Stomach pains; help?

K

KatieKat

New member
Hi,

Lately, I have had some trouble with my stomach. It all started about 3 weeks ago when my stomach started to feel "off" in the night, and still felt that way when I woke up the next morning. I tried to get up and get ready, but felt too nauseous and dizzy to stand up. I suddenly got the urge to use the bathroom, then spent the next 30 minutes in the bathroom. The stool I passed was loose and soft, but it was certainly not diarrhea. But I experienced some horrible stomach cramps while it was happening, and I was doused in sweat. I had to go back to the bathroom (although nothing that severe) 4 more times that day.

Now, that same exact thing has happened to me before as well--about 3 months ago.

Anyway, it took about a week to feel "normal" again, but I was constipated that whole week. I was finally able to go, and it was still normal. Same color, shape, etc as always. Now, I don't get a lot of fiber in my diet. I still live at home with my parents and they do not eat healthy at all, so it's hard. Therefore, my normal time span between BMs is probably 2-3 days. Sometimes even 4.

So, I felt better and normal (no stomach troubles) for about two weeks. I got constipated again about a week and a half ago, and was a little concerned about a bowel obstruction (because I worry A LOT), but the day I started my period, I had the soft stool that often accompanies women's periods. I went twice that day, then once about 2 days later. Then again 2 days after that--which brings me to today. It's been about a day and a half or two days since I've gone, and my stomach has been weird this whole week. It's hard for me to get to sleep because I can feel gas moving around and my stomach is just very uncomfortable. It doesn't usually hurt--it's just very odd and well, uncomfortable. I also get some pains in the area where my leg/thigh meets my stomach/pelvic area. I've also noticed that my stomach seems "harder" than usual, if that makes sense. I could just be imagining things, but it seems a little hard to the touch around my bellybutton. I also feel that I need to use the bathroom, but when I get there, I either don't go at all, or pass maybe one small piece of stool.

I am really hoping someone can help me out. I am a very big worrier and I really don't want there to be anything wrong. I feel fine otherwise--no nausea, fever, pains elsewhere. I am a little tired, but I've always been like that.

Thank you.
 
Have you ever been evaluated by a doctor? Sounds to me like it may be irritable bowel syndrome, but it's never a good idea to assume that without a talk with your doctor. I have IBS and I'm also a 'worrier' so I sympathize. The more I worry, the more likely I am to have a flare-up of the IBS. There are medications and diet modifications you can try, but please talk to your family doctor. Good luck!
Soibhan
 
Thanks! I haven't been to a doctor yet. I'm anxious about it, I guess. That, and I don't have a working car at the moment so it would be really hard for me to get there.

Is there anything that suggests that IBS might be genetic? My mom has it, I know. I talked to her when I first got "sick" and she said it kind of sounded like it. Definitely a possibility, I suppose.
 
Well Kristen, my mother has it, I have it, and my daughter has it. So I'm seeing a pattern in my family. I do think it's hereditary. But one thing we've all discovered in common--we cannot handle MSG (monosodiumglutimate). They often put this in processed foods, Chinese food, preserved foods, etc. A lot of people have this problem, so check your labels and if you go to a Chinese restaurant, ask for NO MSG and see if it makes a difference. Good luck!
Soibhan
 
Back
Top