Pain killers and Crohns

[Bc1973]

Hey everyone, I was wondering what over-the-counter pain relief UK Crohns sufferers used when things got dodgy. I'm gearing up for a year-long stint on HUMIRA (once the seemingly endless prep is over) and i've just finished a mammoth run on prednisolone (started in November) but I'm still getting nasty and frequent bouts of pain. Last night was particularly bad.

I'm told the HUMIRA will sort me right out but I've been in so much regular pain this last six months that I need something else to control the pain. I have a lot on at work and at home.

What do people use?

 

[Manatey]

I can't help ya. I'm not in UK but just wanted to say good luck on new treatment and hopeful the pain goes away for you soon!

 

[Rebecca85]

Unfortunately there isn't much in terms of OTC relief. There is paracetamol, which is only really for mild pain. Or cocodamol which has a low dose of codeine as well as paracetamol, and is OK for medium pain. They recommend that it only be used for short periods of time, because of the risk of addiction, and it can hide other problems. There are other opioid mixed painkillers, but I think they have NsAIDs in them, so a no-no for IBD sufferers. You could also try IBS meds, which are non spasmotics and help to relax the muscles and relieve cramps. But If these aren't cutting it, you will need to persuade your doctors to prescribe someone stronger.

 

[JDTM]

Pre-diagnosis, I was prescribed an antispasmodic to help with cramping/gut "fluttering," to be taken as-needed. I only tried it a couple of times though and I don't think it did too much, so I stopped using it. It made me super drowsy. That said, I'm not sure if I would have been prescribed it had my GI already known that I had Crohn's -- we were still in the "figuring stuff out" stages. I wish you the best of luck and I also hope the Humira works wonders for you!