Pain Medication

[Sam07301985]

Ive recently been diagnosed with Crohns of my Ileum. Ive dealt with the pain for almost 5 years now and finally they diagnosed me after doing a camera study of my small bowels. During my flare ups I have the severe pain in my right side. I have two jobs and I am in Grad School. One of my jobs is waiting tables which causes me severe pain during flare ups because I am having to be on my feet the whole time. I take 6 to 8 tylenol a day I am on Pentassa and Entocort but I am still having the side pain. My doctor hasnt offered to give me anything for the pain even after I explain to him the tylenol isnt even touching the pain and im having to find people to work for me at the restaraunt I work at because the pain gets to bad. Do GI doctors not prescribe pain medication for crohns patients? Do I need to go to a different doctor for pain meds? I just want to have something to help ease the pain when I have flareups. I worked as an investigator for Child Protective Services for several years in my area and I know how bad the prescription pain medication abuse is in our area and I have a hard time asking for pain medication because I dont want my doctor thinking IM just asking for them to abuse the medication. I guess seeing how bad the problem is around here with my CPS clients makes me worry that my doctor would think that of me.

 

[Ckt]

Hi Sam!as for the pain medicine issue, states vary on what they allow. In Kentucky, we now have to go to a pain specialist which I do. It may be worth it to ask your gi doctor what your states regulations are and what they are comfortable doing.

 

[Nyx]

Maybe you need a stronger drug to deal with the flare ups rather than pain meds? Pentassa and Entocort are pretty mild Crohn's drugs. Maybe Imuran or one of the biologics will help manage your disease better? Just a suggestion, if they won't give you pain meds to deal with it.

 

[lseibert]

I go to a pain management doctor. I go for injections in my back, because I have spinal stenosis from the Crohn's, he also gives me pain meds for my arthritis pain. Too much Tylenol isn't good for your liver.......

 

[Downnvrout]

In my experience most GI doctors are reluctant to give narcotic pain medication especially with new patients. I would definitely call the office and express your concerns. Like Nyx said, you may just need a different medication combination. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Ozboz]

O have used endone and tramadol great pain killers but are opiates and make u feel happier and bit drowsy and the tramadol makes alot of people constipated had a bit of withdrawal symptoms this weekend insomnia and more trips to the toilet as constipation wore of but in my experience theese are the best i take them when i need them but find them a bit habit forming so have to be carefull but i can function good on them

 

[siobhan1978]

I'm in the same boat I live in Australia so the pain meds are a little stricter here, but is there any suggestions on some pain meds? I've tried Tramadol and nothing & I have insomnia as well so I'm awake all the time with the pain. I have only had the stoma for the past 3 weeks so it's still so new and overwhelming for me. I went in for surgery on a peptic ulcer & woke up with a stoma & told I had Crohn's!!

 

[Ckt]

Wow!did they give you pain medicine for after your surgery I hope?! I can't take tramadol either..didn't work and I ended up having two seizures and fell during one of them fracturing my forehead!cripes!! NSAIDs are out, paracetamol helps a bit for me but I do take hydrocodone. I am also a recovering addict and all my doctors know full well about this part of my medical history.
Could you discuss your concerns with your doctors?either your surgeon or your gi doctor? I am also on gabapentin which helps with my pain level too. It also helps me sleep and isn't addictive by the going standard.
Also, cymbalta which is an ssri, helps with raising pain tolerance and is also an anti depressant.
I just want you to know there are options. Do you have pain specialists there?they may be a great resource too. Pain is very hard to handle and especially when you are just getting this diagnosis and recovering from such a big surgery!