What Might Be This Severe Stomach Pain Which Extended All Over My Belly And Abdomen Without Bowel Movements?

Posted on Mon, 23 Jul 2018

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

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 Answered on

Mon, 5 Dec 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : Starting yest afternoon following brunch, I developed severe stomach pain which extended all over my belly and abdomen. I was not interested in any more meals and passed dinner, bfast, and lunch today. The pain has subsided somewhat but remains and is now a little lower and less severe. I am unable to have a bowel movement since yest am and usually have at least 3. What might this be?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give additional information

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history and understood the concerns.
There is a definite history of not having motions since yesterday, constipation for a day usually does not cause such a severe pain and other symptoms as you have mentioned.
Hence the possibility which I can think of is as follows:
There may be a primary reason like intestinal obstruction of whatsoever nature that has caused both constipation and pain in abdomen. And it has not subsided completely.

Please give additional information for me to assist you better:
Is there any bloating of abdomen?
Nausea and/or vomiting?
Fever or other general symptoms?
How many hours back have you taken Miralax?
Please give all details.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Yes, I have some bloating feeling in my abdomen. I have completely lost all appitite and eaten nothing since yest at noon. Not feeling hungry either. There is some minor nausea but not bad. Had two separate episodes last night in which I awakened feeling a strong urge to vomit but had nothing in the stomach to come up so just sort of convulsed with nothing coming out. Happened twice about two hours apart. I have only taken one teaspoon of Miralax in a small glass of water. Can I tell you anything else? Pls advise asap. Thank you

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possible intestinal obstruction or some inflammatory cause.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Bloating, nausea, urge to vomit, no hunger, loss of appetite, pain in abdomen all indicate a possibility of an intestinal obstruction.
I would strongly advise you the following since it is more than a day that the problem continues and there is no motion.
X-ray of abdomen in standing position helps to find whether there is any intestinal obstruction.
Not taking or tolerating anything for more than 24 hours can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Hence you may need intravenous fluid and electrolytes.
Tests of blood, urine, stool, ultrasonography can help the Doctors with the clinical findings to know the exact cause and thus help plan a proper management.
To me this looks to be a case wherein the medical attendance and supportive investigations should be done as early as possible.

Please get these done and give me feedback.
I hope this answer helps you in decision making and proper management.

Take care.
With Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Thank you very much sir. I will do my best to get in and see a doctor ASAP tomorrow. I will let you know the results. I sincerely appreciate your professional advice.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation.

Detailed Answer:
Wishing you all the best.
Awaiting for your feedback.

With Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (7 hours later)

Good morning Doctor. THANKFULLY, I had a bowel movement the first thing upon awakening this am! What a relief! This is the first one since last Sunday. All most all of the earlier pain and discomfort I was experiencing in my belly and abdomen seems largely a thing of the past as well at this time! This may well be the result of taking a dose of Miralax last night at bedtime. Whatever, I am so thankful it seems over for now. I have never in my entire life, experienced anything like this, even once and am 73. To say it was alarming as well as painful and very worrisome, would be an understatement. I am interested in your opinion of my status now, given this major change, and what, if anything, I need do now. I want to thank you again, for your kind and professional help! Have a great week! Many thanks!
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As discussed in details below.

Detailed Answer:
This is great news and passage of bowel movements has abolished the symptoms.
I can understand having such a problem for the first time in life at 73 is surely a thing that cause stress and anxiety.
I would advise you the following in such a situation:
Please continue Miralax for a week; dosages to be adjusted to keep stool soft.
Keep yourself well hydrated.
Check for blood sugar as you are pre-diabetic. Continue your previous medications.
Watch for any symptoms related to gastrointestinal system and if alarmed please get the necessary investigations considering the age. Let anything be diagnosed now if present and not later.
Ruling-out the possible causes always helps in a long run.

I hope this answer helps you further.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

With Warm Regards and best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

It does indeed sir and I thank you very much. If I may, your reply above causes me another health related question that I would also appreciate your opinion on: As I had told you, I had been diagnosed about a year ago as pre-diabetic. Starting about 3 weeks ago or so, my doctor had me start taking the little finger prick blood tests before breakfast and then two hours after dinner. I have been doing that and recording the results and am becoming alarmed at some of what I am seeing. The test this am, with very little to eat yesterday and a small pc of salmon, a very small Ceasar salad, and some sautéed mushrooms, onions, and spinach was the tiny dinner last night. The test this am read 140!I was schocked to see that and do not understand why that high? The am readings before breakfast have been:117;116;125'132;121;102;102;112;117;126;122;98123;122;112;109;102;108;106;110;122;113;110106;106;110;101;109;109;133;107;114;126; and 140 today. The readings two hrs after dinner are:187;187;135;143;121;124;116;129;139;124;149143;138;140;101;144;114;142110;114;and 154.
I am unsure of what this is telling me but afraid it is way too high and I may need to do something else. I have been taking Metformin in the am since the orig diagnosis and have managed to loose 25# so far and am trying to be careful. What would you advise me in this regard? Should the numbers be below 100? Pls advise and thank you again sir.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please tell me the normal ranges that your Doctors have told you

Detailed Answer:
I would be very happy to assist you in this regards too.
Please tell me the normal range for fasting, post-prandial that is after lunch or dinner and for Random sugar samples in your area - so that I can assist you better.

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