Radiation Enteritis

I have been diagnosed with radiation enteritis..none of the medications prescribed to date have helped.  I have abdominal cramping most of the time.  The only time I get some relief is when I stop eating..I have tried soft bland food, I have tried fiber, I have been on herbs and even have an scendar electric machine to relieve pain..but am still in pain..what can I do and why hasn't the doctor given me anything for the pain?  I know they do not want me to be constipated or addicted to pain meds, but my life is unbarable, what can I do?  I am 55 and have lost 30 lbs in the last year...Please help...

[rthornton]

read this  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000300.htm.  Sounds like when the radiation is finished the inflammation and symptoms should go away...but looks like there is no good treatment in the mean time.  Are you still undergoing radiation therapy?

[gaga]

No I am not on radiation, my radiation treastment was 8 years ago for rectal cancer..thanks for the tip on web site I will look at it tonight..I,ve had problems all these years it just got really bad this year, and I was just diagnosed in November with radiation caused enteritis..

[rthornton]

You poor dear.  I am so sorry about these troubles you are having and I hope you find some relief.  Keep pressing your doctor for help.  I know people worry about being addicted to pain medication, but if the pain is chronic then who the he** cares?  It is senseless to live with such pain if you don't have to...let me know what happens and I wish you the very best.  Rebecca

[pikamom]

You have the right to pain relief. Get a new doctor if the one you have now refuses to give you pain meds. The new thinking is that chronic pain is best treated aggressively. People who have real pain don't get addicted to pain meds. I've been on everything from morphine and percocet to opium/belladonna suppostiories for the last 11 years for severe bladder pain. I'm not addicted yet.