Does this sound like trapped wind?

[CadburySpira]

I’ve been off work all week with stomach and back pain. Pain started Friday night, was worse Sat night and excruciating Sun night. During the day not so bad but woken up with cramps so bad I almost called an ambulance but the pain passed. Went to doctor on Monday who just said to take cocodamol for the pain. Still woken in the night with excruciating pain each night. Different doctor yesterday prescribed me laxatives (as the cocodamol bunged me up) told me not to take cocodamol. Started that yesterday and feel tons better, no pain in the night.

I don’t think I was constipated as I was still going to the toilet normally until the cocodamol bunged me up. Since taking the lactulose there has been a lot of bubbling and wind, so I’m thinking it was just trapped wind? Never had trapped wind before, the pain was so bad.

If it is trapped wind, drink a can of fizzy drink (like Coca Cola). Cans tend to have more bubbles. It really does get rid of the trapped wind. Worth a try.

I will try that, seems like so much pain for just trapped wind though, is it normally so painful?

It can be, certainly. I’ve had it when pregnant before (with the slightly puerile registrar having fun showing me each wind bubble on the ultrasound screen!) and yes, it hurt a lot a lot a lot. Peppermint tea always helps me. And apparently you can get peppermint capsules online too.

Yes - it's v painful. When I had major abdominal surgery, it hurt far more than my incision wounds. This is why babies cry when they have colic, caused by not being 'winded' fully after feeds. Gentle massage helps. Upwards on the right, across the top under your ribs and downwards on the left.

Would it usually be worse at night? I guess it can get stuck even worse from lying still?

If only the doctor on Monday had realised this, cocodamol made it worse I think. I never thought it could be trapped wind, thought wind would have a bloaty feeling, never thought it could be so painful either though I have heard that many people present at A&E with it so I suppose makes sense that it’s v painful!

Sounds like acute pancreatitis- mine was caused by a small gallstone which went into the tube in my pancreas and got stuck. Often starts in the middle of the night - particularly if you have eaten a high fat meal the night before. The pain is unbelievable.
I would see your GP and ask for blood tests if it has eased.
If you still have it I would go to A and E.
It is serious and requires treatment.

Hope you’re feeling better OP x

Don't want to scare you but I had these symptoms and it turned out I had ovarian cancer. Obviously I hope you don't! But worth getting checked.
Hope you feel better

There’s a couple of physical things. Lie on your back, bring your knees up to your chest with your arms around your knees, then rock your knees from side to side.
It also helps to sleep on your right hand side.

One thing I've found that works is to knead the affected area (like a cat) and be prepared for the gas to escape. I tend to get burping attacks

I’m much better now thank you for asking. I think it was just trapped wind, my stomach is finally flat(ish) again this morning and feeling back to normal. There has been a lot of wind released 😂 the last few days. I will of course go back to the docs if I get it again/worse. I am due my smear next month so I am going to get that booked in to be sure.