Abdominal cramping, could this be something serious?
Posted , 4 users are following.
About a month ago I noticed that my stomach seemed a little more bloated/distended than usual and immediately began freaking out. I did two pregnancy tests (more than a week apart) and both came back negative (I don't get periods due to Endometriosis medication/contraceptive pill). Now, for the past week, I've had left sided abdominal pain. When I tried to locate the source by prodding around I couldn't feel any tender spots, but my back was extremely tender at either side of my lower spine. I started to wonder if it was my back causing the pain, but then I started having pain under my left ribs around my pancreas but only while sitting. The rest of the pain (a burning pain) continues while I'm in bed, and this has been going on for around two weeks.
I'll be honest, I have terrible posture and tend to sit like this: http://tinyurl.com/jm3ytj8 and I've had abdominal pains before due to my posture, so I wouldn't be surprised if anyone suggested it could be related. Right now I'm not as bad as I have been, the only issues I have is that my lower abdomen looks more distended than usual (could be due to coffee), my stools are loose, dark and smell foul and I'm getting a sharp twinge in my lower left abdomen. I will also go more than a day without a bowel movement at times. After I have a bowel movement I will feel an internal burning in my left abdomen, near my pelvis. I visited my doctor yesterday and had a blood test and h.pylori breath test done and am waiting for results. Depending on the results I may also be having a CT scan to see if it could be my pancreas. My last CT scan was around a year ago when I was suffering from something very similar (left side pain around ribs). The CT scan found nothing, but then my doctor told me he could see that my ribcage was twisted and this might be the cause, prescribed me muscle relaxers and cracked my back for me which seemed to do the trick).
To make this as simple as possible I'm going to list all the symptoms I DO have and all the symptoms I DON'T have that I know can be related to possible causes.
DO HAVE
- Abdominal pain/cramping
- Distended lower abdomen
- Loose, dark, foul smelling stools
- Mucus in stools
- Heartburn
- Back ache
- Pelvic pain/burning
- Belching
DON'T HAVE
- Nausea or vomiting
- A loss of appetite
- Urinary problems
- Trouble swallowing
- Fatigue
- Yellow skin
- Any skin issues
- Visible blood in stool
Also, a list of medical problems:
- Hypermobility/arthritis
- IBS
- Endometriosis (diagnosed without laparoscopy)
- Twisted ribcage (likely due to trauma)
- Anxiety
- GERD
0 likes, 12 replies
MrPenguin 3lli3
Posted
I did hurt my back in summer 2014 trying to move something really heavy and something gave in that area but it seemed to get better over time (at least that's what I thought).
I've had abdo CT, abdo mri, kidney ct, kidney renogram, heart ct, chest xrays, 2 colonosopys, 1 camera down throat, numerous blood tests and nothing discovered to date yet the discomfort persists.
MrPenguin
Posted
This all started with loose bloody stools with mucus on them and I was convinced I was in trouble but I've had everything looked at and even diagnosed with Crhon's at one point (from the colonosopy) which they later revoked when they didn't find a certain bacteria in my stool. I used to sit at a terrible angle at the computer which caused a crease like scar just above my belly button.
I really hope you find out what is going on soon and don't end up wasting 2 years of your life being sent for all the wrong tests.
3lli3 MrPenguin
Posted
3lli3 MrPenguin
Posted
Your syptoms sound exactly the same as mine though, which makes me feel a lot better. I feel pretty okay today, just the occasional sharp pain but I always get that anyway due to my IBS.
MrPenguin 3lli3
Posted
Please keep us posted on the results of the pancreas scan and progress.
A question.. Do you happen to take any prescription painkillers reguarly?
3lli3 MrPenguin
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MrPenguin 3lli3
Posted
Those relaxers you're taking would also relax the bowel muscles I imagine? I know most people wouldn't like using them but glyercol suppositories really helped me no end.. It's more the case that my bowel is so lazy that it usually won't push to the final hurdle and even 10 minutes after using a suppository I'm going... Also.. This position either way up helps. As does a hot water bottle on my left hand side front and back.
https://d1hekt5vpuuw9b.cloudfront.net/assets/a8bf0753849f04f2f15bb88525f20b3b_do-yoga-300x300_gallery.jpg
3lli3 MrPenguin
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gina32749 3lli3
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teswanson 3lli3
Posted
Ulcer pain could be radiating down to your lower left side as well.
Please follow-up, and post your H.Pylori test results.
From WebMD
What Are the Symptoms of an Ulcer?
The symptoms of an ulcer include:
Burning upper abdominal pain, particularly between meals, early in the morning, or after drinking orange juice, coffee, or alcohol, or taking aspirin; discomfort is usually relieved after taking antacids
Tarry, black, or bloody stools
Bloating
Heartburn
Nausea or vomiting
Early feeling of fullness
3lli3 teswanson
Posted
3lli3
Posted