It is definately managable, but I have also been very lucky. I haven't had to have any surgerys yet, but that isn't to say I don't need one. I no longer take steroids, which is definately a blessing. I take mercaptipurine and Entecort and get Remicade infusions every 2 months, plus bentyl, a muscle relaxer, for the stomach cramps. Make sure to ask about the infusions. Remicade is for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but they have found that it helps with inflamation and problems due to Crohns. And the mercaptipurine, or 6MP, is a drug for chemo patients, but they have found that it helps the body from building up immunity to the Remicade so that it will still work on the Crohns. It is an up hill battle trying to figure out what meds to take, and how often, and weening off of them, etc. etc. I have been diagnosed for appx. 10 years, and I am still struggling to learn. But the Remicade has been wonderful. As far as what to eat, or not to eat, I feel everyone is different. There is no one thing that always makes me ill, except ice cream. Other than that, it is trial and error. I have also found that after a treatment of Remicade (it is administered thru IV, usually in an oncology clinic) I feel wonderful for about 6-7 weeks, but then can start to feel pain and have trouble with going to the bathroom alot for that final week. I hope things start to look up. Try not to get discouraged during treatments and trying different medications. It may take awhile to figure out what works best. I have found that staying positive helps, as well as excersising. Good luck and let me know if I can give any advice or you just want to chat. Here are a few sites to check out. http://www.ccfa.org/ http://www.crohnsresource.com/index.jsp