Question:
Severe Stomach Spasms

Has anyone experienced this? About once a week or so, I get these horrible pains in my stomach area, left side, eminates into my back, can't stand straight, double over in pain? I noticed after a while, I do pass gas and feel better too. I went to urgent care due to the pain was so severe, had an endoscopy with only showing my stomach lining was very inflammed. They seem to think that I am getting stomach spasms, put me on an anti-stomach spasm medicine. Found out I had a UTI which I didn't know. Usually know that but didn't this time. What is triggering this, why is it once a week, sometimes, less sometimes weeks without it but they wipe me out for 24-36 hours. Coming and going during that period of time. Is this common? I'm 18 months out from my surgery and still doing great, other then not able to drink even a glass of wine or drink milk, some breads, pastas, sweets no at all, etc. I'm fine.    — mmarra2001 (posted on February 28, 2009)

February 27, 2009
This is the way it starts for me when I eat sugar(dump)Stomach spasms are very severe when sugar hits the intestines before it is briken down.What r u eating before this starts?The other thing that comes to mind is a kidney stone esp since u have a uti.Good luck no one likes to hurt especially when we don't know what causes it.
   — Bette Drecktrah

February 28, 2009
These symptoms are SIMILAR to a spastic colon, which I suffered from for many years. What helped me was when I discovered that I had developed some NEW allergies that I was unaware of. Once I began AVOIDING the foods that I was allergic to, the spasms went away. I would suggest that you be tested for allergies to see what is causing the inflammation in your stomach. It is most likely a food allergy that is causing your trouble. You may have to watch the food that you eat very carefully and avoid eating anything with the food that causes the inflammation as an ingredient in it. An example would be that I cannot eat saltine crackers because most of them contain yeast and soybean oil as ingredients. I am allergic to BOTH of those. The yeast makes me itch like crazy and the soybean oil gives me a migraine. They BOTH are likely to cause inflammation of my intestinal tract. I also have discovered that I am allergic to cane sugar. This is a bit unusual, since few people are actually allergic to a carbohydrate. Most allergies are to proteins. I am one of the few freaks that actually has an ALLERGY to a carbohydrate. The kicker is that I am not allergic to BEET sugar, just CANE sugar, but I have to avoid ALL products with the word "sugar" in them because they do not SPECIFY whether they are made with BEET or CANE sugar. I also cannot use SPLENDA or products with Splenda as an ingredient because Splenda is MADE from sugar, and I do not know if it is made from beet or cane sugar. I get a migraine from the product, so I suspect that it is made using cane sugar, at least in part. These are the things that you have to watch out for once you identify the irritants that cause the inflammation in your intestinal tract. My spastic colon was identified DECADES ago, but NONE of my physicians made an attempt to identify what CAUSED the irritation in the colon. It was my lovely WIFE, who is a Nurse Practitioner, that was the person responsible for identifying the irritants, and for putting my intestinal tract, my severe body itch, and my severe MIGRAINES at rest. Don't RELY on your DOCTOR to make this diagnosis for you. Ask for the allergy test. Even MILD irritants should be avoided. When several MILD irritants are added together, they become a major problem. You will likely find that you are also allergic to environmental allergens like pollen. Those you do not have much control of, except for cleaning house. Even THAT will expose you to those allergens. You will find, however, that reducing exposure to FOOD allergens will help your body better deal with the ENVIRONMENTAL allergens. I hope that this helps. Hugh
   — hubarlow

February 28, 2009
Michele, I agree with Hugh. If what he is describing is the problem; you need to be tested for food allergies. Some people are allergic to strange things. Have the doctors test you for celiac disease which can also cause these symptoms. A food tip for people with Celiac-Irish Soda bread is a lifesaver; no gluten. My oldest son is allergic to whey protein which is in most processed smoothies and some yogurts, protein health drinks-I helped him to avoid this problem and tailored a diet for him. The problem hss now disappeared. We have to learn to be good detectives when it comes to our bodies. Doctors certainly are necessary; but you know your own body better than anyone. And if you keep getting recurring UTI's; have your kidneys checked. Use common sense. The normal state of your body is not to be infected nor inflamed. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

March 1, 2009
I am actually going thru the same thing with stomach spasms, although I am not sure if theyre related to what I am eating. I seem to get them when I'm stressed, even laughing hard seems to set them off, and sometimes they just seem to start for no good reason. I had an endo and it came back normal, I have a cat scan scheduled for tomorrow. I have researched this and the other thing I have found is that alot of people seem to get trouble with the "remnant stomach" ( the part that ws detached) filling with bile and fluid causing pain and spasms, so thats a possibility also. I have found that diazepam stops the spasm and pain very quickly, and I like the fact that you only have to take it as needed BUT it does make you a little tired. Hope this helps, hope you all feel better soon!
   — Tammy M.