Is this normal to happen every few weeks? Warning: bowel related and a bit gross

[anxietyispartofme]

Every few weeks I have episodes where I get crippling stomach aches and need to go to the toilet urgently. It often happens when I am out of the house which causes a lot of panic if I can’t find a toilet within about a minute I will have an accident.

I don’t know why this is happening as there is no obvious pattern with diet etc. It really worries me incase it happens when I’m at the office as I know how easily and quickly an accident can happen when this starts.

It usually lasts about half an hour and requires a few toilet trips (sorry) but then I feel back to normal.

I am not sure what to do as I feel a bit silly telling the GP about something which happens fairly infrequently but I’m terrified it will happen when I’m in an embarrassing situation. Has anyone experienced anything similar and do you know what caused it?

I would start a very detailed diary - there will be triggers it’s just about spotting them. Stress, hormones, foods - write it all down then plug it into AI to ask for help to spot the patterns.

It basically sounds like IBS

I get something similar but usually only every few months..its very weird. When im on the toilet its so painful as well to the point i feel sick and dizzy. Ive never been to GP or worked out why it happens or been able to identify any triggers. Sorry not very helpful but I really empathise though ..

I would keep a diary, as suggested by PP, but rather than ask AI (or at least in addition to doing so), make an appointment with your GP to discuss it once you've got a bit more handle (or not) on what might be triggering it. Is there a toilet near your office at work? If not, is there some way you could mention your need to HR to get you closer to one?

Yes

i I have ibs

in my case it’s a reaction to foods I’ve eaten.

keep a food diary

Thanks all. @Octavia64how did you figure out it was ibs?

I started cutting stuff out and it got better.

If it’s every few weeks, is it linked to your periods? Many, many women get loose bowels at that time.

Yes I’ve had this - worse when I was in the throes of perimenopause. It’s terrifying as you get a few low down sharp pains and literally seconds later the torrent starts and you cannot stop it. It’s happened to me in work a few times and also when out and about. Going too long without food then eating a large rich meal can trigger it. Other than that I can’t pinpoint what it is.
I suffer with daily loose stool / multiple bm’s anyway so already have an IBS diagnosis. Culprits generally are too much dairy, chocolate, spicy food and too much food in general. Anxiety also plays it part a lot.

I get it sometimes and it's anxiety. Can always tell as it has a distinctively foul smell if it's anxiety related.

Oops wrong thread sorry!

What's going on during those episodes (painful stomach cramping, dizziness, feeling faint, sweating, gasping for breath, sudden bowel urgency) is basically a vasovagal nerve response to the bowel's sudden squeezing and stretching. Great big nerve going from the brain down to the gut, your bowel starts cramping and this nerve (sometimes) overreacts, sending blood down to this area, causing you to feel like you're about to pass out. As to what is causing the bowel to cramp in the first place, most commonly IBS, but it can also be the formation of diverticulae in the bowel (diverticulosis is a very common condition, mostly onsetting around age 40-50ish).

Mine happens more often than yours also get foul smelling wind as well, stools have changed also.

I kept a diet diary, didn’t really help.
My mum has diverticulitis.

Im nearly 60, definitely not menopause!

I do wonder if it could possibly be anxiety related due to my job, as it started about 3 years in and a change in my role.

So Monday I’m having a colonoscopy, will hopefully find out what’s going on in there.

Bite the bullet and go and see your Doctor!

I forgot to say, Buscopan is the (non-prescription) pill you need. As soon as you feel an episode starting, take one or two with a little water. It doesnt always work quite fast enough but mostly within 15 mins your gut starts to relax.

This happens to me too. But I asked my doctor to increase my Loperamide to 3 a day and am now pretty much back to normal.
What triggered it food wise was so hit and miss. Sometimes I'd be OK with fried onions, the next time not. I can eat curries and be constipated! Each and every time! Have too much chocolate and I'd be back and forth to the loo for half the next day.
It's worth seeing your GP though, it's affecting your life and your stress levels and that's not good. GPs see this kind of problem every day, so don't worry about that. Good luck x

I have a similar issue - had another episode today after a few weeks “off” and this time was quite out of the blue. It’s worth getting your thyroid checked, mine happens to be a bit up and down and could be related. Food and drink diary too - helped me realise apple juice sets me off, as well as chocolate :(
Definitely worth a chat with your GP - I found it reassuring to rule things out even if we haven’t worked it all out yet.

I have this issue.

I got an IBS diagnosis last year mid 50’s.

I remember there used to be a connection to my period.

TMI warning. Since menopause I have developed a more noticeable risk of constipation and have pinned this down to bread as the trigger and have a greater risk of embarrassing accidents of uncontrollable overflow if followed the next day with something sugary. Remembers, in public place, incident after sugary hot chocolate 😫

Thinking back I may have eaten more bread and chocolate around my period and also as comfort food in stressful times so maybe it was always the diet.

It was always always more of a problem on holiday due to holiday diet choices and so I no longer do the bagels in New York or the baguettes in France or pizza in Italy etc

I have been tested for coeliac twice but I am negative for that fortunately.