how do you deal with the pain of Erithema Nodosum
Hi
I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease for about 7 months. I am not a young person but in my early fifties ( well still consider myself young) I had what started as a cold but then got worse and after a week or so my feet and legs had around 8 nodules of erythema nodosum. I know that because in the past without knowing I had Crohn's disease I got a really bad infection and my legs again had the nodules, I went to the Dr, and he tested and confirmed. Now that I have Crohn's disease I understand why they come out.
I am really afraid to take painkillers as it's said that Ibuprofen or Enantyum is really bad if you have Crohn's so I just deal with the pain, but it has become unbearable, and I don't want to take steroids....
Can someone advise please?
Hi
. We know the nodules can certainly be bothersome. The exact cause is often hard to pin down. As noted in this article from the Autoimmune Association, the can be brought on from an autoimmune condition, some medications, underlying infection, or some combination thereof: https://autoimmune.org/disease-information/erythema-nodosum/. Your frustration with pain management with IBD is also certainly understandable (see: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/pain-management-frustrations). I do also want to share with you this article from our editorial team on pain relievers and IBD: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/treatment/symptom-management/pain-relievers. Hopefully others will chime with their thoughts and what has helped them. Wishing you the best. Richard (Team Member) 
I hear you. Erythema Nodosum is so difficult and painful to go through. I have had it before and I will never forget the pain. I was given steroids and it cleared up very quickly. I'm not sure of another remedy for it. Do you get adverse reactions with steroid treatment? Will your doctors be putting you on any medication to treat the flares? That will also help with keeping the EN at bay. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, my heart goes out to you. Sending warm hugs your way, Elizabeth (team member)
Thank you so much. I have been taking Steroids in the past but they give me these long treatments for a whole month and my system just goes crazy, I sleep little, I retain water, and it's not great, which is why I am just refusing and trying to deal with the pain. I am taking something called Pentasa and probiotics for the flare-ups. I was just wondering about pain killers that would not affect the Crohn's. I hear you. Yes, long term steroid use can have difficult side effects. I would get the same as well. Honestly, I know you an take Tylenol. Maybe ask your doctor about a high dose to see if that helps with pain? I also would use Copaiba essential oil whenever I had pain and it was so soothing for me. I buy from the brand Young Living and apply topically. It is pretty amazing how much that oil helps soothe pain. Maybe look into it? Not all brands of oils are made to be applied topically though, that's why I use that brand. -Elizabeth (team member)
Thank you for the tip. I will check the oil and see if I can get it here.
You're welcome. Best of luck. -Elizabeth (team member)
