Why do my abdominal/oblique muscles tense up and I can't make them stop?

Question

I initially thought this was a side effect of my acid reflux because I first noticed it during a bad AR episode, but now I'm not sure. Somewhat often, my (usually left) oblique will tense up so hard that it feels like a bone, and nearby abdominal muscles tighten up too. It becomes painful because the muscles press against my rib cage, irritating them. This is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of numbness on the left side of my belly, and even a sort of itchy internal feeling that I think might be intestinal. It does seem to be irritated by a lot of the same things that the reflux is, but I have been getting it even when reflux isn't flaring up. Sometimes if I press against the swelling areas, pain shoots down my arm, particularly the underside of the wrist.

OK I see a need to clarify because I think it may have come across as more severe than it really is, based on the answers I've received (which I appreciate, regardless). The pain caused by the tensing of the muscles is not severe, but just enough to be an annoyance. And the wrist pain thing is something that has been attributed to being stomach-related (acid/heartburn can cause strictures, resulting in this kind of pain). This, however, seems nothing like heartburn, which is what acid reflux boils down to. Icy hot can reduce the pain and tightness a bit, though the muscle still remains pretty stiff, compared to its relaxed state. Thanks for answering so quickly though.

Oh and I have mentioned all but the most recent of these symptoms (the soreness and the itchiness) to a doctor, who prescribed nexium, attributing it to either reflux or tensing due to the pain caused by reflux. The nexium has greatly reduced the heartburn and general acidicness, leaving me a bit confused about the other symptoms.

Answer 1

Oh **** that sounds bad. Go ask your parents for christ's sake.

Answer 2

I've been told about ten thousand times that I'm not a Real Christian (TM) because my beliefs don't fall in with the extremist party line. I share some of your views. I hold citizenship in a secular nation (the United States). There are many paths to God. I take part in both Christian and non-Christian rites. I am not afraid of non-Christian influences. I refuse to use my religion as an excuse for bigotry and hatred. Anyway, congratulations for not trying to shove the Divine into a one-size-fits-all box.

Answer 3

Oh, I think, you better make a hot compress or if you can't stand the pain, and you can manage not to take a bath the following morning, you better try this one....... It's from the voice of experience. Because every time, I over worked, some parts of my body is greatly affected with pain. So, before going to bed, I used to apply baby oil on my arms, feet, even my neck and back. Then I put plastic back, just the ordinary plastic bag on the painful spots. The after 2 hours, I wipes the perspiration that was absorbed by the plastic bag. Then I changed the plastic bag because of the perspiration that it absorbed from my skin. Do that for 3 days. As I have said, if you can manage not take a bath the following day of your plastic bag absorption of your perspiration. Try it and I am sure, that will help.
By the way, If you will not change the plastic bag after 2 hours, blisters will appear. So better change the plastic bag every after 2 hours.

Answer 4

Seek doctor. This can sometimes happen, but not always, like in your scenario.

If it too serious, it might affect your breathing or even cause death.

Bless.