Sweating, dizziness and nearly fainting during a bowel movement - AIBU to be fed up

[bri4]

Around once every 2 weeks I have been having these episodes where I get intense stomach cramps in the middle of my stomach, I go to the loo and have diarrhoea and I will be dripping in sweat, my hearing goes and I will either faint or come close to fainting.

I've been to the GP about it and had high inflammation in my stool test so they referred me for a colonoscopy which came back normal so I was discharged. I live in fear of these episodes happening, and if I know I need to go out somewhere I won't eat anything to try and reduce the likelihood of an episode.

I've kept a food diary but there is no clear pattern as I tend to eat the same kinds of things most days.

I'm so fed up of it controlling my life and not having a clue what causes it

I have this. It is IBS. I manage it with Mebeverine and immodium but its horrendous when it happens.

I used to have this until I went on HRT and it has completely stopped. It was so bad once an ambulance was called and on another occasion at the Eden project they offered to call their paramedic.

It happens to me sometimes to. There are varying degrees. Sometimes I have to lie on the bathroom floor in between cramps in case I pass out and fall off the toilet. Sometimes it's just a few rounds of cramps. I avoid known triggers for me (lots of fried food or strong cheese) but mostly just accept that it will happen occasionally. Obviously it's extremely unpleasant at the time but once I've had diarhheoa I'm fine again.

Gosh! So they just discharged you and that was that? I'm so sorry

High inflammatory markers can often be an indicator of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g ulcerative colitis) as can stomach cramps. But then the only way to diagnose is by colonoscopy so presumably they ruled that out. Sounds really difficult though. Maybe try the FODMAP approach where you elongate different food groups at a time to try to identify a potential trigger

Eliminate not elongate

I hear you, OP. YANBU. Time to get an appointment again and let them know how this is affecting your life and that you want a plan on how to fix this before you leave. Even if it is just more diagnoses that are eliminated, every step will get you closer to an answer.

You’re having a vasovagal response. But they should be investigating the cause.

I used to get this very frequently, it’s awful so I truly hope you find a solution. For me it was dairy-as soon as I stopped consuming dairy I haven’t had a single problem

Yes classic IBS, have you tried cutting out wheat based foods?

Its trial and error,, also not to sound patronising but make sure you dont wear too tight trousers or waistbands

I have this, it’s awful. I have IBS too, so completely sympathise.

Welcome to the world of bowel problems ☹️

OP I have IBS and diverticulitis. This is normal for me. Cutting out dairy, legumes, and certain root vegetables has helped a lot.

I have exactly the same issue at the moment, ended up in hospital as I fainted with the pain. Still awaiting the colonoscpy but they're also investing it being endometriosis effecting my bowels, maybe ask them to look into alternative causes

endometriosis on the bowel?

I’ve had this before and have suspected endometriosis. It always seemed to coincide with ovulation or being on my period (could this be the case for you if you say it’s every 2 weeks?)

Are you tracking back in the food diary enough? It can take up to 72 hours to have a non-ige reaction to food so it could be something you ate 3 days before the episode

I'm sure there was an episode of Scrubs where this happened to JD. Can't remember what they diagnosed him with though x

I have the same. However, the episodes just stopped on it's own. I don't think I did anything different. Doctor wasn't able to advise anything different than what has been mentioned here already.

I had tbis- it was a massive ovarian cyst in my case!

I had this about three or four times a week a few years ago. GP asked me to send in a stool sample and it turned out I had E-Coli. We think I picked it up from a city farm, but could have been anywhere.

I get similar. It seems to be a reaction to vegetarian cheese, in my case, particularly if it’s cooked. Just a suggestion.

I have this op when my crohns flares. A colonoscopy only looks at your large bowel and the last little bit of your small intestine, so does not necessarily rule out crohns, which can be anywhere from mouth to anus. You need a referral to a gastroenterologist, who can arrange imaging of the rest of your gut (MRI or pill camera). With an elevated calprotectin I’m surprised your gp didn’t refer you (except I’m not, as some people can wait years before diagnosis getting fobbed off).

Thank you all, my calprotectin was 1000+ so really high so I was surprised to be discharged, the gastroenterologist said was gastroenteritis. I did have blood in my stool on two different occasions a few months apart last year which they said was likely gastroenteritis. It was awful as I was passing blood every 30 minutes for around 2 days. I haven't had any blood since, so around 8 months now.

I've rang the GP a week ago to have another appointment but haven't heard back yet so will chase that up.