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Posted 8/10/2008 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
I spent ten years with what my family called belly attacks. THey occurred 1-2 times per day, just about every day. There was no food trigger, and no particular pattern. After a colonoscopy, I had a very bad "belly attack" and called my doctor. He sent me in for a CT scan, during, which a tumor was found in my kidney. My kidney was removed and the tumor turned out to be cancer. After the removal of the kidney, the belly attacks stopped. Since I have had the belly attacks for 10 years, and the tumor could not have been there for more than a few years (as I had had a previous CT scan), I don't believe that the tumor caused the belly attacks. However, something else somehow connected to the kidney may have been. My sister knows someone who knows someone who had a similar issue with stomach pain, and there was found to be a problem with a kidney enzyme. When his kidney was removed, the problem disappeared.

Posted 10/3/2008 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm 16 years old, and have this same thing! As it seems no one can actually tell me whats wrong?.

Its a weird pain, I feel when i sit with my knees to my chest and my head between my legs it relieves the pain in my ribs, temporarily.

But as for the spasm like things it feels like a big bubble of air like moving around and pushing on the walls of my diaphram, or whatevers under your rid cage, it really hurts me though.

The "spasms" are really frequent for me.. like every 45 seconds, and its been on going since yesterday (2nd Oct) 2pm (australian time).

I need some answers!

Can anyone help? It'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Posted 10/3/2008 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
All -

Please ask your doctor(s) to try a course of antibiotics. After suffering for 2 long months, I had a CT scan which showed my lymph nodes in my STOMACH were swollen. Which led them to believe it was an INFECTION. After being on Cipro for 3 days, I started to fee better and after 10 days it was GONE.
Posted 10/14/2008 8:19 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Guys,

I saw all of the posts for the pain in the left side/chest/ribcage etc...I have been severly afflicted with CFS/ME/FM and litterly millions of symptoms during the last 4 1/2 years. I am only 34 years old and a shadow of my former rediculously athletic self. I have that pain that you are all talking about and it controls me. I do get headaches with it, but I have them so often it is hard to tell. This is a devastating pain, no doubt about it. I have tried everything, you have said all that we do but there is no cure. I also have heart problems, and muscle knots right in that area. The pain goes straight thru the front to back right over the chest and thru all of the muscles in that area. The very best thing I can give you and Im not a dumb person, I know how to find info on the net, ha ha. Hot pads and hot baths my friends, I am also thinkin whirlpool and looking into that. You have a small window afterwards to get to sleep which we all know we need to recover. I am going to try the 2 bananas with the gatorade too because I already drink loads of that for my heart and orthostatic hypotension. Oh yeah, as well as the pain with the headaches I get swollen on my left ass from the hump part down into the cheek. All of it hurts, and I am on pain meds full time because of all of it and more. More people have this disease than the government will admit. My mom has it, her sis has it, her sis daughter has it, I have it my sis is getting it. My kids all 3 have it. My 2nd cousin died from it, along with my Moms Dad. Its the sadest thing I have ever seen. And it all starts with pain in the left side, so forgive me if I am a downer and negative but I have been suffering from this illusive disease for so long and trying things to help it(meanwhile missing things I never thought I would miss) and I wish there was some help out there for us. If we ever get it, it will come from the UK because they know and BELIEVE how debilitating it is and empathize. Get rest too, tons of it whenever you can. Hope this helps guys. If you have any questions let me know, it may take a while sometimes. I have good mins and bad and the same goes for months and weeks and days. And if there is anyone out there that knows more, who has had it longer and can help me, GOD BLESS YOU AND PLEASE SHARE. I am VERY open in every aspect, any knowledge is power. Thanks and take care.

Nikki

Posted 10/14/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)

Nikki,

Welcome to HealingWell.  I am so sorry you are in so much pain and your life has changed so radically.  I wish I could share your pain.  You sound like a very strong person with a very nasty condition.

I have not had this pain but as you can see many have and I am sure you will get advice from them.

the members are warm and caring and they know where your coming from. If you need anything from me please ask and I will do my best to help you.

Bless you

Kitt

Posted 10/15/2008 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
WOW, so I'm not going nuts.  Cordelia here-a newbie to the forum. Gerd with a hiatal hernia, and intestines which ride halfway up my left chest.  I empathize with everyone experiencing this type of pain. It can be totally diabilitating. Talked to my doctor and he said nothing can be done. Going to a Cardiologist just to rule out any cardiac problems, though I've had lots of ekgs in the ER, when i arrived there for the pain. Lets keep on hoping.

Posted 10/21/2008 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
I have had the same symptoms for the past four years; they have been very sporadic. Until two weekends ago the last episode had occurred two years ago. I ended up in the emergency, got a sonogram and everything including urine and blood work came back clear. On the two occasions that i ended up in the emergency i was shot up with morphine to kill the pain, but the doctors had no clue what was wrong with me. I too suffer from acid reflex, but i watch what i eat, my diet doesn't include any fast food, acidic or dairy products for that matter. i am very careful. I don't drink... and well my only vice is a piece of real dark chocolate once in a blue moon. yet, I have had these pains that start up in my sternum and generate to my back. they last hours, and it was just a couple of weeks ago I had them for four days consecutively. it was pure torture. I avoided the emergency for fear that i would just be given morphine. I went in to see my doctor the following week, and after a series of exams i was diagnosed with Tietze syndrome - Chondropathia Tuberosa... basically an inflammatory disorder characterized by chest pain and swelling. The good thing is that it's not life threatening. the bad news it's likely something i have to live with. doc said that the best thing is to ride out the pain, and i was prescribed anti-inflammatory medicine (800mg motrin). although i am not thrilled that i have to deal with pain, i have relief that it's not something that can kill me and that it has nothing to do with acid reflux or any other serious ailments. hope this info helps some of you.
regards,
azulle

Tabs said...
Hi Rossie 99

What you describe sounds incredibly similar to what I've been experiencing.

Approximately 5 years ago I began waking up at 2:00am with stomach pain. When it begins the pain is only stong enough to wake me up but within minutes it escalates to a 8-10. The first couple of episodes we'd try to manage at home however after the 3rd or 4th attack they became so strong I'd have to go to the emergency. Once there every test came back fine (urine, blood, etc....) and they would give me some sort of pain killer (usually morphine) and after a couple hours the pain would subside and I'd be sent home. For the next two days (after an attack) my stomach would feel sick and achy but that would be it. At first, my attacks came every 4-5 months (always waking me up between 1:30am and 3:30am - never in the day) but within a year or two they were coming every month or so. I did a series of tests with my doctor and at the hospital (scopes, altrasounds, colonoscapy, etc....) and no one could figure out what was causing it. Eventually the attacks just stopped happening. Until last night......... I got my first attack in 2 years. It was exactly like everyone before. At 1:50 I woke up with horrible stomach pain (at the top middle part of my stomach - very deep pain, the pain is so bad you can't breath or lie down) withing 15 minutes it got so bad my husband had to take me to the emergency (I could hardly make it to the car). The pain is always there but it goes in waves of how strong it is (between 8-10, never going below an 8). The hospital took all their regular tests - everyone came back fine. They gave me a muscle relaxer and pain killer and by 4:10 the pain had subsided and we were ready to go home. Now, the next morning, I just feel like I have a bad stomach ache (though very managable....). And sadly I guess I just wait for the next time I wake up in the middle of the night.

Does this sound like your attachs????????? And if so have you found anything that helps or do you have and clue what it is or what causes it.

Just as an end note. In between attachs I have no stomach pain, no heartburn, no digestive problems, no nothing.........I've charted my food intake, sleep, and stress and I also can't find any connections. Overall I'm quite healthy.

Posted 10/24/2008 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
While on vacation I did not eat right, I could not find the organic foods that I wanted, after I got home I had stomache spasms and also on my ribs that radiated into my left breast. One doctor said that I had a hiatal hernia. It scared the heck out of me. I know that I was eating too much acid food including soda. I think it all has to do with the diet. I normally don't eat alot of acidic foods. I don.t eat red meat or much of any meat, or sweets, . I now eat a good veg. diet and it has helped alot. I went to a holistic doctor and one doctor gave me cold laser treatment which helped. I don't take medicines. I take colostrum, grape seed extracts, pomagranate concentrate,tart montmorency cherry juice, acai, a good multi vitamin,not centrum! Vitamin C, lots of antioxidants and I drink alot of water and often take a powdered magn. and I get lots of excersise.
Hope this info helps.
Posted 10/24/2008 4:13 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to the newbies, organic, CordeliaGray and serenazulle !

I am so happy to see our new members and glad you jumped in and felt comforatable in doing so.

We do have a  thread for intro for new members if you would like to post a bit about yourself in that thread.  It is not mandatory but a nice way to meet everyone.

Thanks
Kitt

Posted 11/5/2008 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I thought I was going crazy.  Could not figure out why I kept having these cramps/spasms.  I never thought this was related to GERD, thought great another problem to deal with.  I would just try to ride the pain out.  I am meeting with my doctor for an evalutation on the 11th.  Will add this to the list of symptoms.  I know there are soem problems with the surgery but I am hoping he will recommend it because I am so tired of living this was as weall are.  God bless all in this forum

Posted 11/5/2008 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
k9lov3r

Welcome to HealingWell and I am so glad you found our forum before you go to the physicians.

You will find the members here very wise and caring.  Keep taling to us and if you would like we do have a thread for new members to share a bit about themselves.

Again Welcome.

Kitt

Posted 11/21/2008 9:19 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings kind people, this is my story...

At age 12 I experienced what I thought was the most excruciating pain that man could suffer. At 28, I have lived only to confirm that finding. For me it goes like this...
A small gnawing feeling at the top of my stomach and just below my rib cage. This is just the appetizer, a prelude of the oncoming merciless pain that will inevitably shatter me. It then slowly starts to progress into what I now understand to be spasms. They come and go like the pains of a lady giving birth. So I try to enjoy the relief points and mentally brace my self for the next spasm, which is usually 15 secs to 1 min apart. But after a point it just hurts. Speaking hurts. Even the smell of strong aroma produces some amount of reaction from me. I attempt to walk but I assume the posture of a hunchback unable to walk straight. The pain works it's way to my back. I try to relieve my back pain by inserting a pillow behind my back or massaging it. It helps somewhat. The pain usually last for about 12 hours, and in my case usually occurs once or twice a month.

I have been to the ER on 3 different occasions. But nothing came of that. I have been to private doctors had an endoscopy twice, but nothing to remedy my situation. I no longer go the hospital, I opt to wait it out.
But it hasn't been an all out defeat. There have been somethings that helped improve my situation somewhat and I mention them here in hopes that maybe it might help someone.

1. Milk consumption
It just might be you are lactose intolerant. You might want to try boycotting anything and everything that has milk (cookies, biscuit, cakes...even certain types of bread) for 30 days. And see if this improves generally your well being. It may not be the sole reason but maybe a greatly contributing factor, as was in my case. I dropped milk and have seen an incredible improvement. This might not work for everyone, but its worth a try.

2. Pariet (omeprazole)
Always consult a doctor before trying any medication. But after being subjected to enough pain one is willing to try anything. I would take omeprazole 20 mg if I felt something was starting. Or before I ate something too spicy.

3. Eat right
That is eat gentle food that don't strain your stomach. Like soup and vegetables and cooked stuff. I've noticed some foods trigger this pain into motion. It would be helpful to notice which foods do that and avoid them as much as possible.

I'd like to thank everyone who shared, I thought I was alone but obviously there are others. :)
Posted 11/25/2008 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I have been experiencing what feels like spasms under my left breast/rib cage. For a long time now when I would bend over a certain way it would feel like a had a cramp or charlie horse type feeling in both sides below my breasts and just recently it seems the left side is very uncomfortable. The uncomfortableness comes only when I am sitting up straight not laying down and it seems to be more uncomfortable when I take my bra off. Sometimes it feels like a tingling burning sensation. I do not know what this may be but if anyone suffers similar symptoms and knows what it is would you please respond. Thank you
Posted 2/4/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)

I am so happy I found this site...as I have been suffering on and off for about 4 years (I get this pain approx. 7 times a year) and I thought I was the only one in the world with this issue, as my doctors will say, it sounds like a spasm, but they really do not have any information about what a spasm is, why people get them, when to know if you should go to an ER, etc.   They never really say...it is nothing, or don't worry about it.  They only say it "sounds" like an intestinal spasm of some sort.

 I have been to an obgyn, primary care physician and GI specialist.  I have had a colonoscopy, ultrasounds, bloodwork etc., all fine.  I did have 3 surgeries when I was younger for ovarian cysts that broke through my ovary causing internal bleeding.  The spasm that I experience now is very similar to the ovarian cyst pain, so I always call my obgyn thinking it is my ovary, and it may be a cyst sometimes...but she sent me to the GI doctor because she said it can't always be my ovary causing this pain.

I transcribe minutes for many long meetings, therefore I am in a sitting position for sometimes 3-4 hours without a break.  I am totally fine when all of a sudden I get a sharp pain that starts on the lower right side near my ovary.  It seems like this spasm begins when my bladder is full and also I feel like gas begins to go upward at the same time and gets totally "stuck".    The pain is so severe I cannot move, I begin to sweat and no amount of moving around makes it go away.  I can barely get up from my chair, let alone drive home, and I always wonder if I should go to the ER as the pain is a 10.  The first time this happened to me, I was on an airplane from New York to Hawaii, needless to say, when I fly I make sure I have an isle seat so I can walk around.  By the way, I do not drink anything carbonated.

Today for the first time, all of a sudden without warning, it seemed like my whole upper stomach went into a spasm.  The pain under my left rib was so bad that I thought I might have to go to the hospital.  My GI dr. gave me a pill called hyosaymine for the lower pains I get..what she describes as a possible intestinal spasm or IBS.  I was not sure if it would work on pain in the upper stomach but I gave it a try and luckily approx. 15 - 20 minutes later the severe pain was gone.   I am left with a feeling as if I have been punched from the inside out.   I was looking under stomach spasms when I found this site...I am sorry you all are going through similar pain, but at least I do not feel like I am the only one in the world with this issue anymore...

IMy GI doctor told me to take fiber 3 times a day and hyosayamine when I get the spasms.  Thank God for the hyosyamine, it really takes the spasms away...if you take one ASAP.  I asked the GI dr. if I could have some sort of pain pill for the pain after the spasm and she looked at me and said a narcotic?  Absolutely not.  That made me wonder if she thinks I am just a "complainer"...this is REAL severe pain.   

Another thing that helps is sleeping with one of those microwavable bean bags.  The heat seems to help me feel better.  I also do YOGA 2x's a week, that really helps a lot.  I begin class sometimes with stomach or IBS pain and when I leave, it is totally gone.  Good luck everyone...I will keep reading..hoping to find some additional information to help keep this pain away for good, why it happens and is it common?

Posted 2/5/2009 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

I have the same problem.  My doctor did a series of tests and said while everything was in the normal range, my pH had risen slightly.  He said this is a sign of the body becoming more acidic from a pH or salt imbalance.  I was told to drink 10-12 glasses of water a day, or to drink some gatorade to see if that helps.

Marburg

Grannyboots said...
  

  Hi Everyone,

    I am new to this forum, and it looks like very good information, from a lot of friendly folks. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis. I get muscle spasms in my stomach and rib cage muscles. The last time I had these was last Friday night, and they lasted for two hours. The pain does not come and go, but is continious. Does anyone else get this pain in stomach and rib cage? I have had them before this, but they never lasted for two hours.

   If anyone has these, what do you take for them? I noticed that I get a lot of gas when this happens, and it does help if I can get rid of the gas. I also have acid reflux, but don't know if this has anything to do with it. Ant information will be appreciated.

Grannyboots   tongue

Posted 2/6/2009 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
same problem very painful. acupuncture helps a bit, causing some irritation around the area helps release some of the tension that leads to the spasms i find. still don't know what is causing these painful spasms though.
Posted 2/7/2009 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
Same prob here, about 4 years now. doctors gave me omeprazole but that doesn't address the real problem. from my research on the internet i'm thinking it might be a parasite or a hormone imbalance. i think maybe parasite because i did a lot of hiking and drinking water from mountain streams. i didn't have any immediate symptoms but i understand parasites can lie dormant in your stomach for years. I'm wondering if anyone else might have been exposed to parasites. unfortuantely i cannot afford to go to the doc so i have to rely on self-medication. ibuprofen does help a lot so there must be some inflamation involved along with the spasming. sorry to hear so many are suffering from this, i thought for sure i was the only one. if i find an answer i will surely post it. what i do know is that the doctors do not have the answer only the drugs.
Posted 2/11/2009 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I've had periodic spasms in the area where my gallbladder used to be before it was removed a couple years ago. It comes on unpredictably. I've even had it wake me up in the middle of the night. It's very uncomfortable.

Believe it or not, a chewable baby aspirin solves the problem immediately.


Posted 2/14/2009 3:58 AM (GMT 0)

Tabs

I read your story and was amazed to read a story that could have came out of my mouth exactly!!  Everything you described, to a tee, is my story.  Just wondering if you have any new news on what this is exactly and why its happening?  I haven't had another episode since October of 08, however, I know this is a possibility at any given time.  I do remember it always happening after my menstrual cycle, how about you?  thanks for any info.

 

Tabs said...

Hi Rossie 99

What you describe sounds incredibly similar to what I've been experiencing.

Approximately 5 years ago I began waking up at 2:00am with stomach pain.  When it begins the pain is only stong enough to wake me up but within minutes it escalates to a 8-10.  The first couple of episodes we'd try to manage at home however after the 3rd or 4th attack they became so strong I'd have to go to the emergency.  Once there every test came back fine (urine, blood, etc....) and they would give me some sort of pain killer (usually morphine) and after a couple hours the pain would subside and I'd be sent home.  For the next two days (after an attack) my stomach would feel sick and achy but that would be it.  At first, my attacks came every 4-5 months (always waking me up between 1:30am and 3:30am - never in the day) but within a year or two they were coming every month or so.  I did a series of tests with my doctor and at the hospital (scopes, altrasounds, colonoscapy, etc....) and no one could figure out what was causing it.   Eventually the attacks just stopped happening.  Until last night......... I got my first attack in 2 years.  It was exactly like everyone before.  At 1:50 I woke up with horrible stomach pain (at the top middle part of my stomach - very deep pain, the pain is so bad you can't breath or lie down) withing 15 minutes it got so bad my husband had to take me to the emergency (I could hardly make it to the car).  The pain is always there but it goes in waves of how strong it is (between 8-10, never going below an 8).  The hospital took all their regular tests - everyone came back fine.  They gave me a muscle relaxer and pain killer and by 4:10 the pain had subsided and we were ready to go home.  Now, the next morning, I just feel like I have a bad stomach ache (though very managable....).  And sadly I guess I just wait for the next time I wake up in the middle of the night.

Does this sound like your attachs?????????  And if so have you found anything that helps or do you have and clue what it is or what causes it.

Just as an end note.  In between attachs I have no stomach pain, no heartburn, no digestive problems, no nothing.........I've charted my food intake, sleep, and stress and I also can't find any connections. Overall I'm quite healthy.


Posted 2/14/2009 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone. Spent part of the night in agony. Starts between 1-3 and continues till 4. Could of cried when I happened onto this site. I felt like I was reading about myself. I've also felt like I was going nuts. All tests come back negative except gastritis and GERD. A little about myself: Had my gallbladder removed 30 years ago post pregnancy. Since then have had hysterectomy, cystocele repair, and appendectomy. If not for the hyst. I would have thought I was going through labor pains these past 4 months. I have a history of Fibromyalgia/CFS brought on by work burn out 20 years ago. Have struggled with it but manage it OK, I guess. Was told by my primary that it won't kill me but will make my life unpleasant at times depending on the stress I was under. Life without STRESS.....HAH!! Anyway this past year I had some major stressors and I think in November it came to a head. The SPASMS started. Like I stated, I've had all the tests that my primary could graciously recommend, and they are all negative. I'm afraid she thinks I am a hypochondriac. I had my husband read some of this forum and he couldn't believe it. I just ordered some Peppermint Oil Caps. I am done taking that GI Cocktail. I will try the 800mg Motrin. I am on Effexor 37.5 for Panic Attacks which I started several years ago, supposedly brought on by menopause and a thyroid disorder.Now I'm thinking that I have had IBS for a long time. I always thought that you needed to have diarrhea to have this. For me it's just the opposite. It's severe constipation. Oh my, I've never shared so much info about myself for fear of sounding like a complainer. I guess it just feels comforting to know I am not alone with these symptoms. Take Care Everyone and Thank-you for sharing.
Posted 3/16/2009 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
fitnessqt - not sure if anyone replied to your post, but i've had the same history with stomach pain as you and Tabs. My doctor said it is intestinal spasms and gave me Belladonna alkaloids. I don't take them everyday - only once or twice after i feel the symptoms of another spasm attack coming on. they work surprisingly well.
Posted 3/18/2009 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
50 year old Fem. History of GERD and IBS.

Oh yes I had my first one a few short weeks ago. I was laying down on the couch happy as a clam watching tv. The pain hit on the right side just under my rib cage. Labor pains is a good description. Lasted about 2 min. Scared me so bad I walked around the room for about an hour just in total anxiety it would hit again.

Shortly after that, days I mean, I started having pain on rt. side, under the rib this time. Not the severe pain, more a dull ache. It continued for several days so I went to my regular doc (as my gastro doc was not available).

During that visit, my temp. was up a bit and I felt really awful. So doc orders bloodwork and a ct scan. He said he didn't think it was my gallbladder (which I thought was a bit odd as that's where the pain was) and my history was of 7 straight months of d'rhea from "IBS".

That night the pain got much worse, and began to radiate to my midsection, then up to the right side of my back, kind of by my shoulder blade. I was about to go to the ER, then it began to subside.

The scan was performed about 2 days later and showed nothing. Blood work showed nothing.

Then, in a follow up visit w/my gastro doc, I told him about the lower left horrid painful attacks I was having and he prescribed Bentyl for spasms. Bentyl didn't sit well with me, it made me feel very sick so we tried Levsin which works great without giving me the sick feeling.

I still get the pain in my mid section/behind breastbone and on the right side. But I have not had a single "dinner attack" as I call them since starting the Levsin. Those attacks would hit me about an hour after dinner, and last about 2 hours with horrible d'rhea and pain so severe my poor hubby had to hold me up on the toilet as I was in so much pain I couldn't do it myself. The pain would come in waves, I would lay down on the bathroom floor in between waves of pain.
Posted 3/28/2009 9:13 AM (GMT 0)
I was just reading about the stomach spasms being related to a magnesium deficiency. I too have been suffering from the pains and being woken up by them as well as after sitting awhile on the computer. During the day, I feel fine no real issues at all within an hour of being up I just have a tightness in my rib cage / upper stomach area. I thought it might be pluerisy, because it hurt when I took a deep breath at the beginning of this week. Now it is really apparent that it is tied to staying in the same condition then having spasms when I try to move. The spasms have really disrupted my sleep because it wakes me up to switch from sleeping on my left to right side.
Posted 3/28/2009 3:24 PM (GMT 0)

camorista,

Welcome to HealingWell and the GERD/Heartburn Forum. Thank you for your input and I am sure the other members will be glad to meet a new member.

We have a welcome forum if you would like to post a bit about yourself, or not.

Kitt

Posted 3/28/2009 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I have experienced this same symptom of stomach spasms, as well as in other areas but I have found that drinking a half glass of Tonic water with quinine takes it all away for the time being. Sometimes it may come back three or four days later so now I drink a half a glass a day.

Tonic water can be purchased at your grocery store, for about a dollar a bottle which, will last for about a month. Try it and let me know what happens.

Free8 smilewinkgrin

 

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