I also have muscle cramps all over. Your stomach cramps sound a lot like mine. What works for me is having a bottle of Gatorade rain and 2 banannas a day.
Marburg
kiddies3 said... Well thank goodness I've found some folks with similar symptoms as mine! These stomach spasms are driving me absolutely nuts, but I've been contributing it to lack of exercise and lack of potassium since I take water pill/blood pressure medication. These spasms, to me, bring back memories of true labor pains and they appear all over my stomach area, first here, then there. I definitely will try some of the otc's mentioned since my gp doc and my heart doc both have not a clue. I also have cramps in other places, my feet, toes, fingers and sometimes lower legs. Hope something will help. The stomach muscle cramps come on when I sit up after lying down, if I turn from side to side, or lean over from a sitting to pick up something from the floor.
about 7 years ago I sat up all night having abdominal spasms that reminded me of labor. Long story short. I think it was my pylorus spasming. I will be having a pyloroplasty to correct it in a few days. In March of this year they injected to Botox to the pylorus.The pain that I have had ever since the contractions/spasms went completely away.
Hi all, My daughter who suffers from Gerd, ended up in the ER a few months ago because of chest pain and trouble breathing. She just collapsed the pain was so so severe. After numerous tests, the conclusion was that her esophagus had gone into a spasm. It sure gave us a scare. She is pregnant now, and of course suffers from a lot of heartburn , but her spasm thing never happened again. thank God and hope that lasts. Mary50 yr.old retired RN,Crohn's D for last35 yrs..severe esophagitis, migraines,strictures,urethral stricture,depression,probable MS.
i too am experiencing spasms above my naval which feels as if there is a baby in there. i am 58 years old with a hysterectomy so that is impossible. i have noticed when i lie flat it goes away and is worse as i sit at the computer , after eating and with the presence of gas and stomach discomfort. i have just started noticing this and i am concerned it is something serious. i do not have pain just pulsating or flip-flopping which can be seen. have aliens taken over my body? lol
I've had pains now in my stomach when it is empty for over three years. I've had EGd , colonscopy, ERCP. Told I had gastritis , hiatal hernia, bile reflux, due to gall bladder removal.
I have been to my gastro. for several years trying to figure out what's wrong w/me , he's given me Nexium, prevacid, I've tried Zantac, prilosec, they help w/the heartburn pain, but didn't help w/the severe pain I kept getting when my stomach would empty out. the only way to get rid of the pain was to put something in it, so I'd be up at all hours of the night eating to get rid of the pain.
I called this past week asking to talk to my doctors nurse , it took me all week to actually talk to her in person on the phone, but I'm starting to think she's better than my doctor. She spoke w/me for at least 15 minutes. I explained my symptoms to her, I've told her at the office before but I thought maybe if I'd keep repeating it would sink in to them, what's going on.
So She asked me if I'd ever been on anything for esophagial spasms, "I said no", nurse said couldn't hurt to try since we've tried everything else. She prescribed me Hyoscyamine, I can't tell you how much relief this drug as brought to my life so far in the short two days I've been taking it. I haven't had one , "knock on wood," once of stomach pain.
This is a major relief to me, I was getting so depressed over not being able to find anything to stop the horrible pains I was getting at all hours of the day. I constantly had to carry something around w/me to eat just incase the pains started. It would always start out like a hungry pain, then the pain would just become unbareable. I will be praising this nurse if this medicine continues to work & I remain pain free.
I really didn't realize I was having stomach spasms, I really didn't think there was such a thing, But I guess it makes sense your stomach uses muscles to help digest the food.
SO far I haven't noticed any horrible side effects from the Hyoscyamine, You can put it under your tongue, doesn't tast too bad, or swallow it w/water. Just kind of dry's my mouth out a little.
If anyone on here thinks they could be having these spasms , it wouldn't hurt to see if your doctor would try anti-spasmatic med's
I am new to the forum and found it by googling "muscle spasms in stomach and rib cage." Thank you, GrannyBoots, for posting your situation. I have similar symptoms that lasted 3-4 days (7-25 thru today 7-29). Pain in my upper abdomen with the feeling of fullness and expansion against my ribs from the inside out. The pain was worse reclining or laying in bed. Muscle spasms occurred in the areas of my side rib and upper abdomen especially when trying to turn in bed or using those muscles to sit up or push back in a recliner. The pain was impossible to bear when trying to lie on my left side. I felt a sudden boring hot pain on my right side under the ribs about midway from front to back. The only position I could sleep a short while was on my right side. Sitting up and leaning slightly forward brought my pain from 8-9 to 6-7. The pain also bore thru my back like a hot poker a few inches to the right of my spine and a few inches above my last rib on that side. I also had pain below where the shoulder blades end on the back/rib cage. The pain was better in the daytime when I was moving about and eating light. It seems to worsen a couple of hours after a meal. My doctor sent me for blood work friday (7-27) and an ultrasound tomorrow. He thinks my liver felt enlarged on exam. I had my first episode like this in Aug. 2004 and again in March 2005. I have had elevated fasting glucose levels starting in March 2006 and for the last 7 months have been taking Metformin XR. I also have been taking meds for GERD for about 6 years. I believe I also have a hiatal hernia and couple of weeks ago had an episode where food became stuck for a few moments. Thank you all for posting your experiences. It helps to know I am not alone.
Newly diagnosed with GERD, also have Crohns so not looking forward to yet even more spasms! Just wondering if anyone knows if these diseases come hand in hand?
What a relief to hear other people have this problem, although not a good one! I had my gall bladder removed 2 years ago, have been put on Nexium, was diagnosed with gastritis a month ago. I have had muscle spasms (charlie horses) around my lower ribs and upper stomach (mainly on the sides of the stomach). I mentioned it to my doctor but he didn't seemed to be concerned. Having been a smoker in the past I was afraid I had lung cancer but after reading these replies from others I do feel better. I get the spasms when I laugh or sometimes when I sit in a different position. Most of the time I can massage them away and mine don't last a long time but they do hurt and sometimes take my breath away.
I have been having gas in my upper and middle part of my gut and periodically have a catch feeling in my left side under my ribs. I mentioned all of this to my gastro doctor and about the gas and the knotted feelings in my gut and the back spasms and he didn't think any of it is a big deal. And as for the catch type feeling in my left side, that comes up occasionally, he says mine is nothing colon related as it is too far over and he thinks it is just muscle related. He mentioned nothing about acid reflux or gastritis as I am already on Protonix 40mg for reflux even though I haven't had an endoscope to actually diagnosis it. I belch alot right after meals which I figure is air I'm swallowing upon eating. And I stress over all of this stuff and it just makes it worse. I am a UC patient who was diagnosed in 1986.
Like many of you I stumbled across this forum when researching my symptoms. I have recently (in the last week) started to experience a tightness or pushing behind and just under my breastbone. Last night I experienced some heavy spasms which were visible and looked like something trying to push its way out of me. I am a 27 year old male and have been suffering from stomach problems for the last 9 years following an apendectomy. I have seen a number of doctors who have given me the same diagnosis after a brief examination; stomach infection! I am worried that this may be more as it reoccurs too often. I am also very anxious about requesting any further tests such as an endoscopy etc. It has come to breaking point now and is ruining my life - I am happy to temporarily take medication to suppress the pain/spasms/bloating/bathroom problems if its available but would like to know exactly what I am dealing with?
Why don't you want an endoscopy? They are so easy. I dont like them but they are better than a colonscopy. What did they give you for the stomach infection? That is a strange diagnosis without biopsies. I have no idea how they would know that. You could have an imbalance which might be helped with Acidophalous or probiotics. It sounds more like Irritable bowel syndrome. You might want to check out the forum on this site. If you have stomach infection you just don't pooh-pooh as it is not going to go away on its own. There are specific drugs for intestinal infections. Also, you might ask for an antispasmodic medication for the spasms. As I read these comments and think of my own GI doctor I have come to the conclusion they they have never suffered like we have and its like OH, Well, its nothing serious so don't worry about it and just deal with it. Not that easy.
I was so excited to read your posting because you have described almost exactly what I have been going through for the past 10 years. My muscle spasms come on in the early hours of the morning, when I first wake up, and they began after I had my gall bladder removed (I ask everyone I know who has had their gall bladder removed if they have this same problem). When it starts to come on, like you, I feel hunger pains and that's how I know that it's coming. I find that if I get up and quickly eat something (yogurt with a little cereal or peanut butter crackers seem to work best) I can usually fight it off. However, if I'm really tired and I wait just a couple of minutes too long then I've lost my window of opportunity and the spasms come on no matter what I eat. They only last about 20 minutes, but I am totally useless during those twenty minutes because I am in so much pain. Sometimes, I'll get up and take a bath and that seems to help. In just the past few days, I've been taking a fast acting Tylenol when they come on and that seems to help as well.
Interestingly enough, when I am pregnant this problem completely disappears. I remember reading that during pregnancy your body releases a relaxin hormone and I assume that it is probably the presence of this hormone that keeps the spasms away. I just had my third baby and spent almost nine months without any problems; however, about two weeks after my baby was born they came rearing back again and I have had them every single morning for the last six weeks. I guess I'll have to get pregnant again to get a reprieve!
Thank you for posting a bit about yourself. I would encourage you to stay with us, and start your own post as you feel comfortable. More people are likely to read a newer post than an old one.
I am happy you have found comfort in reading this post...I am also happy you are reading old posts. I have found that they help out tremendously!
I look forward to getting to know you better Irish.
Today--I am reading all of your posts about "spasms" and am thinking---I wonder if THIS is what is going on with me!
I was really active (exercise 4-5 times/week) until May 07---when one weekend--I started experiencing pain where my sternum splits----to my right ribs---around to my back---up to my shoulders, neck etc...
I have had gall bladder tests done, MRI, B12 deficiency (numbness), Spine Xray, Celiac Test, Rheumatoid/Arthritis blood screen, and Physical Therapy! All of the tests were NORMAL---the Physical Therapy would help for a day or so--then, the pains would come back!
I would try and walk to the mail box---or just walk around the block---I would feel like I got punched in the GUT! I couldn't wear a bra for 4+ months because it felt like someone was making my bra too tight! I couldn't BREATHE!
I went to the ER twice---the first time I was told, "oh your a mother of three? You must be stressed. Here---have some valium--and call your primary"! My heart, liver, kidney, pulmonary function etc... all came back NORMAL!
I have become extremely anxious about this whole GI issue (Colon Cancer runs in my family---along with pancreatic/gall bladder cancer and polyps)----and can barely function day to day b/c I don't have pains until I start eating-----even the blandest diet makes me get these "PAINS"!
Today---I went to a GI specialist (after waiting TWO MONTHS to get in and see him)---and he is going to do a colonoscopy and endoscopy to rule out some things----but, I asked him what to take for these pains I feel about 15-20 minutes after I eat, ALL DAY, all night---until morning! He gave me a prescription for HYOSCYAMINE---to see if they are spasms-----he thinks I could have esphogeal spasms----(plus the anxiety doesn't help)---and maybe this will help!
I do hope this works! If it does-----it would be FANTASTIC! I am glad I found this thread! Laurel
I am glad you found a thread that seems to have helped you out.
This very well could be what is going on with you. It is a good idea to educate yourself to the different things it could be. I like to know about my body, that way I better understand different things the doctors are talking about, ya know?
I sure hope it does Tammy! It's funny--b/c a few years ago---when I had my first endoscopy----they found a 'watery cyst' (submucusal bleb) outside my esphogus. I had to go to another GI specialist who performed an Endoscopic Ultrasound to see what this 'cyst' was---ended up being a fluid-cyst (whatever that means)---
anyway--he also thought maybe I was experiencing esphogeal spasms at the time---and said---if the pain continues---I could do a test. Well---after two weeks-the pains subsided! I never did go and see him---just tired of tests at the time! I also started taking Lexapro for my anxiety---and that helped too! I went off of the Lexapro after 1 year.....
I don't know---maybe it is something like this! My problem is---the back pain (and pain in the sternum) after I eat! I never wake up with this issue---just after I start eating!
I have been cryin' and asking, and bothering ya'll on HW with my questions---and then....THIS THREAD! I think I have some Hope here! ;) Fingers crossed!
And I have my fingers crossed for you too! I hope you get some answers, as I am sure you are frustrated!
Onto a different topic, can I ask about your experience with Lexapro, and why you went off it after one year?
I have been on it since June and I am thinking about switching to something else. I don't know if you read my posts in anxiety, but I feel like the Lexapro is pooping out for me, ALREADY!
I apologize if you responded to any of my posts in anxiety, because I gotta say that I read so much on here, sometimes I forget! LOL.
I went off of Lexapro---b/c I was doing really well on it---and my primary doctor thought I could stop taking it (gradually though)----until I was no longer on it! I felt fine until this past May---and that's when I started having the major anxiety again! When he started me on Lexapro again----I had an adverse reaction (crying all of the time, thought about death-- in the sense I thought I had a disease--not killing myself--- , being put in a home, being homeless, being helpless, couldn't sleep, etc...)---it was bad! It may have been that I was also taking Valium with it---but, I don't know--it was the worst experience of my life! :(
I haven't read your posts about it on the a/p forum---but, I will check them out!
I don't think I should've stopped taking it the first time----I should've taken that---along with some Cognitive Behavior Therapy---so, that, when this most recent health issue happened----I could've dealt with it better----but, the last go around--I only took the medication---and I should've had therapy too!
If you don't feel it's working----you should talk w/ your doctor! Do you feel like you are still experiencing anxiety? Just "there"---kind of like "numb"---no sadness/no happiness? He may also have to increase your dose---I started with 10 mg---then to 20 mg this last go round----it was just a bad reaction for me! :(
Anyone here also experience a headache with your spasms? After I eat something--I get terrible headaches--along with the pain in my ribs/back/chest/abdomen.
Hi Tabs, I am new to this but I am willing to try anything to figure out what is going on. I read your reply to Rosie 99 on April 9th about your stomach problems. It sounds just like me. The pain always wakes me up around 4-5 a.m. and the pain is intense! My problem is that even though I am thirsty I am physically unable to drink or eat anything or else it will come back up within seconds. I always go to emergency so that I can get some fluids into me and then they also give me anti-spasm, anti-nauseous, and pain medication. I've had a scope put down into my stomach but everything came back fine. I have lupus but the doctors don't think that is the cause of this (like yourself, it happens every 2-3 months).
Have you had an new luck trying to figure out what is going on??
