Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Cramps, Back Pain, Acid Reflux And Nausea

Posted on Wed, 6 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 6 Jan 2016 Answered on

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My question is. For the past 3-4 weeks. Use had stomach cramping( mostly lower stomach ), on and off loose stool ( normal color ) and back ache both lower and between my shoulder blade area. I also have some gastric reflux and I am nauseous at times. I have no weight loss, juaudice, but I am having a lot of gas. I have had in the past IBS but I don't remember this many systoms. I'm taking 800mg of advice 2 times a day for a low back problem that will require surgery according to an MRI of my lumbar spine done 3 weeks ago. I had recent lab work ( 3 weeks ago ) that was normal, this included a liver panel. So what is your opinion.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
I read carefully all your concerns and I can say as follows:

1. You are reporting to have stomach cramping, on and off loose stools. These symptoms may be related with:
- gastritis/stomach ulcer
- IBS ( irritable bowel syndrome)

2. You are using Advil 800 mg. It can damage gastric mucosa and mimic your symptoms.

3. If I were your treating doctor I would recommend to start :
- PPI's treatment like Prilosec OTC twice per day.
- anti spastic drugs like No spa to improve stomach cramping
Meantime I suggest to :
- avoid spicy and chilly foods
- avoid, coffee, carbonated drinks
- use Advil after meal
- avoid alcohol and smoking.
- avoid unnecessary stress
If your symptoms don't improve after a couple of days than I recommend to do upper endoscopy to better evaluate gastric issues.
Hope it was helpful to you!
Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (4 hours later)

Thank you. I had a upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy about 2 yrs ago and everything appeared normal. I am taking Prilosec OTC 1 time a day so I will increase this. I was thinking about going on Bentyl for my stomach cramping however I do have glaucoma ( open angle ), can I take this? I know with IBS it just has to run its course. I am avoiding all those foods you mentioned. I'm assuming the back pain can be associated with the IBS, is this correct?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
please follow...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back
You are reporting to have glaucoma and this is why I recommend to avoid Bentyl use.
With regards to upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, I am glad to know that were normal.
Otherwise your symptoms are acute and that's the reason why I suggest to do upper endoscopy again.

You are experiencing back pain and it is not a common symptom for IBS.
To my opinion it is related with lumbar back issues and back muscles.
Hope it was helpful to you.
Dr. Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (38 minutes later)

In my research I have found that back aching is found in patients with IBS, especially lower back and between the shoulder blades. With Bentyl it says not to use if you have closed angle glaucoma but it says nothing about open angle which is what I have. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hi back

Let me explain again:
Bentyl is contraindicated at patient with close- angle glaucoma abut it is better to avoid it even in patients with open angle glaucoma because recently there are a lot of studies that shows side effects of Bentyl at open-angle glaucoma.

The number of patients with open-angle glaucoma that reports for side effects after Bentyl use is increased in recent years.

With regards to IBS symptoms , back pain between shoulder blades is not typical for it.

It's true that back pain between shoulder can be related with GERD( acid reflux) but at your case to my opinion it is more related with forced back position due to lumbar back issues.

Otherwise I cannot rule out atypical symptoms of IBS.

Hope it was helpful to you!
Dr.Klerida

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar