Undiagonosted Abdominal Pain

[PJ4444]

Hello Anyone,  I have Celiac and some undiagnosed, unknown underlying abdominal issues.  I have had these problems for 20+ years.  I thought they would improve since going gluten free three years ago, but they have not.  I have almost constant abdominal pain with running to the bathroom 5 to 8 times a day (Imodium only makes my pain worse).  I have gotten down to 100 lbs several times because of lack of appetite and it is just too painful to eat.  I will also have occasional bad 'bouts' where the pain is so intense for hours on end, that I end up on my closet floor screaming.  I have been to countless doctors and had countless tests done with nothing to explain my pain.  The docs have tried several different meds (non-pain) and none of them helped.  I have also been given perc, oxy, and narco from time to time and that is the only thing that seems to calm down my bowels and relieves my pain enough to be tolerable.  I was given oxy consistently for about three months, which helped until I ran out and suffered through all of the fun that entails -bad, but my body does that to me on its own.  I have four children and I teach junior high (math of all things) and I need to function for them and for me.  I have been very close to suicide several times, because I just want to crawl out of my body and get relief, but I just couldn't do that to my children.  My goal is to hang on long enough until they are all out of the house and then end the pain, but when I am having my bad 'bouts' it is very hard not to give up.  My husband is supper supportive and just wants me to feel better.  Does anyone know about medical marijuana?  If if helps, is that a better solution that the typical pain meds (even though I probably couldn't get it in my state)?  Any suggestions out there?  Help

[trixy71]

Keep trying! Keep at it! A university hospital is a good idea, they tend to think outside the box. Just don't give up, think of your daughter. You think she's upset now, its nothing compared to what she will fell if your gone. I know its hard to keep going, but like I said you are a strong woman, you CAN continue to fight, no matter how frustrating it is. Keep checking in OK, also feel free to PM me if you don't want to talk in public. I will keep you in my prayers.

[PJ4444]

I am going to a university hospital to see if they have any ideas.  I am also seeing a counselor that works with a pain management clinic.  Feel bad-my teenage daughter found my suicide note packet.  She didn't read much, but it upset her-she probably needs counseling now too.  Still trying (and still thinking doctors are pretty much useless)

[trixy71]

Even though you have tried everything, it may be a good idea to retry some of the things, you never know. Have you talked with a pain management doctor? You may have to find one that specializes in your particular issues rather than just a regular pain doctor. As for your question on MM. (I don't know if its a subject we can speak freely about) but I know people who use it and some consider it a "miracle" medicine. In my personal opinion, try it, if it works for you, great, but you wont know until you try. Also, if it doesn't give you immediate relief, give it some time, not everything will work right away. But if that was my only option, I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try. Keep us updated, and keep your chin up. You may think that its ok to end your pain when everyone is grown up and out of the house, but it would be devastating to your family, regardless of their age, and trust me on that one, I speak from experience. So again, keep at it, keep looking for help, don't give up, that's the easy way. You've been dealing with this for a long time which makes me believe your a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.

[PJ4444]

Thanks for checking in on me.  I tried Bentyl and a bunch of others that were supposed to help.  It gets soooo frustrating.  I really have tried everything.

[trixy71]

Dont give up. Ask your doctor if you can try Bentyl. It comes in generic, but I don't know the name. Its cheap and it may help. Cant hurt to try. Good luck.

[PJ4444]

Tried that too.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Go for food allergy testing--if you ahve gluten allergy--you may have other allergies as well. Keep a food diary and log in your food and symptoms--maybe you will find a correlation!

[PJ4444]

Thanks for the reply.  I already had a laparotomy.  They found absolutely nothing.  After 20 years, suicide is still looking like the only viable relief.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!

First of all I respect your braveness and strong will power! If no cause of pain is found (gall stones, stone in CBD, gastric ulcer, mesenteric ischemia, kidney stones, Crohn’s, IBS, ulcerative colitis, bladder infection, polycystic ovary), then the pain can be due to adhesions in the abdomen. Only an exploratory laparotomy can diagnose this and treat it by cutting the adhesions. Please consult your doctor regarding this. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.