Extreme IBS Flare Up

[Jessie_Lou]

Hi, I have just joined this forum as I’m looking for some support and to see if anyone else has experienced the exact same extreme symptoms as me.

On Friday night I had the worst IBS flare up I’ve had for years. Here is what happened.

I was sat watching tv perfectly fine, all of sudden I developed excruciating pain in my lower abdomen. My husband had to help me to the bathroom and within about 30 seconds of the pain starting I completely blacked out. My husband couldn’t wake me for about 20 seconds. I scared him half to death. He said my eyes rolled and my face turned grey. When I finally came round I vomited a lot then had diarrhoea. I went between vomiting and having diarrhoea, sometimes at the same time, for the next half an hour. The pain was so horrendous and I felt so ill I literally felt like I could die, I know that sounds dramatic but at the time that’s how it felt. I even struggled to breathe properly because I was in so much pain. It eventually stopped and I felt so exhausted afterwards. Ever since I have had a very sore tummy and back, like I’d been kicked in the guts. That is now getting better.

This has happened before, last time about 3 years ago. I think this is the worst episode though. In general I get flare ups quite regularly where I have really bad pain and diarrhoea but ones where I pass out like this thankfully only once every couple of years or so. After numerous tests etc and doctors telling me it’s ‘just ibs’ I’m not totally convinced. How can it cause such a violent and sudden reaction?

Has anyone else ever experienced the same as this? I am feeling so fed up of living with this.

[Jill777]

I wish i could help you . I have never experienced what you have gone through. It sounds awful and i do feel so sorry for you. I have not long been diagnosed with IBS but my experiences of it although horrible for me or not half as serious as yours. I really hope someone on here can give you some advice. I find it hard that there is no real support medically for people with IBS . It seems a case of having tests to confirm it then away you go with a FODMAP diet sheet and a packet of Imodium tablets. Best wishes to you.

[Jessie_Lou in reply to Jill777]

Hi Jill, thanks for your reply. I sincerely hope you never go through it too, believe me it’s one of the worst and scariest experiences I think you can go through. I agree, there doesn’t seem to be much support as it’s not like IBD where there is obvious inflammation they can treat. With IBS you have tests and everything comes back normal which can be so frustrating when you are suffering so much. The FODMAP diet is a waste of time for me. I still don’t know of any triggers for me. My flare ups are so random and out of the blue, there is no correlation with food I have eaten so can’t avoid certain things. Take Friday for example, I didn’t eat anything that I haven’t eaten hundreds of times before and been fine with. I hope you are able to control your symptoms as best you can. I wouldn’t wish this condition on anyone. Take care x

[LCat in reply to Jessie_Lou]

Jesse_Lou, I also tried the low FODMAP diet twice. It took 7 months on the Low FODMAP diet until I got better. Therefore I always had the suspicion that the FODMAP diet had nothing to do with it.

[bornagain47]

Hi Jessie Lou . So sorry you are suffering so much . Ibs is a horrible syndrome , causes so much distress , pain , and anxiety . I think the reason you may have blacked out is because the vagus nerve had kicked in and caused your blood pressure to drop . This can happen in those with Ibs . It happened to me a couple times . Do a wee Google search about vasovagal syncope . Hope this helps and reassures you . Take care . God bless .

[Jessie_Lou in reply to bornagain47]

Hi bornagain, thanks for your reply. I have heard the term vasovagal so I think it’s time I did a bit more research into that. It would make sense, my vision went all purple and fuzzy and I had a loud ringing in my ears just before I blacked out. I’ve read those are also symptoms. I’m sorry that you have had to go through this too, do you agree that it is one of the most scary experiences you could have? I also suffer from anxiety which I don’t think helps at all with anything! Take care x

[Kilgh in reply to Jessie_Lou]

When I read that I thought Vagal nerve too. But I have never heard such a severe case. What sort of tests have you had? It sounds a bit like a rarer form of Migraine too. Abdominal Migraine. Especially when the pain and vomiting and shortish duration.

[Kilgh in reply to Jessie_Lou]

americanmigrainefoundation....

[bornagain47 in reply to Jessie_Lou]

Hi Jessie Lou . Yes it can be a scary experience , specially when you suffer with anxiety as well . Read up on the vagus nerve and how it can affect our tummies . I suffer with health anxiety which doesn't help Ibs . I have ordered some CBD oil as I have heard it can help with anxiety , I don't want to take pharmaceutical drugs . So hopefully this will help . Hope you are feeling better today . This is a good support group , you are not alone . God bless

[weegmack]

I’m so sorry you had such a distressing and terrible experience 😕. I have had episodes of extreme pain, in which I’ve needed help to walk to get to the bathroom. However, I have never passed out or vomited with these episodes of pain. Just had mega diarrhoea!

Is there any possibility that you could have a stomach bug? I know it can be hard to tell the difference between and IBS flare-up and a gastrointestinal bug. They can take you completely unawares also.

Another thing I’m wondering is if you have diverticulitis? I have a friend who has that and when she has a flare-up, she has to bite down on something, the pain is so bad.

I hope you’re feeling a little better this morning xx

[Laxmik]

Hope you feel better!!! Maybe you should tell your doctor about the episode in detail. I am sure he will tell you it’s just ibs. But no harm in doing so. Take care.

[LCat]

Hi Jessie_Lou, I believe what bourneagain47 and Kilgh said is correct : yes it is very likely caused by an irritated Vagus Nerve. Even if doctors can’t find anything structurally wrong , nevertheless, the Vagus Nerve can cause havoc when it gets irritated. As you know they don’t know what IBS is, don’t know what causes it and therefore they can’t cure it nor treat it. I wouldn’t try any drugs : from own experience .... none of them work ... they just make things worse. I feel for you

[LCat]

and, by the way, the anxiety is also caused by the Vagus Nerve. Once the Vagus calms down ... the anxiety will instantly go. That was my own experience.

[martart]

Yes, I have experienced this numerous times . I have been living with IBS for decades now. Quality of life has gone to pot ( sorry , a little joke) . Sometimes I just have to back out of plans , but I have learned to do what I have to do and not worry about everyone else judging me. It is a long drawn out journey but you are not alone. After having this for a long time ,you really get to know your own symptoms. I always think , it could be a lot worse , at least it is not deadly ( although it feels like it is at times) . What I mean by that, for example, is, my husband has dealt with 3 different cancers now, so that really puts things in perspective for me. Hope you can take the good days you have, and run with them , they are great ! The bad days , just baby yourself and take good care of yourself. Hang in there , and talk when you need to. Best wishes !

[Jessie_Lou]

Hi everyone, thanks for your messages. It has been so interesting to read everyone else’s experiences. I spoke to my doctor today on the phone then went and had a blood test. He also wants to see me on Friday if possible so he can examine me to see if there’s any need to refer me to the hospital for more tests.

I have had so many tests over the years, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopies, endoscopy, Barium X-ray, swallowed a capsule camera...I feel like I’ve had everything. The first sigmoidoscopy showed signs of inflammation but then further tests didn’t show anything. Well confused!

It definitely sounds like the vagus nerve that makes me pass out. I have passed out with period pain too which I assume is down to my endometriosis.

I don’t think it was a stomach bug as it felt like episodes I’ve had before. I haven’t been sick or had diarrhoea since.

I am going to ask my doctor about abdominal migraine and diverticulitis and see if he thinks either of those could be the cause.

Will keep you all updated. Thanks again everyone x

[Frillylili]

Just had this happen last night, minus the passing out. Exhausted & resting in bed today. It is rare, but the times it happens I diffnitly see my diet has been very poor about two weeks prior.

[Jessie_Lou in reply to Frillylili]

Hi Frilly, I’m sorry you’ve had a flare up too, I really feel for you. It’s so horrible. I hope you are feeling a bit better now. I’ve been trying to eat sensibly lately so who knows what caused my flare up. Take care x

[Blackcloud]

I sympathize. 6 weeks ago I woke up on a Monday morning with excruciating stomach pains. I was sweating felt weak. My IBS/diverticulitis flared up completely out of the blue. Only these last few days have I felt reasonably well. I had a poo test & blood tests all came back negative which I suppose is a good thing. Saw my GP today she is happy that it has now settled down. If it hadn't I would have had to have another colonoscopy. It is so baffling because what upsets you one day will not upset you another time. Friends,family get abit fed up with me cancelling things but I can't go out feeling like that. I sometimes think that they think I'm putting it on as if!!! It is so debilitating.

[Jessie_Lou in reply to Blackcloud]

Hi Blackcloud, poor you, sounds vile! Glad you didn’t have to have another colonoscopy, I always say the preparation is worse than the actual procedure. I agree, it’s completely baffling that the same things don’t affect you every time. It’s then so hard to pinpoint what you should avoid. Yes people who don’t have it really don’t understand. I’m lucky I have a supportive family who know how much I struggle with this. What worries me is work, when you have flare ups and have to call in sick etc. I always wonder if they are thinking ‘god she’s off sick again’! I also suffer with migraines so have to take time off when I get one of those too. That in turn stresses you out and cranks up your anxiety. It’s just one big massive vicious circle!! x