Intense tummy cramps

[Claireuf35]

Hi all, I’ve just joined this network this evening - I’m after some advice / support to not feel alone in this ☹️ So I am 35 I have suffered with IBS since the age of 17 triggered by A level exam stress! I guess over the years it’s been very up and down - sometimes I’m in a lot of pain then I can go months without an attack. I am a very anxious person and find this also gives me flare ups when I’m worrying. So the past 2 days I’ve had a dull pain right in the centre of my tummy which I feel I have had before but so long ago now! I’m worried it’s now not IBS because it literally won’t go away, it’s making me feel nauseous I have no appetite and going to empty my bowel makes the pain worse. I don’t feel unwell at all though, I have hot flashes though. I’ve tried rennies which ease it a bit! It’s worse at night and I currently can’t sleep through the pain. I often have to pass a stool in the middle of the night too! This can’t be normal 😩 oh and I am definitely not pregnant - I have the coil fitted which I also wonder if that could be causing more flare ups? Since I had it post c section a year or so ago? Anyone experienced something similar? Thanks in advance

[FRreedman]

Hi, and welcome to the group. I remember, many years ago, a GI consultant (probably one of the best ever) told me that pain is an alarm, and like any alarm, once you notice it you should turn it off or try to silence it. I have used this particular mantra ever since, and have often told GI doctors that I want them to rid me of the pain first, and then deal with what was causing it. So give me Morphine or anything you like and then get on with sorting me out, but do not leave me in pain, while you try to sort out the cause and the remedy(ies). Therefore, in your case, I would contact my medical team and want something to stop the pain, and then they can sort out the rest, in their own time.

As far as opening your bowels at night is concerned, this can be as much down to habit as anything else. You have to try to educate your bowels to go when it is convenient to you (I can only offer this advise as it would seem that you don't suffer, at the moment, with loose or diarrhoea motions). Just before going to bed, in the evening, just go to the loo and sit there for ten minutes (don't strain, but relax) and see if anything happens, if not get up and carry on go to bed. In the morning when you wake up, go to the loo and sit there, again, for ten minutes, totally relax, if nothing happens, just get up and carry on as normal. Try this for about a week, if nothing else, you have had some me time, however, it may be just enough to trigger your bowels into accepting this is the time I am supposed to go. Good luck

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[Orangexoxo]

Hey I would suggest monitoring your diet and usually that’s what it’s down too. Keep a diary and see if you feel worse after eating certain foods (dairy is a big trigger for me) so I’ve switched to soya milk as I wasn’t a big fan of milk anyway. I’d suggest going to your doctor and see if they can prescribe you with any tablets- have you tried taking buscopan once in the mornjng and once at night for a few weeks? I’d recommend drinking a lot of water, exercise can help and try not to get stressed. Speak to your doctor about tummy cramps there is loads of tablets they can prescribe but try take buscopan half hour before you eat! Hope this helps x

[Fattius]

Only speaking for myself but after I was dx's with ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, "dewydenitis ", diverticulitis, they finally lumped stomach symptoms together and told me it was chrons disease. Maybe u can talk to ur gastro of this possibility. It can't hurt to ask. And diverticulitis put me in hospital for a week due to this infection. can't remember the name of the bacteria and apparently a lot of people have this bacteria their gut, but it set in my upper intestinal ( either or)tract from a small particle of food that was trapped in the walls of my intestine because of inflammation which is what diverticulitis was doing. So maybe it it seems like it might be worth bringing up. Oh yeah I believe bacteria was called "H-Pylori" I was put on "CIPRO" I believe, just a strong antibiotic because it didn't get rid of the bacteria. Worth a glance. Srry I couldn't be more help!