In a bind. Anything I can take for pain?

[UkuleleLady]

Hi guys,

well, I was doing so great, been off Entocort for almost a month! (eyeroll)

And not normans, but one BM/day and I was happy with that.

My sister has cancer and I'm going to Boston tomorrow for a week to support her in the hospital. I know I'm stressed out. And maybe that's the cause.

I'm having a lot of pain, no D, but pain. I started taking peppermint oil to see if that would help with the pain and cramping. I think the help is in my head.

I called my GI yesterday to see if I could get some emergency codeine for the trip, but they won't prescribe me any. I guess I'll be at a hospital, so if I get desperate I will admit myself!

Do you think Tylenol will help me? Is there something you take that helps with the pain? I know I shouldn't take ibuprofen.

I'm just eating meat because I am really frightened of fiber right now. I ate some nuts on Sunday and had some D and the pain has been there since, so I'm thinking fiber is the cause.

Thanks for any advice. And bless you all.
Nancy

[wmonique2]

Why aren't you taking extra-strength tylenol? it's OK for us (acetaminofen). And stay away from nuts, they are too harsh for us. Stay away from too much fiber too. Soft food, stuff that is easily digested. Soups with pureed vegies, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, rice, fish, bananas, canned peaches...

Hope you feel better soon.

Monique

[UkuleleLady]

Thanks Monique. I will get some extra strength tylenol.

[tex]

Hi Nancy,

Please be aware that if you eat only meat, it has to be fatty meat. Eating only lean meat leads to the development of what is known as rabbit starvation. It's possible that this might even be contributing to the GI pain that you are experiencing. Some people claim that rabbit starvation is due to too much protein in the diet, but that's not really accurate — the problem is caused by eating protein when there is inadequate fat in the diet. My guess is that the people who blame the problem on protein are still confused by the mistaken belief that eating fat is unhealthy. The need for fat in the diet when eating protein was proven over 85 years ago, but some "experts" still seem to be confused on the issue.

Eskimos Prove An All Meat Diet Provides Excellent Health

As Monique suggested, Extra-Strength Tylenol worked for me when I was recovering. Whenever I felt a migraine (or any other type of pain) coming on, I would take 2 of them, with or after a meal or snack. I found that it I took it on an empty stomach, it wasn't very helpful. I also found that if I waited until the pain was intense before taking it, it wouldn't provide much relief on the initial dose. If I waited too long, I would also have to follow the initial dose with 1 or 2 additional doses (at the labeled 4-hour intervals), in order to obtain adequate pain relief.

If it's a burning pain, in the vicinity of your stomach, an antihistamine (H2 type) might be helpful. IOW, an H2 antihistamine will reduce acid production in your stomach.

Tramadol can also be safely used by someone who has MC, but I never tried it myself, so I don't have any experience with it.

Tex

[Lesley]

That's the only thing I am taking for my back. Only once a day at the most, but when I get desperate.....

I hope your sister feels better, and you too.

[UkuleleLady]

Thanks Lesley and Tex. Hopefully this surgery will take care of her cancer because the next option is pelvic exteneration and that is a last resort.

I don't see what the big deal is about me getting something prescribed for pain (tramadol or anything) but my GI is out of the office and the nurses don't have any latitude to make these decisions.

Thanks Tex for telling me about rabbit starvation! Egads. I wonder if supplementing with coconut oil and fish oil would prevent that from happening. I am eating beef and lamb and some pork so that has fat, but nevertheless, I will look into it. I certainly don't want to get worse doing something that helps me feel better.

Thanks for the eskimo article.

[tex]

I don't see what the big deal is about me getting something prescribed for pain (tramadol or anything) but my GI is out of the office and the nurses don't have any latitude to make these decisions.

Your PCP should be able to handle a script for that type of pain, if she or he is familiar with IBDs, and aware that you have MC.

Regarding fat supplements: Most people just eat the fattier cuts of meat, and they are fine. For example, if you eat chicken, eat the skin also, and don't trim the fat from steaks or other cuts of meat. Bacon is an excellent source of fat, and so is the grease. Fried or grilled pork chops are great, also.

Coconut or fish oil supplements probably would help, but I wonder if you would get enough fat that way (without causing D). The reason I'm unsure is because some of us find that too much oil supplement (such as 3 fish oil capsules) can cause D (not an MC reaction, just D due to the lubricating qualities of supplemental oil). This problem doesn't seem to be as likely when the fat is part of the meat, though animal fat can be a problem for some of us, primarily early on in our treatment, when our digestion is still poor.

You're very welcome. I hope your sister's surgery is a complete success, and it resolves the problem.

Tex

[UkuleleLady]

Aw, thanks about my sister.

I'll have to visit my PCP when I get back in a week. Hopefully I can manage the pain until then.