<human>: 3 different times in the past year, I have had a strange thing occur.  My lower stomach started to hurt and than my body started filling with gas.  It hurt so badly that I almost passed out.  Its hard to move and breath at times.  Lying flat on the ground stretched out helps, but when I get up its excrutiating.  It last 2-3 hrs.  Any thoughts?
<bot>: Hi. The possible causes of distension of abdomen with excruciating pain which lasts for 2 to 3 hours are ::Stomach volvulusVolvulus of the Sigmoid colon (a part of the large bowel which is loose and mobile). Intestinal obstruction. I would suggest you the following :Get an X-ray of the abdomen in standing position. This is the easiest diagnostic tool to be done at the time of attack. This gives perfect diagnosis and gives plan for treatment. One can have a Contrast enhanced CT scan to get other diagnosis or ruling some out. The treatment will depend upon the diagnosis.