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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
crushing lower abdominal pain
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
crushing lower abdominal pain
by ac, Jan 06, 2000 12:00AM
Hello. I am a 32 year old Caucasian female. For the past 8 months I have been experiencing intermittent episodes of severe lower abdominal pain which last anywhere from 3-14 hours. In addition, I have alternating bouts of constipation and very soft, dark brown stool (no blood). I sometimes notice a jarring sensation in my lower abdomen and rectal region when I sit down.
During my most recent episode which lasted 14 hours, my abdomen seemed distended and I was very nauseated. I vomited food (not very digested) that I had eaten over 13 hours earlier. I took 3 Oxycodone tabs in a 4 hr period for the pain, but the it continued for another 6 hours. Two pills of Levsin SL didn't help either.
I have had a CT scan, enteroclysis and colonoscopy, but all have yielded normal results. During a recent ER visit, they tested for PID and that was negative. My doc wants me to have an obstruction series during the next pain episode.
Initially, the pain was thought to be due to a uterine fibroid. In October, I had the fibroid removed laparoscopically, but the pain has continued. During the procedure, my surgeon noticed my uterus was adhered to my small bowel (something she had never seen prior). The adhesions were negative for endometriosis. Is it possible adhesions could be present inside my small bowel? Or maybe the small bowel is attached to the colon interfering with peristalsis? (I have never had abdominal surgery prior to the lap).
Is it possible this could be bacterial in nature? Please share your thoughts with me. Thanks for your help!
During my most recent episode which lasted 14 hours, my abdomen seemed distended and I was very nauseated. I vomited food (not very digested) that I had eaten over 13 hours earlier. I took 3 Oxycodone tabs in a 4 hr period for the pain, but the it continued for another 6 hours. Two pills of Levsin SL didn't help either.
I have had a CT scan, enteroclysis and colonoscopy, but all have yielded normal results. During a recent ER visit, they tested for PID and that was negative. My doc wants me to have an obstruction series during the next pain episode.
Initially, the pain was thought to be due to a uterine fibroid. In October, I had the fibroid removed laparoscopically, but the pain has continued. During the procedure, my surgeon noticed my uterus was adhered to my small bowel (something she had never seen prior). The adhesions were negative for endometriosis. Is it possible adhesions could be present inside my small bowel? Or maybe the small bowel is attached to the colon interfering with peristalsis? (I have never had abdominal surgery prior to the lap).
Is it possible this could be bacterial in nature? Please share your thoughts with me. Thanks for your help!
Doctor's Answer
by HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf, Jan 14, 2000 12:00AM
Dear AC,
Your symptoms are very suggestive of an obstruction in th egastrointestinal tract. These conditions are often related to adhesions resulting from previous surgery or inflammation. One must also consider other conditions that can obstruct the bowel e.g. tumors. Given the negative evaluation that you describe, a tumor is unlikely. Finally, impaired motility, without obstruction, can cause similar symptoms.
Your physicians are absolutely correct in wanting to exclude mechanical obstruction because surgery may be curative for this problem. Unfortunately, a diagnosis can be difficult to make since the obstruction can be intermittent. It is absolutelt ctucial that you have x-rat studies done when you are suffering the symptoms of obstruction.
Finally, it is unlikely that your problem is the result of currentbacterial infection
Your symptoms are very suggestive of an obstruction in th egastrointestinal tract. These conditions are often related to adhesions resulting from previous surgery or inflammation. One must also consider other conditions that can obstruct the bowel e.g. tumors. Given the negative evaluation that you describe, a tumor is unlikely. Finally, impaired motility, without obstruction, can cause similar symptoms.
Your physicians are absolutely correct in wanting to exclude mechanical obstruction because surgery may be curative for this problem. Unfortunately, a diagnosis can be difficult to make since the obstruction can be intermittent. It is absolutelt ctucial that you have x-rat studies done when you are suffering the symptoms of obstruction.
Finally, it is unlikely that your problem is the result of currentbacterial infection
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I've only taken pills related to gastritis and never had any abdominal or throat surgery done.
Is this a viral infection, bacterial or both? What am i possibly suffering from?
Pls enlighten me.Thanks for your help.
I use to be fit, weighing 100-105 lbs. at 5'3", after I gave birth my body has exploded to 140 lbs. and I'm having trouble keeping the weight off with no time, I don't eat very many healthy foods as I am always on the go. I have a concern with colon cancer since my cousin was diagnosed at 25 with this disease and passed away at 27 as the doctors found the cancer too late. They saved her colon, but the cancer spread throughout the rest of her body. It's frustrating because I don't know what to do now since the doctors have told me they have done every test they can and will not go any further because I show no signs of having anything present since my white blood cell count and blood test in general came out normal, as well as my urine. They have no feeling of going any further-but my pain is still present. I was in a car accident two days before this pain occurred. A car bumped into me from behind. Not a severe car crash, I suffered a headache and whiplash on the spot. Could this be the source of my lower pelvic pain and now recent chest pain? Could it be my muscles, nerves being inflammed? A pinch nerve due to my spinal cord being misalligned? My lower back is also very achey (achy). I am seeing a chiropractor, but feel like my back and neck pain has gotten worse since then.
I would appreciate any information and feedback. I am scared, as I would love to raise my toddler until he can be on his own as an adult. Please Help! I'm desperate. I've been crying every night about the possibilities of having the same thing my cousin had since my rectal area has been irritated. Thing is, the doctors can't find a thing.
Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Monaliza Villocino
I use to be fit, weighing 100-105 lbs. at 5'3", after I gave birth my body has exploded to 140 lbs. and I'm having trouble keeping the weight off with no time, I don't eat very many healthy foods as I am always on the go. I have a concern with colon cancer since my cousin was diagnosed at 25 with this disease and passed away at 27 as the doctors found the cancer too late. They saved her colon, but the cancer spread throughout the rest of her body. It's frustrating because I don't know what to do now since the doctors have told me they have done every test they can and will not go any further because I show no signs of having anything present since my white blood cell count and blood test in general came out normal, as well as my urine. They have no feeling of going any further-but my pain is still present. I was in a car accident two days before this pain occurred. A car bumped into me from behind. Not a severe car crash, I suffered a headache and whiplash on the spot. Could this be the source of my lower pelvic pain and now recent chest pain? Could it be my muscles, nerves being inflammed? A pinch nerve due to my spinal cord being misalligned? My lower back is also very achey (achy). I am seeing a chiropractor, but feel like my back and neck pain has gotten worse since then.
I would appreciate any information and feedback. I am scared, as I would love to raise my toddler until he can be on his own as an adult. Please Help! I'm desperate. I've been crying every night about the possibilities of having the same thing my cousin had since my rectal area has been irritated. Thing is, the doctors can't find a thing.
Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Monaliza Villocino
While on vacation he became ill with what he thought was the flu, but led to the abdominal pain again. He spent the night in the emergency room in excruciating pain until they decided the only way to know what was causing the problem was to go in a find out.
During the surgery they removed 3" of intestine that they said had lesions and adhesions and had spasmed to the point of shutting off. The Dr. had no explanation of a cause, but the surgery went well. He was out of the hospital within 7 days and has done pretty well since. He still has flare ups of diverticulitis and still no idea what caused the problem with the 3" they removed.
I don't know if you see many similarities here, but it would be worth mentioning to a Dr. The sad part is he had been to the ER twice and was sent home with 'the flu' by an incompetent Dr. He refused to go back on subsequent episodes because they made him feel like he was crying wolf. Don't let that happen to you.
HELP!!!!
PS all my results show negative also.
My e-mail address is : ***@****