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Crohn's Disease Forum

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Nov 14, 2011
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Hi There, I was initially diagnosed with UC in 2007 (and based on correspondance between my GP and GI - "there was a granuloma identified, the possibility remains that this will eventually prove to be Crohn's".

This year - an ulcer was discovered at the TI via colonoscopy. And I am scheduled for a Small Bowel Follow Through day after tomorrow. I have horrible LRQ pain, some pain around the belly button area and left sided pain as well. I have quit smoking (per my GI) hoping that some of this would resolve itself - but, apparently not....

I have been taking generic tylenol, ibuprofen as well as generic aleve to manage the pain - does anyone have any other recommendations for pain control (without going the narcotic route? I have a codeine allergy).
With the SBFT coming up soon, can anyone give me some pointers on how to 'down' the barium without it coming back up?!?!?


Thanks for reading
Michelle
 
Hi Michelle and welcome to the forum :), the barium meals aren't pleasant, all i can say is just hold your breathe and gulp lol

Im no expert on meds but i have been told in the past that ibuprofen should really be avoided by anyone with crohns as it can make any internal bleeding etc even worse. and in my experience, before i got diagnosed i found myself taking a lot of ibuprofen and things certainly didnt get better
 
As Robbo said Ibuprofen should be avoided, along with other NSAIDS (the forum wiki here will give some more details on it). Personally I use a hot water bottle, tiger balm and drink cups of peppermint tea if im in pain. It definately helps but I dont think theres anyway or removing all the pain when in remission. Have you found any foods that make the pain worse? A lot of people stop eating certain foods that they find causes pain when flaring
 
Hi Michelle and welcome! Ibuprofen is a big no-no! Unfortunately, your only option is Tylenol. However, some people will get a prescription for Tylenol with codine if the pain is too bad.

Have you taken any meds for your "UC"? Have you and your GI discuss a new treatment plan now that it seems you have Crohn's?
 
Thanks for the warm welcomes!
Martin - I'll have to keep in mind to hold my breath and gulp it down, I've never had to worry about getting barium down....not looking forward to it.
Rygon - I've not found any food that makes things better or worse. What may bother me this week might not bother me another time...it's all very very frustrating!!
xJillx - I have a codeine allergy, so tylenol with codeine is out of the question. My previous meds for my UC were Asacol and suppositories, the GI doc hasn't advised as to what meds to take at the moment. Based on the results of the upcoming SBFT, I would expect to be prescribed Imuran (at a minimum).
Getting this CD diagnosis has been a long, drawn out process starting in February of this year..........
 
Hi Michelle and welcome :)

One more vote for stop the ibuprofen and NSAIDs. They're bad news if you have IBD.

Since you have an ulcer in your terminal ileum, you may want to request that your vitamin B12 levels are checked as well as that is where vitamin B12 is absorbed. It's much better to supplement that BEFORE the symptoms start if you are indeed deficient.

Again, welcome, I hope to see you around the community more :)
 
Thanks David. I see my GI doc in about 3.5 weeks, sooner (I hope) if the results of the UGI aren't good. I've had problems with my B12 levels before, but, it was beleived to stem from my use of Zantac (it can inhibit adsorbtion of B12 with long term use).
I supposed I'll have to wait and see what happens at the GI doc appointment next month.

Pain management is a problem though - I've been trying a little bit of this, and a little bit of that (OTC med) and have discovered a cocktail of extra strength tylenol and back pain medication is helpful :(
 

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