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Panic symptoms before bowel movement

Posted , 117 users are following.

sasical72
sasical72

Hi there

For a couple of years now I have been having a very strange happen to me, it used to happen occasionally but now it is every time I go for a bowel movement.

I will be happily going about my business or working or whatever when suddenly out of the blue I get this horrible feeling which is hard to describe, like a sinking feeling or impending doom. My fingers go tingly, I have difficulty breathing, shaky, fast heart rate...and then I need a bowel movement immediately. If I go I start to feel better after while, if for whatever reason I can't go right away it feels as if I will die.

anybody else with anything similar?

12 likes, 302 replies

302 Replies

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  • angela94663
    angela94663 sasical72

    Edited

    Thank you for posting this, I have been trying to explain my symptoms for months even unable to explain to the doctor, but you have explained my symptoms exactly.

    Have you managed to get better? or are you the same? Sorry to ask, I just would like a cure as it affects your life.

    • sasical72
      sasical72 angela94663

      Posted

      Hello Angela,

      Unfortunately no, I haven't found a cure or even an explanation.

      I did have a period when I had less episodes and this coincided in time with when I was visiting an osteopath, but I can't afford it any longer.

      Now I seem to be worse again, but at least it doesn't happen every day any longer.

      Can I ask if you are around perimenopause? I ask because that is more or less when my symptoms started.

      Sorry you are having a bad time with it too x

  • estelle61859
    estelle61859 sasical72

    Edited

    Hey there, for those still following this topic. I just wanted to chime in. I'm 34, female. I also have this happen. It's not very frequent but when it happens it has me in a spin googling it every time. I'm glad I found this thread finally cause it really does help knowing I'm not the only one.

    I don't get typical IBS symptoms. Mine is more on the constipation end of the spectrum. I'm autistic and have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety, depression and PTSD, but those conditions haven't really affected my day to day life in some time. I am not medicated.

    I also get period poops (really good big relieving poops right before my period). Those do not cause the doom feeling. Though I do tend to get more emotional right before my periods.

    I've learned about the vagus nerve thing recently and I'm going to give those stretches/therapies a try. Though since it's not very frequent I get the doom poop, I'm not sure how to measure the result. I guess I'll just check back in regularly and let ya'll know if I've had another.

    • what44837
      what44837 estelle61859

      Posted

      what kind if vagus stretches are you doing? My symptoms are also just like yours i have constant constipation no matter what I do and I d love to learn more about your healing methods , l smiled at the "doom poop" description it is so right 😃

  • jimmie21482
    jimmie21482 sasical72

    Edited

    ive been feeling panic symtpoms, heart racing, etc just prior to being triggers to having to use the restroom. Its been several months now I believe. im 35 Male

    • sasical72
      sasical72 jimmie21482

      Posted

      Jimmie,

      I thought I had replied to your message but maybe it didn't send.

      How are you doing now? any ideas? answers?

      Thanks x

  • camilla79325
    camilla79325 sasical72

    Edited

    i had to make an account just so I could reply to this in case no one has solved it yet (because I sure wish someone had told me!)-- its called the "vasovagal reflex" and its harmless but its feels awful. Google "vasovagal reflex and pooping" and it will hep to explain things. i get it even if i am not straining or anything. essentially pressure on the vagus nerve which runs through that area makes you feel some very odd sensations. i don't have it all the time... and not everyone experiences it but that's what it is! and its benign.

    • sasical72
      sasical72 camilla79325

      Posted

      First of all thank you SO much for taking the time to create an account for this. I had read something about this.

      Have you any idea why this would suddenly start to happen and if there is anything that can be done about it?

      Thank you again!!

  • erica70447
    erica70447 sasical72

    Edited

    Im female, 31, and happy to find other people experiencing this! the only thing ive been told is that its a symptom of ibs (which ive had for years). the symptoms of ibs and panic attacks overlap and it doesnt happen every bm, but a couple times a month

    • sasical72
      sasical72 erica70447

      Posted

      Hi there Erica,

      You have panic before bm and have been told it's ibs?

      Thanks!

  • elizabeth94112
    elizabeth94112 sasical72

    Edited

    Hello and thank you for posting this problem! I'm so very relieved that I'm not going crazy! I'm Elizabeth from Phoenix, 50yo menopausal and these symptoms have been getting worse. it's like there's an exposed nerve in my colon. when I have to go, I have strong anxiety to a full blown panic attack. God forbid I eat anything spicy. that makes it way worse! I've had to give myself multiple enemas to stop the doom and anxiety that accompany a bowel in my colon. I have a colonoscopy scheduled, and was wondering if any of you have had that procedure done yet and if so, what was the result?

    thank you,

    Elizabeth

    • sasical72
      sasical72 elizabeth94112

      Edited

      Hello Elizabeth,

      Welcome to the club nobody wants to belong to!

      I did have a colonoscopy a few years ago that just showed some gastritis, but it was just before my symptoms started, so I might have to have another one.

      The latest is that my cardiologist wants me to get tested for a neuroendocrine tumour. Very scared but will have to look into it.

      Good luck with your colonoscopy and please keep us posted! x

    • elizabeth94112
      elizabeth94112 sasical72

      Edited

      Hi Sasical,

      Thank you for sharing that info with me. I've been on a liquid diet of protein shakes since this started getting worse. I just want to avoid any more instances. I've also cut out coffee and tea. and increased my sodium intake to help my vagus nerve, (covering all my bases)! Honestly, I don't have much faith that they'll find anything but you never know. I'll definitely keep everyone in the loop of my colonoscopy results. (scheduled 7/3/23)

      Thanks again!!

      Elizabeth

  • adrian61825
    adrian61825 sasical72

    Edited

    It sounds like you have Anxiety. Anxiety and bowel movements go hand in hand.

    • sasical72
      sasical72 adrian61825

      Edited

      Hi, I do have anxiety but this is unrelated. Thanks for the input anyway x

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