Long post, sorry. But I've been dealing with this for 7 years and I've never found anyone who connects these dots the way I'm experiencing them. Would really appreciate if anyone has had something similar.
The background:
I've had IBS for about 19 years. Also lactose intolerant. Chronic bloating, gas, the usual fun stuff. Managed it badly for years, now finally taking it seriously with Low FODMAP and dairy-free diet.
The weird symptom nobody explains:
About 7 years ago I started getting what I can only describe as an electric zap — like someone literally zapped me with a taser — that starts in my groin / upper hip area and shoots downward to my feet. One leg at a time. Lasts about 5 seconds. Then it's gone.
At first it was maybe once or twice a month. I ignored it.
Now it's every single day. Sometimes afternoon AND night.
The part that nobody seems to connect:
The zap is ALWAYS triggered by bloating or gas. Doesn't matter if I just ate or if my stomach is completely empty — if there's bloating, there's a zap. Every. Single. Time.
I've mentioned this to doctors and they look at me like I'm describing two completely separate problems. Nobody connects the gut to the nerve.
What I do NOT have:
- No tingling
- No numbness
- No burning
- No weakness in my legs
- No balance problems
Just the zap. And lower back pain that started about a year ago alongside the zaps becoming daily.
My own theory (after a lot of research):
I think what's happening is: bloating distends my intestines → the distended gut physically presses on my sciatic nerve or lumbar nerve roots → compressed nerve misfires → electric zap shoots down the leg.
The alternating left/right leg thing also makes sense to me — depending on which side of the gut is more distended, it presses on that side's nerve.
This would also explain why it got worse over 7 years — my IBS got worse, more bloating, more compression, more frequent zaps. And the lower back pain appearing this year could mean there's now also some disc involvement at L4/L5 or L5/S1.
What I'm doing now:
Going back to my gastroenterologist with a full written symptom summary. Asking for MRI lumbar spine, NCS/EMG, B12, Vitamin D, and a SIBO breath test. Also requesting a neurology referral.
My question to this community:
Has ANYONE else experienced electric shock / zap sensations that are clearly and consistently triggered by gut bloating or gas? I cannot find a single person online describing this exact pattern and it's making me feel like I'm going mad.
Also — has anyone been diagnosed with something that explains this combination? Sciatica made worse by bloating? Gut-triggered nerve compression? Anything?
Would really appreciate any responses. Even just knowing someone else has felt this would help.
Edit: To be clear — I'm not looking for a diagnosis from Reddit. Just looking for shared experiences and anyone who might point me toward the right specialist or the right question to ask.