MSA and gut/stomach pain

[Gill-C]

I have MSA and have been experiencing intermittent pains in my lower gut area. Although they are occasional, they are really disabling at the time - take your breath away sharp, make sitting or bending almost impossible and my stomach gets very swollen . They do eventually go away if I lay flat.

I can’t identify any particular trigger, although I think there may be a connection to eating something out of the usual (how dare I?!)

I’d really like to know if this is just another MSA symptom or something else. Has anyone else experienced it? Any ideas to help alleviate the problem?

Many thanks.

[ReverendBadger]

Gastro-intestinal system is of course another autonomic one which MSA can affect. Problems can include very variable bowel habits , constipation, trapped wind and highly variable transit time. Pain can be associated with these issues.

However your description of the pain seems at a much higher level to that which I have had with MSA related GI dysfunction so I recommend a chat with your GP and he can ask you all the relevant nice questions about your toilet habits and "unusual" diet !

[Gill-C in reply to ReverendBadger]

Many thanks indeed. Perhaps also one for the autonomics team at the hospital?

[Ruffner in reply to Gill-C]

My husband, who has been dx with MSA, has had stomach pain daily for several years but it is not sharp as you describe. I have PD and occasionally get the kind of pain you have and it is almost always related to slow motility in the intestine. I usually resort to an enema at that point and the pain will resolve until the next backup. Don't know if that is your situation but thought it might be useful information.

[Gill-C in reply to Ruffner]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. This is very identifiable and makes a lot of sense as to why, for example, it would occur after a rich Christmas dinner accompanied by wine 😏. Seems we pay for even small pleasures, but it’s reassuring to know that others have similar experiences.

[SaltyFlorist]

I have also experienced this kind of pain and I also turn to an enema first.

Make sure you stay hydrated.

If you can take the pain I also find it helpful to massage my stomach and abdomen. Sit up lift my arms over head and twist body side to side. These maneuvers can be excruciating. I often can’t tolerate the pain.

Splurging is human and we each have different triggers. If I eat something that I know will cause me trouble I eat something to help counteract.

EggNog is irresistible for me. If I enjoy it alone it is a disaster. If I add it to a small, balanced meal I digest it well.

It has been quite a learning curve.

[Gill-C in reply to SaltyFlorist]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. This is all great advice and I have noticed that, after the initial pain, moving helps. I will certainly try the exercises you suggest.

[Polesden11]

I do. Wifh me it starts off likeeRestless leggss and iwant to constantly keep mooving but kwhe thhe paingets bad i ennccourae

mmy dog onto my lap. I find the warmth helpps but the constant stroking he demands annd the lickingl of my throat and hs nds really sooths me🤔nnno idea why. You could try hottie?.??might help.... i find Ibuprofen hellpss bbbut check wiith yr GP 1st.

Sorry aboiut ttypinng jjust annother tthhing i cant do but wonnt give up on.

Hhhope soomeone else haas somme better ideas alltho a cuddlle wwith an adored fuurrry friend takes a lot oof beatiing!!

Sue x

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Polesden11]

just another way in which dogs help us. Amazing. x

[Gill-C in reply to Polesden11]

My house contains plenty of feline volunteers 😁. It’s so good to know that the things I’m doing intuitively eg hot water bottle are the things others find helpful too.

Do keep typing! Valuable things to say! G x

[Helenhooter]

Hi

I used to suffer but Metaclopramide 5mg at bedtime has worked wonders

Good luck

H

💪👍😘

[Gill-C in reply to Helenhooter]

thanks for the tip. I’ll add it to my list for autonomics!