Chronic Pain

[Guinevere]

Hi! So I have been dealing with intestinal pain for a little over three years now. Over these years, my problems have gotten worse and worse.

For about the last year and especially these last few months, I have had chronic stomach pain that does not go away at all. It feels as if my stomach is about to explode and it is hard to the touch. Also, my stomach is swollen all the time and is worse when I eat more food. So basically, I have to eat super small meals in order to keep my stomach somewhat flat.

I have cut vegetables out of my diet and this helps somewhat, but otherwise not much seems to cure this chronic pain.

Does anyone experience pain like this that does not go away? Is there anything that I can do to feel better? I have tried countless things and am feeling rather hopeless. All I want to do is lie down and forget about everything.

Any tricks for staying positive?

 

[InChristAlone]

Oh, I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I eliminated all whole grains, nuts, seeds and raw veggies from my diet for the last while, but now it seems to be dairy giving me grief. Sorry I'm not a lot of help. As far as staying positive goes, I turn to the Bible and study it to draw close to Jesus. I will say a prayer for you.

 

[Rebecca85]

Hi Guinevere! It might help if you tell us a little bit more about yourself- do you have a diagnosis of Crohn's/UC? If not, have you been to a gastroenterologist, had any tests done, that sort of thing?

 

[Guinevere]

I have been to the gastroenterologist and am currently waiting to get a MRI scan done.

So far, I have had scopes done (after waiting 3 days in the hospital for help with no food, so a lot of my inflammation decreased). I have also gotten my appendix removed about 6 months ago as well as 2 cysts on my liver and stomach I believe.

I am currently undiagnosed but my GT said that he is suspecting crohns. I take sierrasil and this has helped a really small amount with the inflammation. I also take turmeric pills and a B-multivitamin in order to maintain my energy (which is hard some days).

Every night I take aloevera juice which sometimes helps and I also take magnesium each night as well.

Regardless of everything that I take to help with the pain, it still continues. I will get the odd day where it is not so bad and then without changing too much in my diet the pain returns as well as some swelling. My bowel movements are never constant and I usually only go about once a day. Sometimes not at all. It is super frusterating. Whenever my stomach is not feeling too bad and is not too swollen, then my bowels work pretty good and I have no trouble with them.

My digestive system just doesnt' want to work at all! I don't have much appetite and sometimes foods just don't taste good. I hardly eat any vegetables and am living off of fruit, turkey, salmon and rice.

All of these stomach issues just won't go away and it is really getting to me. I am running out of hope and can't help but withdraw myself from other people.

Hopefully some of this info will help if anyone has any suggestions of what I should do? I feel so uncomfortable all of the time and wish I could eat whatever I wanted when I wanted.

Could my intestines by inflammed to the degree that my bowels move super slowly? I don't get diarrhea, but my doctor says that that doesn't mean that I don't have crohns.

Thanks InChristAlone for the prayer. God has not been listening to me about my stomach too much and it feels as if He doesn't care. I know that he does care and in my mind I know that his will for my life is perfect. I am just having trouble believing this truth in my heart.

 

[Rebecca85]

Maybe you could persuade your GI to prescribe you enteral nutrition? Basically it is a liquid feed that gives you all the nutrients you need, but in an easily absorbed form- no digestion needed.

There is a condition called gastro paresis where the stomach doesn't empty quickly enough. It sounds like you may have this, either as a main cause or a consequence of your other symptoms.

By the way- aloe vera juice contains something (aloin?) that is irritating to the intestines and is not recommended for Crohn's patients (even though some people swear by it). And you don't mention whether you take any painkillers, but aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided by Crohn's patients, so probably best to avoid those just in case.

Your gastro is right by the way- Crohn's doesn't necessarily cause diarrhoea. Though those that don't have diarrhoea tend to have small bowel disease which can be harder to find. Though an MRI has a good chance of spotting it!

 

[Guinevere]

Thanks for the reply Rebecca85. I didn't realize this about the aloevera juice.

I really hope they find something because I cannot handle this anymore.