Night spasms

[Frinks]

I had bowel cancer in May last year and had a hemi-colectomy that was straight forward and needed no further treatment.

Nine weeks after that operation I was told that they had found another cancer on the bowel they removed. This turned out to be Low grade serous ovarian cancer. I had a Radical hysterectomy in August and once again recovered really well. No chemotherapy as Low grade serous does not respond to it but I am on Letrozole to suppress the oestrogen it can “feed” on.

I feel very fortunate to have these cancers diagnosed when I had no symptoms for either. I am fit and very well but I have one problem. I suffer from night spasms in my abdomen. I go to sleep, wake up and go to turn over and the muscles in my abdomen contract in a surge from my stomach up to my breast and then again until I’m turned over. I would say they cause severe discomfort rather than pain. They happen every time I wake. Never in the day. My back muscles sometimes contract as well and that does hurt.

Nobody seems to know what is going on in my body. I would be pleased to hear if anyone else has had this problem and has any advice. My Consultant and GP have not heard of this problem before.

[A1r1t]

I also get the spasms that you talk about. They don't really hurt but are a nuisance. When it happens I just think 🤔 to myself relax and it usually works, until I move again. I don't know what causes it, but it doesn't really worry me that much.

[Frinks in reply to A1r1t]

Thank you A1r1t. Really helpful to know someone else has a similar experience. The spasms cause significant discomfort but not real pain as you say and certainly are a nuisance especially as I wake up and turn over at least 4 times night.

[Dales-Rambler]

Hello Frinks

I've had 3 abdominal surgeries over 7 years and currently have a colostomy. I too have occasional spasms, less frequent now than they used to be, but co-incidently I had one the other night. Mine seem to be triggered by a contraction of my abdominal muscles when I move in an awkward position (bending over too far when I put my shoes on or curling up in bed too far are 2 examples). At their worst I did go to the GP who suggested it may be linked to scar tissue from the surgeries causing a tempory psuedo bowel obstruction as " things didn't move smoothly over each other inside the abdominal cavity".

Deep slow breathing helps me at the time of the spasms, which don't last long. My stomach feels a little strange the following day, similar to the ache you get in leg muscles after a particularly severe cramp.

Hope this reassures you, but don't hesitate to push for further appointments / discussions with your clinical team it if it continues to occur more frequently.

Best wishes

Sally

[Frinks in reply to Dales-Rambler]

Thank you for your comments. It’s so good to know someone who has something similar.

[SopSinger]

I can't help with the spasms, but if you have had both bowel and ovarian cancer, you should be referred to genetics for testing for Lynch syndrome, especially if there is any family history of bowel, womb or other cancers.

[Frinks in reply to SopSinger]

Thankyou

[Frinks in reply to SopSinger]

Thank you Sopsinger. I have been tested for Lynch syndrome and luckily I don’t have it.

[delia2]

Hi. I never thought of what I experience as spasms but ever since my debulking surgery when I turn over at night I get some feeling that spreads up and down my torso. It used to be like the feeling on a roller coaster when you drop but on Olaparib it feels a bit more unpleasant—almost painful. I haven’t even tried to ask my oncologist about it because I don’t know how to explain it.

[Frinks in reply to delia2]

Thanks Delia2 for replying.I am trying to ignore the spasms at night but over the past couple of months they seem to have got worse and next time I see my Consultant will have another go at finding what is happening in my body. But as you say it is very difficult to explain how they feel.

[AuntyOrange]

I also am experiencing what I call gut spasms. They usually come a couple of hours after the evening meal & usually if I I'm lying on the lounge watching TV or reading & if I'm on my right side. I can't call it pain, more like a gripping feeling but it knock the breath out of me & I have to jump up & walk while trying to get my breath back. Luckily it only happens about 2 or 3 times a month because it's very scary. My onco has set up a meeting with a gastroenterologist in March. Hopefully it can be resolved. Hope yours gets sorted out soon too. xx

[Frinks in reply to AuntyOrange]

Thanks for your comments AuntyOrange. It helps to know other people have similar problems.

[Django123]

I had physical therapy for an unrelated problem shortly after my surgery, and the therapist told me my psoas and lower transverse abdominal muscles were very tight and probably causing some abdominal pain. She did massage and gave me some exercises that helped. It might be worth looking into. I hope you can find relief. --Lani

[Frinks in reply to Django123]

ThanksDjango123.It has been suggested I see a physiotherapist so might give it a go.

[Django123 in reply to Frinks]

Best wishes.