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Have Had Severe IBS, Abdominal Pain. Not Cured By Medicine. Do I Have Narcotic Pain Syndrome?

Posted on Tue, 2 Apr 2013

Question: I have had severe IBS since 1974. I also have had 24/7 moderate abdominal pain, for 5 years. I took Darvoset to manage pain for 25 years, and since darvoset has been removed 28 mos ago, I have tried 4 pain meds, with unpleasant side effects not much consistent pain relief. IN addition to IBS, I also have what I have self diagnosed as "CRONIC FUNCTIONAL ABDOMINAL PAIN" .. like nerve ending pain. I have also taken SRRI's (40 mg Citralipram) for 20 yrs. I cant get out of bed each morning until I take 3-4 ocycodone for ab pain,, I think I have Narcotic Pain Syndrome .I need relief from the cycle of pain. Thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Mamun Kabir (4 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for your query.

I am so sorry to know that you are suffering from chronic abdominal pain.

Irritable bowel syndrome itself is a functional cause of chronic abdominal pain.
There are 3 types-diarrhea predominant, constipation predominant & pain & bloating type.
You are suffering from the bloating type.

You have already taken the optimum drug therapy but less responsive.
Try to avoid wheat & dairy products.
If symptoms persist in spite of optimum drug therapy then you can try relaxation therapy, biofeedback or hypnotherapy.

There are some complementary & alternative therapies for IBS also.
Some examples are cognitive therapy, biologically based herbal products, probiotics, biofield therapies, ayurvedic, homeopathy etc.
In some cases these are proved effective.

Do consult your treating doctor who can plan on referring you to one amongst the above alternative medicine specialist.

I hope, I have been some help of your query.
Please write if you have any doubts.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Mamun Kabir (2 days later)

I can live with the abdominal cramping from classic IBS, but the other disorder known as CFAP (Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain) which I read research by Dr XXXXXXX Drossman Chapel Hill,NC.
IN looking at CFAP.. what about my taking a Fibermaylga type drug.. or gabentin, or pregbalin or carbamazebine .. for nerve ending pain..

Answered by Dr. Mamun Kabir (3 hours later)

Hello,
Thank you for your follow up question.
IBS & CFAP is quite similar but CFAP is less common.
Usually in CFAP there is no bowel abnormality.
Treatment is about almost the same.
Low dose amitryptyline helps in both.
Non pharmacological treatment sometimes overlap.
Gabapentin,pregabalin or carbamazepie are usually used for long term functional pain.

I hope I have some help of your query.
Take care.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj