Do you ever get panic attacks with your IBS?

I get the same thing except mine is a panic like chest pressure. It is really horrible. Before I was diagnosed, my doctors and ER doctors always called it a panic attack but I was told by several GI doctors that it was acid reflux, a nerve issue or deferred pain/pressure from the IBS. When I took liquid lidocaine it was nearly gone. When I took Zelnorm it was gone. It was concluded also that I have a little acid coming up. It was so small I couldn't even feel it but a little was getting into my lungs. This is very common. Could it be this for you? After I took prevacid ( nexium and protonics didn't work for me) it disappeared. Perhaps this might help, although the snake like problem sounds different. I hope you find the source to the problem. I know from experience that this is very stressful. I am sorry that you aren't feeling well this week.

Hang in there! I totally agree with you on the second brain thing...Sometimes, my gut lets me know ahead of time that it's in trouble (gastronomically-speaking), like I feel sort of jumpy and agitated even though there's nothing to make me feel that way. It's sometimes hard to distinguish real anxiety from gut issues, but I've learned to really tune into my body to find out what really is going on. Meditation does wonders =)

I also experience annoying heart palpitations if I have too much gas, or if I'm backed up. I also experienced lots of palpitations when I ate wheat (which I no longer do and have really improved because of it).

Maybe all these odd symptoms are our bodies' way of saying "Enough already!" after all these years of ignoring the subtle signs. Now, the signs are more like screams, so we really need to take heed and care for ourselves.

I hope everything calms down for you.

My problem is complicated in that I think I have an eating disorder. Plus, I guess there's all that emotional garbage we carry from childhood. I think my brain is so disconnected from my gut (in terms of knowing fullness/satiety), that I actually continually harm myself because I can't not eat. I eat when I don't even feel good. I eat when my stomach feels like its going to explode. I eat things that I know I don't tolerate. I know I sound like a big whimp.........but I have discipline in other areas of my life, so I know I'm capable. But this eating thing is just something that I feel I have no control of. Maybe I AM just a big whimp, but I think I have the worst genetic make-up for eating, along with some pretty unfortunate eating habits from childhood.
For example, I know for a fact that I would feel 100% better if I would cut way back on carbs............but I'm finding that almost impossible. The only way I could cut out chocolate in the past was knowing it would give me a migraine. The only way I could cut out caffeine was when I had so many irregular heartbeats, it really scared me.
I wish I could do some things out of just knowing they were good for me to do!
So......I guess what I'm saying is that I have a big hand in messing up my second brain!
I'm trying to develop more ability to try different ways of treating my GI tract, in hopes of feeling better. But the notion of giving up things that I like is so scary to me.
Sorry if I'm sounding like a big weak wuss! My sedative for my colonoscopy is wearing off and I might not even be making any sense!

I'm hoping to read a couple of the good books out on taking care of our digestive tracts soon. I just feel that my "fibromyalgia" could very likely be a gut problem.
Sorry to ramble on so!

YES!! 

I have felt that way....too many times.  I also have IBS-D.  Dx in March '06.  My IBS-D came out of nowhere and I'm still dealing with it.  It stresses me out and puts me in a panic...at times, I felt like I was going to die.  BUT...I didn't!    I think it's a lot to do with why we have IBS-D.  I think that our personalities may contribute to some of it.  I have always been a high-strung individual.  I think it just caught up with me & now I'm paying for it.  It has slowed down a bit...I still have it though. SOmetimes, I feel like I fill up fast when eating, I get acid reflux, and I also have a bad taste in my mouth a lot of the times...I think it all goes along with IBS-D.  It must, because 2 GI specialist haven't found anything wrong wiith me...just that I have D everyday...so they say I have IBS. 

I'm 7 mo. pregnant and since being pregnant, it was slowed down quite a bit...not normal, but better...I'll take "better"!  I hope it doesn't come back full force after the baby is here.  My "D" always hits me right when I get up in the morning.  I also pass mucus, which is grose...but it's okay to talk about it here and that is nice to know.  It helps to talk about to get some of that "worry" out of your system.  It's nice to know that you're not alone. 

Take Care,

Shelly

I am not sure if I am having a panic attack when I have those urgent bm's (which for me often start out as hard stool and progress to diarrhea), with so much pain or what, but it hurts so bad I feel like I am going to die!!!!!!!!! I usually end up in the bathroom numerous times back to back and I get so nauseated and hot all over and I break out into a sweat; I normally don't vomit, but I sure feel like I am going to. (Trash can is beside me). I also feel like I am going to pass out while this is going on. Afterwards I have chills and feel so drained. I talked to my GI's PA about it and she was not alarmed. I am not going to say that it is normal, but she said that it is kind of like when you have a virus, you know how your body feels when you have diarrhea and vomiting with a virus. I hate it and not only am I sooooooo sick, but it makes me think I am never going to get this under control, it happens all the time and I hate it. I cry because of the pain and I feel sorry for myself and wonder why, why, why I have to be this way. I do not feel better right away, it takes me awhile I feel so drained afterwards, but it may very well be a panic attack I'm not sure. I do have panic attacks when it is storming and tornado's are likely, and I do have similar symptoms.

I have anxiety/panic on top of my IBS so it all just interlinks with me. Getting an IBS flare causes me to be anxious especially if it is ruining my day.

I have the same symptoms as floss, I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for 6 years. then the bowel problem started, where same a hard stool is passes after MUCH PAIN(think you are dying)then hour of diareaha.Then I feel drained and tired and scared. I have had colonoscopy and things are all good there. Its scarey that you will have an attack not near a washroom, cause it hurts so bad that sometimes I scream!

anyone know of a cure????

I know, There is no cure! It`s just so strange that so many people have these symptoms and there are really no answers.