Night dread & inner shakes

[Sleepless-in-Wales]

Hi, I seem to be trapped in a vicious circle . I have had alternating IBS for years kept to a minimum by magnesium supplements. Recently ( last couple of years) its steadily increased , I have a lot of stress in my life . During the last few weeks its ramped up even more, Im waking in the early hrs from deep sleep with a terrible feeling of absolute dread , I hyperventilate, shake sweat etc . This doesnt calm down until I have had a bowel movement, sometimes more than one, as if I need to be completely empty. My GP diagnosed anxiety attacks and has given me antidepressants which havent helped at all.

The last few days its worse, during the day, Im trembling and shaking almost all day, I dont even have much bowel pain..

[Shopnow1]

Hi

I so feel your distress having experienced this myself in the past and currently. have you been on your antidepressants for long because they do take a while to start feeling any benefits and it may be you need a different type. When its happening to me I try to focus on something else ie housework ,going for a walk and in the middle of the night just making a cup of tea. I know this probably isnt very helpful but just wanted you to know youre not on your own youd be surprised how many get these horrible symptoms .

[Mrs-Gee]

antidepressants do take time to kick in. I started on Sertraline 5 weeks ago (menopause anxiety etc) and it took almost 3 weeks before I felt any effect. Now at week 5 I’m thinking oooh these are strong maybe I can go down to half a tablet!

[Andann]

Yes, anti depressants can take up to 6 weeks to work and often have to be changed until the right one is found for you. Also have you asked for or sought help from a psychologist and a course of cbt to help with anxiety? It may not be enough on its own but does help. Also look up how to use breathing techniques to help calm yourself, breath in to the count of 6/8 into your abdomen and out to whatever feels right ...4-6. A nurse told me this can take 5 minutes to take effect.....connected to vagus nerve. Definitely helps to get up once you've woken and do normal things like tea making, yoga exercises....see Adrienne's exercises online for anxiety, pacing round, listening to non worrying types of all night radio, gentle music. Its good to build some sort of night ritual....mine is radio, online solitaire, reading, not too much alcohol, adequate exercise during the day helps too.

I know the feeling and also have the odd night time bowel movement which seems to restore feelings of calm and relieves any stomach discomfort.

[Sleepless-in-Wales in reply to Andann]

Im now on day ten and really struggling, im waking every night between 2-3am with the fear, then I need to pee and poop and its not calming me now, I have complete inner body tremors and quivers, cant seem to get-my breath and this continues the rest of the night , Im getting by on just three or so hrs of sleep per night now and Im exhausted and even more scared than before, no GPs available over Christmas . There is a six month waiting list here for any kind of MH therapy 😩

[Fergie53 in reply to Sleepless-in-Wales]

I’m sorry I hope you find some relief, do try some breathing exercises…

[buggins55]

yes this happens to me I believe with me it's the stomach spasms that affect my Vagus nerve which seems to be quite sensitive and give exactly the symptoms you describe which are closely allied to the physical effects of a panic attack, this can be very frightening especially in the middle of the night and the body and mind become sensitised, worried and fearful and start to recreate the very thing you want to avoid. your nerves are affecting the IBS and vice versa, it's hard but try to break the cycle if you can, the advice to try breathing exercises reading even going for a walk etc is sound hang on in there you will get better

[angelwings52]

Hi, I've experienced similar issues myself. Hypnotherapy can be really effective for IBS as well as stress, I saw a hypnotherapist but there are some really good apps available to use at home, it's one of the best things that I did for my IBS and my stress in general. My hypnotherapist is also a psychotherapist and he recommended keeping a journal and writing down everything I was feeling during any episodes, it sounds very simple but it works. The other thing that I found useful was occupying myself with something like knitting/crochet/cross-stitch etc, that keeps your hands busy and helps you focus on other things. I hope you feel better soon.

[Andervalcha]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are having to go through that!

I recently was experiencing similar symptoms "panic attacks" associated with IBS / stomach. Thankfully they have stopped but it was only thanks to the skills I've learned to manage stress.

I know it maybe very hard to calm yourself when you wake up like that, however it is very important that you sooth yourself to break the cycle.

I've suffered with IBS for over 13 years and I know how much stress triggers it so I had mo choice but to learn how to manage my stress. I've been using sll the techniques I've learnt for over a year now and honestly my IBS hasn't never been better! I still have to avoid certain foods so I'm still on that journey on how to heal my gut and also get better every year at managing stress.

Hope you can have a breather this Christmas 🎄 sending you lots of good luck for your health to improve

[winfong]

See if you can get your doc to prescribe some anti-anxiety meds until the antidepressant kicks in

[Fergie53]

Yes I had this recently with night time anxiety and having to go to the loo etc- I thought probably cos I had some alcohol but sometimes I don’t know!