Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...

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constant pain?

mseaton
mseaton
I have had digestive problems my entire life and about 6 years ago I had many many test but everything was inconclusive. Then I was dianoised with sjogrens so I assumed that was the whole problem. Now I had another colonoscopy and I have UC. What I don't understand is I have constant pain even when I don't have diarrhea. It NEVER goes away. It's in my upper right back and comes around to under my right rib. At times it extends down my right side and sometimes I will have pain on my lower left side. I could understand it if it were only when I had diarrhea but I often have constipation because of bowel inflamation. Is this typical?
deleted_user
deleted_user
have you had gallbladder testing? When I had that pain, that's what they checked. Good luck!
mseaton
mseaton
Yes, I had my gallbladder removed years ago,
rmb
rmb
I wouldn't say it's typical, but I also wouldn't say it's out of the question. I have constipation all the time now with my UC and at times it's painful. I also had my gallbladder removed, and ever since, I periodically still get intense pain (my bile duct as a dilation issue) and abdominal spasms from that. It's all part of that whole post cholecystectomy syndrome some people get.

Also, do you have acid reflux? That can cause crazy discomfort in your back and ribs. Could be a lot of things,like referred pain.
mseaton
mseaton
I do have gastritis. I take previcaid twice daily. The pain becomes severe then down to a dull ache. It's just always there. :-(
bart4u
bart4u
Having pain everyday is a part of having Crohns and UC. It's not fun and people who do not have the disease have no clue what we go through. For me pain comes with diarrhea and when I had constipation I had pain too. I have tried every pain med out there and the only one that works for me has been Methadone 5mg tabs.
rcaschbacher
rcaschbacher
So sorry to hear you are in so much pain every day. I agree that daily pain is part of UC and Crohns. At least when it is still flared. I have had UC for just over a year and not been in a remission, so I don't know what that is like. However, I have pain every day. Sometimes it is all day long and on good days it is limited to bowel movements.

What does your doctor say about the constant pain? Have you tried pain medications?

I hope that you are able to find some relief from your pain.
~Rachel
deleted_user
deleted_user
Is it possible that it's something like costochondritis or some type of inflammatory arthritis?

The reason I ask is that I get sharp stabbing pains in the ribcage along the sides fairly frequently. The docs think it's costochondritis and is related to the arthritis I have (enteropathic arthritis which is associated with CD and UC). I have also had times when I've had excrutiating back pain that radiated around my body to the front.

Do you see a rheumatologist for your SJS? I would mention it to them and see what they say.
ashley906
ashley906
When you reach remission then the pain can be gone for years. I know it's all very crazy right now but there are so many different therapies that really get people feeling well for years. Take care of yourself and you'll feel better in no time!
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