jacq...you know just a few weeks ago i was posting crazy on this forum and the chronic pain forum.. I was dealing alot with the same thing and it had gotten alot worse...i was never officially diagnosed but the doctor did say i possibly have IBS (my mother has it and almost all the same symptoms so its pretty much a garuntee) Go to your doctor and ask about IBS ...if it is he probably will give you some medicine for the flare up but i dont take anything else...Juliana is right...it does flare up with stress and very very painful for me...good luck at the doctors!!