Extreme, infrequent stomach pain - anyone else?
Discussion
I would never normally ask for health advice online, but I have never met anyone else who suffers this and thought it’s worth a shot in case someone here has. So far no one has been able to help me.
My issue is infrequent (generally 5-10 times a year) episodes of severe stomach pain - up to the level of pain where nothing else in life had any relevance, it is very bad.
The whole thing will last somewhere between 12-72 hours with varying degrees of pain throughout that time from 1/10 to 9/10.
The only other common effects are being extremely bloated when it happens and needing to ‘go to the bathroom’ quite a few times - generally this always provides a momentary relief before the pain builds up again.
I have kept a journal for over 2 years to try to understand what triggers it - but there is no common factor, other than it generally seems to happen at the weekend.
I feel like it is likely digestion related, and I have a theory that maybe my gut motility almost ‘shuts down’ and things build up to the point where it is extremely painful, before clearing again and resolving - possibly triggered by too much stress.
I can eat the same foods for 2 months with no issue then the next week I have the issue, so I don’t think it is an allergy / intolerance.
I have approached the GP and shared the above and my journal which logged when it happens, but they said as it sounds lifestyle related there is nothing they would be prepared or able to do. As it is infrequent the GP did not think it was anything more serious and was not willing to do any further tests. He did prescribe me some Omeprazole to use next time the situation arises, but did not seem particularly convinced it will help.
In general any medications I’ve tried make no difference - Gaviscon, Rantidine, Nexium, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc - I’ve tried them all but nothing controls the pain once it starts, it is pretty unbearable and I am sick of living like this.
I would happily make any lifestyle changes I need to, I just don’t know what to do.
My issue is infrequent (generally 5-10 times a year) episodes of severe stomach pain - up to the level of pain where nothing else in life had any relevance, it is very bad.
The whole thing will last somewhere between 12-72 hours with varying degrees of pain throughout that time from 1/10 to 9/10.
The only other common effects are being extremely bloated when it happens and needing to ‘go to the bathroom’ quite a few times - generally this always provides a momentary relief before the pain builds up again.
I have kept a journal for over 2 years to try to understand what triggers it - but there is no common factor, other than it generally seems to happen at the weekend.
I feel like it is likely digestion related, and I have a theory that maybe my gut motility almost ‘shuts down’ and things build up to the point where it is extremely painful, before clearing again and resolving - possibly triggered by too much stress.
I can eat the same foods for 2 months with no issue then the next week I have the issue, so I don’t think it is an allergy / intolerance.
I have approached the GP and shared the above and my journal which logged when it happens, but they said as it sounds lifestyle related there is nothing they would be prepared or able to do. As it is infrequent the GP did not think it was anything more serious and was not willing to do any further tests. He did prescribe me some Omeprazole to use next time the situation arises, but did not seem particularly convinced it will help.
In general any medications I’ve tried make no difference - Gaviscon, Rantidine, Nexium, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc - I’ve tried them all but nothing controls the pain once it starts, it is pretty unbearable and I am sick of living like this.
I would happily make any lifestyle changes I need to, I just don’t know what to do.
NorthDave said:
How old are you?
I'd be asking to see another doctor or at least ask the current one why no tests.
32, maleI'd be asking to see another doctor or at least ask the current one why no tests.
They said it was because it does not appear to be worsening (have had it for a good 5 years) it isn’t anything more ominous, so must be lifestyle.
I can try another appointment, I don’t even mind trying a private Dr etc if it will be of use.
Rockets7 said:
IBS ..... keep an eye on specifics. I can eat the same thing and have the same reactions. When I back track I can normally find something has had an ingredient tweak or similar. Finally tracked it to fresh cream.
I will keep investigating that side of things, but cannot identify anything at all. How much time before the pain did you consider a food? E.g would things eaten day before be worth considering or just day of?MYOB said:
As your GP to rule out an impacted bowel.
I booked a new appointment for a couple of weeks time at my GP after a really bad episode last week (woke me at 3.30am and couldn't sleep again til 8am, just rolling on floor in pain). A hope from this thread is to get some ideas of conditions to quiz the GP on, and also enhance my understanding of what's happening. So I will add this as something to question them about. I also have noted to ask about diverticulitis which a family friend suffered from.
You just need to persist. So many different areas of the nhs have told me over and over the squeaky wheel etc etc. You need to speak up over and over do not sugar coat and tell them you want referring to gastroenterology. Tell them what you want to happen. You will be told it’s ibs and it probably is but if your not happy keep at it and at it and at it.
Private doctor about £150 per pop
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis area with contrast £800
Endoscopy £1500
Colonoscopy £1500
Private is expensive but you can always just see a private consultant in gastro who will tell you what tests you need. You can then decide to either pay private for these tests or ask the consultant to send a letter to your gp detailing what you need.
Good luck.
Private doctor about £150 per pop
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis area with contrast £800
Endoscopy £1500
Colonoscopy £1500
Private is expensive but you can always just see a private consultant in gastro who will tell you what tests you need. You can then decide to either pay private for these tests or ask the consultant to send a letter to your gp detailing what you need.
Good luck.
ReverendCounter said:
Can you categorically rule out poison? Could someone be tampering with your food/drinks? Could the water be contaminated?
Yes it would be impossible. I live between 2 places in different parts of country, so use different food and water supplies, and live part of the time with wife/kids and part of the time on my own.Carlososos said:
You just need to persist. So many different areas of the nhs have told me over and over the squeaky wheel etc etc. You need to speak up over and over do not sugar coat and tell them you want referring to gastroenterology. Tell them what you want to happen. You will be told it’s ibs and it probably is but if your not happy keep at it and at it and at it.
Private doctor about £150 per pop
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis area with contrast £800
Endoscopy £1500
Colonoscopy £1500
Private is expensive but you can always just see a private consultant in gastro who will tell you what tests you need. You can then decide to either pay private for these tests or ask the consultant to send a letter to your gp detailing what you need.
Good luck.
Thanks, I have no issues paying whatever it costs private, this is a major issue for me which I really want to understand so I can make whatever changes I need to. Sooner the better.Private doctor about £150 per pop
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis area with contrast £800
Endoscopy £1500
Colonoscopy £1500
Private is expensive but you can always just see a private consultant in gastro who will tell you what tests you need. You can then decide to either pay private for these tests or ask the consultant to send a letter to your gp detailing what you need.
Good luck.
I will make sure I get the referral to gastroenterology this time, won't accept the fob off. If they won't do it via NHS I will ask them to refer me to the private gastroenterology department. That is going to be best next step.
Greatesthit12 said:
Carlososos said:
You just need to persist. So many different areas of the nhs have told me over and over the squeaky wheel etc etc. You need to speak up over and over do not sugar coat and tell them you want referring to gastroenterology. Tell them what you want to happen. You will be told it’s ibs and it probably is but if your not happy keep at it and at it and at it.
Private doctor about £150 per pop
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis area with contrast £800
Endoscopy £1500
Colonoscopy £1500
Private is expensive but you can always just see a private consultant in gastro who will tell you what tests you need. You can then decide to either pay private for these tests or ask the consultant to send a letter to your gp detailing what you need.
Good luck.
Thanks, I have no issues paying whatever it costs private, this is a major issue for me which I really want to understand so I can make whatever changes I need to. Sooner the better.Private doctor about £150 per pop
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis area with contrast £800
Endoscopy £1500
Colonoscopy £1500
Private is expensive but you can always just see a private consultant in gastro who will tell you what tests you need. You can then decide to either pay private for these tests or ask the consultant to send a letter to your gp detailing what you need.
Good luck.
I will make sure I get the referral to gastroenterology this time, won't accept the fob off. If they won't do it via NHS I will ask them to refer me to the private gastroenterology department. That is going to be best next step.
Carlososos said:
You may not need those sorts of tests but just to give you an idea. You do not need to have a gp referal to see a private gastro doc, I didn’t I got so fed up with my gp I called and booked it. 2 days later and I was face to face with him.
Oh I didn’t know you could do that, thought it all had to go through the GP first. I am based in London this week so will call a gastro specialist tomorrow and book an appointment. Thanks.Greatesthit12 said:
Carlososos said:
You may not need those sorts of tests but just to give you an idea. You do not need to have a gp referal to see a private gastro doc, I didn’t I got so fed up with my gp I called and booked it. 2 days later and I was face to face with him.
Oh I didn’t know you could do that, thought it all had to go through the GP first. I am based in London this week so will call a gastro specialist tomorrow and book an appointment. Thanks.I know exactly what you mean but I managed to trace mine to microwave rice. I can eat rice that i cook in the rice cooker and its fine. If I boil rice myself its fine. If I use a packet of microwave rice? Agony for a few hours. Only thing that gets me. Luckily rice cookers make life so easy not only do I now get better rice, it doesn't leave me in pain!
My O/H had similar symptoms and her GP referred her to a gastroenterologist at our local hospital. After tests, scans and 'oscopies she was diagnosed with diverticulitis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diverticular-disease...
She has occasional flare ups, some more painful than others and once in a while a really bad one needs a hefty dose of antibiotics.
She has occasional flare ups, some more painful than others and once in a while a really bad one needs a hefty dose of antibiotics.
Greatesthit12 said:
I will keep investigating that side of things, but cannot identify anything at all. How much time before the pain did you consider a food? E.g would things eaten day before be worth considering or just day of?
6~8 hours later for me. Then the world lets loose. I used to be in agony with it but with meds have managed to secure regular and stable. Once you identify the potential cause you can’t just cut out say ‘jam’. You have to find the common ingredient across say jam / marmalade / conserves etc as the slightest hint of it sends me back to the pan !
Aside ... what does work is as soon as it grumbles I take 2 x Imodium, the world will let go but the recovery is far quicker and a hot water bottle over abdomen. Pepper mint tea is also a huge help. With this approach I can resume a normal day within the hour as opposed to two days later. Work through there is light,,,,
Edited by Rockets7 on Monday 25th October 07:40
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