Heartburn and Stomach Spasms

I feel like I am falling apart. Anyways, I have been having some heartburn. I know I have a stomach that is very sensitive and I imagine it is from taking the meds, especially anti-inflamatories. I was only taking advil and with food, but could that be causing heartburn?

I remember at my pre-op and on the day of surgery, they asked me if I get heartburn. Makes me wonder why they asked that?? Anyone know?

Also, the past two nights, I have had something I have never experienced before. It feels like my stomach is having a cramp or spasm. It is not my colon, but rather my stomach. My stomach is obviously empty at 3 am! Any idea on how to prevent this and what could be causing it?

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Originally Posted by PCAN I feel like I am falling apart. Anyways, I have been having some heartburn. I know I have a stomach that is very sensitive and I imagine it is from taking the meds, especially anti-inflamatories. I was only taking advil and with food, but could that be causing heartburn? I remember at my pre-op and on the day of surgery, they asked me if I get heartburn. Makes me wonder why they asked that?? Anyone know? Also, the past two nights, I have had something I have never experienced before. It feels like my stomach is having a cramp or spasm. It is not my colon, but rather my stomach. My stomach is obviously empty at 3 am! Any idea on how to prevent this and what could be causing it?

You're darn tootin the advil could cause it. Advil is an anti-inflammatory, which I'm sure you know already. Even though it is over the counter, it will still irritate your stomach if you are prone to that. The reason they asked you in pre-op if you get heartburn, is because frequent heartburn is a symptom of gastro esophageal reflux disease. If you have this, the anesthesiologist has to be extra careful with you, and give you special meds for your stomach, so you don't aspirate your stomach contents while you are intubated.

I don't want to alarm you, and I am NOT diagnosing you stomach pain when it is empty is an early sign of an ulcer. If you have been taking anti-inflammatories for awhile, you certainly could have an irritated tummy. Try switching to tylenol for pain, and call your doc, tell him about the heartburn and stomach pain, and ask for something like Nexium, or Prilosec, Aciphex-- all these drugs prevent the stomach from making acid and allow it to heal.

Hope I helped, and didn't overwhelm you. =)

I posted another thread on what sounds like similar issues I have been having with crushing intestinal spasms (feels like my organs are being twisted) that took me to ER this week.

Dr tells me my intestines/colon are under distress from two major surgeries in 5 weeks (and adhesions) and that I need to ensure I get a lot of fiber and also be very selective about what I eat so as not to risk a blockage.

Some things I have learned........absolutely no oranges or OJ, avoid heavy starchy foods, eat little and often, no iced or hot drinks (just room temp) and keep very very very hydrated.......when you are sick of drinking fluids....drink more as I have found I am dehydrated due to ongoing nausea whenever I try to eat anything.

Tragic I know but I am pretty much existing on water, rice cakes and applesauce with wheatbran mixed in.

I don't eat dairy as I am vegan, but if you eat products that contain dairy you might want to look for a really good OTC probiotic at the pharmacy that will help your intestines.

I hope you feel better soon.