really painful stomach

[garyconner]

hi
i really wonder if anyone can help me with this;

a couple of times a month for a good few years now i get extremely painful stomach pains.

the pain is really intense beneath the bellybutton area.

i dont think it is due to bad food or anything because i never get diahroea or anything, however sometimes i have pains in my lower back while the stomach pain lasts

just crippling pain, so much so that i cant stand up straight sometimes, and all i feel to do is curl up in a ball.

the last time this happened, it was for 4 hours straight. and it was a nightmare because alot of that was on a train to work. it frequently occurs for hours.
when it does go, it doesnt fade away, it happens over no more than 30 seconds. i literally feel it go from nearly too painful to bear, to perfectly fine, in seconds.

thanks

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

I suggest that you take an antireflux , antinausea combination for a few days - a combination of esmoprazole/ pantoprazole with domperidone would be good. You should also take an antacid gel two - three times daily.

Try to avoid fried, spicy, processed foods. Eat fruits, vegetables and plan your diet thoughfully. Take an antispasmodic at the time of pain.

Do not lie down immediately after you eat. Take a stroll, or a small walk maybe after every meal. Take small frequent meals which would be digested easily.

These measures would help with your symptoms to some extent.

Since you have been having the symptoms for quite some time now, it would be advisable to get yourself investigated to reach a confirmed diagnosis.

The further plan of management would involve -

'-Blood tests including full blood count, electrolytes, urea, creatinine, liver function tests, pregnancy test and lipase.
-Urinalysis
-Imaging including erect chest X-ray and plain films of the abdomen
-An electrocardiograph to rule out a heart attack which can occasionally present as abdominal pain

If diagnosis remains unclear after history, examination and basic investigations as above then more advanced investigations may reveal a diagnosis. These as such would include

-Computed Tomography of the abdomen/pelvis
-Abdominal or pelvic ultrasound
-Endoscopy and colonoscopy'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominal_pain

It would still help to reconsult with a gastroenterologist for a complete clinical exammination.

Let us know if you need any further information and post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[garyconner]

i think it may be due to some kind of blockage or something, because i cant figure out how it can change so quickly from really painful to perfectly normal. i can feel it relieving, over about 30 seconds, then it will be fine until next time. hmm..

[garyconner]

thanks ill do that when i have time.
and i can rule out one thing, im certainly not pregnant, seeing as im a guy. lol
i used to think that it was from excess sit ups and stomach crunches etc. i used to do karate full time and so would train hard.
i no longer do martial arts as a proffession though and the pains continue, so it cannot be that.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

There are many possible causes for the symptoms you are having.

These include - irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gynecological disorders, crohn's disease, appendicitis and urinary tract infections

It would help to get an ultrasound abdomen done - to see for the scar status, urine analysis to rule out UTI, a pregnancy test (if you are a female and with a possibility of pregnancy) and routine blood tests.

Each of the possible causes would need to be ruled out with appropriate clinical examination and investigations.

You should consult your doctor at the earliest and let us know if you have any other doubts.

Keep us posted.