Colicky pain,nausea.Help!!

[Andy1982]

For a few months now I've been suffering from real bad colicky pain that comes and goes.
I was admitted 2 weeks ago where I was given an abdomanal X-ray and ct scan which both came back fine,this week the pain is back so my doctor has taken blood samples and given me peppermint pills to help.
Has anyone else suffered from this?its so uncomfortable and annoying,as I said scan and X-ray showed no sign of active crohns.
Gallbladder,kidneys,pancreas all are fine according to GI specialist and doctor.

 

[valleysangel92]

Hi there

I've had similar pains to this, and still get it now at times even though I'm clinically classed as in remission at the moment.

Some people do find that peppermint tea helps them with their pain, and I did try peppermint capsules once, but they didn't work for me, I found peppermint sweets more helpful.


I find that heat is really soothing, or a gentle massage in a circular motion over the area that's hurting, it helps to calm the spasms in the muscles. If this doesn't work, I find an anti - spasmodic medication such as buscopan usually settles things down.

As for the nausea, ginger can be really helpful, so maybe try some ginger ale? If you can't tolerate the bubbles you can let it go flat first. Another trick is to get some lemonade and warm it up in a saucepan ( don't boil it, just warm it like you would for hot milk) and drink that slowly. That helps me if I'm a little bloated and it's causing me to feel sickly.

 

[Andy1982]

Thanks for replying I'll try these

 

[Andy1982]

Had bloods taken again my CRP was 36 so have been put on steroids

 

[Daisy123]

If I am feeling sick, I have a plain ice lolly which surprisingly enough helps. Might be worth a go.

 

[Andy1982]

I've had 5 today lol and some soup.my doctor gave me modulen to take but with no instructions if anyone has any information about this please let me know thanks

 

[valleysangel92]

I hope the steroids help get things back under control. Have you talked about long term treatment?

Modulen is a supplemental drink that is used either as well as or instead of meals. The amount needed depends on what you are managing to get down calorie wise, how much you currently weigh and what the safe weight for your height is. For example, if you were at your safe weight, then the most you need a day averages at 2500 for men, or a little more if you have an active job or do a lot of sport. If you are underweight, then it may be that you should be trying to get 2750-3000 calories in.

I've not used modulen before, I've used ensure so I'm really not able to say how many times a day to take it. But I would have a chat with your GI or IBD nurse and see if they can give you a guide.

There are online bmi calculators you can take a look at to see if you are a healthy weight if you have concerns about that, just remember it will come back slightly lower than normal if you do a lot of exercise.

 

[valleysangel92]

I just had a look on the modulen website. I can't post the link because I'm on the phone but if you Google modulen you'll find it.

It says as a sole source of food it's 1-2 litres a day.

As a supplement (which is probably what your doctor intended) it's 2-3 x250 ml servings per day.

I hope this helps.

 

[Andy1982]

Thanks for replying so fast I appreciate it

 

[Daisy123]

Steroids should kick in soon. I have a freezer full of ice lollies, but find them better than peppermint or the lovely buscopan which they keep on offering, which seems to do very little. Hope you feel better soon

 

[Andy1982]

About the steroids the doctor gave me 100 and said take these.on the medication box it says take as directed.
I've just started at 40mg but not sure how I should be reducing.
I have no confidence in my local gp about crohns and I can't get specialist until Monday

 

[Daisy123]

That makes no sense, your GP should have told you what to take. I am lucky I have a lovely GP, but it is the hospital that should be giving guidance about what med to take and how long. Steroids are the first line of medications, there are others that might be more effective for you. Take paracetamol to help with the pain until you speak to your GI

 

[valleysangel92]

Hmm ok... If you've already started them then stay on the dose you started taking until you speak to your GI.. Don't take yourself off them without speaking to your GI as it isnt safe to just stop taking steroids in that way. 40 mg is usually about where I'm started, so that's about right I think.

Tapering is usually 5 mg at a time.. A fast taper is down 5 mg every three days , a normal taper is down 5 mg every 7 day's. Make sure you speak to your GI first though.. And maybe find yourself a new GP.. I don't like them not giving you instructions with such potent medications.

 

[Andy1982]

Thanks daisy.im taking paracetamol every four hours I'm hoping I get the chance to have a proper chat with my GI on Monday.
I don't have a gp I see all the time it's always a different doctor it's an absolute nightmare

 

[Andy1982]

Thank you for the advice ^^