Splenic flexure pain

Thank goodness I have found this thread. I have all of these symptoms also. Mine started about 3 and half years ago. I have had endoscopes and colonoscopies along with CTs MRIs and multiple blood and fecal tests, with nothing to show for it except bills!

when my "lodged football" sets under my ribs my whole world flips upside down. my reflux goes insane, as soon as I eat the pain is so horrible that I cannot wait get the food to come back out. I get this a couple times a year, and it lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks.

My GP suggests that I start taking prozac or wellbutrin? I'm not sure how this will help, but than again nothing else has so I guess I have nothing to lose. I see a new gastro on Thursday and hopefully I will get an explanation besides I cant see anything. I just worry myself into the pancreas everytime. maybe the antidepressants will help calm that idea, if nothing else.

I have had the same problem for about five years now some days are excruciating the pain I’ve been through every test you can think of CAT scans x-rays bloodwork three gets gastroenterologist and nothing shows up they have put me on DICETEL for IBS Which really works for the pain and helps with bowel movements if I don’t take the DICETEL THINGS ARE MUCH Worse it’s as if the splenic flexure goes into spasms which is quite severe it almost feels like I have a hernia but there is no hernia I’ve also had surgery to see what’s going on in there and all they found was a bit of scar tissue that they took down. Some of my cat scans have showed an enlarged gallbladder and narrowing of the bile ducts DICETEL IS Definitely worth giving a try

I had to make am account so I could add my similar symptom. As far as I know, this absolutely started when my anxiety flared up. I have extreme health anxiety. I would not consider this an intense pain, more like a slight pain that I am extremely aware of. I am a 26 year old female, for reference. I think the pain may be IBS related, because when my anxiety started, I started experiencing digestive issues. Honestly it is kind of ruining my life, not to be dramatic. I'm supposed to be getting married soon, but I cannot enjoy it because I'm so focused on this. I hope everyone finds a solution for this.

Interesting read suggesting that "short chain carbs" might be one cause:

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something i read that made sense was that the pain can be caused by eating short chain carbohyrates. these foods can cause gas to accumulate in the intestines

Just spoke to my new gastro doctor (who is great!) and he said that pain is caused from the food pushing through the curve of the upper intestines (often felt with people with ibs due to our heighted sensitivity) and could also be an accumulation of gas.

I am very grateful to have found this post! I have suffered with this pain since March. My mum at the time had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I thought it was a physical reaction to the news as I was mirroring her pain. My lovely mum sadly passed away in June but my symptoms continue and gradually get more intense. I now have indigestion alot too which the doc has given me omaprazole for, this has helped the indigestion abit but not touched the pain under my left ribs. It sometimes moves to my side or back but sounds extremely similar to what you all describe. it never fully goes away, sometime it is a dull faint ache, other more of a intense burning pain. Sorry to hear others are in pain with this but it gives me comfort and calms my anxiety slightly to know other have the same pain with no sinister cause found. I think I have convinced myself I have the same as my mum as she was otherwise healthy and had no real symptoms apart from this pain, hers was on the right tho. I am only 40 and have a gorgeous little boy who is 4 and desperately misses his grandma, the worry of it being something serious drives me insane with stress. ..thanks for listening!! best wishes to all.

Hello Everyone. I have all of these symptoms as you mentioned... Mine started 3 years ago. I have had endoscope, colonoscopy, MRI, USG, multiple blood tests, fecal tests, food allergies tests (eggs & wheat intolerance), SIBO tests (positive result). I have been also diagnosed with boreliosis and a few co-infections. I am taking herbs for Borrelia since May 2019, however I have not seen any difference in my abdominal pain and discomfort... What I can add to mentioned symptoms - very irritating feeling before I go to sleep when I am lying in a bed.. I feel some kind of discomfort next to the navel (left side) and under left ribs. Frankly, I do not like to lie on my right side, as the discomfort is more nagging and I feel like some kind of "inside ball" is moving toward the navel. I feel much better and like to go to sleep lying on my left side or on the stomach... Do you have the same feeling sometimes?

Hi everyone, I literally feel like crying after reading this thread. I'm a 37 year old female and otherwise healthy. I have the same pain as you all, it started just under 5 years ago after the birth of my second child and at around the time my mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The pain is regular with periods of feeling great in between. When bad it is like a ball of air stuck under my left rib. My tummy bubbles when I eat and I am so gassy. My left last rib is painful to the touch and I feel discomfort in my left arm and pain in the back of my ribcage. I also get acid reflux on occasion and fluffy acidy poops. When I'm feeling good my poops are normal. I dont really ever get diarrhea.

I've had the usual barrage of blood tests. Over 3 years ago when I first complained to my GP I had a slightly high fecal calprotectin which led to a colonoscopy and endoscopy on the same day. Guess what, completely normal! Coeliac was negative. H pylori was negative. Ultrasound showed nothing. Chest x Ray was normal. Mri was normal.

Earlier this year I had a good few months where it all went away. I felt fantastic and I thought it was gone for good. Boy was I wrong.

I've tried eliminating foods but so far I can't pin point anything that worsens it. I've tried IBS meds but they dont make much difference. Peppermint tea can help somewhat. I saw a chiropractor, £150 later and all I got was a load of bruising around my ribs, I don't think he had a clue.

Now I'm at the stage where I'm seriously thinking its a mental condition, stemming from the shock of my mum's illness coupled with having a newborn at the time. I'm seriously thinking of counselling. I mean I'm still alive nearly 5 years later, it can't be something dreadful?

I just want you all to know you aren't alone x

Read this today:

Splenic flexure syndrome is a condition that causes gas to become trapped inside flexures — or curves — within your colon. Your splenic flexure is in the sharp bend between your transverse colon and descending colon in your upper abdomen. It’s situated next to your spleen.

While gas is normal, splenic flexure syndrome can cause excessive gas and discomfort. This condition, considered a chronic digestive disorder, is thought to be a sub-type of irritable bowel syndrome.

Splenic flexure syndrome symptoms

General discomfort, specifically in your upper left abdominal area, is a common symptom of splenic flexure syndrome. However, other symptoms you may experience with this condition include:

feeling of fullness

abdominal distention, or bloating

excessive gas or flatulence

belching

sharp abdominal spasms or cramping

chest pain

nausea

constipation

diarrhea

fever

Hi, I've been badgering my poor gastro for an answer to this. She won't say splenic fixture but said this: it is called functional dysepsia which is related to changes in how the body perceives pain. She recommends a pain modulator medication - amitriptyline. I have not tried this yet.

I also have mild gastritis.