Upper Abdominal Pain

[Rebecca29]

Quick story, question, etc.

last week admitted in the hospital for flare up with CD, bad upper/middle abdominal pain, puking, diarrhea. Spent 4 days in hospital, starved for 3 days, i've been on Pentasa since January (diagnosed Jan, 2011), last week was put on Prednisone on Wednesday. Currently tapering down from Prednisone (only 2 days left - woot). Side effects is night sweats, emotional, and redness of the face. Can't wait to be able to sleep! Anyway, I've had this upper/middle abdominal discomfort since i left the hospital last friday. It feels like a constant runners cramp in the middle of my stomache. Is this common? What do I do? This being my first flare/inccodent with CD putting me in the hospital. Not sure what's next?

Thank you for any advice!

 

[Crohnie85]

This type of incident is common during a really bad flare. I've experienced that before I ended up in the hospital. I would recommend sticking with a liquid diet until the diarrhea subsides and you notice an improvement with your symptoms. Stick with warm/hot liquids as it soothes the stomach. Cold liquids will not help with the flare and may make it worse. Don't seem to recall having redness of the face but the night sweats/chills if you have any do seem to go away at some point. As far as the cramps, thats usually something that sticks around for a while until the flare begins to improve.

 

[Rebecca29]

so in other words it is common to be in discomfort/pain for days or even longer? because primary doctor and GI receptionist didnt seem to eager to get me in for an appointment ASAP. I'm reading way too much online and many sites are telling me this abdominal cramping/pain is MAJOR symptoms. Just confused at what i should do??

 

[Astra]

Hiya Rebecca

And the docs said only one week on Pred? IMO this isn't long enough.
When I was in hospital last year with vomiting et al, I was on Pred for nearly 11 months.
Give your gastro a ring, make an appt, discuss other medication, tell them you're still suffering, maybe they will keep you on Pred for a bit longer?
Good luck
xxx

 

[Rebecca29]

i have an appointment for primary doc in 2 days. and Ill see GI doc next week. Like i said it seemed as if they were in no hurry to see me, and i think my primary doc is somewhat clueless to what im going through. totally feel comfortable with my GI doc who has been dealing with this for 30 years. Anyway, no suggestions to run to the hospital?

And Astra I really dont want to be on Prednisone for any longer. I am emotional and tired of not sleeping and sweating. Pentasa has no side effects for me and has helped for bathroom times 8 a day down to 5.

 

[Astra]

Ok, don't blame you for that Rebecca, no one likes Pred, but it's a fab drug in terms of reducing inflammation.
Hang on in there, your appt with gastro is next week? Then discuss other options with him, Pentasa is relatively mild, it won't cut it if you've got inflammation, only maintains once inflamm is under control. Pentasa is my maintenance med, but I have no inflamm at the mo.
The more your doc knows, the more he will/can help, start a journal today, document everything, including trigger foods.
good luck
xxx

 

[MEgal]

HMmmm
So you're admitted for flare with sx: mid epigrastic and suprapubic pain with associated nausea and diarrhea. 4 day total stay, with 3 as NPO
current meds: pentasa since january, prednisone since wednesday--currently on a taper, toadas dose was ..? It could be an ulcer from CD, it could be gastritis not related to CD, it could by mild pancreatitis. Each of these are associated with strong epigastric or supraumbilical pain, rather constant, soemtimes burning, on scale of 5-8 (pt depending)
1 Labs: complete metabolic panel with Lipase (pancretitis lab), a Complete CBC with diff
2 imaginag (is expensive ) BUT an MRE could be helpful to visualize the ulcers and how far /if theyve perforted or spread. a CT would also add, but an ultrasounds (cheap and easy) would quickly rule out things like pancreatitis and gall stones issues.
3. EDG/upper endescopy to go in and really see whats going on. they can take biopsies, stable and holes forming, and take biosies to see if you also have h.pylori.
Choices, choices. keep on withe the Carafate to coat the possible ulcers, sofran for nusea (from pain and ulcers), stronger pain medicines, ulcers sometimes require tramadol at max dosing and then even something like oxydocone or hydrocodone to effectively treat the pain. Be an advocate! this pain can be touuuuugh

lots of hugs! keep us posted

Quick story, question, etc.

last week admitted in the hospital for flare up with CD, bad upper/middle abdominal pain, puking, diarrhea. Spent 4 days in hospital, starved for 3 days, i've been on Pentasa since January (diagnosed Jan, 2011), last week was put on Prednisone on Wednesday. Currently tapering down from Prednisone (only 2 days left - woot). Side effects is night sweats, emotional, and redness of the face. Can't wait to be able to sleep! Anyway, I've had this upper/middle abdominal discomfort since i left the hospital last friday. It feels like a constant runners cramp in the middle of my stomache. Is this common? What do I do? This being my first flare/inccodent with CD putting me in the hospital. Not sure what's next?

Thank you for any advice!