Losing hope.

[Sarplaninac]

Hi. This is my first post written in absolute desperation to find some relief from the constant abdominal pains, migrating cramps, and severe flatulence that have been plaguing me, since January 2019. In 2017 I had a gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and the camera pill because of sporadic intestinal problems that have seemingly followed me through life. The result of the gastroscopy; evidence of celiac. It was because of the celiac I removed all harmful ingredients from my everyday diet.

Everything seemed to be going just fine, until this new year when the stomach/intestinal problems came back with a vengeance. My normal-ish toilet habits went into meltdown and I thought I was going down the pan with everything that was being evacuated. Days and nights of chronic diarrhea would eventually lead to constipation. Constipation would then lead back to diarrhea, and I would visit the toilet at least four times in less than an hour or so.

I've recently developed new symptoms, intestinal/abdominal spasms which often wake me up during the night. The spasms themselves range in intensity, from mild butterfly type sensations to deep tremors that cause me a lot of momentary discomfort.

It's these spasms that are now causing me a great deal of concern because the location of them tends to migrate from centre upper abdomen to left upper abdomen and centre of my chest.

The doctor has not prescribed me anything for these spasms and doesn't appear to have a clue as to their origins, yet tells me celiac sufferers can also experience symptoms associated with IBS.

Could any one put my mind at ease? Are these spasms part and parcel of celiac/IBS?

[Edith0]

Hi, I get spasms with severe pain that start in my small intestine and work their way through my system whenever I have eaten something that I cannot tolerate. I take buscopan which gives some relief but I have to see it through until the offending item is completely out of my system. Your GP may prescribe colofac/mebeverine I took these for a long time with little or no effect. It was an A&E doctor that advised the use of buscopan and I have not used anything else since.

Wishing you well.

[Dodie117]

I suffer from bloating and although causes problems it’s not like yours.

My simple remedy was to stop eating bread in the morning (and very little at other times) and have fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Add a probiotic - I now make my own kefir which I drink every morning before food. This has helped enormously and although I still get bloating it is rare and often due to large food portions or late night snacks. Avoiding those increase the success rate.

Might not help you but worth a try and no meds or expense involved.

[Eliana5]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about this..I am wondering if you are under the care of a Gastroenterologist or Colon and Rectal specialist? I don't go to General practioners because it seems they are the most unhelpful and not specialized enough on IBS. I have the same thing..even Anal spasms that kept me up all night. I had all tests.. wheat, gluten, thyroid, colonoscopy and everything fine. Was just told at time I had a spastic colon..and put first on Levsin then on Bentyl to be taken 4 times a day 30 minutes before or after a meal. So far, it has worked.. but unfortunately may have to stop, because it is not helping my decades long chronic constipation..I hope you get it all sorted out. x

[Sarplaninac]

Thank you all very much for your kind responses, they are very much appreciated. I'm not under any specialist/dietician so I've adopted the slow process of elimination using FODMAP advice I've downloaded from the Internet. My last visit to the hospital (last week) was mainly due to the seriousness of the spasms, their duration and the pains/cramps associated with them. Doc' appeared to be puzzled by my description of them and didn't seem concerned at all. The fact that I've also tried to describe the sensation of air type pockets and the intermittent sharp stabbing pains below either sides of my rib cage, isolating the exact locations as the hepatic and splenic flexures (both equally susceptible to syndromes) unnerved me somewhat because the doctor looked even more puzzled by what I had suggested.

Doc' prescribed V-siblin for my irregular/unpredictable bowel movements and advised me to take painkillers for the discomfort.

Meanwhile the spasms are running riot and my transverse colon feels like it's on fire...a sensation similar to heartburn.

Since 2017 and the Hollywood crew (Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy and camera pill) my symptoms have ramped up a gear and I've downshifted into misery. During the month of May 2019, I had 4 days completely free of pain and was trouble free of all symptoms. The previous month was just a procession of sleepless nights.