GI pain: What non-medication ideas help?

Posted by samz0429 @samz0429, Sep 1, 2022

Had gi problems for years. Recently chronic pain was bad, started 2-month stint of diaherra. Gi finally diagnosed colitis. Any advice on pain management, such as stretching, movement, walking.
Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 1, 2022

@samz0429, great topic. I updated the title to reflect your question and added it to the Digestive Health group as well. See here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/

I'm bringing in fellow members @nwcs @lighthouseceliac @denisepowell @kitty2 @bvanderb @fourof5zs and others to share their tips.

lighthouseceliac | @lighthouseceliac | Sep 1, 2022

Awe yuck. I was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis the first week of July. I can’t get into my gastro at Mayo until the end of Nov. it will be 4 months after diagnosis. I am winging it trying to figure it out. It is way worse than my Celiac experiences. I am just figuring it out so I don’t have much advice. 8 Imodium a day for 8 weeks has been helping some. I have 2 more weeks and my 8 weeks is up. I might start on budesonide.
Let me know any of your tricks with food. Take care!!

lighthouseceliac | @lighthouseceliac | Sep 1, 2022

In reply to @lighthouseceliac "Awe yuck. I was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis the first week of July. I can’t get..." + (show)

Diagnosis was first week of August..not July. Time makes no sense anymore.

lighthouseceliac | @lighthouseceliac | Sep 1, 2022

In reply to @lighthouseceliac "Diagnosis was first week of August..not July. Time makes no sense anymore." + (show)

Maaan…6 weeks on Imodium that is…I have proven that brain fog is alive and well!!

sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Sep 2, 2022

I have apt today with psychologist for cognitive behavioral therapy. Took 3 months for apt! I’ll let you know how it goes. My gi thinks it’s “the” answer, so we’ll see.

sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Sep 3, 2022

Very happy with initial visit with digestive psychologist! Feel hopeful for the first time in a very long time. He feels like he can help me. He actually me told me I will have a phone number where I can call and reach him when I need him. Haven’t had a doctor tell me that virtually ever! Uses a combination of gut directed hypnosis and other therapies. I really hope he truly has some answers because I am so tired of feeling sick and being in pain and no doctors seeming to care at all. I just want to have a life again.

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Sep 4, 2022

I have had GI discomfort for years. IBS and autoimmune intestinal inflammation. I also had MALS, but that is taken care of.
The only thing that really helps me is sleep. When I sleep, my insides also sleep.
I also take Dicyclomin and PeptoBismol.

notmoff | @notmoff | Sep 4, 2022

In reply to @astaingegerdm "I have had GI discomfort for years. IBS and autoimmune intestinal inflammation. I also had MALS,..." + (show)

My brief Google search showed Dicyclomin was to "reduce the symptoms of stomach and intestinal cramping." Does that mean it reduces diarrhea and you had IBS-D?
I believe I have IBS-C, constipation with very uncomfortable and disfiguring bloat especially if I inadvertently eat a little too much. Or maybe it is too much of a particular food. I finally have an appointment with a gastroenterologist who may help.

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Sep 4, 2022

In reply to @notmoff "My brief Google search showed Dicyclomin was to "reduce the symptoms of stomach and intestinal cramping."..." + (show)

@notmoff - I have a combination- also I have poor motility- the intestines are not synchronized. Many people with IBS use Dicyclomin to reduce cramping of any kind that also gives you bloat.
It’s a trial and error. Ask for a prescription and try it out.
For persistent diarrhea, there is also Rx Lomotil. Slows thing down.