Loading...
Hello everyone - Although I can say to some degree that it is a relief to find out I'm not the only person who has suffered with this Umbilicus issue, it's also kind of sad that so many out there have this curse and there is no official diagnosis for it. I've been roaming this particular thread off and on for a year a few years. I finally decided to register and contribute my experience with this horrible affliction. I am now 43 years old, and have suffered from this "pulling bellybutton pain" since I was around 8 or 9 years old. Just like everyone else, it usually strikes 4 or 5 times a year. Around 1987, I did convince my Mom that I needed to see a doctor about this. Two or three visits to different doctors yielded no results (big surprise!). None of them understood what I was going through and didn't seem at all concerned that it was serious. One said "try coming back when it's actually happening", but as you all know, it's not easy to pull that off, especially if you are a young teenager without a car. Also, if anyone tried to poke and prod at me DURING an episode, I'm sure I would be swinging fists at them. During high school, it was common for me to call my Mom's work and have her release me from school a few times a year because going through the school day was unbearable and also impossible to get anyone to understand. The more inaccurate suggestions I would hear ("...take a Tums", "...it's probably a pulled muscle", etc..), the more furious I would get about a world that doesn't "get it". As far as I knew, I was the only person in the world who had it. For the majority of people who do not suffer from this, they really seem to have NO IDEA how incredibly painful and "day ruining" this condition is. I'm talking "lights coming in from the corners of my eyes and almost passing out" type of pain. I've never actually passed out from it, but have felt really close from the initial and unexpected "jolt" of lightning shooting through my guts. Over the years, I have come to terms with it and haven't let it keep me from carrying on with a normal life. I grew up fairly athletic, but opted out of traditional team sports (partially due to fear of a public episode) and was more dedicated to skateboarding over the years. From my late teens up until now, I've also been involved with bands and have put myself on stage in front of various crowd sizes with minimal worry. It seems like 99% of the time, I will have an episode mid-day, or early afternoon, and very rarely in the morning or evenings. I have associated it with drinking alcohol (causing dehydration), sexual activity (ejaculation specifically), and very early on, carbonated beverages/sodas. I quit drinking soda for the most part in my mid teens thinking that was the fix, but was disappointed to find out it was still occurring despite that. As the years have passed, I've gotten rather good at anticipating an episode, and can detect the symptoms before an all out attack. My upper back muscles will start to burn as they are compensating for lack of abdominal support. I will also feel a dull pressure and tingle around my bellybutton. I think to myself, "ok, game on." I will head to the bathroom, take a seat, and SLOWLY begin urinating until I feel the "pull" begin. I'll let off, try again, and when I can't go anymore, head to bed and lay on my side for a nap. USUALLY it passes after that. I may take one more cautious piss, but it's usually a much smoother ride after the nap. My back won't be sore, which is a good indicator that the rest of my muscles are back on the clock so to speak. I know much of what I describe is rehash. I've read this whole thread top to bottom and can see that we are almost all dealing with IDENTICAL symptoms and basic misery that somehow we push aside everyday and just continue to trudge along in a world that can't seem to understand us. I would add that I've had a pretty decent life all things considered, and the days without pain FAR outnumber the ones with it. Last summer I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I had my left ball cut out, and have been on strict observation. I'm also on a non-traditional treatment for that, as I've been wanting to avoid chemotherapy if at all possible. Despite that horrible stroke of news, the "bellybutton string pain" STILL looms over me in a more haunting way in some senses. Partially because there is no diagnosis, and also because of the way it randomly strikes. This past month or so, it' seems to be more active than usual, which is what brought me back to this forum to see if there have been any breakthroughs. I am encouraged to follow the gentleman on this thread who has recently had his Median Umbilical Ligament removed (along with some other tissue). Could this actually be it? I can't tell you all how much I am rooting for a win for him as well as the rest of us. I will be dialed in and waiting. Much respect to everyone for sharing their stories and connecting over this real life nightmare. This is the only proper conversation I've ever encountered on this topic. Sometimes the people have to take control!!! Best, Chris
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
I too experience this weird pain all of a sudden and I'm not able to stand straight! I have tried my best to notice what causes it..but I'm not able to figure it out! No doctor has heard of such a problem ever! It has no fixed period for coming..like it can happen once in six months or even twice in a day! I found no pattern..
I hope Docs find the solution to it soon! Because it can happen anytime and anywhere!
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Something I've only seen a couple of other people mention is urinating. Specifically, when the pain comes on, you bend over to not agitate it etc etc, then when I feel like I need to pee (accompanied by burning sensations in bladder) I can only let out a dribble before the pain shoots up through the bladder and I have to stop (never had the balls to 'push' through it!) then I go and lie down or sit and then feel like i need to pee again, let out a tiny bit more... so on and so forth until after a few ''sessions'' the pain starts easing (and I start being able to pee more), I can stand straighter, and after a couple hours it's back to normal.
Loading...
Loading...
It's not gas - did you read any of the thread? Damn, people are dumb. Just because it's in the abdomen does not mean it's gas.
Loading...