Panic attacks

[Evan48]

Hi guys, I get terrible panic attacks with my IBS. Does anyone else get them, and if so, have you any tips to pass on?

[immysmum]

Hi, get your cortisol levels checked, when I suffered from IBS with panic/anxiety attacks, my cortisol levels were very high, now they are lower, I don't suffer at all. If you google IBS cortisol on the web, you will see that there is a strong link between them, i.e. a lot of people suffering from IBS have high cortisol levels, especially if your attacks happen in the morning. Best way to do it is through a saliva test, Genova diagnostics do them for £75, hope this helps

[Evan48 in reply to immysmum]

Hello immysmum. Thank you for this great piece of advice. I'll follow it up.

[fenbadger]

interesting . . . I get anxious when I know I'm going out for a long time and take extra meds as a precaution, then when I've done all in mitigation that I can my reaction is the inappropriate "oh sh*t"

Sorry, no practical help.

[Petal25]

Hi, last year I used to have panic attacks and ibs bouts every single day! Today, I'd say both are under control ( happens around once a month, and less intense).

What really helped me is a combination of vegetarian diet ( yes, contrary to fodmaps) and EFT (tapping) technique. I never thought I could have results like that! Everyone's different, but I highly recommend you to try both! For diet, it's better to consult a dietitian, and for tapping, do a research on the internet. I recommend to find a therapist to work with for maximum results.

I definitely know how you feel, as I've been in the same boat for 2 years. Literally, couldn't live my life.

[daisie2013]

I recommend deep calming belly breaths, when you feel panicky your breathing automatically becomes very shallow which just makes you feel worse. If you can train yourself to try & keep calm & take some deep breaths it really does help, not easy I know but worth mastering. There's lots of help on the web & cd's, I've practised yoga for decades but you need to find a teacher that suits you. I've found the fodmap diet extremely beneficial too but IBS is still a daily battle, mentally & physically, try not to let it get you down.

[Hidden]

Are your symptoms diarrhorea based ? If so the panic attacks could be caused by worrying about where the nearest toilet is.

Firstly have you tried eliminating food groups to see what you might be intolerant to. If you suffer from diarrhorea lactose and dairy might be the problem If you try eliminating all lactose/dairy from your diet you should do this for at least 3/4 weeks.

Also you could get a RADAR key which will open any disabled toilet. Here is the link

crm.disabilityrightsuk.org/...

[Hidden]

Hi Evan I get panic attacks when my IBS gets quite severer I think with me I start to worry I'm going to end up at AE.But like a lot of people say deep breaths but with a panic attack if your like me you find you can't take deep breaths get your wife to say IN-OUT aloud that seems to work for me.When I was in Hostpital with an Emphesema attack that's what a nurse told my husband to do .It seems like when someone is saying it aloud to you it works.Best of luck I know how it feels when you can't breath properly.

[Evan48]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the helpful advice. You've certainly given me a few pointers to try - get the breathing under control, get cortisol levels checked, try food-mapping etc. I need to start doing something and all your practical tips are a good staring point.

[Hidden]

I do also but I think mine may be caused by hiatus hernia,has anyone heard of this?

[foxkennedy21]

Yes I can understand that - If I've being ill for a while I'm terrified to eat because if I do I can get terrible diarrhoea! I think we both need help to stop them I'm trying a Bach rescue remedy and for years now I still carry Lavender oil, gin--gins and Eucalyptus oil, they help to a certain extent but I'd just like to take no medication and live off natural things!