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Stomach cramps
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Anon_102137 posted:
I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post but i was unsure where to go. I am 23 yrs old and as far as I know in good health. But for the past two days I have been having painful stomach cramps around my belly button. The cramps aren't constant but come in waves. I haven't been able to eat much of anything because it makes it worse. I feel like I'm starving but I am unable to eat enough to get full because it cramps everytime I swallow a bite of food. However, drinking liquids doesn't seem to bother. I am going to the doctor but I was hoping to get some insight as to what it could be,cause honestly I'm a little worried. Any help is greatly appreciated .
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Stomach crampsI'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post but i was unsure where to go. I am 23 yrs old and as far as I know in good health. But for the past two days I have been having painful stomach cramps around my belly button. The cramps aren't constant but come in waves. I haven't been able to eat much of anything because it makes it worse. I feel like I'm starving but I am unable to eat enough to get full because it cramps everytime I swallow a bite of food. However, drinking liquids doesn't seem to bother. I am going to the doctor but I was hoping to get some insight as to what it could be,cause honestly I'm a little worried. Any help is greatly appreciated .
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear Anon: Thanks for awaiting a reply. Yes, you should definitely see your primary care MD. Pain around the belly button can actually be a sign of early appendicitis, the pain then moves down to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen.

Nausea with waves of cramps can also indicate a problem with the bowel. The large intestine crosses the abdomen at slightly below the level of the belly button. An infection in the bowel (bacterial or viral) could prompt such symptoms. Much more seriously that type of pain could be from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Pain from the pancreas, gall bladder, or a kidney stone can present as upper abdominal pain. Lastly, pain from the ovaries (eg ovarian cyst) or the uterus (eg pelvic infection).

Please get seen promptly. If you develop a fever and/or the pain begins to escalate you may need to seek an evaluation in the ER.

Yours,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Stomach crampsDear Anon: Thanks for awaiting a reply. Yes, you should definitely see your primary care MD. Pain around the belly button can actually be a sign of early appendicitis, the pain then moves down to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. <br /><br />Nausea with waves of cramps can also indicate a problem with the bowel. The large intestine crosses the abdomen at slightly below the level of the belly button. An infection in the bowel (bacterial or viral) could prompt such symptoms. Much more seriously that type of pain could be from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Pain from the pancreas, gall bladder, or a kidney stone can present as upper abdominal pain. Lastly, pain from the ovaries (eg ovarian cyst) or the uterus (eg pelvic infection).<br /><br />Please get seen promptly. If you develop a fever and/or the pain begins to escalate you may need to seek an evaluation in the ER.<br /><br />Yours,<br />Jane
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Anon_102137 replied to Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP's response:
Ok so my pain got worse and I had to go to the ER. They did an xray and a urine test and said everything looked fine. They gave me a shot for the pain and a prescription for Bentyl, I think it's called. They said I have a "bug" and just got a double dose of it. I am still in pain while writing this. I still feel like somethings wrong. I don't have a regular doctor so should I go to another ER? Or should I try the prescription for the ten days it's prescribed for and see how I feel then? I am at a loss as to what I should do...
Report This| Share this:Stomach crampsOk so my pain got worse and I had to go to the ER. They did an xray and a urine test and said everything looked fine. They gave me a shot for the pain and a prescription for Bentyl, I think it's called. They said I have a "bug" and just got a double dose of it. I am still in pain while writing this. I still feel like somethings wrong. I don't have a regular doctor so should I go to another ER? Or should I try the prescription for the ten days it's prescribed for and see how I feel then? I am at a loss as to what I should do...
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP replied to Anon_102137's response:
Dear Anon: You should definitely be taking the Bentyl (treatment for bowel spasms), that way no MD can say "You didn't give the prescribed treatment a chance." However, the Bentyl should be making improvements in the pain. If it does not you should probably go back to the ER where you were seen as they have all your records on hand. Honestly the ER is not the best place to get ongoing care and follow up. If you can get in to see some kind of primary care MD that would be the best option.

In Support,
Jane
Report This| Share this:Stomach crampsDear Anon: You should definitely be taking the Bentyl (treatment for bowel spasms), that way no MD can say "You didn't give the prescribed treatment a chance." However, the Bentyl should be making improvements in the pain. If it does not you should probably go back to the ER where you were seen as they have all your records on hand. Honestly the ER is not the best place to get ongoing care and follow up. If you can get in to see some kind of primary care MD that would be the best option. <br /><br />In Support,<br />Jane
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