1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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

Prev Next
  • jaime04026
    jaime04026 sasical72

    Edited

    Yes i have had this many times in my 30s and now in my 40s its not all the time but occasionally i get this. it starts off with the doom feeling then racing heart and sweating feels like im having a panic attack but then 3 to 5 minutes in i have to have a bowel movement (never diarrhea) and then its gone. My drs cannot figure it out but i think its the vagus nerve. when i have an episode i just lie flat and breathe and let it pass. it is definitely unpleasant.

    • sasical72
      sasical72 jaime04026

      Edited

      Thank you for your input! Most definitely unpleasant and also really scary (at least for me). Lying flat, breathing and letting it pass is what I do if it happens when at home.

      Today for me was hell, I'm on holiday at a ski resort, it happened to me 6 times, yes 6!!! I pooped 6 times and every time it felt like I was going to drop dead, so I was not able to go on the ski slopes, it is really limiting my life so much 😦

      Any suggestions anyone? doctors have none.

      Thanks X

    • Rintinitina
      Rintinitina sasical72

      Edited

      Hi Sasical72!

      I fully understand you. I have been trying to drink warm mint tea or drink lately when I have this seizure. It seems to help a bit. I do not give advice, just share my experience.

      I am still waiting for answers on the effects of hormones.

      Best,

      R

    • JimMc
      JimMc sasical72

      Edited

      Sounds like you're going through the ringer. Have you tried PPIs, i was using them and they stopped the extreme episodes i was experiencing. I used Lansoprazole 30mg once in the mornings for about 2 months until things settled. The effect was immediate, it didnt take away all of the symptoms but it stopped the BM induced panic.

      Im still suffering albeit less frequently. I have about 1 severe episode a month. Awaiting a colonoscopy.

    • sasical72
      sasical72 JimMc

      Posted

      Thanks for that info. If PPIs stopped the symptoms that means they were acid induced symptoms? interesting.

      Good luck with your colonoscopy and please come back with any findings.

    • JimMc
      JimMc sasical72

      Edited

      Not sure how the PPIs are controlling it. They reduce the acid and gas production. I think my chest pains and panic are induced by trapped gas.

      It's possible from what I've read that excess stomach acid can cause the cricopharyngeal valve to stop functioning correctly so possibly causing trapped gas in my stomach and throat, but it often feels like I get relief when I feel the pressure releasing further down. Possibly at the duodenum?

      PPIs are also known to reduce the symptoms of infection. But most of the doctors I've spoken to do not believe the problems I am experiencing are related to an infection.

      I had the colonoscopy yesterday evening. I had to prepare 2 days prior following a restricted diet of just white meat (turkey) and white bread, no fruits or veg, nothing else. For 24 hours prior I had to fast, and take a strong laxative called Moviprep that completely flushed my bowel. This was effective but I felt as though my anus wouldn't relax when I was passing material.

      I've had increased symptoms this month, with one significant episode on 6th which was panic inducing, 2 moderate episodes, and daily symptoms of dizziness and stomach discomfort following BM.

      I continued experiencing symtpoms when my bowel was empty in the 24 hours prior to the colonoscopy. Bloating, and dizziness, although they were less severe.

      The colonoscopy was fairly unpleasant, quite painful at times. They found and removed a 5 mm sessile polyp at my terminal ileum which according to a website, is past the ileocecal valve at the far end of the large intestine.

      I didn't have sedation and quite enjoyed watching the guy work on the monitor when I wasn't in blinding pain.

      Sessile polyps are quite hard to find from what I've read, and it just looks like a small fat build up on the wall of the intesting, not what I was expecting in terms of appearance. Makes me think though if he found this right at the entrance of the small intesting, whether there could be lots of these and a problem further along. The only way they could detect these is with a pill camera which you swallow. Not sure if I will be given this option or discouraged from further investigation as they have done so far.

      The polyp is being sent off for test along with 4 random biopsies but the doctor said the findings are unremarkable, nothing to worry about.

      Additionally my report says I have small piles which the doctor has described as tender. I'm not sure if he removed these or not as he did not discuss this part with me. I will try to inspect at some point.

      I've continued to be symptomatic today, but its been fairly mild. I wonder if -- as my stomach and bowel fill up again -- it will return to the previous severity, I expect it might.

      By the way, I've found when I'm on the toilet and having a BM, if I maintain an upright posture keeping my back straight, I seem to be less prone to panic, the panic sensation seems to come on when I lean forwards with my elbows on my thighs and pressure on my stomach.

    • sasical72
      sasical72 JimMc

      Posted

      Thank you Jim for such a detailed account, I find details to be important because maybe one day in a little detail we might find a solution.

      It's interesting what you mention about leaning back on the toilet because over time I am more and more convinced that it is the bowel putting pressure on some nerve ending or something like that, as it is when the poop reaches a certain point in my stomach or bowel that it sets off my symptoms, it's almost like a light switch.

      Hope you don't go back to being worse and that clearing your bowels out for the colonoscopy will hopefully give you some long term relief.

  • mike40848
    mike40848 sasical72

    Edited

    I have been experiencing the same symptoms you're describing for about 10 years. The only things I can do to find relief is to lay on my back, bend my knees, and palpate my abdomen where the toxic feeling is radiating from. This feels like it's moving whatever is in my colon along the tract, and even causes any gas that's creating pressure to be released. It can take a long time, sometimes an hour or more of just finding comfortable positions and trying to move waste through the area before the waves of doom fully stop. I've completely changed my diet to avoid foods that I associate with the feeling. Food allergies like dairy or eggs can make this happen really bad. Take deep breaths and remind yourself it will pass!

    • sasical72
      sasical72 mike40848

      Posted

      Oh wow! sorry to hear you have had this for so many years and that you have such a bad time. And thank you for the tips!! will give them a try x

  • Hiddenhidden224
    Hiddenhidden224 sasical72

    Edited

    has anyone found a reasoning to this ? im going insane

    • sasical72
      sasical72 Hiddenhidden224

      Posted

      Hi,

      Nope, not found a solution yet, still searching, having said that, for the past couple of weeks I have been better (touch a lot of wood) and the only thing I have been doing is seeing an osteopath.

      It does drive one insane...

    • sasical72
      sasical72 Hiddenhidden224

      Posted

      Don't be terrified, it will get better eventually, especially if you are only 19, your body is fit to recover

  • satra22071
    satra22071 sasical72

    Posted

    Omg! I don't know why but I am relieved that I came across your post. I have been experiencing this for almost 2 years now. It just happened again, got the urge to poop, but it has since faded away and now I have a tension headache. When this first started happening, I was treated for Vitamin B deficiency. Now the gastroenterologist believes that it is anxiety and has asked me to see a psychologist. I had my first visit with the psychologist last week friday and my second will be next week.

    I am hoping for some sort of relief from this, because now I am scared to poop, lol. I have also tried changing my diet. I am trying to cut out meat and dairy, I have found the symptoms are happening less often, ie. not everyday. But I wish one day to find a way for it to go away completely.

    Wishing the best to you and everyone else going through this.

    It sucks!

  • Bubblebear
    Bubblebear sasical72

    Edited

    Oh my, I am so glad that i have come across this page, i thought that i was the only one.

    this has been happening to me for years now, ive had numerous tests and no solution.

    my symptoms come out of absolutely nowhere...my ears start ringing and feel extremely full, sinking feeling in my stomach, severe dizziness and the feeling that my heart is going to stop...straight after i poop or force myself to burp constantly for a long period the symptoms subside but i am just left feeling drained.

    my last doctors appointment 2 years ago she mentioned anxiety but i told her that these were actual physical symptoms...i suffer from ibs so she didnt know if it was the ibs causing anxiety or the other way around. she prescribed me with some anxiety medication but i had an extreme allergic reaction and ended up in hospital which was super scary...ive been waiting for CBT for almost 2 years now....going back to the doctors on wednesday as i simply cant cope anymore 😢

    • sasical72
      sasical72 Bubblebear

      Posted

      Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time with it. It really is horrible isn't it?

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.