Pain Medicine From Your Gi Doctor?

[missceliac2010]

Hello friends!

I have been living with severe chronic back pain for over a year now. Since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease and changing my diet, my back pain has gotten way better! I mean, we are talking like 80% better! I have talked to my regular doctor, and we are going to start tapering me off the pain medicine!

This leads me to my GI question... When I am accidentally "glutened", I experience severe pain in my abdomen. I am allergic to NSAIDS (Advil, etc) and have been since childhood. Tylenol does almost nothing for me since it's been the go-to pain reliever for so many years. My only option for anything greater than mild pain is opiates like Vicodin.

I have been using my regular doctor's RX for Vicodin when I "get glutened" to get me through the 3-4 hours of bad belly pain. I usually take a pill or two and head to bed. Problem is, I don't like the fact that I am using an RX from my back doctor for problems with my belly. Should I be getting my pain RX from my GI doctor? Is their such a thing as a GI doctor giving prescriptions for pain medicine for the 'if's and when's' of a Celiac's life?

**Edit: I need to add this question, because I left it out of my original post: How do you ladies and gentlemen handle the pain associated with Glutening??**

I made an appointment with my GI doctor this week to discuss this topic, but would love my peer's opinions before I go in and ask for an RX.

Thanks for any input!

Heather

[kareng]

Please be sure to tell him what you already take. He will probably say that if that works, you don't need another script for more narcotic and potentially addicting drugs. I think you seem to know to be careful with these meds. Be careful that the GI doesn't label you as a person who is seeking extra pain meds. Let the regular doc know that you occasionally use them for the belly pain, too.

[missceliac2010]

Of course. That's always a concern. If my GI doc is willing to take over my pain med needs for occasional glutening I would stop getting an RX from my regular doctor.

I really think that my back pain is headed in the direction of 100% recovery! This excites me very much!

Thanks!

[kareng]

Of course. That's always a concern. If my GI doc is willing to take over my pain med needs for occasional glutening I would stop getting an RX from my regular doctor.

I really think that my back pain is headed in the direction of 100% recovery! This excites me very much!

Thanks!

Just wanted to warn you. I know a few doc's that will write a script for 50 hydrocodone for a minor injury. But I know a few that are really worried about it and might misunderstand. Glad your back is so much better.

[missceliac2010]

Yes, I understand your concern and thank you!

Just wanted to warn you. I know a few doc's that will write a script for 50 hydrocodone for a minor injury. But I know a few that are really worried about it and might misunderstand. Glad your back is so much better.

[ravenwoodglass]

I would let my regular doctor know that you are also using it for GI pain. He may suggest a muscle relaxer for the times that you are glutened since the pain many times comes from cramps or he may allow you to have a script of the one you are on to use when glutening happens. Scripts for opiates are very closely monitored so don't be offended if the GI doctor is reluctant to give you one.

If the pain only lasts a couple hours a hot water bottle may help a lot or you can also wait it out (that's what I do). I also find that name brand Pepto Bismal stops the pain almost instantly, that may work for you. I don't know what state you are in but if you are in one where medical pot is prescribed that may help also on an as needed basis. Once you get good with the diet and stop getting accidentally glutened the issue should go away. Also be aware that not all script meds are gluten free, make sure the ones you are taking are.

[burdee]

In answer to your last question ("How do you ladies and gentlemen handle the pain associated with Glutening?"), I cope with gut pain and bloating from accidental glutening, the same way I cope with pain from accidental ingestion of any of my other 6 allergens, undiagnosed bacterial or parasitic infections, side effects of treatments for those infections and even adjusting to high dose probiotics:

I do yoga or aerobic exercises to strengthen my stomach muscles.

I walk aerobically for 60-90 minutes.

I drink peppermint tea which helps relaxed intestinal cramping.

I go to bed with a heating pad on my stomach.

I take hot showers and focus hot water spray on my abdominal (painful) area.

I distract myself as best as I can, especially by researching what contaminated (with gluten or other allergens) food caused the pain or by posting online or even talking to a supportive friend.

I remind myself that the pain will pass as my body recovers, because I can't take any painkillers except tylenol, which doesn't cause stomach pain or nausea and vomiting. I can't take any narcotic drugs without simultaneously taking laxatives and antiemetics to counteract what narcotics do to my body.

SUE

[missceliac2010]

Thanks to everyone for the good ideas. Raven, yes I live in a "friendly" state, haha, but I will certainly run for the Pepto first thing to see if it helps. And Sue, thanks for the non-narcotic ideas! Peppermint tea? I'd never had thought of it! Thanks!

Ultimately, like Raven said, I know I will spend less and less time feeling like crud on the couch with a big swollen tummy from an accidental glutening as time goes on and I learn this lifestyle better. The first week of my new diet, I spent 5 of 7 days glutened in one form or another, but this week, so-far 0 days have been spent glutened! (That said, we are only on day 2, but I'm still doing much better than last week!)

I am a little nervous about a wedding I have to go to this weekend in Tahoe. Eating out scares me, and if I get glutened, I'll be NO FUN at the wedding! Never-mind the fact that I won't fit in my cute dress if my gut swells, causing me to bring 2 dresses... the skinny little black dress if I am healthy, and the more forgiving empire waist cut dress if I get sick! We got a hotel with a full kitchen, so we plan to eat most of our meals at the hotel, and I will bring my own salad dressing to restaurants so I can always get a salad if I am not comfortable with the menu. And of course, I always have gluten-free nutrition bars in my purse, so I won't ever starve to death!

Thanks again everyone! Keep the advice coming...!

[burdee]

I am a little nervous about a wedding I have to go to this weekend in Tahoe. Eating out scares me, and if I get glutened, I'll be NO FUN at the wedding! Never-mind the fact that I won't fit in my cute dress if my gut swells, causing me to bring 2 dresses... the skinny little black dress if I am healthy, and the more forgiving empire waist cut dress if I get sick! We got a hotel with a full kitchen, so we plan to eat most of our meals at the hotel, and I will bring my own salad dressing to restaurants so I can always get a salad if I am not comfortable with the menu. And of course, I always have gluten-free nutrition bars in my purse, so I won't ever starve to death!

Thanks again everyone! Keep the advice coming...!

I own several very fashionable empire waist (loose over the abdominal area) dresses and tops for those days when I'm either so bloated or suffer so much pain I can't even hold my tummy in. When I wear those, I look so good that I forget my pain (and bloating) and have a great time whereever I go. I've been coping with gluten and other allergen setbacks as well as symptoms and side effects of treatment from 8 intestinal infections for the past 6+ years. So I know how to dress for any unexpected bloating.

SUE

[kareng]

We were in Tahoe for spring break. Didn't find any gluten-free restaurants except one named Freshies. We didn't go so I can't say anything about it. The grocery near the casinos on the CA side, by the theater, Heavenly chair, Blue Dog Pizza (not gluten-free) had a good selection of gluten-free items if you need crackers or cookies. I think it's an Albertsons.