Abdominal pain (only at night)

I am very excited...it seems we may be starting a group with this specific problem. Maybe... just maybe, we can figure out what all those tests haven't .



To guest, I didn't try the probiotic.. I have done the activa, that did not result in a change in the pain or the frequency.. You said the pain changed... how did it change? How long have you been taking the probiotic? How late do you eat? How late do you drink anything?



To LindaB, How long have you been taking the laxative pills, is it a specific kind? Did you have a problem with gas before . If you were doing the no gas foods before the laxative, did that have any effect on either level of pain or number of incidents per night? I don't understand why the bread at lunch? What does that promote or reduce? There are nights when you don't have - any - pain? I woke once last night and shifted my position and the pain did lessen and eventually go away.. I don't know how long it took to go away.. I try not to be too alert so that I can get back to sleep. I was in bed for 7 hours and did not get up 1 time.. Yes, I was like a racehorse when I did urinate.. but... I did not get up at all to do so during the night.. YES!

Victoria, I took the probiotic yoghurt as part of my food last month on and off for a month. I noticed the reduction in frequency of getting up in the night at some point but I did not associate it with this at that time. Even now, I cannot say for sure if that is the sole reason my pain has reduced unless I try it further. The probiotic foods are not easily available in my neighborhood. I would like to test this out further for a couple of months before I can say for sure. 

eek90 wrote:

writer1 wrote:Hi I have had this problem for quite some years now and have found the only thing that works is what you have suggested. I suffer from diverticulitis and from time to time it flares up, this is because it has become infected and the only thing that works is a course of anti biotics, but after a few months it may return.

For 10 months, I've suffered mild lower abdominal pain (a cramp-like feeling). It only occurs at night, and will go away when I wake up and walk around. I occassionally have mild acid reflux but a double dose of Protonix has done nothing to help the night abdominal pain. An upper GI endoscopy found nothing wrong. In any event, the pain is not similar to the burning sensation of reflux. It doesn't seem to be related to alcohol or certain foods, though sleeping with my back elevated does seem to help. Sound familiar to anyone?

Get tested for the bacteria H pylori. I had the same problem and found out I had this bacteria and after going on anti biotics my symptoms were gone.

After being diagnosed with PCa (Protate Cancer) and having radiation Therapy in December of 2005 I first experienced nighttime pain late in the night that was relieved by sitting up in an easy chair for 15 minutes. I also had three series of Lupron shots. I mention this as one writer noted this type pain associated with DEPO shots.  I think these are not the current source of the problem, but may have contributed to the development of the problem.

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Over a five year period these symptoms have progressed such that I seldom get a full night sleep. Sleeping on my back at an upright angle seems to help release the pain. Sleeping through the pain results in it spreading throughout the abdominal into the back with associated nausea.  

 

I have had many test with CT scans with one showing a thickening of the intestinal wall in the exact area where the pain is centered. Follow up CTs did not confirm the thickening. Exploratory surgery found nothing either.

 

 After a year delay I am asking my doctors to take another look. One interesting theory is something call “Small bowel bacterial overgrowth”, worth checking out as it is treatable by Xifaxan.

 

My belief is the following as I can describe the symptoms precisely. I believe, for whatever reason, that a kink has developed in my small intestine in the area associated with the pain and CT thickening. During the day while I am up right fluids pass through the area with the help of gravity. At night however, after lying down on either side for many hours, I believe the fluid movement through the small intestine is blocked and results in growing inflammatory pain. Eventually I am driven to lie on my back in an upright position. Soon hear an incredible amount of gurgling as intestinal fluids begin to move again. After about 20 minutes the pain subsides and I can try to get back to sleep. Sleeping at about 5am again is difficult so I often end up sleep deprived.  Eating earlier in the evening decreases the severity of the pain later that night. Thinks like spicy foods or alcohol also seem to increase the inflamatory response.

 

The bad news is that my Doctors says that if a kink or blockage is found again, that there is no easy solution as the scar tissue that would result from removing the damaged intestinal section would likely cause more problems. I am not sure I believe him as he is not the one who is sleep deprived and experiencing increasing levels of pain at night.

 

 

I experienced all of the symptoms posted here- almost every night.  I found a remedy that has worked for me like magic for a week now: FIBER SUPPLEMENT. I simply take the recommended amount at lunch everyday (2 tablets).  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** advertising not allowed***

 

Hi

I'm a 30 yr old male. I logged into this board because I'm suffering from chronic abdominal pain, that most commenly happens at night during bed time hours. It's kind of nice to see I'm not alone in this. I've had this problem for a little ove a year now. A brief description of problem is mild to moderate cramping and bloating when  I lay down flat for an extended period of time. My doctor described my condition is trapped gas. I've observed that certain changes in diet and abdominal stretching can help to ease the pain. I've also read that it might be a particular bacteria causing the pain. In this case, I'm going to try yogart, with active cultures, I also might try to stop drinking less soda. I'm going to start the yogurt tomorrow, 09/10/2011 and try it for a week. I'll post my data on here afterwards to let you all know of the results. If anyone has any further information to share on this condition, I urge you to please share your data as well, as this can, at times, be extremely painful. Thank you.

I have seen a doctor for the pain in my lower abdomen that I get a night and then goes away when I get up. If it is a dull pain and goes away, the doctor said it is most likely muscular pain. When i laid down and the doctor pushed down on the abdomen just inside the hip bone, I almost jumped off the table, the muscle was so tight. The psoas muscles run from the upper lumbar vertebrae to the thigh bone just below the hip joint on the right and left side. It ascends behind the stomach content and right next the ascending and descending colon. I was previously diagnosed with ibs by one doctor and then told my symptoms where not severe enough by another doctor. I easily have intestinal problems such as bloating and constipation that can cause more pressure against the psoas muscles. I found some stretches online that helped and I also do not eat a lot of food at night. Taking a probiotic to keep things moving also helps.

I have also had this problem for a long time and I have found a cure, well it works for me. Zopiclone which are sleeping tablets and are the only thing that helps. not very good to be taking but the pain in which i experience at times can only be explained as agony... these help.

Hi,

Hi first of all I've been suffering from this for nearly a month now and it's DRIVING ME CRAZY I feel fine when I go to bed and then I wake up at 2 in the morning and I feel bloated and sick all I do is walk out of bed lay down in the basement with the light on and play my laptop until the pain goes away (it usually takes about 1 hour) and then I would try to get some sleep I've told my mom and she says I probably ate something....... PLEASE I need help I'm only 12 and have to wake up at 6 every morning anyways and go to school all my teachers have noticed my low attention spanish in class and it's because I'm half asleep and dog tired.....

I have the same problem. I actually posted about 3 weeks ago. I have been taking some generic anti gas pills, from wal mart, and it takes the pain down from an 8 to a 2. Do this right before bed and you should be set. My doctor diagnosed it as "trapped gas". You might also want to try yogurt with active fruit cultures. Give them both a shot and see what happens. It worked for me.

Perhaps unrelated, I had radiation Therapy for PCa and shortly after began experiencing abdominal pain in the late night that initially went away when I sat up at an angle. Five years later exploritory surgery found nothing. I suspect it is from radiation scare tissue as I can feel the ligations pulling on the intestine on the left side as the pain statrs at night and sleeping on the right side helps.

A new Doctor proposed "Small Bowel Overgrowth" which involves bacteria normally found only in the Large intestine, growing in the small intestine that results in thickening of the samll intestine wall.

A simple breath test can detect it (Hydrogen Breathe Test) and it showed a positive result for me.

I have been on Xifaxan 550mg twice daily for 14 days. (Generic: Rifaximin)

The results seem to be working, but the scar tissue may still remain and cause some residual pain at night. In any event this is the first accurate diagnosis I have recieved from my GP that many digestive Specialist and surgines have failed to diagnose.

I've been dealing with this issues for years. It used to be only occasional but now it happens every night. I go to bed and wake up about 5 hours later with intense pain in my abdominals and my lower back. Propping myself works sometimes but usually I have to get up for awhile until the pain goes away and I can lay down again.

I am reposting a small potion of a previous post as I don't think my post are getting through?

 

A new Doctor proposed "Small Bowel Overgrowth" which involves bacteria normally found only in the Large intestine, growing in the small intestine that results in thickening of the samll intestine wall.

A simple breath test can detect it (Hydrogen Breathe Test) and it showed a positive result for me.

I have been on Xifaxan 550mg twice daily for 14 days. (Generic: Rifaximin)

The results seem to be working, but the scar tissue may still remain and cause some residual pain at night. In any event this is the first accurate diagnosis I have recieved from my GP that many digestive Specialist and surgines have failed to diagnose.

Hi all :) Symptoms: twitching tummy (like baby kicks) - not pregnant. Stomach cramp like pain at 11pm & between 2-5am every night. Duration: 14 months (starting, with 'trapped wind' feeling under ribs) 4 consecutive nights with lower abdominal pain. Releif: peeing, passing wind, standing. I'd be grateful if someone could help :) I'm 19 female (not period pains - but similar feeling), fairly healthy diet, recovering from microdiscectomy operation. Cheers xx