How do we help my mother-in-law with painful Collagenous Colitis?

Most of those diseases are made worse by stress. Is there any chance that she may have reduced stress is she moved closer to you or another adult child? Or in an assisted living center if she already knows people? Many people, at 80, still want to be independent, yet they worry (very real worries) about being alone. Perhaps other living arrangements would, in the end, help her?
I hope so. This is not a good way for her to live her last years.
Take care,
Carol

I have no idea if this is the same thing, but my mom suffered from IBS or as she always called it, 'colon problems'. She'd have these terrible cramps low that would radiate around to her back. When she was less then 2 weeks away from dying from cancer, the hospice nurse figured out what it was and ordered Betryl? Not sure of the spelling. But as far gone as mom was, we never found out if it worked or not. Anyway, just a thought.

Thanks for your advice and comments. She is lucky enough to still have her husband with her. He is 84 and in okay health. My sister inlaw lives 10 minutes from them, so she is not alone. It seems to me ever since her friend passed away last fall, her anxiety has been worse. Then my Mom passed in January who I took care of for 5 years in my home. Maybe hearing about people close to her age passing is causing her more anxiety. Stress and anxiety is not good, especially with this disease. It just amazes me that the docs cant get the pain under control.