Expert Q&A

Anyone seen anything like this? Painful spasms in my intestines for the past 5 months. What should I do: what to track and how to measure progress

Understanding Intestinal Spasms in Midlife

As the founder of CFP Weight Loss and author of The CFP Method, I've worked with hundreds of adults aged 45-54 who battle both stubborn weight and gut problems like painful intestinal spasms. These spasms, often linked to irritable bowel syndrome or stress-induced motility issues, become more common during hormonal shifts in perimenopause and andropause. The cramping can make exercise feel impossible and destroy trust in any new eating plan. The good news? Systematic tracking turns chaos into clarity.

What to Track in Your Daily Symptom Journal

Start a simple notebook or app entry each day. Record four key categories: Food and Drink (meals, timing, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners), Symptom Details (spasm intensity on a 1-10 scale, exact location, duration, and triggers like stress or meals), Bowel Patterns (frequency, consistency using the Bristol Stool Chart, urgency), and Lifestyle Factors (sleep hours, daily steps, stress level 1-10, joint pain episodes). Also note blood sugar readings if you're managing diabetes, as glucose spikes directly worsen intestinal spasms. Avoid complex plans—use your phone notes for 60 seconds per entry.

How to Measure Progress Without the Scale

Weigh-ins alone fail people who've tried every diet. Instead, track weekly averages: spasm-free days per week, average pain score, and non-scale victories like walking 20 minutes without joint pain. In The CFP Method, I teach clients to aim for a 20% reduction in weekly spasm intensity within 28 days. Measure waist circumference monthly and monitor blood pressure trends, as lower inflammation often improves both gut symptoms and cardiovascular numbers. If spasms occur after specific foods like dairy or high-FODMAP items, note the correlation and test a 7-day elimination.

Practical Next Steps and When to Seek Help

Begin with a 14-day baseline journal before changing anything. Then introduce one anti-inflammatory habit weekly—such as 30 grams of fiber from vegetables or 2 liters of water daily. Gentle movement like chair yoga reduces both stress and joint pain that makes traditional exercise impossible. See your doctor to rule out serious conditions; bring your journal data to appointments. Many clients discover hidden triggers like evening wine or skipped breakfast that sabotage weight loss and amplify hormonal gut issues. Consistency here builds momentum and confidence you can lose weight despite insurance limitations and past failures.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows a mix of empathy and practical advice for those reporting five months of intestinal spasms. Most middle-aged posters describe similar frustration with doctors who suggest fiber supplements then move on, leaving people to self-track. A common theme is keeping food-symptom diaries revealing triggers like coffee, sugar substitutes, or large evening meals. Many share success reducing spasm frequency by 30-50% after cutting processed foods and adding morning walks, though joint pain remains a barrier. There's debate around whether it's IBS, SIBO, or stress-related, with some insisting on demanding a gastroenterologist referral. Insurance hurdles and hormonal changes in the 45-54 range come up often. A vocal minority warns against restrictive diets that backfire for emotional eaters, favoring gradual CFP-style habit changes instead. Overall, lived experiences emphasize patience, data tracking, and combining gut relief with sustainable weight strategies rather than quick fixes.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Anyone seen anything like this? Painful spasms in my intestines for the past 5 m. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/anyone-seen-anything-like-this-painful-spasms-in-my-intestines-for-the-past-5-months-what-should-i-do-what-to-track-and-how-to-measure-progress
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ I wanted to ask what is the science behind not allowing any fat during the fat burning phase like how critical is it if I ever had a tiny bit of half-and-half or a tiny bit of olive oil? Is it really do something to the body. ▸ What are some things you loved from your childhood that you (virtually) never see/experience anymore during the weight loss plateau phase on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ I sometimes feel like people only talk about the obvious symptoms like irregular periods or weight gain, but the fatigue can be just as overwhelming. Has anyone else felt completely drained even: how to talk to your doctor about this: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ 78kg to 58kg for an 18 y/o: How likely am I to have loose skin after weight loss specifically for women over 40 — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what the research actually says? ▸ Sugar free 2020, who's with me — what most people get wrong about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Metabolic Stall — A plateau in weight loss often caused by hidden inflammation or hormonal adaptation, which we break using our specific 7… ▸ How does chasing skinny ever get old for long-term results while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Im eating so well that I accidently put my body in ketosis and how it connects to gut health and inflammation: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Free carb counter apps on a low-carb or ketogenic diet: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what the research actually says? ▸ Omnipod. Starting an insulin pump help while doing intermittent fasting on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Refined Carbohydrates — Processed sugars and flours that strip the body of nutrients while driving the hormonal chaos responsible for the modern… ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ Testosterone how long does it take to work while doing intermittent fasting if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month — how a functional medicine approach differs while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Have you seen this? Her face says it all — what does the research actually say: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Intolerant to sugar - SIBO or something else if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what the research actually says? 📖 Inflammatory Markers — Clinical indicators like CRP that we monitor to ensure the body is moving from a state of disease to a state of vibrant … ▸ Should I be worried yet, been sitting for 5 days no movement while doing intermittent fasting: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Low TSH, Low T4, and Low T3 simultaneously on Levothyroxine — anyone experienced this and the role of cortisol and stress hormones — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ How does a 16 hour daily fast induce autophagy for men for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Diabetics with TPN (IV nutrition experience) and the role of cortisol and stress hormones on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ What's the dumbest thing you and/or your siblings did when you were left home alone for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Those of you with Reta experience how does this protocol look for people with insulin resistance when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📖 Diabetes Reversal — The clinical goal of restoring normal blood sugar levels and insulin function, as seen in patients like John who no long… ▸ I am on my second week of mounjaro (2.5 mg dose ), but there is no drop on the weighing scale, I am feeling demotivated, can anyone guide me, isn’t mounjaro for me for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Difference between a 3 day and 5 day water fast for autophagy and the role of cortisol and stress hormones on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ What are the wegovy doses in order on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Can you really Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Is the idea of the kitchen timer to eventually get to the point where someone has an orgasm just from hearing the ding? Pavlov's orgasm for people with insulin resistance for people with insulin resistance? ▸ When do you know to go to the hospital specifically for women over 40? 📖 Hashimoto’s Success — Achieving weight loss and reduced inflammation in thyroid patients by removing dietary triggers like lectins and modern … ▸ Does okra water actually help gut issues: what to track and how to measure progress — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Can autophagy regenerate muscle during physically active prolonged fast and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ When the fatigue is real: how to talk to your doctor about this for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Been on this diet for 11 months and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Is anyone else worried about judgment from others for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Why cant i lose weight and am gaining weight when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 Muscle Sarcopenia — The dangerous loss of lean muscle mass often seen in traditional 'crash diets' or high-dose GLP-1 use, which we combat t… ▸ Anyone remember the metal lid you had to use a butter knife to pop off: what to track and how to measure progress: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Did L. reuteri ATCC 6475 or Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC-30) Eliminate My Seasonal Allergies — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Exercise — when and what kind while fasting, and does it enhance autophagy — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ LDN is changing my life, will this last: best practices and common mistakes to avoid: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ How do you handle social settings and conversations with other people — what does the research actually say on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month — how a functional medicine approach differs — what the research actually says? ▸ Lost weight not exactly willingly and everybody’s weird about it for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) — what the research actually says? 📖 Insulin Resistance — A condition where your cells stop responding to insulin, locking fat in storage; our protocol is designed to unlock thes… ▸ Do you guys eat 100% clean all the time — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Is anyone else worried about judgment from others for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Intolerant to sugar - SIBO or something else if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ What do you eat grain/carb wise, and why — how a functional medicine approach differs for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 Gut Microbiome Repair — The restoration of healthy intestinal bacteria through the removal of lectins and grains, essential for long-term weight… ▸ What is the connection between Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Got diagnosed today, where do i go from here — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Fitter or kidding myself: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide?