Monday, November 16, 2009 proudfather asks

Q: Male - 39 -- My situation: two weeks ago woke with severe abdominal cramping --

...bowel movement was constipated.

The next day, abdomen hurt and couldn't eat. Improved over the next few days and returned to normal -- eating, exercising, pain free, regular.

 

The second week: it returned! severe abdominal pain on Tuesday, Wedenesday had multiple bowel movements (regular, no diarhea, no constipation, no blood), and couldn't stop urinating. Everything seemed to go in and come out. Blood work came back normal. Ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis normal.

 

Thursday: took Immodium...that stopped everything...spent three days with no bowel movements. Appetite so-so throughout.

 

Sunday: Back to regular movements. Pain still present, though mild.

 

Today: pain still present in abdomen. Mild to moderate. A few bowel movements this morning (more than the normal 1 per day). Anyone know what this might be? Could this be the start of colon cancer? Or something more benign like IBS?

 

*History of acid reflux and take prilosec. as well, social anxiety, take klonopin.

*Have also been feeling a bit depressed the past few months (just turned 39 and man, that's a big number!)

*As well, had similar episodes of terrible bowel issues as a child (so my mother tells me).

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Answers (1)
Elizabeth Roberts, Health Guide
11/16/09 5:56pm

Hi Proud Father,

 

We are not doctors here so cannot help give you a *diagnosis.* What you describe could be related to IBS, but typically IBS is not diagnosed until all other possible GI disorders are ruled out.

 

I would ask why you took an Imodium on Thursday when you say that you hadn't had any diarrhea. Taking Imodium and stopping your digestive tract from working, i.e. having bowel movements can cause problems such as abdominal pain and others. It is not a good idea to take anti-diarrheals if you do NOT have diarrhea.

 

You may want to start keeping journal where you note everything that you eat or drink, how you feel, number and type of BMs, etc. Sometimes this can help you and/or your doctor to see a pattern forming. It could be a food or family of foods that you're eating that are not agreeing with you. Dairy or lactose intolerance can cause abdominal pain, gluten-intolerance can cause bloating and gas, etc.

 

Also, having more than one bowel movement per day is not abnormal. Many people without any GI disorders have more than 1 BM/day.

 

I'd start with the journal and see if you can find any anomalies after a week or two.

 

Best,

Elizabeth

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By proudfather— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 11/16/09