Panic attack or dumping syndrome?!
Posted , 3 users are following.
OK, so this has happened to me several times in the past half year or so. Basically I eat or drink something, then almost immediately after, I feel really suddenly nauseous and like I'm about to pass out. I start breathing really heavily, sweating and trembling, also usually have diarrhoea (sorry) and retch lots, but no actual vomiting. These symptoms come and go for a few hours, until I start to feel better and I usually sleep due to exhaustion. Any clue as to what this could be?! I am prone to anxiety, but I normally feel no anxiety to these attacks.
TIA
0 likes, 7 replies
sasical72 si74
Edited
Hi there,
If you type "panic like symptoms before a bowel movement" or something like that, you will find posts that I have written about symptoms similar to what you describe.
I'll explain my symptoms. Whenever my body is preparing for a bowel movement or when I have gas in my stomach or sometimes after eating (so basically anything that involves my digestion/bowels) I get a very odd feeling in my body, like a sinking or impending doom feeling, I get boiling hot, I start to sweat, shake, I have difficulty breathing and my heart beats really fast and if it's particularly bad and even have trouble standing. I then poop and continue to feel awful for about half and hour and then everything seems to settle. Before it all settles I often feel like air bubbles breaking inside, like a burp that goes down.
It maybe feels like a panic attack but only in my body, my thoughts are calm.
I have been told it could be dumping syndrome or vagus nerve, parasites, vitamin defficiency...I still haven't found a reason but it is ruining my life completely.
Sorry I was of no help, just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
Have you had any tests?
si74 sasical72
Edited
hi! Thanks so much for your reply! I have checked out your previous posts and it's remarkable how similar this sounds to my own issues. I have had no tests. My GP said it could be postprandial hypotension, but didn't seem overly concerned.
Nine times out of ten, it happens after eating something, and it's way worse and lasts much longer the more I eat. It has occasionally happened when I haven't eaten anything, but always the first thing I notice is the sudden urge to have a BM and that horrible sinking doom feeling. I usually have a small BM (diahrrea) straight away, but by then all the other symptoms have taken hold and I'm in hell for up to two hours. I hyperventilate, feel lightheaded, sweat, tremble, dry-heave (but no vomit). I feel like I could pass out. Then when it all wears off, I'm so exhausted, I sleep for hours.
I always wonder if it could be early dumping syndrome?
sasical72 si74
Edited
Yes, it could be. Of all the things people have told me it could be, dumping syndrome seems to have the most similar symptoms.
si74 sasical72
Edited
It's awful to go through. I've totally lost my appetite as I'm terrified of eating too much now. It's always worse, and lasts longer, when I've just had a large meal. My understanding was that Dumping Syndrome should only occur in people who have recently had gastric surgery, but I'm at a loss to think what else it could be! Hopefully we get the answers one day!
sasical72 si74
Edited
I did once find an article that said that it's not common, but that there are cases of dumping syndrome without having had the surgery. My dietitian said that for dumping syndrome it's very important to reduce sugars and carbs, as these make it worse.
Have you looked into Hiatal Hernia? and also look into SIBO. I have SIBO and I was put on a diet and protocol and I think my symptoms have improved a bit.
Also, if you don't mind me asking, are you female and around perimenopause age. I am and I'm wondering if this might be related to hormones...
si74 sasical72
Edited
I'm male and 32 years old. My GP has said it could be postprandial hypotension, but I think my symptoms go on for way too long for it to be that, and I get no relief at all from lying down, in fact lying down makes me feel worse. I can't understand why it only happens occasionally and not every time I eat. I wonder if it has something to do with the vagus nerve? It definitely feels like a prolonged drop in blood pressure.
sasical72 si74
Posted
Have you actually taken your blood pressure when this happens? I was told to do this, it's important to know wether it's a feeling of low blood pressure or actual low blood pressure.