Hi there. I also have this same pain on my left side. It is now about 2 years that I have this pain on and off but it is changes all the time. Sometimes it is under my left ribs and other times in the same region but more on my back. I also have pain in my left shoulder. It is all very worrying to me. I have been to the doctor when it first started and he said it is air trapped in my colon. I dont know if he is right. I am too scared to go again. I am just so scared of bad news. So I just put up with it. Any more progress with your pain? :roll:

I am a 24 year old, fit male who has had similar symptoms for the past 3 years:

- mild to intense pain in upper left abdomen, just behind rib cage
- mild to intense pain on corresponding position in my back
- when intense, pain feels as if it penetrates through my body
- pain comes only during or after sleeping at night
- pain comes generally with gas
- pain intensity may be higher when larger quantity of food is eaten
- stretching and physical activity alleviates the pain more quickly

i have not been to see a doctor about this. From my first experiences with the pain, I associated the pain with lots-o-gas. At the time, I had just moved to guinea, africa, so I associated the increased gas with the change of diet. However, since returning home about 9 months ago, I still have had lots-o-gas, and a couple of nights each week the pain returns. I'm now used to it however, so it doesn't really affect my lifestyle.

After looking through the web pages, I think this may be splenic flexure syndrome. But, I can't be sure, there is hardly any info available on the web.

If anyone has stumbled across an effective treatment, please let us know.

Misterogers - the symptoms that you describe and associate with gas are actually very typical symptoms caused by gas. These types of symptoms are amplified by anxiety, so the more you worry about having a serious medical condition the worse the pain will get :)

This is so weird I have been suffering "discomfort" in the same area. I thought it was my spleen-since that is the area where the discomfort was. Sometimes the spleen can become enlarged. My mother who was a nurse told me more then likely it is gas. She said you would be surprised how gas can get "tangled" up around your body. If it is serious the pain would get worse not go away. But I know how scary it is-just listen to your body and if you feel it is not getting better calm your fears and go to the doctor. Today I am heading to the doctor for an exam I hate but I care about my health. My friends father ignored his symtoms and by the time he went for his mri the cancer spread like fire to his brain. Take care of yourself!!!