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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think fainting when having a poo every now and again is normal (for me)?

81 replies

faintingontheloo · 22/12/2022 21:54

TMI warning lol.

Ever since I was a teenager I have very sporadically had bowel movements that have caused me to faint whilst on the loo (sense of doom, cold sweat followed by collapsing), usually after diarrhoea. It happens very infrequently, maybe once every 2-5 years. I remember Googling it when I was around 16 and reading about vasovagal syncope and just accepting that that was what it was and never thinking much of it.

This year it has happened 3 times, alongside some other symptoms so I went to the GP and a stool test showed high inflammation, and it has made me wonder if the fainting is linked to the cause of the inflammation. The GP didn't seem really seem interested in the fainting, so AIBU to think it's just normal for me to faint from this? I don't have low blood pressure

OP posts:

JanesSadLittleLife · 22/12/2022 22:35

I posted about a similar experience here a few years ago - I was baffled because I fainted FIRST and couldn't work out if it was because I was about to have an unexpected attack of violent diarrhoea, or that I had sudden diarrhoea from the shock of fainting!

I'd gone to the bathroom for a perfectly normal BM but was abruptly drenched in cold sweat. I tried to stagger to get fresh air and down I went.

We were in a small camper van at the time, and collapsing/getting the shits in there is no joke let me tell you.

I have IBS, all tests are normal.

BabyOnBoard90 · 22/12/2022 22:36

Do you strain rather hard to force an expulsion?

Pearl664 · 22/12/2022 22:36

ILoveeCakes · 22/12/2022 22:33

I've had some emotional jobbies in my time. Eye watering in fact. But you appear to be describing something different.

It's years since I heard the word jobbie. Makes me miss my dad!

TellMeWhere · 22/12/2022 22:42

I've never fainted on the loo, but can get very lightheaded and fainty if I've got a dodgy tum brewing. Usually completely fine once toilet time has concluded.

APJ1 · 22/12/2022 22:46

I have IBS and if something gives me diarrhoea, I tend to get all those other symptoms you talk about. It's definitely a vasovagal response.

Eatentoomanyroses · 22/12/2022 22:49

I get this with diarrhoea as well. I have to lie on the floor sometimes in between

Fraaahnces · 22/12/2022 22:50

It’s not actually normal. Vasovagal syncope tends to happen in the very elderly who are usually on high dose blood pressure meds. I would definitely consider getting this checked out. I would also consider taking a stool softener so that you’re not pushing so hard.

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 22/12/2022 23:08

You need to ask your GP to refer you to a colorectal specialist at your local hospital - they'll probably give you a colonoscopy (which is awful) but can detect anything that might need attention.
Please go and get it sorted out x

TiredyMcTired · 22/12/2022 23:16

You mention that you had some ‘other symptoms’ - what were they? If you had pain, diarrhoea, blood and/or mucus in your poo then it sounds like you could have Crohns or Ulcerative Colitis. I’ve had UC for over 30 years, and when the diarrhoea kicks in I always pass out, multiple times. It’s a horrible feeling. If you have had tests back which show high inflammation I don’t understand why your GP has not referred you for further tests, a colonoscopy as a minimum. Please go back to your GP and push to get this checked.

Original poster

faintingontheloo · 22/12/2022 23:18

I have a referral to gastroenterology anyway due to having high inflammation and a few episodes of blood in my stool, so I will definitely mention it. I just never really thought much about it but now I'm thinking back and wondering if this is all linked with the fainting.

It is an awful experience, I can't begin to describe how awful it feels. My hearing starts to go funny, my body feels like it's falling, I become drenched in sweat and feel like I'm dying. All I can do is pray for the feeling to stop.

OP posts:

Suzi888 · 22/12/2022 23:19

Once- I was early twenties. Sudden loss of blood pressure (too many drinkies/lack of food after clubbing).

Drink water before getting up, I would also say see a gp -it’s dangerous.

Original poster

faintingontheloo · 22/12/2022 23:19

TiredyMcTired · 22/12/2022 23:16

Yes I have a referral for a colonoscopy

OP posts:

Herejustforthisone · 22/12/2022 23:35

It’s not common but it’s not dangerous, unless you hit your head on the tiles. It’s a vasovagal response. Look up the vasovagal nerve. I know someone who has a full tonic-clonic seizure if she vomits. After much investigation, turns out it’s that.

Herejustforthisone · 22/12/2022 23:38

Vagus nerve, sorry.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 22/12/2022 23:40

I faint a hell of a lot from vasovagal syncope - seeing blood, feeling too hot, shock etc cause it.

It's never ever happened to me on the loo.

TitsInAbsentia · 22/12/2022 23:42

Dilbertian · 22/12/2022 22:13

No idea, but just wanted to say that I often get cold sweats, fuzzy-headed, and a dreadful sense of doom just before diarrhoea. Especially if the diarrhoea is unexpected. I've often wondered why.

That sounds like gastric dumping, I get that if I've had a lot of sugar or fatty food usually, it's not nice at all :(

SKIPWAY · 22/12/2022 23:44

I have done this maybe 10 times in 25 years, once breaking my wrist other than the broken wrist I was told its pretty harmless and not to worry.

fUNNYfACE36 · 22/12/2022 23:46

Yes often feel faint and clammy after an episode of bad diarrhoea, also after a bout of vomiting

CatsTheWayToDoIt · 22/12/2022 23:47

Id get checked out. On the traitors yesterday the contestant Maddy, a care home worker, was saying that so many people die on the loo because of the extra strain- so fainting doesn’t sound good! No idea if shes right.

fuzzyelbow · 22/12/2022 23:50

I have this semi regularly (maybe once a year) and it's been diagnosed as a vasovagal syncope. Can also be triggered by vomiting for me, but more frequently when I poo. The sense of feeling like I'm going to die is the worst of it. These days, I just lie down flat when I feel it coming on. My blood pressure comes back up, and I'm fine again in 5-10 mins.

Namechange600 · 22/12/2022 23:51

Another one saying endometriosis- could be on the bowel causing severe pain
also autonomic dysfunction
I have both. I know the feeling you describe

Clicheinaqashqai · 22/12/2022 23:57

I am coeliac and get this of I accidentally eat gluten. I go super hot and clammy, faint feeling and then spend the next few days in the close vicinity of a toilet. I get a few cramps beforehand but the then mostly come after this. Could be a possibility?

alltoomuchrightnow · 23/12/2022 00:07

Happened to me several times but not for years.
Not from diarrhoa either or constipation but definitely gas pains
The last time was the longest ..about 20 minutes out

Marmite17 · 23/12/2022 00:15

Doesn't sound remotely normal to me. Think Id be pushing for more help /reason via GP

AliceMcK · 23/12/2022 00:18

Have gastro problems and regularly feel faint, dizzy, weak, shaky but never passed out. There are times I’ve felt like I might and have crawled into the show or bath during a V&D session. I’ve always just put it down to my body just dealing with what ever is causing my V&D, like when people pass out when they are in a lot of pain.

I fainted a lot as a teenager but with the exception of a bad flu once I’d always related the fainting to my periods, loss of blood and horrendous pain.

Drs have said my DD has vasovagal syncope, she’s passed out loads of times in different circumstances, had dozens of tests, nothing found so Drs have put it down to vasovagal syncope.

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