What is Chronic Pain
Chronic pain becomes chronic when it persists longer than 6 months and is resistant to medical management. Millions of Americans are chronic pain patients and some exper...
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Stomach Pain/IBS
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Hello Friends~
I started taking opiates for my CP back in 2000 and in the beginning, I was not taking laxatives or stool softeners, nor was I taking a prescription to aid with GERD symptoms. As the years have passed, (and one especially bad trip to the ER when I could not 'go' on my own..let's just say that nurse should have been paid triple her wages that loooong night!) I began with the laxatives/stool softeners so I could keep regular. I was also prescribed Panaloc to aid with stomach problems due to the meds. I currently take 90 mg of Methadone throughout the day for my CP as well as an antidepressant and a Thyroid medication. Last Thursday I developed a pain in the middle of my stomach, dead centre just below the breast bone. I also started developing diarrhea between bouts of constipation, I feel nauseated and my appetite is not where it should be. I always take my meds with something in my stomach but that day my husband and I were running late for the year end Mass for our son's school and I just downed them with some water before we went, on an empty stomach. I am wondering if I just inflamed my stomach and it will settle down or could this be symptoms of IBS or an Ulcer. My question, does anyone on this board suffer from IBS or an Ulcer? If so, what were your symptoms? Of course, if this continues or should it suddenly get worse I will be checking in with our GP/going to the ER. *Thanks* in advance for your personal insights. Crafty Posted on 07/01/09, 08:07 pm |
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I'm pretty sure that I had IBS before I went on to narcotics (now I'm constipated all the time). My bowel movements cycled from diarrhea to constipation and mostly when I did have a BM I would feel like I hadn't voided everything.
Other people with IBS have constipation-dominant or diarrhea-dominant symptoms. If this is the first time you've had symptoms like this, could it just be that you've picked up a stomach bug? 
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Hello Friedalina~
*Thank you* for your reply! Truth be told, the reason I have not been to the doctor is because I was suspecting it may just be a 'stomach bug' that is why I want to wait until at least Friday before going to see him, it will be about a week since the symptoms first hit me. Crafty
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I am on 90 Mg's of Methadone also and I take Dilaudid for BT pain. I used to suffer from constipation until a friend of mine told me to go to the health food store and get some Acidophilus a pro-biotic. I take mine daily in the AM and ever since I started it, no more bloated feeling or constipation. No more laxatives, enemas or glycerin suppositories.
Another thing that I started eating was Activia yogurt. This yogurt also contains probiotics, so more help for the constipation! I mix my vanilla Activia, with my fiber cereal, some frozen strawberries (thawed) and then some almonds and that is my breakfast every single morning. My advice to both of you is try this and see if it works for you. It has worked for every other person on opioid that I have talked to in this forum and another CP forum that I belong to, so my fingers are cross for you! Take care and let me know if this works.
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I take 240mg / 24hrs Oxycontin for lumbar arthritis and sciatica. I also have moderate IBS and the Oxycontin has the added benefit of keeping the IBS at bay. the oxy seems to counteract the bowel spasms and along with a high fiber diet allows me to be quite regular without having to use stool softeners. Another positive side effect is that the Oxycontin keeps my allergies under control by acting as a cough suppressant. For me it is a miracle drug. I quite literally couldn't live without it. By the way, I am also a Canuck and just now am very grateful I don't live in a country with a DEA. Best of luck.
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I was officially diagnosed with IBS 12 years ago (diarrhea dominant only). It wasn't until 2 yrs ago I actually had it under control because of the pain medicine I am on.
Well, just recently it has flared up due to high stress and lowered pain meds. IBS is stomach cramps, urgency to go, (feels like you won't make it to the bathroom), causes incredible anxiety, loose stool or pancake batter. For me: it can occur after every meal, or 6 to 8 times a day , can wake me in my sleep. It's a living nightmare. I hope you have a stomach bug. Good luck!
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I have ulcer and after years of years of painkillers.
Had sharp pain at top of stomach and had to go to er cause of the sickness that along with it. Some days are better than others with pain. Found having something to eat helps with painkillers than being on an empty stomach.
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I developed a little IBS after I started pain meds regularly last year. They can do a number on your colon and intestines. Try that benefiber stuff you can spinkle in your juice, water or soup. Your not supposed to me able to taste it. If the fiber makes it worse- stop immediately. Fiber tends to make IBS symptoms way worse (according to my gastro doc). However constipation make it's worse to. Hope your feeling better..
~hugs
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