Unresolved Abdominal Pain - Seeking Advice After ER Visit

Ok, here goes. I've been having this pain in lower abdomen similar to cramps similar to the ones you get with your period, and rectal spasms. It went on for about a week give or take a few days. I tried as hard as I could to explain away the pain... contributing it to gas or a mucus plug moving down my rectal fistula, getting ready to pass. Well, after several days with the pain not getting any better, in fact getting a little worse, I decided I better go to the ER and make sure I didn't have another abscess since the pain felt similar to when I had an abscess before.

So I go to the ER and after waiting 12 hours and a jillion tests later, they said they think it might be a UTI and they want to admit me to rule out sepsis. Well, fast forward....the infectious disease doc said he didn't think it was a UTI since I didn't have a temp and my WBC was normal. So he stopped the antibiotic they were giving me for a UTI. The surgeon consult said the CT didn't show an abscess or anything going on with my hernia, so they all agreed to discharge me.

Ok, so I spent a whole day and one night in the hospital and they pretty much said it might be a mucus plug working its way out the rectum fistula, and something I'll just have to live with from time to time....

Thoughts PLEASE......HELP

Best advice I can ever give is you know your body best, you know what's normal and what's not, listen to your gut. What does it tell you and if you know in your gut something is wrong then don't let up on the doctors. You can also always ask for an MRI. I personally don't trust CTs all that much. (Not to freak you out) that's just from my experience.

Thank you. My feelings exactly! I feel like with the pain and discomfort, my body is telling me something isn't right. I see my surgeon in a couple of weeks so I plan on asking him to do further exploring...

I had horrible abdominal pain for 2 months. It did vary in intensity, but was always there.

Doctors couldn't figure out why I was so sick and in pain. Multiple CTs missed hernia repair mesh that had perforated my intestine causing sepsis infection. Surgeon didn't know this until he opened me up. If your pain continues... ask for an MRI. Pain is not normal.

Thank you so much for your comment. I think I will call my surgeon today and request an MRI.

How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi. I had abdominal pain for about 10 days on and off. I thought it was something I'd eaten upsetting everything. Mentioned it to stoma nurse who said a few other patients had had it. Maybe a stomach bug? Fine now.

Hi. I can completely relate to what you are describing. I have had 2/3 occasions of abdominal pain, very similar to period cramps, needed some pain relief. I have an ileostomy and part of my rectum still intact although will likely need this removing at some point. I have Crohn's disease and have been largely symptom-free since I had my surgery 15 years ago. Then this started. When these episodes happen, I can be completely debilitated (in bed, hot water bottle on my bottom/stomach). They come for no reason, no pattern, not even monthly. I seem to pass a little bit of blood from my rectum at these times but nothing of great significance. I'm waiting for an appointment with my consultant and have had a colonoscopy. This showed nothing significant - just some small areas of diverticulitis and a few ulcers.
I use prednisolone and Salofalk suppositories as usual and then it just goes away.
I cannot understand what it is. But it is really significant when it happens. I wondered if it was an ulcer bursting randomly?
So sorry to hear you have something similar too. Do my symptoms seem similar? How do you manage the pain when it comes?

I had very bad lower abdominal cramps for almost 2 years. CT and MRI scans showed nothing. Doctor did scope through the stoma and found nothing. After the scope was done the pain kind of went away. Sometimes it comes back but not as intense as it used to be. One doctor recommended to massage the area. I have a neck massager that I use on the abdomen and it really helps. The doctor thinks it's scar tissue. A couple of friends that also have ileostomy have pain from scar tissue and use massage. There is apparently a very expensive machine specifically for scar tissue. My pain was always in the exact same spot. Just below the stoma on the right side. I'm concerned about scar tissue because I've heard that it can cause intestinal blockage. Three weeks ago I was in hospital for a partial blockage. The blockage pain was much different than the abdominal pain.

Maybe try the massage and speak with your doctor to see if this could be the reason.

Hope it gets better.