Cramps Without Blockage: What's Causing This Pain?

I have had them before and it was a blockage, but this time the bag is still emptying, not as much. The cramps are... sore. Can't type that work. Any help? Why doesn't it feel like a blockage?

Sorry I don't have an answer, but I was just about to ask people about the same topic.  About 6 months after surgery for colon cancer (and ending up with a permanent colostomy) I was awake all night with severe crampy pains going right through my middle.  Better in the morning, but my doc said it was not a blockage or anything to do with my operation... she said it was probably muscular, and that made sense at the time because I had been rooting under the bed for a lost book and thought I felt something twist!

However, since then I have experienced similar crampy spasms every few weeks - sometimes lasting only a few hours, sometimes two or three days.  During this time my bag is empty, and when things move again it is pretty slow and undramatic.  The next time I saw my doctor she said that the gut is sensitive and with the type of inteference I've had with surgery it will be prone to going into spasms.  She prescribed Buscopan to relax the muscles whenever it happens.

I don't find that the Buscopan helps very much.......  Just wondering, do others experience these pains regularly - and what helps in the way of drugs or exersize?

By the way, I find the pain slightly eased if I lie on my right side in bed.  Don't know why.

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Yuck... I'm so sorry. I've had spasms which were as painful as a blockage, but never lasted for long periods of time.



I did have symptoms of extreme pain reminiscent of labor pains. They hit like a bolt of lightning, bending me over every 5 to 3 minutes apart, lasting only a few seconds. After the third day, I'd had enough and went to the doctor only to find out I was suffering from pancreatitis! I was in the hospital for 10 days, fed only TPN and fluids, no food, no water, restricted to only fluids for a week after coming home. It sucked!



Have you talked to your doctor? You may need a blood test just to rule out infection, buddy. Don't suffer if possibly there is a medical solution, okay? Please keep us informed and I wish you relief—the sooner the better!





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BEG

Hi,

You may have colic. I had this very same problem. I talked to my doctor and was prescribed tablets to treat colic; they worked a treat. I pretty much take the tablets on a daily basis. Although the pains were sharp and shooting, I have not experienced any labor-like pains, which I have never experienced but can only guess to be severe pain.

I hope you get the problem sorted.
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Hi airforce1! Don't forget we have ET Online: ostomy-related questions in the forum, and we forget that the ET nurse is always on call in the forum!!! Try asking the questions there... she might be able to answer any emergency pain questions!! I hope you feel better soon!! ~traci~

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If you have bloating with the cramps, it could be an internal hernia, which my doc said was caused by adhesions from the surgery. I have an ileostomy. If I have run-of-the-mill cramps, I find a cup of tea can help soothe my insides and get things moving again.
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Thanks heaps for the replies. The cramps are getting worse, but the bag is still emptying.

My friend, I hope all is well! Did you get to the doctor to have it checked out? All my best, ~traci~