Pain medication?

I don't think my GI wuold prescribe pain killers unless I was not treatable with any traditional medication and in extreme pain. I think even in that case, she would be telling me it is time to consider surgery in lieu of providing narcotic medication. I have seen a few users that have used pain killers for cramping but more that use antispasmodics like bentyl. Perhaps that is something to ask your GI about. You could also try OTC gas relivers. Have you ever tried any? I have not, I usually just deal with the pain but it's not severe for me.

Mebeverine usually helps my colicky, cramping pain and also peppermint oil. Have just been put on a trial of amitriptyline for my severe abdo pain.

Ibutin and Epirax were recommended to me when my UC was active.

Epirax seems to work better, but it can give addiction

Percocet, and or codeine ALWAYS worked for me. They slow my gut down, give me normal bowel movements, and REALLY help with pain. BUT they seem to make me very grumpy. Presently going the remicade route. No luck 1st 3 treatments, some improvement after doubling the dose on 4th and 5th dose.

Gas-x did nothing for me, but what works every time is Ginger Tea(I buy fresh ginger and add boiling water. Or this tea called "stomach ease" from the store. It also has ginger

All,
I was recently diagnosed with colitis, they are still trying to nail down which type I have. I am retired Navy and since 2008, when the symptoms began but were mild, I was diagnosed with abdominal migraines. I have chronic migraine headaches already and to them the abdominal seemed the best bet. The abdominal migraines are more prominent in toddlers and 1-2% of adults.

I was seeing a pain management doctor who in addition to some non-opiate medications also put me on Dilaudid. Prior to having this doctor, I made numerous trips to the ER as well as admissions which were stays of a week or more. After 2008 as time went on the attacks came more often and built in intensity, so much that it is a severe constant in my life. Some of the worst of the attacks included severe vomiting which at times had stringy blood in it. SEVERE abdominal pain/cramping. This is always a sharp stabbing pain that kind of rolls around my abdomen and hurts when belly is pushed on. Then came the severe diarrhea which was full of mucous and at times had blood. One night after riding it out for 48 hours I finally went to the ER. After some testing, they discovered that my kidneys had shut down I was so dehydrated.

My pain doctor has since retired and it has been a battle to get treatment while waiting to see new doctors and the usual red tape. After being banned from the Navy hospital and the civilian hospitals in my area (because they don't know what to do) I went to Langley Air Force Base and after a couple of visits was diagnosed with Colitis. They tried the usual Flagyl, Potassium, Imodium,Cipro, Phenergan and they were all to no avail. As far as the severe pain went the said that they didn't know what to do and then came the lies. Although I hadn't taken any narcotic pain medications in over 3 months, they insisted that I was going through withdrawal. My research confirmed this was BS as did my new PCM who I actually used to see some time ago, and he is the best doctor that ever lived.

Anyway, to get back to the original question of what works best for the intense abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and whatever else may come along with this wonderful disease/ailment. It is my experience that all of the usual low grade meds they have given me don't work or have adverse effects. The adverse effects were usually an increase in my already ever present symptoms and other weird things that come from the depression and anxiety meds they give to treat pain.

The reason doctors don't like giving narcotic pain medications to treat the pain that comes with colitis or other abdominal illnesses is because they slow down your digestive tract and can cause constipation. Isn't slowing down the digestive system that is a runaway train the whole point. You just have to watch what you eat and take supplements to make sure you don't get backed up. Sometimes an enema is good just to be sure if you haven't gone in at least 4 days.

But that's it. I have been diagnosed with a painful, uncomfortable, embarrassing and at times degrading disease known as colitis, which one I don't know yet. Since this is going to be a life long battle that started in 2008, pain control is at the top of my list of priorities. As long as my doctor continues to be the trusting and believing soul that he is I should be able to function on a daily basis. I only hope that my next pain management doctor will be as understanding, empathetic and believe me and my history. My suggestion is that if the lower grade meds like Percocet and Vicodin don't work ask your doctor for Dilaudid (8mg). I also suggest that you research the Yale Pain Studies and familiarize yourself with pain management and all of the terminology associated with it. Doctors will try to BS you so that you don't get what is needed and you will have to continue to suffer. Make sure he knows that you are knowledgeable and not just shaking him down for meds.

From reading all of the posts it seems that I am just as bad off as everyone else. The same pains, the same meds that don't work and the same low quality of life. I am not looking forward to dealing with this especially since a solid plan of treatment isn't in place yet. Even when I have one, it may not be effective and I'll be back in the ER. Oh wait, I'm BANNED from the ER's because they couldn't figure out what was wrong nor how to treat it. I had the answer but they said if I were to get a shot of pain meds that I would be robbing and stealing from people to get drugs. Instantly addicted is what I was told. When I quoted information from Yale and other pain studies as well as my condition and personal experience with what worked and what didn't, they became very uncomfortable. Couldn't even look me in the eye.

Good luck to everyone and let me know what I have to look forward to and anything else that might help.

Gas and bloating are my #1 complaint with my strictures.

Have you been tested for SIBO? I was, and took abx twice for it. Then I did a SIBO protocol. From that protocol, the two things I've held on to are Iberogast and digestive enzymes.

Next I tried a FODMAP elimination diet. I followed the "IBS Free At Last" version. I found limiting FODMAP load at each meal, but not necessarily eliminating them completely really helped me. Diet may not have a long term effect on my UC, but I know for sure it has a short term effect on me. Even normal folks have 'gassy foods', so that's not such a big revelation.

Hi, all. I must replay to this topic because I am battling this problem as well. For most of my life, even as far back as when I was about 10 years old, and certainly did not know anything about the GI system, I have suffered from IBD. In 2013, I started getting really sick. Could not keep any food down, vomiting small amounts, felt full after 2 bites of food even though I knew I should eat more. I am totally NOT anorexic! But I did not know what to do, it's an embarrassing illness, and I just tried to ride it out. That was in the spring and summer. By October, I was SO ill, I had my husband drive me to the ER. My potassium level was almost 0 and I was in ferocious pain in my gut. Lots of very loose stools and diarrhea. I was admitted, given IV morphine and anti-emetics, they thought it was a cardiovascular problem, and I was put through every test. They found nothing. FINALLY, the doctor had my stool tested and it came back positive for C. diff. (Clostridium difficile) bacteria. Because I did not "fit" the norm for someone who would present with that illness, I was not tested for it right away.
I was sent home on Flagyl. Waste of time and I only got sicker. I toughed it out at home for about 4 weeks, then had my husband take me back to the ER. This time, I was placed in isolation, given Vancomycin (which killed the bacteria) and supportive care...pain med, meds for nausea, potassium as it had dropped again, etc.
In the spring/summer of 2014, I had another milder bout with C. diff. I saw my family dr., got the Vancomycin, meds for "comfort", and knocked the infection out.
Now I am left with colitis. It has been on a flare since November, 2014. I have had NO relief from it. OTC Imodium helps some with the loose stools but not the severe cramping that nearly makes me cry. My MD gives me Donnatal tablets, but they are $50 for 20 pills. I am seeing him in 3 days to find out how we can deal with this problem.
As I am sure most of you can understand, I am fed up with this embarrassing condition. It is really hard to even go out to eat because my food races through me so fast I have to go to the bathroom right away. Lots of cramping and gas, and at times there is blood in my stool (black stools).
Just telling my story cause I know what you all go through. I need something for the pain, agree with Rob1972 totally. Opiates slow down the peristalsis and also give relief from the pain. Unfortunately, most doctors don't want to prescribe them because they think patients just want opiates to get high with. I don't get high from them. I get pain relief. I think I shall ask him to get me a referral to a GI specialist who can likely medicate me better than my regular MD.
Sorry for the long post, but glad to know I am not alone!

It is so frustrating when you are treated like a pill seeker. Every time I see my doctor he assures me that the pain pills I take are fine, and that I should take them when I need them and not hesitate. However, every time I call for a refill I get the run around like "this is the last time we can refill this." I just got out of the hospital with c diff and a uc flare. Dilaudid was the only thing that gave me relief. Now I'm at home and am following all treatment plans, but I still have unbearable pain. My doctor seems to have forgotten the severeness of my condition. He says if its that bad go to the ER. So should I go to the ER every other day? like I said I am taking all meds prescribed from my hospital stay. I am so so frustrated. Has anyone seen a pain management doctor? Would this be an alternative option to the dreaded call to the GI for a refill?

ginger tea and fennel tea finally seemed to help with the gas production. THAT was no fun, especially while in a bad flare. MUCH better now and am down to 10mg. prednisone from the 50. Tried Gas-X, peppermint tea and oil with no relief. Donnatal helped me the most when my 'regular' flare meds didn't work. Doing great now. Thank GOD!!! Best of luck to you, and never give up!

I use morphine 5mg. At that small dose it takes the major edge off pain and slows my bowels down. Immodium is also an opiate, I found out, so the difference is not huge but morphine actually stops pain but immodium doesn't.

Recently I stopped taking morphine and my bowels became a lot more frequent again. So there's no winning really.

I was just going to start a similar thread. My doctors have only given me pain meds when I was hospitalized twice (once was for c diff., worst pain imaginable). I wish they would give me pain pilld because they really help and I REALLY need them when flaring. I would never take them long term, but it would be nice to have a few when I am in so much pain I am scared I will pass out.