Panic symptoms before bowel movement
Posted , 117 users are following.
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
NicoleLouise12 sasical72
Edited
came across this thread after a quick google search as I have been experiencing the exact same thing.
I've suffered from anxiety-induced diarrhea in the past but this is totally different. I will be totally fine but then suddenly feel shaky/sick/have a sense of impending doom along with needing the toilet. The feeling subsides very soon after I go.
I feel totally out of control of the feelings of panic,it is horrendous and really effecting me at the minute 😦
sasical72 NicoleLouise12
Posted
Hi Nicole,
I'm sorru you're going through this, it really is horrible and distressing.
As you can see there are a lot of us going through this. As to what can be done about it, unfortunately I don't have an answer as of yet
Jimmy47053 sasical72
Edited
Could you get a stopwatch, maybe use the clock app on your phone, and when this happens, could you hold off on using the bathroom for one minute, and take your pulse? One hand to start the stopwatch, other hand on neck vein to feel pulse, and do that for 30 seconds. Then double that number, and we would have a beats per minute. I wondered what your increased heart rate was when this happens.
sasical72 Jimmy47053
Posted
My heart rate used to go upto 150-160bpm, now that I'm on Bisoprolol it gets to about 140bpm
JimMc sasical72
Edited
I've not been suffering as badly recently. Excercise has definately helped and I've not done any for 3 weeks again since the cold weather set in, but I need to get back into it.
I did notice recently that I have a little horizontal bulge beneath my breasts, lying just at the bottom of my sternum / lower rib cage area, that when I press on it I occassionally get a popping sensation, as though there's trapped gas.
I've also notice that I'll try to belch to pass wind, but I can't always do it, and I came across the following article: https://laryngopedia.com/inability-to-burp/
My issues have been almost perfectly described by the comments in this thread, in that the symptoms only come on during a BM in the morning, but are often eased by belching which I generally feel unable to do. So I'm going to speak to the doctor to have the above investigated. I wondered if any of you have come across this and what the results were?
sasical72 JimMc
Posted
I have never in my life been able to burp.
JimMc sasical72
Edited
Strange that you can't do that. I am belching still, but when I get bloated it's like having trapped wind, so maybe it's not the larynx itself, maybe it's something further down.
But in that article the doctor has an accompanying video which describes a feeling of intense chest pressure by his patients which I've also had. The cynic in me sees him has touting Botox services. However, it seems possible that it's related so I've spoken with my doctor who says that when I had my gastroscopy they would have been looking at the larynx for physical anomalies not functional. So I'm going to have an appointment with a specialist again to discuss the possibility of a functional abnormality, which according to my doctor might require a further endoscopy.
Have seen an Osteopath as well who wasn't as encouraging as I might have hoped when I relayed my problems and mentioned the ileocecal valve. So far she has mentioned that I have poor breathing and I don't relaxing my stomach/diaphragm when I inhale. Next session is coming up and there's going to be some form of physical massage work so we'll see what comes of it.
sasical72 JimMc
Posted
Good luck with that. I'm loving my osteopath, he thinks it's all vagus nerve related.
I think it was on Reddit that there is a group called NoBurp and all the people there explain the problems they have from their inability to burp, who knew...
jvermillionaire sasical72
Edited
I've been dealing with this for a couple years now. It's not every single time i need a bm lately, it used to be a daily thing. Now it only happens randomly. Mine is usually started by a impending doom sensation, then a weird "sinking" feeling in my gut, followed by a fluttery feeling in my chest that makes my heart rate go up, then i get the shaky. As long as I get to the toilet and go i fine, but if i don't then i end up in a full blown panic attack. Pretty sure, like someone else said, mine seemed to have started after a time while i was driving and i had to go but was no where near a bathroom and had a panic attack while driving, that was my first ever panic attack so i legit thought i was dying. The best thing i found that helps is using Mirilax, I have used that and got my body on a schedule of going the exact same time daily, as long as i don't mess with that schedule i am good and have no issues in the bathroom. Still have plenty of other anxiety issues tho lol.
sasical72 jvermillionaire
Edited
Oh my God. I checked the name three times to see if I had written it and not tje other way round. I could have written the same WORD for WORD.
The impending doom, the sinking feeling, the fast heart rate, shakiness. If I can go quickly it's "torelable" if not, not. My first really bad experience with this was also while driving.
I don't know what "Mirilax" is. I'm from Barcelona, but I will check it out.
Did you ever get any tests or diagnosis?
Thanks!
Bluecrayon sasical72
Edited
Your nervous system controls your bowel movements. Panic attacks are also your nervous system although it can be your nervous system responding to something else like an adrenaline dump from a metabolic issue. Your vagus nerve and gut have a strong connection. You do need to talk to a knowledgable doctor (most aren't) to work this out. Also, when i get a panic attack i have to poop. It's not uncommon with anxiety but I don't have anxiety. You very well may be having a panic attack onset without realizing it until you get the urgent need to poop. Or, it could be a gut issue causing the panic attack as you suspect. what I suggest is monitoring your heart rate variable throughout the day and doing things to activate your parasympathetic nervous system as a discipline. there are books about the vagus nerve and gut connection if you'd like to read them. people ask what a panic attack is like and this is how i describe mine: choking on air, heart attack, sensations all over the body, restriction, nervous system attack, and the moment you realize you're dying. I'm so sorry you are going through this, bit maybe its a gut issue causing the panic attack and you'll be able to stop it in its tracks. i hope that for you and wish you the best. when i get a PA, I breathe in my nose 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds, breathe out my mouth 6 seconds, hold 4 seconds. It often takes 20-30 minutes to be able to do those counts, but i get there. also, i shock the nervous system with ice. some people do face dunks in ice water. personally, i have to walk until it calms down. sitting is a no-no for me. i will go outside and ground as well. my best advice is to do what you instinctually do as long as you are not doing something to agitate your sympathetic nervous system. last, make a journal when it happens so you can help your doctor help you.
sasical72 Bluecrayon
Posted
Thank you for such a detailed thoughtful reply. I definitely know what anxiety and panic feels like and I know for sure, in this case, that the need for a bowel movent somehow activates something.
I will follow all your tips.
Thanks again!
anna22285 sasical72
Edited
Oh my gosh this is happening to me. it started a month ago and i have a full panic attack every time I need to move my bowels. i have panic attacks at other things too but the bowel one has really caught me off guard and they feel so awful. I always feel like I am going to faint. Tingly in my mouth. I have to lay down or sit down multiple times on my way to a bathroom (if its far away) or I am certain I will faint. As soon as I finish the bowel movement the feeling of impending doom is gone and slowly the panic fades. So frustrating as I have my other 'triggers' sorted now but pooing isnt something i can avoid haha
sasical72 anna22285
Posted
Hi there,
Sorry this is happening to you, it's just horrible! any ideas on what might have brought it on for you?
anna22285 sasical72
Edited
I have no idea but it started as my anxiety got much worse. I have always handled my anxiety without medication but recently its escalated to a point where it was becoming debilitating so I have started lexapro with my doctor.
I also agree that its the bowel movement triggering the anxiety and not the other way around as my bowels are quite regular and that hasnt changed.
sasical72 anna22285
Posted
Mmm I see...Such a mistery. Most (but not all) of us who have this have anxiety. But I can't make out why I only have it when my body is preparing for a bowel movement.
I mean I did have a few very bad experiences that might have made me afraid and therefore sensitized to pooping but it somehow really feels physical. Because I can be happily going about my business and boom, I suddenly get the sinking feeling, sob, start shaking, sweating...and then I can fell the poop moving down (sorry for TMI hehe). Or sometimes I just go really dizzy and my legs turn to jelly and I find it hard to stand...and then I feel the poop.