Hoping that someone can give an indication to my 'problem' please from these symptoms.?

Twelve days ago, I developed a constant focused central stomach pain a couple of inches below my navel.
Very bloated feeling, and a feeling of not having emptied my bowels. On the left side in-line with the pain was/is a feeling of a popping sensation (like wind that could be trapped?)
There has been no change in bowel movements, or signs of any blood.

A week later (5 days ago) the pain went but turned into an ache which I have to this day along with the popping sensation. The bloating has eased also this week.

I went to the doctor's last night who felt all over the abdominal area, but could not find any lumps, etc. and has recommended a blood test, which I shall have after the bank holiday.

Anyone recognise the symptoms please?

I'm a male 57 years young.

Many thanks.

Peppermint oil capsules appear to relieve most of the symptoms, and there is not too much belly fat...(haha)

Sounds like a hernia to me. An abdominal CT with contrast will generally show it if it is. When a hernia becomes 'strangulated' (the loop of intestine pushes out through the tear in the abdominal wall) it stops or slows the movement of the 'stuff' in it. This causes pain (sometimes very severe) and the trapped gas/bowels not being emptied feeling. It can 'reduce' (go back in) by itself sometimes, sometimes it can be pushed back in and the pain passes and leaves an ache for a few days. If the loop does not go back in and becomes fully 'strangulated' it can be fatal. The loop of intestine loses its blood supply and very quickly becomes necrotic. If it's not corrected surgically quickly it can become gangrenous and kill you. (Not trying to be a fear monger, but it can be very serious.) A blood test may show if you have some sort of abdominal infection going on (also a possibility with your symptoms) but not a hernia. Hernias may or may not be able to be felt/seen externally. If you push as though you are trying to have a bowel movement and you see a bulge where you are having the pain it's defiantly a hernia. The surgery is fairly simple, usually done outpatient and recovery time is fairly quick, although your lifting will be limited for a few weeks.

Good luck and hope this helps.

I recommend go to your dr and telling him that you need an abdominal ultrasound. If you have belly fat, he may not be able to feel small lumps or masses. It could be a small obstruction, diverticulitis, an intussuseption that works itself out, or a number of other things. The blood test he ordered may or may not find anything.

i had the same prblem back in december 06'. i finally went ot thre dr and found out by a ct scan that i have a hernia. it was very small at the time now it is bigger than a baseball and i have to have surgery to fix it. it is also on my left side and if you do alot of heavy lifting then this can happen