Upper abdominal cramps (severe spasms)

Did you find a solution? I posted a new reply at the end of these posts and I have been reading all of them trying to find a solution. So far.... nothing. When the problem first started, it felt and looked just like I was pregnant and the baby was kicking. I am over 60 with no chance of being pregnant. I can't even imagine what muscles are cramping so much that they protrude.

Oh my god I am so happy I'm not crazy lol I have been having the same problem especially when I am also on toilet trying to insert tampon sorry I know tmi but I figure if we are honest it may help others even if it's embarrassing . It has also happened while trying to reach something while driving. The pain is so severe I can't move or breathe I had to quickly pull over to the side of the road as it is paralyzing!! It doesn't last for too long but it seems like an eternity when it is happening. Does anyone know of a medical reason for this??

I have been researching this on the Internet for days and there are many different diagnosis by individuals, but very few by doctors. Some doctors think it has something to do with prior surgeries and the Adhesions pulling on a muscle. Others, like mine, were baffled and thought it might be due to a mineral loss from bouts of diarrhea.

People have gone to Emergency Rooms; had blood work, MRIs, sonograms and exploratory surgery. Most with zero answers. Occasionally the surgeries resulted in something being found and corrected, but those were related to gastric bypass surgeries. I have not had a gastric bypass.

Another theory is that it has something to do with IBS and Fibromyalgia. One individual was convinced it has something to do with eating bread. Another person thought it was just dehydration and all they had to do was drink a glass of water. Others felt it was just hunger pains and all we had to do was eat something.

Some doctors have recommended pain medication like Vicodin. The problem with taking pain medication: by the time the medication takes effect the pain has subsided on its own and you are left feeling groggy for the rest of the day. Other doctors have recommended taking muscle relaxants. They do seem to help, most of the time, and they do make the cramping less severe. Nothing I have tried takes the cramps away.

I am looking for the cause, not something that will mask the pain. I cannot help but believe it has something to do with our diet and the lack of some nutrient in it. I wish I knew of a way to find out if people in other countries suffer with this also. I am going to keep trying and I will post anything I find.

I think a study needs to be done to find out what the commonality is with those of us that suffer with this. The problem is getting noticed and getting the funding to do a study.

I just may have the answer to all your prayers. The amino acid Taurine. I too have had the EXACT same types of cramps all of you suffer from. I have always thought it was a electrolyte imbalance and for me taking Taurine has SO FAR alieviated the cramps. If you google Taurine you will see how it controls cramping as well as helping the absorbtion of potassium, magnesium and calcium. I wish I could tell you an exact dose to take but in the research Ive done it's varied widely. My suggestion to you is to starting taking the supplement and keep increasing the dose until the cramps stop. Since Taurine is an non essential amino acid any excess your body dosent need will be disposed of naturally. Taurine is commonly used in the bodybuilding world for cramps so you if you google it you will see lots of forum post on bodybuilding websites especially when the use of Clenbuterol is used for fatloss. Clen is known to cause debiltating cramps to people who to use it as a weight loss supplement. I hope this helps. It has for me so far.

This is exactly what happens to me too, except it's on my right side, just under my right breast. The bump is like a large sausage, sticks out about 3 cm and is about 5cm across. It usually lasts about 2 mins, which seem like ages as its so painful. I have to stand up and rub it and take deep breaths. It ripples a  bit as it releases. I'd love to know what causes it. The last time it happened I was on a plane and I reached down for my bag and I couldn't stand up because the seatbelt sign was on so it cramped up three times in a row!

I've had it about 2 years now and have got no answers from docs - I had an abdominal ultrasound scan, and liver tests etc, all normal.

I wonder if Botox might help, as it works by paralysing the muscle it's injected into. I'll look into this a bit more and I'll post again if i find out anything.

Here's something I found on another forum about Botox to treat muscle spasms, in her case due to rheumatoid arthritis. I don't know what AS is, probably arthritis. It's a good description of what actually triggers the spasms:

The Botox injections that Ihad were part of treating the AS. I have long had spasms in my back and it was believed that they are AS related. The nerves get irritated by the inflammation surrounding the facet joints. The muscles then spasms to protect the spine and themselves. The spasms further irritate the nerves and create more pain. It had become a snowball effect with no end in site.

That would explain why I get cramps more when I'm stressed, the nerves get irritated which can lead to muscle spasming. Botox is FDA approved to treat muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, and also the wrist and fingers. It stops the nerves signalling the muscles to contract. BUT it's not approved for the abdomen. And I'd say there are very few health insurance companies who would pay for Botox injections to treat something like abdominal muscle spasms...as yet anyway. I will try to find out more.

Sarah Jenks Flesher wrote:

Guest wrote:

I'm a 25 year old female, and I've had severe abdominal muscle spasms on and off for about 6 months now. They seem to be brought on by stretching too far or bending in an awkward position. The first time it happened, I'd been at the gym doing a lot of crunches, but I never felt any pain. Hours later, back at home, my stomach began to ache like I needed to go to the bathroom. From there the pain snowballed until my entire torso was in severe pain. It was such a consuming pain, I couldn't tell where the pain was coming from. No position was comfortable and after laying in bed in agony, teeth gritted and tears flowing, a family member took me to the emergency room.

About 30 minutes after we entered the ER the pain suddenly subsided but the Dr. on duty proscribed Soma and Vicodin to get me through the weekend. The muscle spasms lasted about 2 hours. I had the beginning of another episode later that night, but I took the Soma and Vicodin as soon as the pain began, not wanting another episode.

The only way I can describe the pain is like I'm having a torso charlie horse or being tased/shocked. It's completely debilitating to the point that sometimes I can't even stand or sit. On a scale of pain with 0 being no pain and 10 being tortured to death, the pain is certainly an 8+.

I've had other episodes, some less severe than others. Many times, I feel the pain radiating from just under my left ribcage, but once the spasms start, my entire torso from just under my ribcage down to my abs and around my back is in an incredible amount of pain. As soon as I feel the tell-tale ache, I take the medication to stop it from getting out of control.

The ER gave me Soma and Vicodin, which worked very well. My General Practitioner proscribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer, and tylenol. Both work as well. My GP said to go to physical therapy. I did the stretches, but it seems to resurface every few months.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? What did your Dr. diagnose it as? Any similar stories or advice are appreciated.

I get these spasms in my upper right side. Horrible pain, and a huge bulge. This generally subsides in a few minutes, as it goes down, it pulsates, like there is an alien about to hatch. Sometimes an awkward bending position will bring it on, or a cough, etc. I have had a CT scan, and an ultrasound, but nothing shows up. At first Dr.s thought it was a hernia (had my gallbladder out before these symptoms). I also have seven herniated discs, and one Doc said it was from pinched nerves. I now have developed pretty good pain in my ribcage - both sides, and a mass growing on my left ribcage, which apparently is due to an arthritic condition. Go figure. I thought I was crazy until I found this site.

I hear ya! I just had a bad one yesterday while riding as a passenger in the car....I had just twisted to put a bottle of water away and it came on gangbusters! The rest of the people in the car were scared....but I am used to them. It's good(!) to know other people are having them...
I had my gallbladder out too 7 years ago..and my cramping didn't start until a couple of years ago. I was worried that it was liver/pancreatic cancer. But reading these posts help to know that I am not alone in this....thanks for posting everyone!

You better see a doctor and fast.
I am i he hospital for ore then 4 weeks now because ihave cancer and therefore i a ialot of pain.
However i cannot have morphine anymore because that gave me terrible painfull spasmens so since yesterday they gave medidaudid

 

I am 60 years old woman and have had this same muscle spasm condition for over 30 years, worsening in the last 10 years and spreading to my lower abdomen, it is often temporarily debilitating. I have been told by several doctors that there is nothing that can be done other than muscle relaxers and that they believe it is similar to irritable bowel syndrome or mytral valve prolapse spasms. These doctors speculate that this is most likely a cellular elasticity condition throughout the body and manifesting in the muscle wall. I was also given muscle relaxers and they helped but these medications cause severe dry mouth that is worse than the occasional spasm! One doctor suggested that I stop all caffeine that this might help.  I was married to a neurologist for 18 years and he conferred with the other doctors and said it was definitely not neurological but musculoskeletal. I just put up with it and endure the occasional pain and discomfort. 

 

I have consulted the doctor for the same reasons and happy to let you know that I am one among you who is having same symptoms of getting cramps in upper abdomin , near left ribcage while sneezing or getting into car and the same stays with me for 10 to 20 secs.

The doctor suggested to get B12 test on me and it was observed that it was way below the desired level.

Lack of B12 leads to muscle cramping in body and one must take the supllements to increase their B12 count which essentialy helps us to overcome these  spasms.

 

I, too have been experiencing "spasms or charlie horses" in my upper abdomen for many years (approx. 35). I would get them with a sudden move or change in posture and it seemed as though the whole area around them hardened into a knot. The only way I could relieve them was to massage where I could and to do deep breathing exercises to try to relax myself. That sometimes helped. If I had to bend over to pick something up from the floor, I would get them. I am a bit overweight now but not when they started. When I was 32, I had a massive abdominal infection (caused by an IUD) and have thought they might be associated with adhesions but lately am not so certain. I have mentioned this to every doctor I have gone to over the years and nothing... I have even had them in the area of my heart and wonder sometimes if it is the heart muscle in a spasm. It is a scarry thing and I would like to know the answer. I get them all over my upper abdomen, left and right sides.

i am 61 and been having these 'spasms' for about 3 years - upper left abdomen and feels like a lump pushing up under my ribs - lasts a minute or two then subsides. Not really painful but a very worrying pressure that stops me breathing for a bit. it is very similar to when a baby is kicking when we are pregnant. It does feel like my stomach sac is spasming. I would really like to know what causes it!!!!Terri from Brisbane

i am 61 and been having these 'spasms' for about 3 years - upper left abdomen and feels like a lump pushing up under my ribs - lasts a minute or two then subsides. Not really painful but a very worrying pressure that stops me breathing for a bit. it is very similar to when a baby is kicking when we are pregnant. It does feel like my stomach sac is spasming. I would really like to know what causes it!!!!Terri from Brisbane

I am 62 years old I have c.m.t and scoliosis. I have had these same symptoms for over 40 years and have found no cure I just keep taking zanaflex and lower tabs as prescribed by my doctor.truly unbearable

what causes muscle spasms in the torso