IBS with syncope from pain?

Posted by celli @celli, Jan 20 12:24pm

Did anyone experience crucial pain with IBS. I fainted for 10 minutes because of the pain . My doctor called it syncope. Help

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Hi, @celli - I see you are relatively new to Mayo Clinic Connect, so welcome. What I did was to move your post about IBS and syncope into its own discussion within the Digestive Health support group, as I thought this topic merited its own discussion.

Tagging a few members who know about IBS and may be familiar with syncope from IBS-related pain @vanessab @cheyne @aegis1952. @cindychesler @astaingegerdm @sbbxl @researchmaven @gardeningjunkie @gidalsy @hopeseeker and @jlharsh also may have some thoughts for you.

Were you injured when you fainted from the pain? Was someone able to come help you quickly?

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I was with my husband when it happened but he was in the garage he went upstairs I was lying already in the bathroom and awake but my whole body was aching he gave me Tylenol and it helps then I was able to go emergency had ct scan and no problems at all.!I hit my head on the side of the tub just a little bit of bruises and Thank God I am okay.

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Profile picture for celli @celli

I was with my husband when it happened but he was in the garage he went upstairs I was lying already in the bathroom and awake but my whole body was aching he gave me Tylenol and it helps then I was able to go emergency had ct scan and no problems at all.!I hit my head on the side of the tub just a little bit of bruises and Thank God I am okay.

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Oh, @celli I am so, so sorry you experienced so much pain from your IBS. Losing consciousness must have been scary. I am glad @lisalucier tagged me because I relate to not understanding what is happening in your body.

Do you mind sharing a bit of your background with your IBS and how it fits with your general health? It will help others understand more how to comment, to learn more about symptoms you’ve experienced and how you have approached trying to improve your quality of life.

You mention your doctor saying your experience was called syncope. Did your doctor have thoughts as to why it happened? What is next? I so want to help you from my own experience if I can. I guess my big question is, when you say ‘help’…..what is the number 1 thing you need help with right now?

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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.

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Thank you for sharing your experience with syncope the pain is very crucial . My gastrointestinal Doctor ordered lots of test so far they are all clear waiting for mri next month, you mentioned about losartan I am taking it for my blood pressure .My ibs started 3 years ago after having whipple surgery so far I have two attacks already . Hopefully, it will not happen again. Thanks.

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Profile picture for ikmoatpoepe @ikmoatpoepe

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.

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@ikmoatpoepe vasovagal nerve syncope came to mind when I read @celli’s and your posts. I have had such attacks - though not as often as yours - only when on a new prescription and have had to stop the medication.

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Profile picture for ikmoatpoepe @ikmoatpoepe

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.

Jump to this post

@ikmoatpoepe as I read all that you have been through I thought about how I am NOT the same person I used to be and it almost feels like PTSD. The mind ,soul can only deal with do much pain and fear of it returning. I didnt think anyone else felt like this bc my family all have not experienced severe ,death impeding fear and just dont get how bad it is. Prayers you will find an md who listens and research for you.

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