Is constant pain normal?

[sheerladybug]

is constant pain normal?

Was diagnosed in 2000 with Crohns and had 9 inches removed although I knew for years that something was wrong. I have tried various oral meds to no avail. Dr. has trouble getting scope through me because of narrowing but I always ate what I wanted and dealt with the belly pain and numerous trips to the bathroom , however, I dont venture far from home. About a month ago, I began experiencing excruciating pain under my right breast into my back and down my right quadrant along with severe nausea. It almost felt like gallbladder pain but it was removed 2 yrs ago due to becoming gangrenous. I have had numerous blood work and CT scans done and nothing shows up but the pain is still there only not as bad. I do notice I hurt more after I eat and am now scheduled for an endoscopy. My dr. put me on predisone, flagyl, and cipro and I just had to see an infectious disease dr. to approve me for Remicade which I am terrified to take because not only do I have Crohns but I have lyme disease as well which weakens my immune system. Is is normal to have continuous pain last this long??

 

[kllyeve]

No constant pain is not normal - however it seems to be very common for people with bowel issues. I am also dealing with a great deal of pain - even though Remicade has eiminated quite a bit of it.

Some reading I did indicated that once you have bowel issues, the nerves to the bowels become hypersensitive and overreactive. I am still trying to figure out my specific issues as I have IBS as well.

 

[Trysha]

It is great that you have an endoscopy scheduled since it will rule out any gallstones that might have formed. It can happen without a gallbladder.
Also it needs to be determined just what is happening, could be ulcers, might even be kidney stones., quite a few things in fact.
It is not normal to be in constant pain and it is good that you have investigations under way.
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[David]

Welcome! No, your pain is not normal. I'm glad they're looking into it though. Please keep us updated and let us know if there's anything we can do for you.

*hugs*

 

[Angrybird]

Welcome to the forum hun. I can only agree that it is not normal to have all that pain and that it is good that investigations are under way. Let us know how things go, I do hope you can feel better soon.

xxx

 

[Kev]

I've mentioned this before in other posts, but I'll toss it out there again, just in case you're in the same/similar boat. My crohns is kept in check by my LDN (disease is only visible via microscopic examination of tissue now), but I still experience fairly constant daily pain. It's the downside of the large amounts of scar tissue I have as a result of my crohns. The issue with scar tissue is that it isn't flexible, pliant or resilient like healthy tissue would be.
You mention trouble being scoped due to narrowing... that sounds like scar tissue. But the location you describe, to me that sounds like pancreatic pain, from pancreatitis. But, since you've had your gallbladder removed, it would be odd for that to happen unless your common bile duct was blocked, AND pancreatitis would show up in CT scans AND blood work (enzyme levels would be out of whack). Whatever the cause, you need to have it looked into. I've seen numerous surgeons, trying to find one who would remove my scar tissue, but to no avail. Theres too much of it to piece back, so their only option is to take it all out; and I prefer avoiding that for the moment. So, short answer is, if you consider my case a typical crohns condition, then continuous pain can be part of it all.

 

[sheerladybug]

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to everyone but thanks to all who replied. I finally had my endoscopy done and now find out that I have gastroparesis......my stomach isnt empyting out the food fast enough so now I have to try erythromycin as I am reluctant to try the Reglan because of the side effects and I will be starting Remicade soon however it will not help the gastroparesis. I also would like to mention that I stumbled across a disorder called sphincter of Oddi dysfunction associated with the removal of the gallbladder. My pain is almost always under my right breast especially after I eat and Im just wondering if anyone has had gastroparesis or the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Just when I think that things might get a little better, I find out I have something else wrong. I am so thankful for this forum and the people who take time to help others. All of you are in my prayers.

 

[David]

There are indeed people here with both of those issues. If you start a thread specific to one of those issues others might chime in. Or you can use the search function at the top left of the forum to see what others have already said.