Dizzy when I open bowls

[Edgar77]

I can get very dizzy when I open my bowels even when it's very little effort. Other times I can use a lot of effort (and need to) without going dizzy. This makes no sense to me. All I can think is that it has something to do with the Vegas nerve.

[Maureen1958]

Hi Edgar77

I started looking into the vagus nerve about 10 years ago. Here are a few useful articles about how it works. You may be interested in them.

ctvnews.ca/health/fainting-...

medicinenet.com/defecation_...

health.clevelandclinic.org/...

psychologytoday.com/us/basi...

Maureen

[Luisa22]

I remember one time in 2018, when I'd only had a few instances of IBS at that time, and not frequently. I ate a little bit of dinner and about 9pm had a sudden urge to go to the loo. That was so unusual for me at that time of day. And when I went, it wasn't even diarrhea or constipation but I got these really awful feelings, dizzy and hot and sweaty, shaking all over, heart racing, hands trembling and couldn't think or focus, felt like my vision was whiting-out. I was so scared and didn't know what was happening to me! I wondered if I was going to die, I felt that bad.

I just braved it out, came out of the bathroom and had a brandy with some sugar in it! I was fine again in 5 minutes, and went out for a little evening walk. I never knew what happened to me that evening.

It's only recently I have learned that it could have been what's called a vagal nerve spasm. It's never happened since.