It's been going on for so long that its sort of a "thing" now that I've kinda just accepted. The thing is I also am prone to cramps in my legs. I have started to drink more water and take magnesium tablets (as it is said to help with muscle contractions) ...its only been a few weeks so its too early to tell I'd they work.
My next step is a colon cleanse and a parasite cleanse (most of us have some varient of work in our stomachs that can cause anything from bad skin to asthma) so in a last attempt to rid myself of cramps ill try it.
Ro wrote:
I have been having these pains since my teens, I'm 25 now. Mine usually occur in my lower abs to the right. I cannot directly do ab exercises as my stomach seizes and seems to want to pull all my being into the foetal position. It also happens when I sneeze hard (which just happened hence I googled and found this site)
It's been going on for so long that its sort of a "thing" now that I've kinda just accepted. The thing is I also am prone to cramps in my legs. I have started to drink more water and take magnesium tablets (as it is said to help with muscle contractions) ...its only been a few weeks so its too early to tell I'd they work.
My next step is a colon cleanse and a parasite cleanse (most of us have some varient of work in our stomachs that can cause anything from bad skin to asthma) so in a last attempt to rid myself of cramps ill try it.
Has anybody investigated the possibility of spinal or neck bone spurs causing these debilitating muscle spasms?
My spine and/or neck has nothing to do with my stomach spasms. Clutching at straws!
I have been getting the "warning" mini spasms in my lower right abdominal muscles for some months now, and instinctually have jerked back to relieve what I predicted to be extremely painful full on spasms. Then about a week ago I was at the gym doing crunches to my right when I had a warning spasm, this caused me to sit up then I or my first full on spasm in my lower right abdominal muscles. The muscles were bulging from my stomach and it felt as though they were going to rip through the skin. I put my hand on it and asked a trainer for help. He proceeded to go get help. I nearly blacked out, my lips went numb, and I couldn't see clearly. Several workers came over to ask questions but I couldnt answer them. Then within a few minutes the pain subsided and all returned to normal although since then I have had the feeling that anything could trigger another attack. I initially Thought i was expwriwncing an abdominal aortic anneurysm. I even said my good byes.
I'm terrified of it happening on the road. After reading this site I want to go out and buy magnesium supplements. I am curious if you have had any luck. Thanks for your help. I wish everyone relief. It is an aweful thing to experience.
That sounds terrible! I know EXACTLY what you mean when you speak of fearing any possible trigger. It makes you afraid to do the most mundane thing and keeps you onguard.
Because I get them in my legs too just extending my leg too far back while sitting causing a warning spasm and I have to recoil my leg in panic.
However there is hope! Ive been doing weight training for a little while and usually ANYTHING that remotely engages core muscles will trigger a spasm in my abs (pull ups, tricep dips etc) but for the passed week I haven't had a single issue!
I've been drinking 1-2litres of water throughout the day and taking a magnesium capsule at breakfast (from Holland and Barrett) - also in the morning I stretch my abs (lie on stomach, prop upper body on hands and arch back until you feel stretch hold for 35 secs to a minute, then rise slowly)....if you have a partner do it with them if you fear an attack. Doing these things I believe has helped me.
I also have a few days left on my parasite cleanse, and although cramps and parasites may be unconnected doing a colon cleanse or detex couldnt hurt.
For my legs I will get horse chesnut gel as it improves circulation and heals varicose veins (i have one on my calf, years ago I had a spasm similar to yours, the calf muscle bulged under the strain and I had a "blow out" damaging the vein...I was only 20!)
I'm feeling optimistic though. Good luck!
Hope this helped!
In medical terms, what is occurring is your intestines become trapped outside the abdominal wall, begin losing blood supply, and are literally strangled. Eventually, those body parts will die if starved of blood, and you may not even know it, other than pain which is what you feel now, and begin developing gangrene. If you happen to catch it early, you'll possibly survive after open bowel surgery with the risk of infection, or you may not.
What absolute scare -mongering .Most of the people I have read here ,including me, have large spasms - that dissappear quickly. Mine, in fact are not overly painful - just alarming! A lot of us, including me, have been having them for years - I really don't think I would be alive now if my intestines had been 'dying' for years.
We are a forum giving support to each other - and as you can see, informative support as most of us seem to be being ignored or not taken seriously by so called 'health professionals'
Don't knock the help we are getting from each other. Sometimes we do just need to know we are not alone!!!!
Terri from Australia
terri50 wrote:
june griffin wrote:
i thought something was with my heart i would get a severe spasm when i had to bend over real far to pick something up it only happens occasinally but scary
Hi June
Yes, that is what I thought initially - then I thought my stomach sac was pushing up into my lungs. It is scary, and it would be a great relief to a lot of us is some-one could actually tell us what is really going on!
I am sure we are not all imaging it!
Terri
My problem started right after my gall bladder surgery. Especially when I eat, but has happened at other times. I have an extreme spasm in the center of my chest that radiates around to my back, affecting my entire chest,back and sides, it will last around 1 minute, if it lasted longer I'd have to call 911 as I feel as if I can't breath. I have had every test & procedure since it all started and they can't find a cause. I just had a Nuclear Stress Test for my Heart, it was normal. I am sure that something happened when they did the ERCP to remove my stones before the surgery. I had a GI bleed after the ERCP and ended up in the hospital for 3 days and had to have 2 units of blood transfused. I am not sure if it was the ERCP or the surgery but I was normal before then. It has been over 3 1/2 years and I am still suffering.
i have had the EXACT same thing since my gallbladder was taken out in 2007! it feels like a twisting, writhing spasm in my upper stomach. the ONLY thing that relieves it is Donnatal. and sometimes it takes 3 tablets which is way over the dosage but the pain is so severe i can't stand it. my surgeon that took my GB out said 'yes, this sometimes happens after gallbladder surgery'! but he never told me BEFORE i had it or i would not have had it! i feel your pain- it's excrutiating.
Hirshkis wrote:
I am a 51 year old woman and have had this type of occurrence three times now, all occurring while doing sit-ups at the gym. It paralyzes me as I can't breathe and I can't move so I lay there, trying to take deep breaths and calm myself. At first, I thought I was having a heart attack, but it feels too close to the surface. I guess I won't be doing sit-ups any longer.
Have now had blood tests done. All normal except for a high phosphate. Now undergoing further bloods to recheck levels plus thyroid. Spasms are continuing unless I take electrolyte effervescent tablets
Have you ever had gall bladder surgery?
Tranic54 wrote:
Hirshkis wrote:
I am a 51 year old woman and have had this type of occurrence three times now, all occurring while doing sit-ups at the gym. It paralyzes me as I can't breathe and I can't move so I lay there, trying to take deep breaths and calm myself. At first, I thought I was having a heart attack, but it feels too close to the surface. I guess I won't be doing sit-ups any longer.
Have now had blood tests done. All normal except for a high phosphate. Now undergoing further bloods to recheck levels plus thyroid. Spasms are continuing unless I take electrolyte effervescent tablets
Have you ever had gall bladder surgery?
Yes, in 2001 via keyhole surgery which caused two surgical hernias. One became strangulated requiring immediate surgery, the other required routine surgery, both in 2006