POTS w/ Stomach Pain Flair Ups

[marilynn86]

I have POTS, and with it comes stomach issues.  After seeing multiple GI's and surgeons, doing pelvic floor rehabilitation, many procedures, medications, etc.. my only option is to have my colon removed, due to "slow evacuation of the colon". I am not ready for that, so I deal with the repercussions until I am.  I don't have Crohn's disease or ulcers, at least since my last endoscopy. But for years, I get these stomach flair ups.  Out of nowhere, I get this intense pain behind my rib cage on both sides.  It then moves to my mid back, and sometimes up my chest and into my neck.  That comes along with hot flashes, nausea and vomiting, and shakiness and being lightheaded.  It can last anywhere from 1 minute to a couple of hours.  When I say intense pain, that is not sufficient.  There is no term to explain the pain.  It's excruciating, bring me to my knees pain.  It used to happen once or twice a year.  But in the last 6 months, it's happening more, like 2-4 times a week.  It's also getting worse, in terms of pain scale and length of the attack.  A lot of the times, when it's happening, I can hear my stomach rumbling and gurgling.  Then, it just stops, and for the most part, I am totally fine.  In the last couple of weeks, once it's over I feel normal, except I'm totally, physically exhausted.  I've seen a GI at every practice in my city and have seen specialists throughout the state.  They all basically won't see me anymore, because according to them, there is no medication, procedure, etc that will help me, other than surgery to remove my colon.  So I'm kind of stuck.Thoughts?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to MedHelp's forums.  We are sorry you are suffering and dreading a surgery you are being told is your only option to relief.  You could perhaps start over with a new doctor for another opinion but suspect you've exhausted that option.  I do want to share this article with you regarding life after colectomy.  It is rather uplifting in terms of the stories told by those who have undergone the procedure that it becomes a new normal that was not as bad as they feared.  I know you do not want the surgery but thought I'd share the article with you for some different perspective.  https://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2015/06/12/life-after-colectomy.  Please let me know what you think of this information.