I have had IBS C for many years. I have had numerous tests all clear but recently I have been waking up with terrible stomach pains/cramps in the early hours and feel I need a bm but it never happens then. Also seems to be affecting my pee in the night. I struggle to get back to sleep. Eventually I normally have a bm after cup of tea and bit of toast around 8.00 am…then I normally have a reasonable day. I go to bed every night and start worrying about what the night has in store. It does not seem to matter what I eat and drink as long as I am sensible. I have tried taking all the normal potents in the night like Buscopan but nothing seems to help. I have 3/4 hrs of pain until a BM. I am so tired these days and very stressed! Any thoughts?
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Reindeer1
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This sounds a bit similar to what I suffer from. I was diagnosed as IBS-C with visceral hypersensitivity. This resulted in me having referred severe mid to lower back pain from the intestines any time from 2am to 5am onwards. This is when the bowel 'wakes up' and is at its most active to prepare for a BM the next morning. I linked this with food intolerances from IBS, since particular foods made it even worse.
When the bowel is active, it is sending nerve signals to the brain. The brain pain control centres should identify those signals as normal bowel action. However, with visceral hypersensitivity, the pain control neurons in the brain have been worn down by perhaps stress or PTSD or neglect in childhood. So there aren't enough of these neurons to work properly and identify these signals as something to ignore.
It also works the other way. For instance if you have a dominant bad bug in the gut, it can over sensitise the nerves in the gut, so that much more than normal signals are being sent to the brain. As you can imagine, if you have both lack of interpretation of bowel action as normal by the brain and extra signals coming up from the gut to the brain, this can amplify things making pain even worse.
The two things that have helped me most with this have been Alflorex probiotic, which has been scientifically studied for IBS, which helps to keep bad bugs in the gut under control and Linaclotide on prescription for IBS-C. Linaclotide also helps calm intestinal nerves. The full pain effects of Linaclotide take 10 weeks. For me, the Linaclotide reduced the pain by 50%-60%. When I added in Alflorex, the pain reduced to zero and only comes back when I am challenging my diet with new foods, but I can eat much more now without triggering the pain.
In terms of the brain interpreting the signals incorrectly, 10mg amitriptyline is meant to help with this pain and also aid pain control neurons to regenerate in 6-12 months. Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate this and it can make constipation worse so maybe not so great for IBS-C.
Another thing that can help calm intestinal nerves and also the mind erroneously picking up these signals as pain is gut directed hypnotherapy such as the Nerva app or any type of mindfulness or meditative practice.
Thanks a very supportive reply! I have been referred to the local private hospital as I gather the NHS are not taking IBS referrals! I have noted all your comments and will chat to consultant. Amitripyline does not agree with me either! Affects my pee…on the joys of getting old…same with anything with anti histamine in! I hate waking up in night knowing I am going to be in pain and be tossing and turning! I love this site because you know you are not alone!
Hope that you overcome the pain some how. It can be infuriating having something as basic as sleep being interrupted by it. Good luck with your appointment.
That’s most uncomfortable for u. I take Buscopan with paracetamol & I also take colofac with it. Try a camomile tea to help u sleep. Colpermin is also good for crampy pain. I get bad cramps b4 a BM but then I I might take 2 Imodium & this reliefs me. Hope this helpful - one night a week I take an amytryptiline for a good nights sleep
I am also trying to find a natural sleeping aid which does not affect my pee!! The ones I have tried either make me pee more or seem to block me feel I want to go but can’t! I know I can’t take anything with anti histamine in and I think valerian is another culprit!
Very briefly, I expect the pain and cramps are from waste transitting through the bowel in preparation for a BM.
Because IBS sufferers have overactive nerve pain receptors, this otherwise relatively painless transit function in non IBS people is being greatly amplified.
The Urether your 'pee line' lies very close to the bowel, so when the bowel is full it puts pressure on the Urether and you want to pee more. Sometimes this can also create nerve pain, especially is there is a lot of pressure.
Usually after a BM pressure releases and the system calms, athough some of us will have burning pain which can last several hours from the associated nerves being stimulated.
If you understand why the pain is happening it is less worrying which in turn will help you relax/sleep a bit easier.
very interesting comments thanks life balance. This seems to explain a lot! My nerves do play me up after having shingles a few years ago. It will be something to discuss with my consultant when I get a private appointment.&
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Sleep (or lack of) and bowel movements/IBS symptoms
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