Abdominal Muscle Spasms

[AngelinaB]

For almost 1 year now I have had horrible muscle spasms in my abs when I do sit ups. I do a lot of running and other exercise and my abs never tighten up like that any other time other than doing sit ups. Everytime I try to do sit ups I can get through about 10 then the upper right abdominal area completely tightens and feels like a really really bad charlie horse. I'm just looking for any advice or experience with this that anyone can give me. I saw my family doctor and he said it's not a hernia and it could maybe be my gallbladder. With everything I've read online about gallbladders it doesn't seem like that is it to me. Just wondering if anyone can give me some help!
Thanks

[live4fitness]

It does NOT sound like gall bladder ( I have had mine removed). I have had something like this happen but not under the same secomstances. I would look at your mineral and electrolyte intake. You might need to bump up on that

[AngelinaB]

Thanks for the advice! I will take a look at that!

[Icyfyah]

Thank You for this section, I have been having the same identical problem for years now. I sincerely want to get back in shape and lose weight, but excerise comes to a SCREECHING HALT when it comes to sit-ups due to the pain associated after reaching 4-10 sit-ups.

At first I thought it may have been from childbearing, perhaps the loss of muscles or maybe some damage was done. Throughout all the weight gain over the years and unstable weight fluctuation I became confused! Afterall, childbirth can do a lot of damage to a womans body. But others have also recommended increasing water intake and electrolyte suppliments of some sort. I will give this a try because in all honesty I do not drink as much water as I should. (ashamed @ this!)

Thank You once again!

[fatboi13]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago. I was doing sit-ups in the gym when suddenly my stomach "knotted" together and it was so painful. It had happened before but I don't know when it will strike next. I first had these spasms like about 15 years ago, but it was only like three or four times in over a 6 years period. It was really painful, and I had consulted doctors and no logic answers was given. I thought I was experiencing some kind of weird pain. Then I had a few other guys told me that they had that problem too. So, what caused it ?  I think it happens to both gender and it is not fun. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[live4fitness]

I would look into bumping up your potassium intake. It might be muscle cramps

[JH509]

I have had this exact same problem and asked my doctor about this.  When I do a sit up right below my breast bone will knott up like a charlie horse.  I am 51 and out of shape.  A nurse friend also recommended potassium.  My doctor said to do as man sit ups each day that as my muscles began to take shape this cramping should go away.  It is very painful and when it happens it takes along time to be able to sit back up. LOL!!  I hate it and I will get back in shape.

[soaperbeth]

I have had this problem for nine years now. It happens when doing sit-ups, but also when I'm just relaxing....normally on my right side.
My feet, ankles and calves also have this problem.
I'm healing from a broken tibia which I believe was all related to these spasms. I was a long distance runner, but was told by my doctor not to run anymore.  

[Rlyons99]

I am 45 year old male and have had the same problem over the past 3 years.  Thought it could be hernia or gallbladder but doctor said no.  I had a appendectomy 12 years ago that left a big scare and apparently a lot of scar tissue underneath.  My doc recommended Calcium Citrate with Magnesium plus more water during the day.  It still happens once in a while but not as much.

[kevinhaswell]

I am an athletic person who works out about 3-4 times a week. Last week I had a re-occuring injury while cleaning up the house. When I bend down too many times my stomach contracts and I feel pain in my abdomin (abdomen) and testicles. I only feel pain on my lower right side abdominal wall. I went to my family doctor who could see visual swelling from one side of my stomach more than the other. The doctor told me that it was not hernia but an abdominal strain instead that it would take time to heal. I just wondering does this sound right? How do I prevent this from happening? Why does my right side testiles hurt than?

Can anyone give me some advice or treatment? I want to work out again but I can't.

[stephanieinontario]

I have the same thing.

It is brutal!  You can actually see the spasm in my stomach when it happens. It is deadly!

I was told that it was because I did too many abd exercises while pregnant, and I have seperated my muscles.  When activated too much, they spasm up.  I was told it COULD go away, but it has been 7 years for me now, and it still hasn't, so I don't have my hopes up anymore.

I just sloooowly work away at it, and stop when I feel something coming...

OUCH! though eh?

[Sue920]

I have been having abdonimal muscle spasms for about 7 years.  Lower right quadrant.  It feels like a very sharp, squeezing pain, such as a leg cramp.  At first it was thought to be an onion allergy, but that does not seem to be the case.  It comes on for no apparent reason.  I've been hospitalized several times, had all kinds of tests - CAT scans with and without contrast and dye, blood work, etc. etc.  They've ruled out kidney stones, gallstones, appendix, ovarian cause, growths, etc.  But the pain is so severe that I faint.  It can last anywhere from 1/2 hour to many hours.  Sometimes, Gas-x and advil seem to help.  What helps the most is lying down and stretching in the opposite direction of the spasm.  (that is, putting a pillow under my lower back and stretching my arms back over my head.)  It's been suggested that, since I have 2 herniated disks in my lower back, this might be a cause.  It does seem to happen more when I do a lot of crunches, or strenuous work such as mowing the lawn.  ( i have reel mower - no power)

The last doctors at the ER felt "something" in that area, but nothing showed up on any of the imaging.  Voiding my bladder seems to relieve it somewhat.  I've been home from the hospital for 2 days, and still have residual soreness, which is eased by a heat patch right on the area.

Bizarre and frustrating, isn't it?

[Ebeth28]

I am thankful to have found this online.  I have had this issue ever since my 2nd c section 2 yrs ago.  I had a 10lb baby so my abs were damaged.  The "charlie horse" description is perfect to describe the pain and the "lock" of the muscle.  Afterwards I am so sore for days and the pain is so severe.

I am having a CT scan tomorrow.  I am wondering if surgery can repair the muscle?

[mussy]

well, i might as well join the club.  yesturday at the shaq gym i was doing crunches on the hammer strenght machine and woe, the spasm hurted so bad, icouldn't breath, it was in my lower right abs and this afternoon in my upper right abs. I could on do 20 crunches at a time, three sets. i guess that can work since i already ahave abs.

[Still_tryin]

About three weeks ago, i had my right side just under my breast bone - do the cramp up thing. Then the following week, my breast ached like a toothache but sharper. so went to that dr. and she said all was fine i pulled a chest muscle. She ran a mamogram (mammogram) and ll looked good too. The following week after that i noticed a lump where i felt the cramp initially so had it xrayed and ultrasounded and nothing. so back to muscle pull idea.
then today at my desk - that terrible cramping again where the lump was! what is up with this. it was numb in that area over the weekend- so i called the ultrasound tech- cause i thought maybe she used some kind of numbing gel. but she said it was probably a nerve that was bothered by the test the week before.
so now what? ive given up lifting for three weeks - except lower body stuff. only walking or bike riding for exercise.

[diamondlily]

And to think I thought I was the only one!!!  I'm female, small framed and had 1 extremely complicated pregnancy and 1 difficult pregnancy. My ab muscles, too, were separated due to pregnancy, but I don't believe that is a contributing factor as the problem didn't occur until my son was about 5 years old.

My cramping occurs on the upper left area of my abdomen when doing crunches or everyday movements that simulate that of a crunch. Not only can I see my abdomen knotting up in that area, but I feel if it does not stop, I will literally die! I hate that I can't do many crunches, but it's just not worth the agony. I have tried to slowly increase crunches, but that doesn't work for me either.

I feel bad for all of you who deal with this, but it is comforting to know that there are others with this same problem.

[Niffer991]

Just like discussed, up your potassium intake and lower your sodium intake. "no salt is a good replacement for regular salt" as "no salt" is potassium based and is very hight up to 1,000mg or more per serving. Next, drink water, water, water; depending on your size I would say around 3 litres is ideal.

Good Luck All
Jen

[gramma1]

I have this all the time, but mostly if I am constipated. I will sit up, get this horrible spasam in my right side under my breast plate. It goes all the way across my stomach like there is something in there. DR told me I had a diveticuli sac there, but that seems odd. Lots of water, and staying bowel clean seems to help. I have not other symptoms, just this. I am bloated too, and most likely need to lose weight, but have tried everythign, and at 66, does not seem like that will happen. It makes it worse with exercise, so no help there. Even when I go to the bathroom, at times it hurts all the up to there. DR has done all kinds of tests, no reason for this, except maybe constipation. I wish I knew what this was, cause when it hurts it really hurts, then my breast plate hurts for days.

[toekneeEatworld]

I've been having this problem for the past 5 years. I can workout fine but when it comes to abs, I'm really hesitant to try again, cause I know its going to "attack" again.

As soon as I do some situps, right after they just lock up and start exploding. It's so painful and embarrassing at the gym. The other day I tried after not doing ab exercises for months and I had to roll off the sit up bench. This *****, I used to really enjoy doing ab exercises and now I fear them. No one knows the proper term for this problem? I'll try upping my potassium and water intake.

[Workout234]

I hear you on that embarassing moment in the gym. I just started taking a boxing class the other day and my lower right abs seized up into that excruciating pain you all know and I was done for the rest of the class. I run 3-4 times a week and have worked out religiously about 5 days a week for the last 10 years. However within the last year I have noticed that just after a few sets of abs my abs have a tendency to spasm. I think I get enough water, but maybe not getting adequate sleep at night (6hrs avg). I will try uptaking my potassium and cutting down on artificial sweeteners in gum, coffee, etc.., and try to cut sodium as well. Definitely a very annoying ailmnet. Whatever guidance anyone else may have that may have helped I would most greatly appreciate.

[simets99]

Sounds like I'm having the same issue as a lot of people.  I've worked out 4-5 days a week for years and never had any problems.  Last week all of sudden doing some situps I had an excruciating pain in my right side.  For the last week I've felt spasms or a pulsating in my right side and my right testicle has felt a dull pain.  I'm hoping its an ab strain and rest will help.

[Gilly1970]

I'm sorry to hear that others are experiencing these Abdominal spasms but it is comforting to hear that I am not the only one. I have been athletically active for about the last ten years., I have gone to gym off and on more on than off. Until a few years back I had never had a charlie horse in my abdominals but this now seems to be the case when I do 20-40 crunches the pain is excruciating and a litte worrisome because you can't move. What I did realize a few years back was that when I started to take prilosec for acid reflux I would experience these spasms but once I got off the prilosec and allowed my body to get rid of it I was fine. I have since taken the prilosec off and on for the past 3-4 years but have not really tried to do too many crunches out of fear. I do now from research that this acid reducers prevent the body from making vitamin b and magnesium which is essential for muscles. I plan on going to a sports medicine doctor and see what he proposes. I just wondered if anyone else on this post my have taken som sort of acid reducer. Hope everyone gets better. Will check for future posts.

[Obs]

I've got a new idea that I think'll help you guys. Earlier this year I had an abdominal spasm while in a train station, and it was excruciating.  What did I do?  Massage it out for the 3 hours I was on the train.  It went away quickly, and most of the massaging on the train was spent making sure I didn’t have a relapse.

What to Do For Best Results
If your abs are really painful, take a hot bath first to get them more relaxed.  Then, after filing your nails down to the quick, dig into your stomach to massage out those muscle knots.  Search for muscle knots and massage them out the same way you would massage a friend’s tight shoulders: hunting for the ‘good’ painful muscle, and then working on that.  Try using the thumb of one hand and use the other hand to help apply pressure.  Try massaging in 5-10 minute bursts a few times a day.

If not immediately, you should see results within a few days.

These days I have to massage between workouts and right after them too, but I can keep exercising.  Only if I stop massaging does the pain come back. This treatment falls under the umbrella of trigger point therapy.  I got the idea from The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies, and it works for me.  

Tell me how it works for you guys.

[JTfromTN]

I am so glad that I have finally found information on this horrible problem!
I had gastric bypass surgery four years ago and after a year, I had a 'tummy tuck' to get rid of the extra skin.  After having the surgery and allowing enough time for healing, I tried to do crunches to keep my stomach toned..I swear I felt like there was an alien in there trying to come out!!!  I think my sister felt I was faking a problem to get out of working out.   Needless to say, I too have tried to stay away from ab workouts, but this morning, thanks to a bad chest cold that I have, the spasm found me again just from coughing!  I am at my wits end on what to do about this. My sister thought that it might be adhesions, but when I talked to my gyn, he did not feel that was the case, but could not offer any remedy.  
***Thanks for the advise.  I will definetly up my potassium and get an electrolyte supplement.  I have hyptertion, so I need to be carefull with anything that has a lot of sodium.

[precious165]

I get a painful charlie horse/spasm/knot below my right breast when I bend over. Also, if I'm sitting up with my legs straight out in front of me and lean slightly forward I get the same spasms/knotting.  After the pain goes away it has a tingling feeling similar to what ultra sound therapy feels like.  The tingling can happen at any time.  I also get this sensation when I'm laying on my side in bed. Doesn't matter whether it is my left or right side.  Does anyone else have these symptoms?  It is not only bothersome but scary.

[camron6475]

Wow...to think i was the only one.....im very fit and have been working out 5 days a week for the past 8 years.  I was doing some ab work 2 years ago when my stomach knotted (i could actually feel it bulge) and tightened so severely i could barely breath.  I had to stay still for a few minutes until it loosened up.  Now i can barely do ab work.  I do abs everyday, but can only get about 4 or 5 sets in before i can sense it starting to tighten. Thats when i stop.  I know i dont need more water because i drink a gallon a day.  I eat bananas everyday too and take a vitamin supplement, so im stumped as to what i can do.  

It happened to me during an excercise so its almost like i tore something that keeps comming back....i dont know...im lost on this one.  All i can suggest to people who want to have nice abs, but suffer from this is to do more cardio, watch your diet and continue to do abs, but just do a minimal amount per day....until you can feel it start to tense up.

Also - crunches and that kind of motion are the activities that set it off quicker.  Doing leg raises and "the ab wheel" tends not to set it off.  Its the opposite of a crunch if you think about it......

just some thoughts.....

oh - the reason i found this today is because for the first time ever, my stomach muscle on the left upper side below my rib cage is "fluttering".  Its been doing it for 6 hours now on and off. its not painful, but its weird.  So i googled and ended up here.....UGGGGG

[Eddie_13]

Wow nice to know I'm not the only one. I used to be very fit working out all the time. until I had an unfortunate incident where i tore my tricep. which after discouraging results in the Gym eventually led to taking some time off which then led to taking too much time off.  now I work out on and off more on than off but the off periods can last a couple of weeks or more.
I used to be able to do tons of ab exercises with no problem. now after about 40-50 reps my Abdomen would knot up and would not relax. very painful that i would avoid ab exercises. but thats not the answer since I cant strengthen my core without exercising it.
solution:
I found that switching my workouts doing Abs directly before cardio. helps.

I do as many reps as possible regardless of ab excercise until the Knotting occurs. i do my funny walk to cardio machine. preferably treadmill but any machine works. after about 1-3 minutes of cardio the knotting goes and pain dissapears. after couple days of this my reps increase before the knotting. everntually completely dissapears until the next "off" period.

If you went too far with the reps and are really knotted and in pain. I have read that a direct poke into the muscle should relax the muscle releasing the pressure. I have yet to find this "point" but if you over extend your body bending backwards. extending the abs releases the pressure instantly for a few seconds. until you make it to the treadmill. good luck.

[londa75034]

Wow! I am so glad i have found a site to discuss my symptoms. I am very athletic and work out 3-4 days a week. lately i have been working a lot on my abs doing different exercises, etc. For 5 days now i have been having this excrutiating pain in my abdominal area right below my left breast. The pain last for about 5 seconds and goes away, then it comes again for another 5 seconds are so.  Occasionally i have this fluttering afterwards.  They are more like painful sensations and then it goes away..the pain is unbearable. Im a little scared cause the pain started suddenly and has continued for 5 consecutive days.  The muscle spasms some of you are having does it sound like the pain im experiencing?

[jbeaugh]

I had my gall bladder removed almost 5 months ago. Did well with that. About 7-8 weeks ago I started experiencing a tightening up of my upper abdomen, starting almost as a burn just below my sternum then a spasm coming from both sides of my body inward to meet. These last about 20 seconds or so and then relax for 30 seconds up to 3-4 minutes sometimes and then spasm up again. At first it was just once in a while and only 2-3 spasms, but after being under attack with them for 10 hours I found myself in the ER and then hospital to under go tests. I have had a gastric emptying study, 2 CAT scans and upper GI with a lower abdominal follow thru. A couple of weeks later, I again was put in the hospital after 15 hours of being under attack and it took 2 high doses of morphine to even touch the pain. Then I had another test very similar to he upper GI  but having the barium put down through a tube in my nose. I have had numerous blood tests and urine and stool analysis' and the doctors cannot not figure out what is happening to me. I am scheduled for a pill cam next week to watch what happens as it goes through me. I am not an athletic person although I do walk 2-3 miles a day and am 52 years old. These attacks happen regarless of what I eat, if I am feeling stressed or not and will start at random times in the day or night, regarless of activity or inactivity. When they come they leave me exhausted, and worthless the entire next day. I am losing work days and it really messes up my family life. I will try the potassium and electrolite suggestions as well as lower my sodium intake, but if anyone has any other suggestions, I would appreciate any and all help.

[Trialanderror]

I have this ever since childbirth - and that has been almost 7 years ago! It always feels as if it were an area where muscles are attached to rib cage via ligaments, so I am pretty sure something was torn during pregnancy that keeps tearing just a bit during exercises. Not sure what can be done except to warm up extra well before doing sit-ups.

[repent]

well it sounds like there are a lot of people that deal with this abdominal spasm.  Is there any stretches that anyone knows about to either stop or avoid them.  After my second child i have had problems with abdominal muscle spasms.  For me it occurs in the middle of the night during my sleep.  I wake up with severe muscle cramping and pain.  I have been up since 2:30am and now its almost 5am and it has finally subsided.  So if anyone knows any exersizes that I can do to stop the spasms it would be appreciated!  Thanks

[repent]

http://www.doctorsexercise.com/journal/cramp.htm

here is an exercise that i have used once and it seemed to help... hope this helps someone...

[Motts0721]

I just started getting severe stomach cramps when working out.  Im glad to see im not the only one.  I really thought i was alone with this, and had a serious problem.  I do crunches and my first set is fine, when i try and begin my second set i feel like my stomach is splitting in two.  I also get visible nots in my stomach.  Its excruciating and also very embarrassing when it happens at the gym.  I work out 5 to 6 days a week and dont get cramps any where else on my body

[Dr Vinod]

For abdominal muscles whenever you work out remember to give a break the day after.
Do not do continuosly on a day to day basis. 48hrs any muscle will recover. If it hurts after that and continues you need a medical help or else a good Physiotherapist and Gymn Trainer is suffiecient.
Take care!

[kbd1225]

I am doing a Pilates workout, about an hour and 15 minutes, and I have been having these muscle spasms, and they sometimes start in my upper abs, under my right breast, but radiate out to my arms and legs and I have to sit down, I feel faint.

I have fibromyalgia, and it started with a back injury with 2 herniated discs and 3 bulging discs and I have degenerative discs in my neck, with arthritis.  I believe there is arthritis in the spinal injury (base of my spine).  Has anyone had the muscle spasms go throughout his/her body?

[Dr Vinod]

I believe you have to slow down and the work out time should be decreased till a point of time when you do not have major symptoms.
Your body will slowly take more of strain while you control it, and your neurological conditions should also be taken into consideration.
Take care!

[kbd1225]

Thank you for your answer.  I do have an appt. with my doctor on the 27th of May, just to check it out, but I have been adding some additional water, stopped the ab exercised everyday and will do them every other day or every 3rd day, and cut the time down from 1 hour on the Pilates Performer to 1/2 hour or 45 minutes, and reduced the number of reps.  

I didn't realize about the water, and I have a low normal potassium reading, and I do notice it, even thought some people think I can't, but when it is not supplemented by prescribed potassium from my Dr., I do get pains in my legs.  Low normal is 3.5 for potassium, mine is 3.6.

I do appreciate your answer, and I am doing exactly what you advised..  Thank you.

kbd1225

[Dr Vinod]

Wow! That is the way to go, human beings adapt to adverse of conditions and your body should slowly be stressed, and i am happy that you have an appointment with the doctor who can give you a green signal, as sometimes in your condition a little personal follow up is required.
Drinking of sufficient or a little more of water is always good.
In mineral deficiency even if you have a minor change in value you have these muscle cramps and other associated problems.
You should do a latest test to find your Potassium level and then take supplements with a prescription.
Take care and mineral balance(electrolyte) is very important

[kbd1225]

Thank you so much for your help and advice.  I do feel that the spasms are starting in my core, uppper abs, but I have started doing more water (even though I drink decaf Iced tea mixed with green tea, and lots of ice), but I did feel the visiti to the doctor was warranted.  I am low in Vitamin D and Potassium, so I feel these deficiencies could be adding to the problem

I do appreciate you responding to my inquiry, and it's nice to know that there are doctors like you willing to help people with these questions.  Thank you for being here.

Karen

[Dr Vinod]

Also do magnesium and other minerals also along with the Potassium as this would be a good opporutnity to know your mineral balance.
Best of luck and take care!

[kbd1225]

Thank you and I will take the script to the doctor's office on Wednesday, so she can add my mineral balance for the bloodwork.

I'm glad that you are posting here to help us.  It's nice to have an advocate for health, such as you are.

[kbd1225]

I went to the doctor's office today, and she agreed that it is lack of water, and minerals.  I know she checked the selenium, and she said that she would do a complete electrolyte panel too.  I told her that I had posted here, that I made the changes you suggested, and that the spasms stopped.  She agreed with your assessment of decreasing reps until I could build up some more.

It's all working.  I have lost an additional 5 pounds since March, my BP is within normal ranges, and I took my BP home monitor in and that my BP is coming down, and if this continues, and I lose more weight, I might be able to go off all the BP medications.

Since last year, I have lost nearly 50 pounds, and I did it by just making a slight change to my diet.  I ALWAYS have veggies with dinner, I eat them first, then protein, and then if we have a starch, most of the time I don't eat it because I am full.  So, it doesn't take a drastic diet, just a slight adjustment, and this is the most successful I have been in years in losing weight.  I'm doing it for my blood work improvement, not because I want to fit into smaller clothing, just a mind set change.  Also, I am using a combination of EVOO and canola oil to adjust the HDL and the LDL to proper ranges.

Thank you for all of your help and input, Dr. Vinod.
Karen

[Katrun]

I have had to same problem on my lower right side.Just below and to the side of my belly button. It only happens when I work my abs.
I stopped working out in fear of it happening.
You can actually see and FEEl the muscle . I have to hold it and put pressure on it.
'I went to 3 doctors, and they said  I did not have a hernia. Even the plastic surgeon looked at it-
I drink tons of water and eat healthy. I know is from my 2 -Csections.
Something is not attached and ripped down there.

Cure:  Well I found that if you wear one of those stretch Belts that go around your waist. (support) You can get them any where. I am able to do my exercises. It holds everything in and together- preventing it to spasm.  
I encourage you to try it. Get one of those exercise (Velcro) Belts. It actually feels nicer and I can do more, with the added support.
This is the only way I am able to work my (lower abs).
I hope this helps someone in this forum. As I do not have an actual cure, but this enabled me to work out.

I am so glad I am not the only one...The specialist made me feel like I was crazy.. Also, sometimes when I (squat) or go to pick something up in certain positions it will pop out and spasm.
So it not only when I do lower ab.
Good luck, I would be interested to know if the belt helps.

[Dr Vinod]

Yes support and belts help. But i can give you an advice that the tag line "working on some area will give you the best look" is not always good! As you do cardio, you lose weight proportionally and you lose the fat first from the place you put fat last. So ultimately you would lost all the fat with sustained effort. It is not good for patients with hernia, C-section and other abdominal surgeries to exert themselves a lot in a spree to get flat abdomen. This is an advice and you can always take your own decision and please follow up near your surgeon also before you go intense. Take care!

[amberkitty]

I don't work out much at all, so my spasms come from a different type of strain...sometimes when my body tightens up due to an orgasm I get the Charlie horse pain in my upper right abdomen, in front of my rib cage.  It's very painful, and I have to stop everything for a few minutes until the pain stops.  I am sore in the area for a few days after.  Thanks for the advice, I know that I don't drink enough water, and I've been slacking on my vitamins and minerals.

[Dr Vinod]

You can work out, but not on exercises which increase your abdominal pressure. This is for post operative patients. You can learn near a qualitifed physiotherapist or a trainer and practice. Stop whenever you are getting pain and spasms. Abdominal muscles would take 2 days to recover after they get sore, skipping a day helps. Drink enough water and also balanced diet which covers your minerals, vitamins, carbbohydrate, prroteins etc.

[TheMyst]

I'm glad to have found this. I am 19, and not very physically active (I am on the computer constantly. I work my brain out the most by writing software) Anyway, ever since College ended for the summer, these same spasms occurred for me, only it's on both sides of my abdomen right above the pelvis. Sometimes it feels as if my guts are being jumbled or pushed around by this.
I'm going to try upping my potassium intake and see if that helps. I drink alot of Pomegranite juice, but I know that is antioxidants more than anything else. I'm also going to visit the doctor and see what he has to say.

[Dr Vinod]

Try going for walks and do some cardio daily. Measure your BMI and start having a balanced diet. If this does not help then think of mineral imbalance etc and your doctor can help. Take care!

[ellacjn]

I'm feeling so discouraged. I am trying very hard to work out and adapt a healthier lifestyle, but that horrible twisting, tightening, excruciating spasm that starts under my breast on the right side just stops me dead in my tracks. It happened today again, I was doing some crunches on a ball and wham, I saw stars. I tried to get up, which was not easy and breathe and walk till it subsided. Once is was gone I bent down to pick up all the stuff I threw on the floor while writhing in pain and it started again, and it felt like it was trying to creep over slowly to the through the middle and spread over to the left side. But once again, breathing, walking and a bit of time and it was over. Now it's sore and I'm too nervous to move. I came straight to the computer and found this thread. So glad I'm not the only one, but I haven't really heard anything we can do about this, other than to rest the muscle and drink lots of water. Are we doomed to have this happen all the time now? HELP!
Ella

[Dr Vinod]

You should go and consult an orthopaedican and go for an examination to find out if you have pulled any chest muscle etc.
Do not stress yourself and it is good that you want to work out and be in shape, but not at an expense of pain and damaging your body.
Consult a Physical trainer to find out what all forms of exercise are good for you presently and later you can increase your load with decreasing pain. Take care!

[ddr1885]

Well Just as everyone else, I am glad that I found this thread.  I lost 50 pounds 5 years ago and since exercise religiously 4-5 times a week. Not often, but at times I will get this immense charlie horse like cramp on my right abdominal area. Just to the right of my belly button. It is not only crunches that have set it off...sometimes after I gag brushing my teeth or if I sneeze hard it will come on strong. After about a minute or less the muscle relaxes but I have spasms in the general area for another couple minutes. It is a very scary pain, I have to apply a lot of pressure in the area during the episode.

I was planning to finally go see the doctor and decided to look at web 1st. From what I have read there seems to be no good solution or diagnoses. I am also going to try uptake in potassium/electrolytes. From what I read, Camron6475 I really like your advise on up-ing the cardio and doing alternative ab work outs.

I also wanted to mention it concerns me that there might be something torn (over exerted) and that I also have had an appendectomy (long time ago)- and this pain is in the general vicinity of the surgery.

Any thoughts would be helpful -

[TDron]

5 years ago I started having a right ab muscle spasm that lies on the outer edge of the rib cage. It will swell up alot and you can see it. It started after my second pregnancy when I decided to exercise. It will act up during any movement tucking in towards the body. 2 years ago I started having a right rhomboid spasm and I wonder if there is a connection since it's on the same side and spot front and back. I carried my kids quite alot. I feel maybe the pulling on my shoulder could have disrupted my spine and muscles. Nothing has helped my ab spasm just avoiding the activity that provokes it. I do find applying a pressure point into the rhomboid spasm corrects it. I have not tried this on my ab muscle because it is temporary but I think it could help for a muscle that is being stubborn and tight.

[hamnest]

I've experienced severe spasms in the upper abdominal area and the worse experience was after doing crunches.  Twice I experience severe pain and the area knotted and felt like a baseball.  Most of you described the same condition, but I also started feeling flush and started sweating.  I sat down and started fading in and out and think I passed out several times.  It lasted about 1/2 hr before I could leave the gym and drive home.  I assumed that the flush and sweating was caused by all the blood rushing to the abdominal area.  Does anyone else feel those added symptoms?

[Michlyn]

I am glad I found this site as I thought I was crazy or had something really bad wrong with me like a hernia.I had my Gal Bladder removed at age 17 which I have noticed a lot of others have mentioned or c section &  1 post mentioning the prevacid 4 acid reflux as I have taken it for many yrs & recently have tried to skip it as much as possible & drink more water & most stating this happens during crunches. I however have this occur whenever it wants to occur just sitting and no strain to the abdominal muscles.This has been a reason I have feared exercise to the abdominal area. Recently I have been exercising about 4 times a week and never get the spasms then. It is just like a charlie horse knotted right in my upper abdominal area seems to be more to left than right but you can feel a big ball & cannot move until it luckily goes away just as a charlie horse in other areas can stop you from being able to your move.Only this is a big knot like a baseball.I try to drink alot of water & have been taking daily vitamins so it has seemed to be less often & I don't know if it's the vitamins,more water,exercise or the strengthening of the muscles from exersising or maybe a combo of both.

[elaine209]

I have had the same problem since I had my first child,28 years ago.I have thought I was alone all this time.A muscle under my upper right rib cage nots up any time I try to do sit-ups.It has also happened when I've bent over to pick something up,and even during sex.I had a test to see if my gallbladder was working properly a couple of weeks ago.The doctor said it was working 50%.I dont have gallstones.An issue I'm having with all this is that I dont know if I'm having pain do to my gallbladder issue or if its my muscle thats hurting.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.I've tried to explain the muscle spasm thing to my doctor but I dont think he gets it.

[frustratedbad]

I to have had abdominal spasms for about 8 years or more now and they are very painful. I Have had surgeries and test and many Drs. who cannot tell me what it is except ibs or scar tissue or electrolite problems i also have these spasms in my rib cage they come on out of the blue sometimes with a cough or a wrong move or even a sudden movement as like being startled by something or even doing situps i have been so frustrated sometimes by so much money spent on medical but no answers and no help i had one today just sitting on the couch and coughed and there it was like a large animal in my stomach trying to break through with so many with this problem why do drs end up acting like it all mental or like they have never heard it before i drink plenty of water electrolites are fine it realy changes you life with every thing exersise, work and sex cause you have no idea when one will hit. i wish some wonderful medical person would come up wit a way to prevent these painful spasms.

[parkera51]

On January 31, 2008. 4:55pm, I made a move that has caused me pain from ab muscle spasms every day of my life. I work at a desk in a blue cube. I made that last minute run to the bathroom, trying to finish before they locked me in the building.  When I stood up, I felt my back kinda lock up.  I felt as if my rib cage buckled into my waist. I think it snapped. The pain was excruciating.  I could barely drive home. What I thought would be fine with the usual cold pack, hot pack, & anti-inflammatory med treatment, has taken over my life. Same as most of you describe. Right side, bottom of the rib cage. It's like a powerful Braxton-Hicks contraction. Only I'm 58 & not pregnant. I have described the spasms as so intense, it feels like the meat is being ripped off the rib bones.

I share your similar frustrations with doctors who don't help & opinionated people who have no clue. Finally I went to a sports medicine dr. May '09. He drew a diagram of the muscle system in the ab section. Pointed to the spot at the bottom of my right rib cage. Says a tiny tear there can take years to heal. Scar tissue can build up. He prescribed Lyrica to help stop the pain in the nerves. It does give me some relief.  Whereas I usually have spasms anytime I walk, bend, reach, or push with my feet, on the Lyrica, I felt like the area was only on the verge of cramping.  I could work past 2pm w/o pressing on my side & grimacing in pain. The down side--weight gain is a common side effect. I also felt like I was off balance. So now, I only take it when the muscle spasms become unbearable.

I rest on the wkd & do well, only to undo all the progress I've made by Fri of the next week. Before all this I walked 10K steps a day, lifted hand weights, and loved to do sit ups. Now my life is consumed with trying to avoid the spasms. I plan to go back to the dr. Someone told me there may be an injection of some sort that would kill the pain. I want my life back.

[blackbeltmom]

Finally I have found some other sufferers.  I am a 40 year old female, very fit although very overweight.  A lot of my weight is muscle from 10 years of martial arts, but I also carry a large amount of stomach fat.  I have had three caesarean sections, the last was 16 years ago, and I also suffer these excruciatingly painful spasms.  But mine happen when I am stretching my legs out, for example when sitting in a chair,  I get no pain or spasms when working out or doing sit ups.  The pain is very low, just between the pubic bone and belly button, and usually goes away after sitting upright.  I don't know aobut my mineral levels, but I drink about 3 litres of water a day.  Any advice please?

[jenwes2002]

I'm 35 years old and have had this same knot, twitching sensation in my upper abs whenever I do any type of abdominal workout. I have been working out for many years and am in very good shape and eat at least one or 2 bananas a day. This started about 4 years ago and is very frustrating and painful as we all know. I will up my water intake and recommended supplements and hope for the best. So, annoying and painful! I have experienced similar pains in my calves and Legs, so I'm wondering if its all connected. Thanks for the posts and glad to know I'm not the only one....

[Vero1980]

I am glad I found this thread too!  i thought I was going crazy, and my doctor doesn't seem concerned.  But this is REAL PAIN, and it sure interferes with whatever you are doing.  Sometimes if I laugh to hard, cough hard, or bend over too fast it brings on the spasms.  The spasms happen in different areas of my abdomen.  Sometimes the spasm "creeps" to other areas, sometimes its static.  I have found that standing up to stretch the abs helps ease the pain, but it doesn't happen right away.  I have to wait and use my Lamaze to help get through it.  This helps me. Sometimes the pain eases up and then starts again.  As the pain eases up, you can see my abs twitching and churning.  There are times I have to ask my hubby for help because it hurts so much and he can help calm me down and help me breathe.  One time my father had to pull his car over on a road trip so I could get out and stretch.  I had a c-section almost 18 months ago.  I haven't seen much advice/reason other than a mineral imbalance, electolyte deficiency, and water intake.  Or that the muscles have been damaged, scarred, etc.  I at least feel better knowing that I am not alone in my pain.

[parkera51]

Well, the sports medicine dr I saw in 2009, retired.  I took an appointment with another dr at the same practice.  Turns out he is an orthopaedic surgeon. He listened to my story, did a brief exam, and ordered an xray.  Then he said he honestly had nothing to offer me.  He gave me a new prescription for Lyrica, and referred me to a pain management doctor.  I see him Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010.  I'm glad it's an afternoon appt.  That's when the pain & ab spasm gets really bad.  When I'm working, I'm at my desk most of the time. I get up & go to the mail room often just to get a little exercise. I get off at 4pm & commute 35 mins.  It's a painful drive. If I stop at the store, I sometimes cancel out some items on my list because it's too painful to keep walking. Often I have to leave some of my groceries in the car because the ab spasm is too bad.
I hope this pain mgt. dr. can do something.  At this point, I'd even welcome the placebo effect!

[lordfriday]

People...

I don't know why you are worried about this..

The abdominal muscles have about 80 percent stabilizer fibers and the rest strength fibers... when you work your abs you are putting a lot of strain on them... like any muscle.. it's going to cramp after over exertion... think of it as ... total muscle failure... working any muscle to failure you're going to experience that... when it happens the best thing to do is stand up and stretch your arms towards the sky over your head... it is extremely common and not a "deficiency"

[pickleberry]

Wow, I am not alone.

I get the cramping up in my lower left abdomen and occasionally in my upper right.  The muscle seizes up so tight it is like it is making a fist.  The pain is so great I go into cold sweats and it takes all of my concentration just to stay conscious.  On occassions the cramping can occur on and off for up to an hour and once I have an episode I am sore and at high risk for another for several days after.  The first time this happened the pain was so great I went to the ER and they of course found nothing and didn't even make a suggestion as to what it could be.  My only tool in sleuthing the mystery has been online research.

When an episode occurs I find standing up, supporting my weight by holding onto to the top of a door and gently stretching my torso downward can help.  Also drinking water, I find, decreases the length of the occurance.

I have had ongoing weight problems and a hernia repair so my abdominal muscles are pretty much shot.  I also have a chronic cough and often a deep cough can trigger the spasms.

It is awful living with the threat of a reoccurance hanging over my head all the time.

[prosncons72]

I have the spasm in the upper right ab along the bottom rib. It first came on in JAN2009, one year ago. I pulled my ab muscle when I started back on an exercise regimen. I do have a child, but that was 1 year, 3 months prior to this pull injury. I rested this muscle for months. In July2009, I started back on my fitness goals. While I could feel strain in that upper ab, I would back off if I felt even the slightest pulling or twinge. Over three months from that point, I strengthened my abs to where I was doing unbelievable ab exercises. Then, in OCT2009, sickness hit our household and I did not work out for just over two months. My ab muscles weakened. One day I started feeling this pulling sensation and the mild spasms started, just out of the blue. What I have discerned here is that when my abs are weak from lack of exercise, the spasms come back all due to the previous muscle pull injury. I just started back on my fitness routine and, like before, the ab is quite angry and sore, wanting to cramp just sitting here. I do massage it and this helps, just like with back muscles, massage is GGRREAT! Another interesting point I have not seen mentioned by anyone, according to the ultra athletes I am constantly around, it is possible to have a 'microtear' in the ab muscle that is there and will always be. Strengthening the abs SLOWLY over time will give the muscle what it needs and the spams will wean. Lastly, I take in more than adequate H2O and have always watched my sodium intake due to water retention. I take high quality vitamins, a broad spectrum of them, and eat the right foods to have proper nutrition and mineral levels. My recent blood panels came back normal. So, for me, this microtear in the muscle seems to be the answer for what it is and slowly strengthening the abs over months, not days or weeks, is the answer.

Hope this helps shed light on the issue for some folks. Other folks with lower right ab cramps or spasms might look into 'Sports Hernias'...these are hard to diagnose and are NOT the same as regular hernias. My husband has one, and our friend just had sports hernia surgery.....This sports hernia issue is more for the men with the pulling sensation in the lower right ab that sometimes extends to the testicals...sometimes experiencing the pulling sensation during orgasm.