Hi guys,
I have a very strange problem. I suspect IBS but I am not sure. 3 years ago I started waking up every night at around 5 am with stabbing lower left abdomen pain that would sometimes radiate into the whole lower left abdomen. After waking up I would naturally try to go to the bathroom: no bowel movement but just standing and walking around for about 10-15 minutes helped. Since then I have been experiencing the same pain every night. I stopped gluten and that helped for a while but the pain is back again even without gluten.
I don't really get constipation or diarrhea, my bowel movements are pretty regular.
Went to the doctors, got an ultrasound, several bloodtests and a stool test: everything came back normal.
So I don't understand why I have this pain, and why only at night and only when I am sleeping? and why does it go away after a massage my stomach or walk around.. Is this gas?
I would consider re-testing, if your insurance allows, or try to get a different opinion. Do you see a Gastroenterologist? If this is a "stabbing pain" happening every night, I would think this is pretty serious, and have a 2nd or third opinion. It could be trapped gas, but it may also be a small hernia which can be helped by massage. It may be gallstone, or Diverticulis, inflamed colon..see if you can ask for more tests. It is not normal to have a stabbing pain..if it is gas, they should tell you this, and to take a prescribed medication for that or an over the counter antacid.
Thanks a lot for the reply. Yes I live in Germany and I have health insurance here. This week I will go to the same doctor again since 'all tests came back negative' and I will ask for more tests. This is very frustrating for me because it is affecting my quality of life, I don't get good sleep and the pain is something I have never experienced before the last 3 years. Nowadays I feel like I am just functioning on 70%. I never really get fully sick nor do I feel fully healthy. Just fatigued, with many body aches and this nightly stomach pain.
I know how you feel. I miss the healthy, outgoing, social person I used to be. I seem like a shell of that person. Due to severe and chronic constipation and severe unexplained weight loss of 90 pounds..I have no quality of life anymore. My friends have given up on me, other than this forum I have no support system. During the week I am on a stool softener..and even on that I strain terribly (having a Anorectal Mamnotry test done for sphincter muscle I'm November). Two months ago, I strained so much, I have messed up my right shoulder so am in constant pain from that now. I look like I have aged in just one year from all this. It's a depressing and lonely life to live. I just try to keep holding on..but it's hard. I see a dietician now, and have gained 4-5 pounds, but I want to get to my ideal weight of 145. I am 5'5 tall. I was a pathetic 119 lbs..looked emaciated. Now I am 125. Still too thin it seems. I won't even look at myself if I walk downtown by a mirror. I can't sleep anymore..lucky just to get four hours, then I wake up and can't go back to sleep even being on medication. My weekends are spent feeling very backed up from stool. I have to take Senna-lax on Sundays. I can't go away from the toilet. Never in my life, did I imagine this for myself. I hope we both get better soon..
Ahh I am sorry to hear this. Have you tried a low FODMAP diet? I am starting it for 2 weeks with dinner because my problems are most prevalent at night when I am sleeping.
Yes, but didn't work and Gastro says one should only be on it for short time.