Hello, have been reading all the posts a few months, trying to learn how others cope. My IBS started 10 years ago, from having to take iron pills for anemia for almost a year. No constipation, but right away loose bowels. It continued when my hemoglobin was back to normal and could stop the iron. It has been miserable all those years, many times explosive diarrhea, sometimes missing the toilet, getting splatters on the walls and into my bedroom. Adhering to the FODMAP diet. Trying prescription medication, that does not change anything. After an outing with my 4 grandsons, having to jump out of the car, hoping to make it to the bushes. Too late! Had to summon the oldest grandson ( 16 ) to bring me my emergency bag. My pants full, even my Crocs full. Only able to clean up somewhat, rinsing Crocs in the creek. Put on clean underwear and drove home that way. A few years back my BP was slowly climbing, another med added, later even one more and first two increased. In November of 2024 a sudden scary attack. Light headed, sweating, heart racing, terrible abdominal pain, WHILE on the toilet having a BM. ( I had terrible periods since 11 years old, used to severe pains, so bad my mother sometimes calling the doctor). Feeling very weak, can’t speak or holler for help, i made it to the bed somehow, collapsing. Intense colicky pains lasting for about an hour. My kids had wondered where I disappeared to…. I thought I’m going to die, today. Alone. They wanted to call ambulance, but pain was waning some. Very slowly im becoming more myself, pain had been like a horse kicking down the stall. My voice comes back, my hair and body slowly dries up. But still have to lay down about 2 hours to recuperate. Feeling I just got ran over by a truck and kicked by a steer. About every two months, I had several more attacks, for a total of 7, always while having a BM. I never have to strain, stool is always from barely formed to soft, to mushy to liquid. Have had a GI doctor for many years, for diverticulitis and needing colonoscopies since my late 40s. Now 80. Also every 6:months to my Cardiologist. Had shared and explained the scary attacks with him and my Primary. My main DX is high BP, Atrial Fibrillation, diabetes controlled with diet now, high cholesterol. ordered 4 different tests, to make sure my issues were not caused by my heart: all were normal. Both suggested I go to ER during my next attack. Discussed with both that I think my attacks are caused by my Vagus Nerve not receiving enough blood, it being directed to my heart and my brain. I had discovered at home that my BP was too low, also told them I had lost weight. But poopoohed by both. I had entered all info into AI, esp the three BP meds, amounts , my age and my weight. First advice was that the meds were too much! By the time of the first ER visit, my worst symptoms were gone, I could talk and explain, DX was VasoVagal Syncope. I tried to tell him: “ I have had fainting spells since I was 11, you either lay down or put head between your knees and it is pretty much over, feeling better again, not lasting an hour w the severe symptoms and forced to rest still longer after the very worst is over” . . Nobody caught that my weight and medications were too much. A few months later during a family visit i had another attack, two in one week! They called the ambulance. The ER doctor eventually came back after labs, CT scan and ordered to stop all three meds. The next week back to both doctors and both agreed to stop all three meds ( losartan, HCTZ and metaprolol ). Have not had another attack. Yet. Maybe never! I’m sorry this is so long, my children say that I’m long winded…it s true.