pain management/emotional health

I know it's easy to say find a new doctor, but I know that's not always possible, so I won't tell you to do that. Maybe if you are very specific with your doctor about your pain he or she will give you something to help. By specific, I mean keep a journal keeping track off all episodes of pain. Use the 1-10 number system to let them know how you are doing. I know that when I start to hurt, I tense up which makes me hurt more which makes me tense up more, etc, etc, so getting something to at least take the edge off is important for me. I also have Xanax for anxiety which helps me too. Maybe if you explain this to your doctor it might help.
I have a heating pad next to my bed and next to my chair. I use it all the time and it seems to help me to relax which helps my pain. I've never tried ice, but I have thought about it. It might work, but it might make you tense up a little too.
I hope this helps at least a little. I know waiting for the meds to work while you are in pain is hard both physically and emotionally. I wish you good luck and relief.

I'll admit off the bat, I've never had a job that I had to visit clients houses or go multiple places at once for work related things. But from the time of my first flare to the two years it took to (thankfully) get me into some kind of remission, I did become afraid to leave my house. Really afraid. I stopped driving, stopped visiting anyone, stayed at home and just, literally, stared at the walls. My old GI never recommended any sort of pain meds, he never recommended any sort of therapy, he never recommended anything but different medications to try and surgery. It did take me going to another doctor to finally feel better. I do realize how hard looking for one can be, but sometimes you have to do it. My new GI got all my old tests results and scans into his office, sat me down and asked me.. why haven't you been on anything for pain?? I simply answered him that my old GI was against it. His jaw dropped.

I know it would be impossible to take most pain meds while driving around and about, and Fitzy's idea about mapping out different "potty stop" locations is a great one. It's a great thing to do whether you're going to a clients, or going to the grocery store.. or anything. Just good to know where you can rest your behind :)!! Also, maybe talking to a therapist would help! Stress can mess with your body anyways, CD related or not, it can do things to you, hurt you and just make you feel blah. You put that ontop of CD and yeah, even if your meds start to work you may not realize it due to the pains and effects of stress.

Sorry for the bunches of words :D. It's just I hate seeing someone go through that stress :). I hope you feel better!

As to the emotional issues that sometimes complicate our relationship to this disease, yes absolutely I would recommend counselling if you are struggling. You need to seek out a health psychologist, preferably someone who is associated with a GI clinic and has lots of experience dealing with patients with crohn's.

I was first introduced to the health psychologist working in collaboration with the GI unit in a large teaching hospital in 1993 when I was dealing with a severe health crisis. This centre was 4 hours drive from my home and I didn't think I needed counselling at the time, but I never forgot his standing offer. "I'm here if you need me."

At the time I just wanted to get out of hospital and back to my workoholic lifestyle. Three years ago I realized I was in big trouble. I knew intellectually that I was really sick, but I had coped through denial for so long I couldn't acknowledge it emotionally. Despite suffering ever increasinglyl violent obstructive episodes, there was a part of me that believed I was to blame for them and that I really wasn't that sick.

Getting through surgery was one thing, but I knew that I needed to make changes in how I related to this disease. I really was afraid that, without change I was at risk of dying. Luckily, I had always remembered this guy's name and got my family physician to refer.

Best decision I have ever made. Gave me back my perspective and provided the guidance to work through some really tough decisions. I worked with him for 36 months. And even though it meant an overnight stay in the city and an eight hour round trip trek, I never considered finding a counsellor closer to home. This guy knew enough about the disease, to be on top of everything I was experiencing. I shudder to think what might have happened to me if I had been in the care of someone who doesn't understand what this disease can do to your psyche. Probably would have been pumped full of mood elevators and labeled a looney.