Mild spikey discomfort just below sternum

[Dan21]

I've been feeling a bit better today in terms of digestion but I've had this mild-ish spikey discomfort just below my sternum. It feels like trapped wind but there doesn't seem to be anything to 'burp-out' as it were. We were at a birthday party today for a friend of my little boy and in a discussion, someone mentioned he'd had a friend with similar symptoms that turned out to be stomach cancer. I almost flipped out there and then.

Please tell me others have had similar feelings with IBS...my health anxiety has gone off the scale since hearing that. Please, any words of encouragement would be really welcome right now.

[Dan21]

I've just read on the BBC website:

Anxiety and worry can upset the delicate balance of digestion and worsen digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome...

Can IBS be felt as high up as the area between the belly button and the bottom of the sternum?

I could really do with some encouragement.

[Dan21]

Anyone?

Surely all these twinges and discomforts can't be caused solely by anxiety can they??

[Angelai]

I get a lot of discomfort all around my abdomen, including where you describe. Sometimes it feels really hard there and, yeah, spikey I suppose. I'm always questioning myself - is it another ibs and/or anxiety thing?!

[honeyp1e]

I get this also had it today I describe it more like a sharp burp feeling only no burp comes out

[Dan21]

thanks honeypie.

I feel VERY, VERY bloated. from my lower abdomen up to just below my sternum. Is this typical IBS area?

I'm going to see the docs on Friday but the discomfort is causing me real anxiety.

[honeyp1e]

I get that feeling my doc always day ibs / anxiety : acid all go hand in hand n the more we worry the worse we feel :(

[Dan21]

Went to see the doctor on Friday and he said it was almost certainly IBS. He told me to try and relax and prescribed me some muscle relaxants. I felt really good when I left (mentally) but I've had a rough day and my mind has started to wander; I'm now thinking what if he has mis-diagnosed this and there's something dangerous going on un-noticed.

I hate being like this.

[Anxious_gal]

Above the belly button is where your small intestines are?
My IBS pain is always there.
If I get stressed the area will start to hurt.
Almost like my intestines are cramping or something.

Wind wise, wow let me tell you trapped wind can cause a lot of pain !
I had some very sharp stabbing pains, I bent over in pain and was getting scared, a few minutes later it turned out to be wind! I felt rather silly