Seeking Insights on Prolonged Abdominal Pain and Digestive Changes
For the past several months, I have been grappling with persistent abdominal discomfort centered around my sigmoid colon, alongside significant alterations in my bowel habits. This ordeal began following a severe panic attack that left me physically impaired, experiencing symptoms such as paralysis, extreme vomiting, and prolonged shaking, ultimately leading to fainting episodes. I sought emergency medical assistance in September 2024 due to the panic attack.
In the aftermath, I faced a troubling two-week period without bowel movements. Once I regained the ability to defecate, it was infrequent—happening only every four to five days, or sometimes even weekly. The stools I produced were unusually thin and elongated, which raised concerns when I noticed dark spots appearing. My chronic health anxiety intensified, leading to multiple panic attacks as I feared the possibility of blood originating from my colon. Medical evaluations, including a FIT test, indicated no presence of blood in my stool.
By January 2025, the severity of my pain prompted another visit to the doctor, who ordered an abdominal x-ray and diagnosed me with constipation. They recommended a laxative regimen for a colon cleanse, which I diligently followed. Initially, this provided some relief for about a week, but the issues returned, albeit with slightly reduced intensity, and my stool consistency remained unchanged. In March 2025, as the discomfort escalated, I returned to the physician, who reiterated that I was still constipated and proposed an additional, more aggressive colon cleansing approach. This, unfortunately, exacerbated the pain.
I ended up in the emergency department where a transvaginal ultrasound was performed, revealing no significant abnormalities. Likewise, my blood tests showed minimal concerns, only reflecting the effects of the ongoing stress and anxiety I have been experiencing, with only slight increases in my white blood cell count.
Despite trying treatments involving Iberogast, probiotics, and fiber supplements, my bowel movements have become harder—almost painfully so—resembling sharp glass. While the pain slightly decreased during this time, I now find that my stools are mixed with chunks of undigested black and white food or other substances. The results from the FIT test continued to indicate no blood.
The pain in my lower left abdomen is nearly intolerable, accompanied by soreness in my chest and joints, along with chronic urticaria. I've been officially diagnosed with joint and nerve pain, which only complicates my symptoms further. Eating has become an excruciating experience, and I'm facing considerable delays in getting an appointment with a gastroenterologist. I'm reaching out for advice or thoughts regarding my situation; any insights would be greatly appreciated!
BloatingStomach PainConstipation