stomach spasms

[chillipepper04]

I am a healthy athletic 47 year old woman. I have been having {what my doctor refers to as stomach spasms} for almost 3 years. Mostly at night but sometimes during the day I have a distended area right in my solar plexis. It becomes tight and I have some major pain. A burning with sharp stabbing is how I describe it. It does not move. I was first put on Nexum, then over the past few years I have used one spasm drug after another. Some of them work for a time and then they just stop. Every drug has had breakthrough nights {night where I am in pain despite taking my meds} I am up sometimes all night with the pain. Heat seems to help some. I have had M.R.I s and every scan you can imagine and they all showed nothing.  I have had a scope down my throat but not a colonoscopy. At one time in my life {15 years ago} I had bladder spasms and they lasted for 1 year while I was tested and had biopsys and then finally went away. I thought these would have done the same by now. I am tired of hurting even though I am taking my meds. Are they even doing any good if I have breakthrough nights? Also, the spasms have been ruled out from having a dietary component. Right now I am having an extremely bad run of pain, despite my meds, I have been burning for 5 straight days and nights? Help Please

[lizziecee]

Hi Pam..sorry but you cannot "piggy back" on someone else's paid post...you have to make your own post and pay the $15 fee. Dr. Pho does not respond to "piggy back"s, nor indeed, to supplemental questions.

You may wish to post on one of the Community Forums for other patients that may be able to help you.

Liz.

[pam5608]

I have some chest pain but mainly my stomach is going into spasms which is very painful.  The pain is just below my breast bone in the center and sometimes goes to my back.  I have been to the doc and he has done an EKG and blood work and it is all normal. He gave me a shot for pain, which did nothing and gave me Zegerid which isn't working.  I just got some acid controller from the drug store to try.  Also, when the pain subsides my stomach feels kind of sore.  The pain has prevented me from sleeping the last two nights.  Any suggestions?  I am 56, female and have no gallbladder.

[chillipepper04]

I am still on Nexium, wouldnt that rule our GERD? I dont comsume wheat, could it really be Celiac?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had the basic tests including imaging studies and an upper endoscopy.

More specialized tests can be considered, including a gastric emptying scan and 24-hr pH study to exclude a gastric emptying disorder or GERD respectively.  

Other tests to consider would be an esophageal motility test and an evaluate for celiac disease, which can atypically present this way.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a GI consult at an academic medical center.

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, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com