HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Stomach Spasms Anyone?

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/3/2008 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Well, really the spasms I'm getting are lower than the stomach, in the small intestine. They seem to be somehow related to gas, and definitely cause rectum distress (must-do-it-now diarrhea). They do not seem to be related to food, but might be related to stress -- yet don't always arrive when stress does. It's a very definite feeling of a spasm traveling down the intestine - I can feel it move through the lower abdomen. For several months early last year I had this problem, then it went away for several months. This week it's back, and I've started wondering if it's related to lupus or fibromyalgia. Anyone with something like this? Thanks, Lynnwood Dx Lupus since '00, new Dr wants to Dx Fibro instead....
Posted 2/3/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
hi Lynnwood,

 

Oh dear, that sounds very uncomfortable.  I know that with Fibro, irritable bowel can be an issue.  I notice the "urge" much more frequently if my fibro is active.  I have nothing but really loose, or the "big D" when that happens. 

 

Did you notice your previous episode with this during a lupus or fibro flare?  It's so hard to pinpoint isn't it....

 

All I know is that taking my daily acidophilus has helped tremendously with my bm's and the gas too.  I had a hydrogen breath test done a couple of weeks ago to see if I had any intestinal bacteria issues.  The results came back 100% normal.  Not a single bit of bacteria in my system. My GI doc said it was from the 3 years of probiotics that I've been taking.  He was thrilled and said that very few people who are on acidophilus have gas/diarrhea, cramping issues. 

 

I can't remember if you are on a probiotic already?  I recommend it for anyone!!

 

Hopefully someone else will have more info and ideas for you. 

 

Ginny

Posted 2/3/2008 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
When it occurred previously, I had no reason to look for fibro symptoms, so I have no idea if it occurred during a flare of either. I'm fine once my stomach, etc. empties, which occurs in a matter of 20-30 minutes. Couldn't it be the only manifestation of a flare? IE, intestine cramps are the flare? Hmmm.........
Posted 2/3/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood, I was reading on another post (the "how do people feel everyday" post) that several members said they could tell they were in a flare when their GI problems flared up. It looks like a real posibility that the flare could be manifesting itself in your GI symptoms. It seems like this disease doesn't stop throwing curveballs.
Posted 2/3/2008 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Ya, I think you're both right.  The GI issues could be the flare itself.  Just like when my fibro flares, the brain fog becomes my flare up.  I guess, like you said Lynnwood, the actual symptoms we get, are the flares.  Makes sense to me!  Definitely bringing this up with your rheumy is a good idea.  Just to see what their opinion on this is.  I get all freaky freaky when my it's my GI that causes problems.  A lot goes on in there that affects the rest of our body. 

 

Ginny

 

 

Posted 2/3/2008 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
hi lynnwood,
sorry to hear you are having problems, i have had diarrhea on and off now for months because of the cellcept but the docs wont change it cause unfortunately the benefits out weigh the risks, so the doc told me to take imodium for the diarrhea. are you taking anything to help with the diarrhea? the imodium helps but now that i am on oxycontin it helps with the diarrhea because one of the side effects of it is constipation, go figure. have you talked to your doc about it yet? i hope that your stomach soon, your in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted 2/3/2008 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Lynnwood, Sorry you are dealing with this. . . . but SO glad it disappears with a trip to the broom. I have had several boughts with severe lower abdomen (bowel) pain in the last year. It is how my flare begin now . . . or this is causing my flares. It starts with sores in my mouth (not open sores, just sore, red spots) then crampy feeling, then full out, doubling over pain. Sometimes I can't even walk to the bathroom. I'm not actually having D but definitely related to bm's and there is a bit of bleeding sometimes. A few years back I was having bleeding and similar (not as bad) problems and I went to a GI doc who did the c-oscopy and said I had inflammatory bowel and diverticulosis. No treatment, just encouraged more fiber. I never thought another thing about it and ignored the issue ever since (because he seemed to ignore it). NOW! OWE!! I have an appointment in March with a new gastro at the Cleveland Clinic to check into things. I like the new rheumy who is also with the Cleveland Clinic . . . so they will be able to share my file. I may also get a PCP there too. Much less hassle than trying to get records from one doc to the other. They just pull everything up on the computer. Anyway, I'll let you know what I find out. From what I'm reading, the inflammation can be an autoimmune thing and can be associated with lupus, ulcerative colitis or crohns. . . . ewwwwww to each one!! I'm watching this topic for more info from the others!! Blessings!
Posted 2/3/2008 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood,

    I hope you find the culprit soon and get some relief. When was your last colonoscopy done? Keep us updated and take care.

                                                        Babs

Posted 2/3/2008 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
This only occurs immediately after a meal (about 45 minutes) - and it's like my insides find something they don't like in the meal - so they discard it totally within about 30 minutes. Then I'm fine the rest of the day, or till the next meal it decides to treat this way. I've never had a colonoscopy -- I don't think the regular ones start till 55, do they? The only other time I had anything like this was in the early 80's, when it turned out I had an ulcer, and it didn't involve cramps like this. Wouldn't most of these diseases have bad reactions to every meal? What I have seems more random, like breakfast one day, dinner the next, lunch the 3rd...for about a week then dies down for a couple of weeks (or a few months last time). Thanks for everyones comments and suggestions...I was mostly just wondering if you guys thought it was part of the lupus package...
Posted 2/3/2008 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood, your symptoms sound a lot like mine before I was dx with gluten sensitivity in addition to finding out lupus attacks my GI tract (intestines in particular). Imuran has helped me immensely along with the gluten free diet that I will have to follow for the rest of my life. But as I mentioned in the other post, when I am headed for a flare I get rumbling intestines, like you I can literally "feel" it as it moves through. I also cannot eat a lot of fruits and veggies, it makes me cramp up.

Before both of my dx's the mornings were the worst time for me, there were many many times I had to turn around and go back home or stop at the store to use the restroom, sometimes I didn't make it and then had to head back home to clean up. This happened every morning and I never eat breakfast. Sometimes it would bother me right after eating lunch or dinner but not always. it was all very weird.

Check out this website: www.celiac.com

I hope you get some answers soon. I can't remember who your rheumy is in Atlanta but I would definitely mention to him/her. I know I am probably forgetting to tell you something so feel free to ask more questions. Take care
Posted 2/3/2008 10:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lynnwood,

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble. I can't say I am having the same issue now but, after I had my gallbladder removed I had the same issue. I also wanted to let you know about Habba Syndrome it is something you might want to look into. I don't know if it is related to lupus or not.

Blubry

Posted 2/3/2008 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood,
I dont have much knowlegde about lupus ,but stomach spasms are tricky ,if you describe them to your family physician he/she can recommend some med to prevent it ,as some ppl are prone to spasms/cramps and some are not.The C-scopy can be done anytime even if you are under 50 if deemed fit by your doc,so dont worry.Don;t ignore it and many medicines are out there just for spasms which can be alleviated by stress.

hope this helps .
katy
Posted 2/4/2008 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lynnwood! I can relate to the symptoms you describe because I notice similar symptoms, on and off, in myself. My rhuemy questions whether or not I have ulcerative colitis or IBS and has scheduled a colonoscopy for me. She says that many of my lupus symptoms can be the beginnings of ulcerative colitis so, yes, I would think what you describe could well be related to lupus.

I'll let you know what I find out.
Posted 2/4/2008 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood,

   Routine colonoscopy's start at age 50 but, if someone has a change in bowel habits, chronic diarrhea, unexplained abdominal pain, or blood in stools they will do them at a much younger age. The doctors in our office have done them on teenagers but, that is rare.

                                                        Babs

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply