Proctalgia Fugax attacks
This is definitely my most painful symptom. I don't fortunately get much abdominal pain except a bit of trapped wind now and again which, if I relax...lie on the floor or something will surely work its way out in a little while.
But the proctalgia is a really bad pain.
Does anyone else get this?
It can come on any time, while awake or while asleep, and will wake me up. Intense, like level 8 pain but doesn't last very long, and never long enough to take a pain killer for it to have time to work.
Maximum, it will last for about 20 minutes, usually a shorter time. But I am literally rolling about when it happens. There is no comfortable position!
Then it is gone....absolutely. And returns again at some random time. It isn't daily or even weekly. Just when it wants to! grrr
It has to be the worst pain I have ever felt to be honest. And I have had some bad ones in my life.
I didn't get it before IBS.
Sometimes if I have a quick shot of any alcoholic drink, it makes the pain subside much faster. But that isn't always an option ....such as in the middle of the night when I have nothing like that around.
Is this common with IBS?
I was so worried once I asked the doctor as I was scared it was cancer pain it was so bad. He told me it was almost certainly Proctalgia Fugax, from my description.
Apologies for the delayed reply. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you and your doctor have been discussing your symptoms, which is great. Be sure to keep the conversation going if you have any new, changing or concerning symptoms. In addition to speaking with your doctor, this article may be helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/sharp-pain. Wishing you some answers and relief soon. Best, Kelly, Irritablebowelsyndrome.net Team Member Thank you,
hateibs When you get these symptoms, try sitting in warm tub water for about 10 minutes or so. I know there isn't always a tub available when they hit, but I know exactly what you are experiencing and sitting in a tub of warm water has ALWAYS worked for me. It has never failed me. Most of the time they hit me when I'm sleeping and that agonizing pain is an immediate wake up call. I just head straight for the tub and the problem is usually solved within 20 seconds.
Thank you for that tip. I will try that if it happens when I am able to sit in a tub of water. Usually if it happens in the night, I just wait in bed, because I have wakened up from a deep sleep and am not really "compos mentis" And it is soon gone. It can last for me from about 5 minutes to 20 minutes, and then I immediately fall asleep again.
If it happens closer to morning or in the day when I am just at home, I will try the hot water remedy! Thank you
