Violent stomach spasms

Hi

For the last 4 days I have been experiencing violent stomach spasms. It is actually my abdominal muscles going into spasm. On the first day of spasms they became so violent i went to my GP and he presribed 5mg dizepam I took 2 of these and they had no affect.
On the 2nd day i went to see a gastrenterologist at a hospital and she had never seen anything like this before. The spasms are so violent that my body is lifted off the bed. If I'm standing my body folds in half (I have nearly hit my head on several occasions). She admitted me and gave me a strong dose of diazepam intravenously, after about an hour and a half the spasms stopped. 3 different doctors looked at me and none of them had seen it before. Because the spasms stopped they discharged me and just told me to take the diazepam if the spasms started.
I'd been home for a few hours and they started again so I took a 5mg diazepam and went to bed. This morning (4th day) I'd been awake for about an hour before they started again so have had to take more diazepam.
I really don't know what to do next. No one knows what this is and I can't live off diazepam...I can't go to work! I'm now experiencing severe pain under my ribs when the spasms subside and sometimes just before they start.

For background, I was experiencing stomach pain for 2 weeks before this and became constipated which was why i was seeing a gastroenterologist. I am now going to the toilet properly but the spasms are unbearable and leaving me exhausted.

I also have diverticular disease on the left side of my bowel.

I really hope you have some ideas as I don't know what else to do.

Many thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

At this time, I would recommend an upper endoscopy.  This can comprehensively evaluate for ulcers, GERD, or inflammation of the stomach or esophagus.  

If negative, more specialized tests can be considered.  Esophageal spasm or dysmotility can be considered, and evaluate with a motility study.  

If an esophageal motility disorder is present, calcium channel blockers can be utilized as part of the management plan.

This can be discussed with your personal GI physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd