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Acute Sporadic Episodes of Severe Abdominal Pain
Following is my case, please see if anyone can help or relate:
I randomly get "periodic episodes" of severe stomach pains that occur roughly about 2-3 months apart, almost always a few hours (anywhere from 1-4) hours of having a dinner (that is, almost all episodes occur at night time right before or at about bed time); each generally lasting 7-9 hours on the average. There have been a few shorter episodes and a few much longer, with differing intensities but generally a typical episode on the pain scale level of 1-10, 10 being worst, starts at about level 1-4 with peaking at about pain level 7-9 for the most part of an episode and then suddenly diminshing after about 6-7 hours of severe duration.
Note, the pattern of each episode is almost always about the same from start to finish - a sensation (kinda "feel like") of some heaviness in the stomach, then gradual increase in pain in abdominal area (about half an hour to an hour after that "heavy feeling"), which then quickly shots up to a severe pain scale level 7-9 that would last most through the night and then eventually resolving on its own after about 5-8 hours of peaking.
During a typical episode what I experience, almost always in the same order of occurrence: (1) A feeling that an episode is about to happen, a few minutes to about half an hour right before it actually starts - (this is important to mention because this is an onset of an episode where my body alerts me to stop intaking any food/drinks of any sort; howeveer, this initial stage is also full of anxiety and mental pressure with an unpleasant "sixth sensation" of a sort, if you will, that I am about to start facing yet another night of restlessness; (2) A mild to severe pressure in stomach and general abdominal area, lasting for a few minutes to about half an hour, that would signal positive that the episode has now begun; (3) a wave of cyclical/sinusoidal pain wave that suddenly increases in intensity from severe to extreme; typical time duration for each sinusoidal pain-wave lasts about a 1-2 minutes duration each, a low-peak-low acute cycle of sharp stabbing/burning sensation and intense pressure in the general mid-abdominal area, lasting about 5-7 hours; (4) during the peak pain hours my stomach muscles/wall may harden several times for 5-10 minutes for each time; I may lay down, get up, kneel, crouch, fold in fetal position, walk, pace, rub/massage my tummy, and try to use toilet to allow me pass gas/stool or throw up to help lower the pain and to get some relief from constant churning going on in my belly; (5) a feeling of chill/cold occurs during the early hours of an episode, followed by mild to severe dryness in mouth, that eventually is followed by a bit of nausea and/or mild-to-severe burbs upon which I "make" myself to vomit that often yields positive in throwing up of whatever may had been leftover inside the stomach by then; (6) the pain generally peaks out after 5-6 hours of acute/sharpness in severity, eventually subdueing itself almost suddenly; (7) I finally able to go to sleep after about 6-8 hours of intense pain.
I am generally so tired and full of fatigue towards the end of each episode that I fall asleep in no time and wake up in the morning all fine as if nothing ever happened - with no pain or any signs of it! Apart from being tired the morning after and having to cope with general fatigue throughout the next day due to the restlessness night, I am able to resume all functions just as normal like no problem - that is, normal eating and normal bowel movements!
I must state, during these episode, I do not have any fever (despite feeling chills/cold), headache, backache, diarrhea, blood in stool/vomit or anything else of that sort. I make myself to go to the bathroom several times during an episode to see if that would help and I am able to go with normal bowel movement (while the pain in the belly is still going on) and pass normal stool - with no extraordinary smell, blood or any abnormal discoloration - suggesting that the issue is not with my large intestine (colon). I strongly suspect that this whole thing occurs and is confined to my small intestine. However, no doctor, gastrointestinal specialist, and even expert surgeons have been able to diagnose or detect any problem with any of my organs or digestive tract.
I have had all sorts of blood and stool tests, ultrasounds, x-rays, colonoscopies, endoscopies, barium swallows, tests at the best-of-the-best hospitals and by the best-of-the-best specialists in my area but, alas, yet all to none avail. I do have insurance despite of which it has still cost me several thousand dollars in deductables.
I have had tried maintaining a food diary to isolate if there may be an issue with my diet, an unknown food borne allergy or malabsorptions, but, that too had not been helpful except to suggestively (but not conclusively) suspecting some ingredients such as certain fruits and veggies, etc, that perhaps may be the culprits. However, none of those suspected food items can be positively identified to be the actual culprits because some episodes had occurred even in absence of the suspected ingredients!
As a subject for a case-study: I am (otherwise) a healthy adult male with healthy lifestyle and normal dietary habits. I don't smoke, don't drink, nor eat/abuse junk/fast food nor go on eating binges. My preferred choice of drink is simply plain cold water. I avoid all sorts of sodas, sugary/salty drinks/snacks, and coffees etc. as much as possible. I do take a cup of hot black tea every morning and occasionally a glass of plain low-fat milk at bed time. I, in fact, have what known to be a balanced/healthy dietary lifestyle. It has been ruled out that I do not have intolerance to dairy, eggs, cheese, wheat/breads, cereals, etc. I prefer chicken and fish over red meat, however, I have not shown any signs of indigestion after eating a meal containg beef or lamb meat. I do get some stress on times but generally it's no more than any guy next to me and probably just what an average healthy normal adult would get during a working week. I do get to relax and excersize time to time (but not as regularly as I used to some years ago) since I pack quite a busy daily routine that does not allow me to even think or feel about having any extraordinary level of stress.
My stomach problom started about two and a half years ago (October 2009) and has been so typical in its recurring patterns that, by now, I have become accustomed to handling each occurrence as to just endure the pain through the whole night rather than rushing to an ER or going to see a doctor about it. That said, it is still quite troubling (and annoying!) when it occurs and I have not (yet) lost all hope in finding a cure for it. If anyone else out there suffering with similar issue(s), please kindly share. Thank you so very much.
I randomly get "periodic episodes" of severe stomach pains that occur roughly about 2-3 months apart, almost always a few hours (anywhere from 1-4) hours of having a dinner (that is, almost all episodes occur at night time right before or at about bed time); each generally lasting 7-9 hours on the average. There have been a few shorter episodes and a few much longer, with differing intensities but generally a typical episode on the pain scale level of 1-10, 10 being worst, starts at about level 1-4 with peaking at about pain level 7-9 for the most part of an episode and then suddenly diminshing after about 6-7 hours of severe duration.
Note, the pattern of each episode is almost always about the same from start to finish - a sensation (kinda "feel like") of some heaviness in the stomach, then gradual increase in pain in abdominal area (about half an hour to an hour after that "heavy feeling"), which then quickly shots up to a severe pain scale level 7-9 that would last most through the night and then eventually resolving on its own after about 5-8 hours of peaking.
During a typical episode what I experience, almost always in the same order of occurrence: (1) A feeling that an episode is about to happen, a few minutes to about half an hour right before it actually starts - (this is important to mention because this is an onset of an episode where my body alerts me to stop intaking any food/drinks of any sort; howeveer, this initial stage is also full of anxiety and mental pressure with an unpleasant "sixth sensation" of a sort, if you will, that I am about to start facing yet another night of restlessness; (2) A mild to severe pressure in stomach and general abdominal area, lasting for a few minutes to about half an hour, that would signal positive that the episode has now begun; (3) a wave of cyclical/sinusoidal pain wave that suddenly increases in intensity from severe to extreme; typical time duration for each sinusoidal pain-wave lasts about a 1-2 minutes duration each, a low-peak-low acute cycle of sharp stabbing/burning sensation and intense pressure in the general mid-abdominal area, lasting about 5-7 hours; (4) during the peak pain hours my stomach muscles/wall may harden several times for 5-10 minutes for each time; I may lay down, get up, kneel, crouch, fold in fetal position, walk, pace, rub/massage my tummy, and try to use toilet to allow me pass gas/stool or throw up to help lower the pain and to get some relief from constant churning going on in my belly; (5) a feeling of chill/cold occurs during the early hours of an episode, followed by mild to severe dryness in mouth, that eventually is followed by a bit of nausea and/or mild-to-severe burbs upon which I "make" myself to vomit that often yields positive in throwing up of whatever may had been leftover inside the stomach by then; (6) the pain generally peaks out after 5-6 hours of acute/sharpness in severity, eventually subdueing itself almost suddenly; (7) I finally able to go to sleep after about 6-8 hours of intense pain.
I am generally so tired and full of fatigue towards the end of each episode that I fall asleep in no time and wake up in the morning all fine as if nothing ever happened - with no pain or any signs of it! Apart from being tired the morning after and having to cope with general fatigue throughout the next day due to the restlessness night, I am able to resume all functions just as normal like no problem - that is, normal eating and normal bowel movements!
I must state, during these episode, I do not have any fever (despite feeling chills/cold), headache, backache, diarrhea, blood in stool/vomit or anything else of that sort. I make myself to go to the bathroom several times during an episode to see if that would help and I am able to go with normal bowel movement (while the pain in the belly is still going on) and pass normal stool - with no extraordinary smell, blood or any abnormal discoloration - suggesting that the issue is not with my large intestine (colon). I strongly suspect that this whole thing occurs and is confined to my small intestine. However, no doctor, gastrointestinal specialist, and even expert surgeons have been able to diagnose or detect any problem with any of my organs or digestive tract.
I have had all sorts of blood and stool tests, ultrasounds, x-rays, colonoscopies, endoscopies, barium swallows, tests at the best-of-the-best hospitals and by the best-of-the-best specialists in my area but, alas, yet all to none avail. I do have insurance despite of which it has still cost me several thousand dollars in deductables.
I have had tried maintaining a food diary to isolate if there may be an issue with my diet, an unknown food borne allergy or malabsorptions, but, that too had not been helpful except to suggestively (but not conclusively) suspecting some ingredients such as certain fruits and veggies, etc, that perhaps may be the culprits. However, none of those suspected food items can be positively identified to be the actual culprits because some episodes had occurred even in absence of the suspected ingredients!
As a subject for a case-study: I am (otherwise) a healthy adult male with healthy lifestyle and normal dietary habits. I don't smoke, don't drink, nor eat/abuse junk/fast food nor go on eating binges. My preferred choice of drink is simply plain cold water. I avoid all sorts of sodas, sugary/salty drinks/snacks, and coffees etc. as much as possible. I do take a cup of hot black tea every morning and occasionally a glass of plain low-fat milk at bed time. I, in fact, have what known to be a balanced/healthy dietary lifestyle. It has been ruled out that I do not have intolerance to dairy, eggs, cheese, wheat/breads, cereals, etc. I prefer chicken and fish over red meat, however, I have not shown any signs of indigestion after eating a meal containg beef or lamb meat. I do get some stress on times but generally it's no more than any guy next to me and probably just what an average healthy normal adult would get during a working week. I do get to relax and excersize time to time (but not as regularly as I used to some years ago) since I pack quite a busy daily routine that does not allow me to even think or feel about having any extraordinary level of stress.
My stomach problom started about two and a half years ago (October 2009) and has been so typical in its recurring patterns that, by now, I have become accustomed to handling each occurrence as to just endure the pain through the whole night rather than rushing to an ER or going to see a doctor about it. That said, it is still quite troubling (and annoying!) when it occurs and I have not (yet) lost all hope in finding a cure for it. If anyone else out there suffering with similar issue(s), please kindly share. Thank you so very much.
Describes me to a tee and so incredibly frustrating to hit roadblocks trying to find out what is the cause. I've had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, blood tests, stool test, and awaiting ct scan results which I am pretty sure will come back negative. Particular food do not trigger an attack and I've given up all soda and sugar replacements. I am going to print the description to my GI doctor as is accurately how I feel during the entire episode. I'm curiously following this post.
I suffer with exactly the same problem but was beginning to think I was the only one!!!
The pain for me started in June 2011 and has been occurring on and off ever since, I've tried dietary changes-cutting out wheat, dairy, taking the complete whole food eating to a new level!! It's probably worth noting that I was starving myself excessively, I lost 5 stone through eating 600 calories a day and replacing my meals with a strong coffee!! I have since managed to refrain from starving myself though and returned back to an average calorie amount, although the desire to starve myself does reappear occasionally, I usually manage to fight it off!!
I've been to the doctors on numerous occasions about it but they don't seem to have a clue, they told me I had a suspected stomach ulcer and gave me Omeprazole which didn't help!!
I found relief a couple if times when I drank cold full fat milk at the beginning of the attack-as there's a couple of minutes warning before the onset, but on the third time I used the milk I vomited it back out and it hasn't helped since!!
My symptoms are a dull ache the moves it's way up my stomach until it reaches the right side of my stomach under my rib cage where it turns into a hot sharp stabbing, then I know I'm in trouble!!!!!!
The pain goes from 0-60 in a matter of minutes, the pain though always there comes in waves, my body usually takes over and makes me sick, sometimes being sick brings relief, other times it doesn't!!
There's no pattern in what I've eaten to create the problem, the doctors seemed to think it was due to severe constipation, (as well as a stomach ulcer) meaning the stomach isn't ready to take more food in and digest it because it's still full!!
The pain usually goes between 30 minutes to 5 hours after it starts, when it's finished I feel like my stomach is bruised inside, it hurts to roll over onto my side, stretch, stand up or even hiccup!!
I too don't have any blood in my sick or stools, and the stools are always normal consistency!! I usually crash out completely for about 2 hours after an attack because my body has been so pumped full with adrenaline and is worn out!!
I would really like to know what to do to prevent such an attack!! There must be a cause and a diagnosis but it doesn't seem that the doctors have a clue!!!! I am female, 29, healthy, I don't drink, I don't eat excessive sweets or refined sugary foods or salty takeaways very often! I do suffer with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) anxiety disorder and severe depression and think that the pressure of trying to fit in to day to day life (which I do, albeit slightly altered to suite my obsessions and compulsive behaviours) could be attributed to it!!
I have been on a new medication for a couple of weeks and gained a large amount of water weight-one of my obsessions is weight loss, I've been worrying a lot about my appearance and funnily enough have suffered an attack today!! I was put in the waiting list for CBT in July 2013 but am not likely to have any intervention until at least February 2014!!! Although I am hoping that'll make a change!! Has anybody had any luck since posting here?
The pain for me started in June 2011 and has been occurring on and off ever since, I've tried dietary changes-cutting out wheat, dairy, taking the complete whole food eating to a new level!! It's probably worth noting that I was starving myself excessively, I lost 5 stone through eating 600 calories a day and replacing my meals with a strong coffee!! I have since managed to refrain from starving myself though and returned back to an average calorie amount, although the desire to starve myself does reappear occasionally, I usually manage to fight it off!!
I've been to the doctors on numerous occasions about it but they don't seem to have a clue, they told me I had a suspected stomach ulcer and gave me Omeprazole which didn't help!!
I found relief a couple if times when I drank cold full fat milk at the beginning of the attack-as there's a couple of minutes warning before the onset, but on the third time I used the milk I vomited it back out and it hasn't helped since!!
My symptoms are a dull ache the moves it's way up my stomach until it reaches the right side of my stomach under my rib cage where it turns into a hot sharp stabbing, then I know I'm in trouble!!!!!!
The pain goes from 0-60 in a matter of minutes, the pain though always there comes in waves, my body usually takes over and makes me sick, sometimes being sick brings relief, other times it doesn't!!
There's no pattern in what I've eaten to create the problem, the doctors seemed to think it was due to severe constipation, (as well as a stomach ulcer) meaning the stomach isn't ready to take more food in and digest it because it's still full!!
The pain usually goes between 30 minutes to 5 hours after it starts, when it's finished I feel like my stomach is bruised inside, it hurts to roll over onto my side, stretch, stand up or even hiccup!!
I too don't have any blood in my sick or stools, and the stools are always normal consistency!! I usually crash out completely for about 2 hours after an attack because my body has been so pumped full with adrenaline and is worn out!!
I would really like to know what to do to prevent such an attack!! There must be a cause and a diagnosis but it doesn't seem that the doctors have a clue!!!! I am female, 29, healthy, I don't drink, I don't eat excessive sweets or refined sugary foods or salty takeaways very often! I do suffer with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) anxiety disorder and severe depression and think that the pressure of trying to fit in to day to day life (which I do, albeit slightly altered to suite my obsessions and compulsive behaviours) could be attributed to it!!
I have been on a new medication for a couple of weeks and gained a large amount of water weight-one of my obsessions is weight loss, I've been worrying a lot about my appearance and funnily enough have suffered an attack today!! I was put in the waiting list for CBT in July 2013 but am not likely to have any intervention until at least February 2014!!! Although I am hoping that'll make a change!! Has anybody had any luck since posting here?
As I read your story, it was almost as if I was seeing you tell MY story! It sounds almost identical except that I have dealt with these episodes for probably around 20 years. In that time, the episode has happened maybe 10 times but thoser times are memorable! The last one happened about a month ago and there is no telling when it will happen again. Could be in a week or even in a year. I, too, have been to the ER a couple of times for this but all I got were pain pills and fluids. They were concerned during those visits that my blood pressure greatly dropped but I'm convinced that that was because of the pain.
One definite thing that I know has triggered them for me is vegetables. Raw veggies on an empty stomach or too many veggies in a day a sure-fire way to bring on one of those painful episodes! I have gone from periods, in those 20 years where I have gone from very fit and lean to very overweight but that has made no difference in the appearance of the episodes. The only common denominator was the veggies! I hope we can both find answers and relief soon!
One definite thing that I know has triggered them for me is vegetables. Raw veggies on an empty stomach or too many veggies in a day a sure-fire way to bring on one of those painful episodes! I have gone from periods, in those 20 years where I have gone from very fit and lean to very overweight but that has made no difference in the appearance of the episodes. The only common denominator was the veggies! I hope we can both find answers and relief soon!
Thanks for your posting. Just wen through an 8 hour attack. I get them about twice a year usually pretty far apart though there was a period when I had three in one week. I couldn't describe the systems anymore accurately then you did. Reading your post was the first time I've seen someone else with the same issue. I tend to think of the pain in terms of cramps however as the intensity cycles from slow beginning to unbearable and then down again over the course of a minute or so. I've also been to a number of doctors and various tests to no avail. Sometimes though not always anti cramping medication can help. Also when I get that feeling like it might start I ve also quickly had a few glasses of redwine. Can't really say if it prevented the attack but it's never manifested after I've done that. I super healthy, on aloe carb high protein diet and strength train and run regularly. 34 year old male. I also would love a solution to this, it's a horrible experience every time it happens.
Hey also I forgot to mention I was recently tested for porphyria and results came back as a possible match for the disease with a heightened count in my urine. Could this be the cause?
Same problems. Went to see more docs than I can remember. Had CT, MRI etc at VA Hosp in Tucson.
I am now living in Ecuador. I recently had an attack. I was with my Ecuadorian Girlfriend. She is 63 yrs old.
She told called the pharmacy and got some Sertal Compuesto
She gave me the injection. All of the pain stopped within 15 mins.
You can also get Sertal in pills.
Key. You will probably have to go to Mexico or South America. Probably available in Miami underground.
This drug to my knowledge is not FDA approved. But either are the drugs in Europe, Asia and South America or Mexico. You get the idea.
People believe that if it is not in the data box of the USA FDA that the drug will not work or it is dangerous or it is unsafe or it is a hoax. So naive.
Fabiola told me that is is worse than having a baby.
Read about this drug. The docs in the states say that it is used by gringos because they have problems with the foods in the south, etc...that is such a lie and they know it. Find a doc that will tell you the truth. It is all about big pharma and not being able to patent the drug and not wanting to pay another drug company for their products.
I haven't met anyone that can tell me why this is happening. The pain is horrible. I have done one thing though!!
When you get the initial feeling drink 2 glasses of warm water. Wait 5 mins. Go vomit and "repeat". This seemed to work for me 2 times. It is also a suggestion from doctors here in Ecuador.
Read about this!
THERAPEUTICS ACTION: Sertal COMPOUND N. F. is a spasmolytic - analgesic medicament for the therapeutic and symptomatic genital pathogenic spasmodic syndromes of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary , urinary, or whatever their degree of intensity. The new presentation in tablets promotes rapid gastrointestinal absorption , which more timely remission of symptoms is achieved .
I am now living in Ecuador. I recently had an attack. I was with my Ecuadorian Girlfriend. She is 63 yrs old.
She told called the pharmacy and got some Sertal Compuesto
She gave me the injection. All of the pain stopped within 15 mins.
You can also get Sertal in pills.
Key. You will probably have to go to Mexico or South America. Probably available in Miami underground.
This drug to my knowledge is not FDA approved. But either are the drugs in Europe, Asia and South America or Mexico. You get the idea.
People believe that if it is not in the data box of the USA FDA that the drug will not work or it is dangerous or it is unsafe or it is a hoax. So naive.
Fabiola told me that is is worse than having a baby.
Read about this drug. The docs in the states say that it is used by gringos because they have problems with the foods in the south, etc...that is such a lie and they know it. Find a doc that will tell you the truth. It is all about big pharma and not being able to patent the drug and not wanting to pay another drug company for their products.
I haven't met anyone that can tell me why this is happening. The pain is horrible. I have done one thing though!!
When you get the initial feeling drink 2 glasses of warm water. Wait 5 mins. Go vomit and "repeat". This seemed to work for me 2 times. It is also a suggestion from doctors here in Ecuador.
Read about this!
THERAPEUTICS ACTION: Sertal COMPOUND N. F. is a spasmolytic - analgesic medicament for the therapeutic and symptomatic genital pathogenic spasmodic syndromes of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary , urinary, or whatever their degree of intensity. The new presentation in tablets promotes rapid gastrointestinal absorption , which more timely remission of symptoms is achieved .
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