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Posted 8/18/2015 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
just curious how long it took for your cramps to go away as you were healing

i am doing so much better, i have little to no blood and little to no mucous in my stools now
i am going anywhere between 0-3 stools a day and they are usually pretty formed but soft

its that i get some pretty painful cramps several times a day and i was hoping that would go away
does it ever?
thanks
Posted 8/18/2015 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
Cramping is my most problematic symptom when I'm flaring and it's the last symptom to go away. For me, when I started remicade, it was the first thing that got better. When you cramp, is it followed by gas or a BM? Has your doctor offered you an antispasmodic? I don't find them terribly helpful but some do.
Posted 8/18/2015 9:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply
Yes the cramping is followed by gas or Bm
Sometimes just gas pains
Since it's only a bunch of times a day I don't think it's worth it to take anti spas meds as prevention
Before I knew it was UC I was taking librax to counteract some of the pain- i don't fancy being fatigued all day
Although Shoukd it get worse I may take those
Posted 8/18/2015 10:13 AM (GMT 0)
Dikid - have you tried ginger tea? That has always helped with my cramps, and it tastes good. :)
Posted 8/18/2015 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Do you find the cramping gets worse when lying down or after a meal? I asked my GI about the cramping because I agree that it is by far the most annoying symptom and he said acid in my stomach could be causing the cramping.

This was news to me because I have never had acid reflex. So he prescribed omeprazole (prilosec). I think it helped a little.

I heard that pred causes extra acid. (of course!) And you were on pred recently, right? My understanding is that the acid strips away your stomach lining over time and that you usually start to feel the results of it after you have been on pred for some time.

I also find aloe vera gel neutralizes the acid. I just digest a spoonful in the morning.

I take tramadol for the cramps too but I have been told my tramadol fun train is now coming to an end....it was a good ride. :) If the cramps get really bad, you could ask for a prescription. I don't know why doctors are so hesitant to prescribe it. I had 0 withdrawal when stopping it and I took it for over a month Vs. I have been on vicodin before and yes sure that works for the pain but awful crazy pants withdrawal.
Posted 8/18/2015 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Guys
I have not tried ginger tea but I can although I usually dislike tea.

I'm not sure when I notice the cramping because it's dispersed throughout the day.

I have tramadol but I don't like taking pain meds unless I'm dying ( problem is whenever I take them it's at a point where they won't work anymore)

I'll try taking some Prilosec
I have a script for it it stopped taking it once I got low on the steroids
I am off the steroids not but maybe there is some lingering damage esp cuz I stopped the Prilosec before the steroids

Edit typos
Posted 8/18/2015 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I also get the cramping, usually starts early evening and goes all night. Most of the times mine doesn't have gas or cause a BM and is worse when I lay down.

I have bentyl but don't think it really helps so I try not to take it. I've tried ginger tea which I think does help, I've tried a heating pad that sometimes helps and hot baths help (although I'm kinda afraid of tubs since my supposed c. Diff).

The cramping is now my worst and most annoying symptom.
Posted 8/18/2015 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Out of curiosity why is it different if it's accompanied by gas/Bm
I'm seeing my new gp on Thursday so maybe he can shed some light as to how long the cramps will last
Maybe I'll try a heating pad because it helped me when I was in so much worse pain than I'm in right now
Posted 8/19/2015 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
For me, when accompanied by gas/bm, it means I'm still healing.
Posted 8/19/2015 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
I second the heating pad idea. I've had this tea before and it tasted ok. http://www.meghantelpner.com/blog/tea-time-with-turmeric/ It's supposed to help with cramping and give pain relief.
Posted 8/19/2015 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
I gave in tonight and took a librax as I really want to sleep
Hope it's ok to take. I really need to ask my doctor and keep forgetting
Thanks for the tips I think I will try some tea tomorrow
Posted 8/19/2015 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I never really got poop gut cramps, I don't know why cuz I think it's odd. I get period cramps sometimes but I think poop cramps feel different, I honestly can't really recall a poop cramp very well, I'm sure I had them on occasion when I was a kid with a stomach bug....for me the pain I get is my lower back and anal pain and even rectal pain I think and I never believed rectal pain could be felt until I felt it. I also think it's weird that I only occasionally get period cramps.
Posted 8/20/2015 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks.
The librax helped somewhat but I'm nervous to take it as I'm pretty sure it's not recommended for UC
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