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Pain as primary symptom of UC?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/29/2009 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Most people on the board talk about diarrhea and urgency and bleeding as the main problems they experience with UC.  I don't think I have truly been in remission since diagnosed.  I may go a couple of weeks with no symptoms, but then have a horrible few days....then a good day or two, then a bad one and so on.  When in a flare, I go 15+ plus times a day and pass a small amount of blood.  The one symptom that is the hardest for me is the constant pain.  It is left sided and sometimes so bad I can't stand up straight.  My doctor has given me vicoden for those times and it does help, but I hate the feeling it gives me.  If I have to take a Vicoden (low dose at that) I am pretty much out of it for the rest of the day.  Does anyone else have pain as their primary symptom?  If so, what do you do about it?  Thanks for any input. 
Posted 8/29/2009 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
You also have diverticular disease..would that not also account for some pain?

If your pain is spasming, then possibly an antispasmodic would help.

Any rectal meds in your future??? Could be one possibility.

q
Posted 8/29/2009 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor prescribed rectal meds, then I ended up hospitalized with a severe flare before I could have them filled. When they found the diverticular disease.....he said to discontinue all rectal meds. I was fuzzy headed at the time and never asked for an explanation of why I couldn't do the rectal meds with diverticular disease.
Posted 8/30/2009 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
     I really don't think rectal meds help in diverticular disease.  At least my doctor never mentioned it.  I have ulcerative proctitis and find the rectal meds help me a lot.  Did your doctor give you a specific diet to follow for the diverticulitis?  You should stay away from anything with seeds, nuts, corn, etc..  My dad had it and wound up having to have an operation to remove part of his colon because a pouch had formed and was about to burst.  He was in a lot of pain. 
Posted 8/30/2009 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Aned...please talk to your doctor about the rectal meds...you still have UC.

q
Posted 8/31/2009 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Pain is my biggest complaint for my UC, and most of the time it is deeper and not rectal in nature.
Posted 8/31/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
My pain is all lower left quadrant of my abdomen. On my good days it is just a kind of nagging tugging sensation. On my bad days, it feels like things are ripping and tearing loose. I am still curious how many people have pain with their UC?
Posted 8/31/2009 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
I had similar pain on my left side in September last year and Entocort enema was a great help. I used it nightly and the pain was gone after one week.
I never have this kind of pain again, even though I'm flaring now.
Posted 8/31/2009 9:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have a nagging type of pain most of the time mainly across the top of my stomach juust under my ribs it does get worse some days and i take pain killers and anti spasmodics but mostly it is just there.
Posted 8/31/2009 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have a lot of pain with my Uc as well. Even in remission I will sometimes get that pinchy pulling pain on the left side but it can get quite painful while flaring. On those occasions, I resort to taking Darvocet (I'm allergic to all forms of codeine) and it makes me a bit tired but not severely so like other narcotic pain meds. Also a heating pad can help take some of the edge off. I sometimes used those stick on air activated charcoal heating pads. They seem to work just as well and you can take it everywhere you go.
Posted 8/31/2009 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
supersaw- I am guessing perhaps the joint pain is from the humiras? I have noticed increased joint pains while on biologics. However, my own pains vary from day to day and week to week but are mostly stomach- they vary from under the ribs, down to the lower ab, to the pelvis as well. Some days/weeks it is burning type, other times aching, other times sharp local type, etc.. Gotta love the way IBD can create so many types of pain.
Posted 8/31/2009 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
When I was flaring I would have blinding pain when on the toilet, it would completely subside but would take a few minutes to recover from, then my gut would just feel tired. Otherwise, I understand that tugging sensation. It would be uncomfortable to stand for a long period because it felt like putting weight on my tired gut, kind of like menstrual cramps.
Posted 8/31/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, for quite a few months I had terrible aching pain just under the ribs and in my abdomen. My primary finally did a whole bunch of bloods and ordered me to take an anti-anxiety med for a couple of weeks. They are finding that these meds help with some inflammation, which I had. I stopped the meds within a couple of weeks, and haven't had the problem since. I asked my GI about it and he said he would have done the same as my primary. If it starts again, I'll try taking them again for a couple of weeks. Oh, and that is the only symptom that I'm having; I'm in Remicade remission right now.

Posted 8/31/2009 4:20 PM (GMT 0)

I know exactly what you mean about the pain.  I also could not stand up and it was worse about an hour after eating.  It didn't matter if I had a bowel moment, I still had the pain.  It was awful. I have had pain in the same area for over a year.  I have been on/and still am on Canasa (rectal med), 6MP, Colazal, and Fibercon.  I have had every test on my gall bladder, Cat scan of my abdomen, x-rays, and also an MRA (MRI for my arteries going into my intestines).  I have had UC for 19 years and this past year has been the worse for the pain. 

After inconclusive tests, I was given Amitrityline (don't think this is spelled right) back in April.  I started on 10 mg which helped for 2 months and then the pain came back and they changed it to 25mg (in June).  I have been pain free since then.  I am not even sure how it works but it did for me. 

 

Posted 8/31/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, that is exactly what I was given - Amitrityline! I couldn't remember the name. Are you still taking it Scotch? It really did the trick for me too.

Posted 8/31/2009 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
When I am in a flare I feel a constant burning and tugging in my abdomen. Sometimes it is really frustrating when you are trying to get things done and all you can think about is the nagging pain in your guts.
Posted 8/31/2009 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I am still on it.  It works fine at 25mg.  Other than I take it at night as it does make me very sleepy.  I would rather be sleepy than have the pain I was having!! LOL

Posted 8/31/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I always have pain along my lower left side.It is quite acute today and has doubled me over several times today.I also have lower back pain and joint pain in my hands and elbows.Today has been tough!! My doctor started me on iron supplement as i am slightly anaemic and i believe it's causing the increased synptoms.

Marty
Posted 8/31/2009 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
MARTY!!! ((((HHHUUUGGGSSS)))

I've missed you friend. Sorry you are having it rough right now.

Posted 9/1/2009 1:11 AM (GMT 0)

I have colitis and diverticulum as well. My doc says it is diverticular colitis. Whatever. Do you think your pain is from the diverticulitis or that you may have IBS? Did they put you on any antibiotics for the diverticulitis? That much pain doesn't seem normal.

 Before I got diagnosed and got on colazal, I had a lot of pain but now the pain is gone. If it keeps on, I would check back in with the doctor. It did take quite a while for the colazal to kick in for me but the pain subsided after a week or two. A lot of people here also take probiotics. My doc has prescribed rectal meds. I use them if I have a flare up or fissures. Good luck to you.

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