planning stages); a book and video 
library; and bi-monthly newsletter.  The Society's Board includes 
Jan Greenwood, who wrote the "IBD Nutrition Book " listed below in the book 
portion of this FAQ.
Website:  www.interchg.ubc.ca/nsir/

For Canadians with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Jeffrey Roberts runs the IBS 
Self Help Group, 3332 Yonge Street, P.O. Box 94074, Toronto, Ontario, 
M4N 3R1. Contact Jeffrey Roberts at 416-932-3311 or via email at
jdr@io.org.
Website:  www.interlog.com/~ibs

1.0.3  What support organizations exist in the UK?

If you live in the United Kingdom, you should contact 
the NACC- the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease, 
PO Box 205, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 1AB, at 01727-844296 or 0800-655544 
from inside the UK, or 01044-727-844296 from elsewhere. This number 
provides both answerphone and fax.  There are around 58 Area groups 
covering all of the UK, and they publish a newsletter every month.

The NACC also runs a voluntary helpline, called NACC-in-Contact.  The 
helpline is a confidential service - callers details are never revealed to
anyone. Anybody can call - patients, family or friends, at any tine
of day. There are approximately 100 contacts spread all around the
United Kingdom. Contact telephone numbers are available from NACC
head office. For more information, you can also email  nacc@nacc.org.uk 
NACC website:  www.nacc.org.uk  The website also acts as the English
language host for EFCCA, the European Federation of Crohn's and Colitis
Associations.

Dorset Chapter Website:  www.hants.gov.uk/istcclr/cch06134.html
  or email Micahel Shillabeer, Dorset NACC-in-Contact, 
  at shillies@bournemth.win-uk.net.

Other helpful organizations include the Crohn's in Childhood Research 
Association (CICRA), 356 West Barnes Lane, Kingston-on-Thames, 
KT3 6NB, email at CICRA@unisonit.demon.co.uk, and the 
Steroid Aid Group, PO Box 220, Walthamstow, London, E17 3JR.

1.0.4  What support organizations exist in Ireland?

Try the Irish Society for Colitis & Crohn's Disease (ISCC), Carmichael 
Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, Tel: (353) 1 872 1416,
Fax: (353) 1 873 5737.

1.0.5  What support organizations exist in Austrailia?

If you live in Austrailia, be sure to contact the Australian Crohn's and 
Colitis Association (ACCA), P.O Box 201, Mooroolbark, 
3138, Victoria, Australia. The phone number is Australia (03) 7269008.
Like other support groups they publish a newsletter (quarterly),
present talks and workshops, organise IBD Awareness campaigns, support
local IBD groups and raise funds for continuing research. They also sell
IBD books and videos and are only a phone call away if you need any
advice or support.

1.0.6  What support organizations exist in Austria?

Osterreichische Morbus Crohn/Colitis Ulcerosa Vereinigung 
(OMCCV), Obere Augartenstrasse 26-28, A-1020 Wien, Tel: (43) 1 333 06 33.
Website:  homepages.netway.act/oemccv/index.html

1.0.7  What support organizations exist in Belgium?

Crohn en Colitis Ulcerosa Vereniging vzw (CCV), 
Schalmei 2 B-2970 'S, Gravenwezel, Tel./Fax: (32) 3 383 2045.

1.0.8  What support organizations exist in Denmark?

Colitis Crohn Foreningen (CCF), Lyngevej 116, 3450 Allerod, 
Tel: (45) 4817 5132 or (45) 4814 2291.

1.0.9  What support organizations exist in France?

Association Francois Aupetit (AFA), Hopital Rothschild, 33 
Boulevard de Picpus, 75571 Paris, Cedex 12, Tel: (33) 1 40 193 425,
Fax: (33) 1 40 193 436. 
 
1.0.10  What support organizations exist in Germany?

The German DCCV (Deutsche Morbus Crohn und Colitis Ulcerosa
Vereinigung, i.e. German Crohns and Colitis Foundation), 
is located at DCCV e.V., Paracelsusstr. 15, D-51375 Leverkusen, 
Tel: (0049) 214-87608-0, Fax: (0049)-214-87608-88.
e-mail 101736.2757@compuserve.com
Website:  ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/DCCV/homepage.htm

1.0.11  What support organizations exist in Italy?

Associazione per le Malattie Inflammatorie Croniche dell'Intestino 
(AMICI), Via Adolfo Wildt 19/4, 20138 Milano, Tel: (39) 2 289 3637.
Lombardia Website:  www.crs4.it/~gavino/AMICI/amici.html 
Ticino (Switzerland) Website:  www.amici-ti.skywindow.com/Ticino

1.0.12  What support organizations exist in Luxembourg?

Association Luxembourgeoise de la Maladie de Crohn (ALMC), PO Box 
648, L-2016 Luxembourg, Tel: (352) 4798 2081, Fax: (352) 4798 2020.

1.0.13  What support organizations exist in The Netherlands?

Crohn en Colitis Ulcerosa Vereniging Nederland (CCUVN), 
Wilhelminastraat 45, 3621 VG Breukelen, Tel./Fax: (31) 3462 61001.
Website:  www.spin.nl/croh0301.htm

1.0.14  What support organizations exist in New Zealand?

Contact Crohn's & Colitis Support Groups at either P.O. Box 52043, 
Kingsland, Auckland, or 32 Bloomfield Terrace, Lower Hutt, Wellington.
Website:  home.clear.net.nz/pages/ccsg

1.0.15  What support organizations exist in Norway?

Landsforeningen Mot Fordoyelessykdommer (LMF), Seglaveien 80, 
2340 Loten, Tel: (47) 62 59 00 77.

1.0.16  What support organizations exist in South Africa?

Contact the South African Crohn's & Colitis Association, P.O. Box 2638, 
Cape Town 800, Tel: (021) 25-2350.

1.0.17  What support organizations exist in Spain?

Asociacion de Enfermos de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa (ACCU), Suriname 36, 
29190 Puerto de la Torre, Malaga, Tel./Fax: (34) 5 223 4810.
Website:  www.vlc.servicom.es/accu
Valencia Website:  193.145.195.80/digestiv/accu.htm

Grupo Andaluz para el Estudio de la Enformedad Inflamatoria Intestinal 
(GAEEII) (Andalusian Group for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Website:  www.a2000.es/gaeeii

1.0.18  What support organizations exist in Sweden?

Riksforbundet for Mag-och Tarmsjuka (RMT), Box 20054, 104 60, 
Stockholm, Tel: 08-6424200, Fax: 08-6421100.
Website:  home5.swipnet.se/~w-53294

1.0.19  What support organizations exist in Switzerland?

Schweizerische Morbus Crohn/Colitis Ulcerosa Vereinigung (SMCCV), 
Postfach, 5001, Aarau, Tel: 062 824 87 07.

1.0.20  What support organizations exist in Zimbabwe?

Contact Zimbabwe Association for Colitis & Crohn's Disease, 2 Montclaire 
Close, Borrowdale, Harare, Tel: Harare 885556.
 
1.1  I'm already a member of one of the above organizations, and I need 
additional support in a specific area or additional knowledge on certain 
topics.  What other organizations are out there that I might find useful?

1.1.1  What organizations are there for people with colostomies or 
ileostomies?

If you've had a colostomy or ileostomy, tremendous support is 
provided by the United Ostomy Association (UOA), 36 Executive Park, 
Suite 120, Irvine, CA 92714, phone 1-800-826-0826 or 1-714-660-8624, fax 
1-714-660-9262.  
Website:  www.uoa.org

There is also the Quality Life Association, 112 Grey 
Street, Millen, GA 03442, phone 1-912-982-2340; website 
www.bayside.nt/npo/QLA;  Help for Incontinent 
People (HIP), PO Box 544, Union, SC 29379, phone 1-803-579-7900; and the 
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN), 2755 Bristol Street, 
Suite 110, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, phone 1-714-476-0268, 
website www.wocn.org 

In England, try the British Colostomy Association, 15 Station 
Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1LG, tel:  0118 939 1537, fax:  0118 956 9095,
website:  www.bcass.org.uk/
or the Ileostomy Association, Amblehurst  House, Box 23, 
Mansfield, Notts NG18 4TT.

The Interneational Ostomy Association is an Association of Ostomy
Associations, created to improve the life of ostomates worldwide.  For
more info check out their
Website:  www.ostomyinternational.org

The J-Pouch Group can be found at www.j-pouch.org

For those considering colorectal surgery, check out the Cleveland Clinic
Colorectal Surgery page at www.ccf.org/pc/cors/

You can also try contacting ConvaTec Professional Services, PO Box 5254, 
Princeton, NJ 08543, phone 1-800-422-8811.  This is a company that wants 
to sell you their brand of ostomy, but they also publish a free 
newsletter every three months - the Better Together Club Newsletter- that 
is very informative.
Website: www.convatec.com

If you're using Hollister products and you have questions regarding them, 
they can be reached in the US at 1-800-323-4060, and in Canada 
1-800-263-7400.
Website:  www.hollister.com

Ivy Hill Products, a mail order company that specializes in incontinent
care, has a Web page devoted to incontinence supplies. You can order by 
calling their number (800) IVY-3353. 
Website: ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ivy

1.1.2  What organizations are there for people using tube or intravenous 
feeding?  

For people living with home parenteral and/or enteral nutrition (tube or 
intravenous feeding such as TPN)  there's the Oley Foundation, 
which publishs a monthly (or so) newsletter, sponsors seminars,
and has a lending library of videotapes, all aimed at educating &
empowering the HomePEN consumer (they refuse the word "patient").  Although
many conditions/diseases are represented, a significant percentage of their
members are people with IBD (mainly Crohn's).  All that's needed to become
a member is to _be_ on Par/Enteral feeding - there are no dues or
membership fees, although they do gently request donations (much of their
money comes from corporate grants/gifts from various home care companies).
The Oley Foundation can be reached at 1-800-776-OLEY, address 214 HUN 
Memorial, A-23 Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York  12208.
The newsletter is called _LifelineLetter_ and is sent FREE of
charge to those on long term home parenteral or enteral nutrition.
Website:  web.wizvax.net/oleyfdn

1.1.3  Hey, I thought this newsgroup was for people with IBS too!  How about a 
support organization for us?

People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome can join the International 
Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD).  
The address to write to for more information is
IFFGD, P.O. Box 17864, Milwaukee, WI 53217.  Phone
toll free at 1-888-964-2001 for one on one support or information.
Email is iffgd@execpc.com and the website is www.execpc.com/iffgd

IFBD changed their name about one year ago to:  IFFGD - the
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. This
is a patient organization with a distinguished worldwide medical
advisory board. Their address remains the same: PO Box 17864, Milwaukee,
WI 53217. 
They have a web site at:  http://www.execpc.com/iffgd
Toll free phone (for one on one support or info. 1-888-964-2001)
E-mail: iffgd@execpc.com and 


2.0  Are there any other places on-line that I can find out more about IBD 
and IBS?

Plenty.  A computer and a modem are among the most valuable 
information tools a chronically ill person can have.

2.1  Are there any Web sites I should check out?
 
Plenty.  So many, in fact, that I doubt I'll ever be able to list them all
However, Bill Robertson may have succeeded in doing exactly that at
his Crohns Disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Irritable Bowel Syndrome website 
at qurlyjoe.bu.edu/cduchome.html.  Not only can all FAQs for 
alt.support.crohns-colitis be found at this location, but links to more
related websites than you can possibly imagine are here.  In fact, after
visiting Mr. Bill's site, you may never need to read further.

Another great Web Site is www.kitsap.net/health/ccl/ibd.html.  
Here you'll find all past issues of IBDetails, a very informative and 
entertaining newsletter devoted to IBD.  Paul Neal has also started
an IBD Home Page at this site, with a collectionof IBD related sites.  
The URL for this page is www.kitsap.net/health/ccl/index.html.
The new SCOPE Newsletter is be available at this site at the
following URL: www.kitsap.net/health/ccl/scope.html.

Information on gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional disorders can be found 
at the COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY GASTROENTEROLOGY WEB, 
home page of the Division of Gastroenterology at Columbia University's 
College of Physicians and Surgeons and The Presbyterian Hospital in The 
City of New York.  The URL is cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/gi.

Scripps Clinic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center can be found at
www.free.cts.com/crash/y/yekkim/index.html

Also check out the University of Pennsylvania Digestive and Liver Center
at www.med.upenn.edu/~gicenter

Gastroenterologist Steve Holland has an informative IBD Page 
at 128.248.251.136 

Fellow Crohn's patient Anthony Longo answers your 
questions about medication at users.aol.com/cducrx/crohns.html

Statlander's Pharmacy, a mail-order pharmacy, has an IBD focus area at
www.stadlander.com/ibd

The Olde Crohn is a nonprofit ejournal on Crohns, Colitis and
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  It is produced every other month by
volunteers and through the donation of online time from Novus
Research.  The Olde Crohn is free and may be freely copied and
distributed.  It can be found at ftp://ftp.etext.org

People with Crohns, Colitis, and ostomies can contact others in similar 
situations at The First Dutch Ostomy Homepage,
www.worldcity.nl/~rump/vereg.html.

A website by a bunch of guys with their very own 
gastroenterology practice can be found at http://www.gastro.com.  Lots of 
neat pictures of healthy and not-so-healthy parts of the body can be 
found here.

CenterWatch, a publishing company that covers clinical research, has
established a site on the Internet that patients can use to search for
clinical trials by therapeutic area and by geographic region. Each posting
contains contact information. The site currently includes several postings
for trials for treating immune-system disorders. The Internet address is:
www.centerwatch.com.  In addition, CenterWatch offers a free 
e-mail notification service for patients interested in clinical trials. 
To use this service, send CenterWatch an e-mail message at 
Cntrwatch.aol.com. Tell them the therapeutic area you are
interested in and your home state (or geographic region if  you want to know
about a greater selection of trials.) They will then send you an e-mail message
whenever a hospital or medical center  in your designated geographic region
posts a trial for that therapeutic area. The message will contain the
appropriate contact information. Please note: The center or physician posting
the study is not provided your name or e-mail address. The decision to
contact the center is the patient's alone.

PharmInfoNet, a Web site devoted to pharmaceutical information, has
FAQs on many drugs.  Find them at  pharminfo.com.

Check Out the Multimedia Medical Reference Library at 
www.med-library.com.  It's one of the most (if not 
the most) comprehensive indices to medical sites on the web.

Another comprehensive index is the Hardin Meta Directory of Internet 
HealthSources (aka Hardin MD). It's URL is:
www.arcade.uiowa.edu/hardin-www/md.html
www.arcade.uiowa.edu/hardin-www/md-gastro.html (Gastroenterology). 


Don Wiss has set up the following webpages of interest:
     The IBS Page:  www.panix.com/~ibs/
     The Gluten-Free Page: www.panix.com/~donwiss/
     The No Milk Page: www.panix.com/~nomilk/
     The Candida Page: www.panix.com/~candida/
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Page also includes some links on
 constipation, diarrhea, and gas.
The Gluten-Free Page covers celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and
dermatitis herpetiformis. 
The No Milk Page covers material on lactose intolerance, milk allergy, and
casein avoidance.

Alan Kennedy makes the argument for mycobacterium paratuberculosis 
as a causal agent of Crohn's Disease on his website at 
www.crohns.org

Recipes from a colitis cookbook can be found at
ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/colitis_cookbook

Peter Waite's Crohn's Disease Web Page can be found at
members.aol.com/bospol/homepage/crohns.htm

Go to www.public.iastate.edu/~sbilling/ada.html
for lots of links to ADA and disability information. Only
applicable, of course, to U.S. workers.

Look up a doctor's credentials at AMA Physician Select
www.ama-assn.org
Since many IBD sufferers also have arthritis of one form or another, I
 thought I'd include the web address for the Arthritis Foundation, at
www.arthritis.org

Finally, there are lots of great personal Webpages by and for people with IBD
out there.  Here are some to check out:

GutFeelings-  members.aol.com/RickAtheDJ/GutFeelings.html
IBD Creative Outlet- members.aol.com/HobbsHs/ibd/ibd.htm 
Pouchclip(ostomy support)- www.hsv.tis.net/~kerryk/Pouchclip/
Sandra's Crohn's Disease Page- www.angelfire.com/ga/crohns/index.html
Teens with Crohn's Disease- pages.prodigy.com/teencron/index.html

2.2  Are there other sources of information here on the Internet?

Alt.support.ostomy is a newsgroup for all people with ostomies. 
Alt.support.ibs is a newsgroup specializing in discussion of 
irritable bowel syndrome.

You can subscribe to an invaluable mailing list called the 
IBDList Digest.  Simply e-mail a note saying you wish to subscribe to 
ibdlist-request@menno.com.  The moderator is Thomas Lapp.  

There's also a newsgroup called sci.med where a variety of medical 
questions are asked and answered, often by doctors and other medical 
professionals. 

For those interested in alternative treatments, check out
misc.health.alternative.  

People interested in information about celiac disease (nontropical 
sprue), a small intestine illness resulting from gluten intolerance, can 
join the Celiac mailing list by sending the message: SUB CELIAC to:
listserv@sjuvm.stjohns.edu.  Gluten-free recipes can be found through 

2.3  Is there help on the commercial on-line service Prodigy?

On Prodigy there's a lively support group for people with IBD or
IBS on the Medical Support Board, topic Crohn's and Colitis.
Phone 1-800-PRODIGY for information
on how to subscribe.

2.4  Is there a support group on the commercial on-line service America 
On-Line (AOL)?

Yes, and the instructions for accessing it are as follows:  1) Go to 
Keyword: Health, 2) Click on "Message Boards", 3) Click on "Self-help & 
Support".

There is also a support group that meets for real time chat in Private
Room CROHNSCOLITIS. The group meets Sunday nights at 9pm eastern, and 
Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8 pm eastern. The group has received positive 
reviews, with many commenting that it is "the friendliest room online with 
everyone receiving massive greetings upon entering the room." The group has 
also been putting out a free monthly e-mail newsletter since February 1996.
     To get to the room, enter The People Connection.  Click on the icon that
says List Rooms.  Click on Private Room, and type CROHNSCOLITIS.
Note that the group is not an official entity of AOL; instead, the
meetings are kept in a private room to avoid the "structure and regimentation"
of AOL's  TOS. (terms of service.)  

2.5 How about if I want to do some serious research about IBD, IBS or 
other illnesses?  

MEDLINE is your best bet.  There are a few Websites at this point that offer free
MEDLINE, meaning your searches will result in abstracts, or short summaries, 
of medical journal articles the full text of which can be ordered if desired for a fee. 
The main site is the US National Library of Medicine at www.nlm.nih.gov
Another good site is Medscape, www.medscape.com

3.0  I want to read as much as I can about this illness.  Have any 
books been written on the subject of IBD or IBS?

Here's a list of books written on one or the other or both of
these subjects.  Some of the books are reviewed; special thanks to
Sheila Ruffell for taking the time to review them and giving me 
permission to use her reviews.

"The Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Fact Book", edited by
Peter A. Banks, M.D.; Daniel H. Present, M.D.; and Penny Steiner,
M.P.H. (Scribner's, 1983) -available from CCFA.  ISBN 0-684-17967-9 
(hardcover). Can be purchased online at www.ccfa.org

"Treating IBD: A Patient's Guide to the Medical and Surgical 
Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease", Lawrence J. Brandt and
Penny Steiner-Grossman (Raven Press, 1989) -available from CCFA.  ISBN 
0-88167-532-6 (paperback). Can be purchased online at www.ccfa.org


This book was sponsored by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of
   America, and is a good overall reference book on all aspects of the
   diseases. If you are new to IBD and want more information on drugs,
   treatments, possible complications, types of surgery, etc. this book
   is an excellent source from the medical perspective. Reading a similar
   book as a newly diagnosed patient, I was somewhat aghast at the
   possible range of complications. Six years later, having met and
   survived many of them, I think it probably did help to know in advance
   what could happen and what the alternatives for handling the problems
   are.
   _________________________________________________________________

"The New People ...not Patients- A Source Book for Living with
Inflammatory Bowel Disease", Penny Steiner-Grossman, M.P.H.,
Peter Banks, M.D. and Daniel H. Present, M.D.

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