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New here..I'd like to talk about blackouts

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 8/4/2007 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,I come to you from the Lyme Disease section.

Anyway, getting to the point. For the past few years now,maybe once every 2 years, I have these episodes where my intestines are out of contol. I go to use the bathroom, and the pain is ridiculously intense while I'm "running". After a few minutes of runs, I wait there, because more cramps appear. However, this time it doesn't want to come out. Instead it makes me nautious, and I immediately want to vomit. However, that doesn't happen either. Instead I try to keep myself from dying. This is what happens... While my intestines and stomach are attackng me, something futile feels like it enters my system, and then my heart starts beating uncontrollably, next thing you know, I'm breathing really hard trying to remain concious...and this is because  in an instant I start to feel like I'm under water. I can't hear anything but ringing, and the sound of a fan would sound distant, I can barely see, I absolutely can not speak, or walk. I can barely open my mouth to speak. All I do is silently beg for help, and breath really hard to try to "stay" here, ya know. I really can't tell you how long this last. One time I tried to stand from the toilet and fell right down and hit my head on the toilet (don't laugh). I usuallly crawl to my bed and pray for this issue to be over. Now, I wonder if this is from being dehydrated. Let me tell you why. The first time I had this issue, I was taking a very strong laxative, Senna. Then, I drank way too much one night and had this issue...The most recent one, I was very sick with the flu, and last night it happened after I drank a lot of wine and ate ice cream( which I totally forgot was bad for me). I know this post is probably confusing, and I'm sorry. I'm just wondering if users suffer from this type of issue as well, and can tell me what is going on. Thank you so much. Oh and Yes, I do have IBS, yay to me, right? lol

Posted 8/4/2007 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I have no idea what is going on but you need to talk to a Dr about this. I have never heard of this with IBS. Your heart racing is something that needs to be looked at. Do you have any breathing problems that you didn't mention?I would definetly stay away from the alcohol as it increase blood sugar and can increase heart rate. It sounds sort of like when my oxygen saturation goes way down, my heart rate will go up and I will almost pass out and have. Drinking can affect this. do you smoke? You need to see a cardiologist. Anyone that almost loses consciousness and that is what it sounds like needs a thorough workup and complete blood work.
Posted 8/4/2007 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Got it...and the only reason I didn't talk to my Dr. is because A. I have no med. insurance right now, and B. because it only happens when my instentines cramp in the worst way, and I get the runs...I'll continue pushing and the next thing you know I feel like Bile has entered my system and has made my heart race, an dtunneled my hearing and completely makes me feel as if I'm in super slow motion. My boyfriend last night was frantically asking me What's wrong, and I coudln't answer him. I could only mumble, just help me please. And then it goes aaway and leaves me completely wrenched. I also get really hot and sweaty, who knows what this is. Thank you so much anyway :).
Posted 8/4/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
If you are getting the runs I don't understand the pushing part. Is it like spasms? It sounds like your blood supply is being cut off someway. Is does sound like you are close to losing consciouness. Do the cramps and the runs happen all at once. If you get the cramping first and it lasts a while I would try a heating pad as that really helps with cramps. Please stay away from the alcohol for a while though. Hopefully someone else will be able to help. sorry not more help.
Posted 8/4/2007 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Oh that's ok guys. yeah, I haven't had any alcohol in a while. and I usually push for that little extra because that final cramp that brings on the attack makes me feel like I have to push. And yes, I get the cramps while running.
Posted 8/4/2007 7:57 PM (GMT 0)

I just re-read this part of your post:  "The first time I had this issue, I was taking a very strong laxative, Senna. Then, I drank way too much one night and had this issue...The most recent one, I was very sick with the flu, and last night it happened after I drank a lot of wine and ate ice cream( which I totally forgot was bad for me)."

I just have a few questions...I always do, forgive me.

Why did you take Senna?  Are you regularly constipated or diarrhea-prone?  How many times did you have diarrhea during that first episode?  When you say you "drank way too much" during the second episode, how much alcohol are you talking about, ounces-wise?  Was it more than four drinks in an evening?  When you say you had "the flu," was this a stomach bug or an upper respiratory bug?  And again, when you say you drank a lot of wine, how much is a lot?

I ask all these questions because it seems like every time you've had one of these "blackout" episodes, your body has been under stress (i.e., excessive alcohol intake, laxative use, flu, etc.).  That's the most likely issue.  If this were happening every other day, that'd be one thing...but once every two years is more than likely due to these various states of physical distress you've been in.

If I were you, I'd keep away from the alcohol, ice cream, and laxatives from now on.  Sounds like it's a scary experience, but one you can learn from!

Posted 8/4/2007 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarita. great questions, I'm the same way.

Ok, I was taking Senna for weight loss...I took it once, and decided to have it hung, drawn and quartered for what it did to me at 4 AM the next morning. This was 7 years ago. As for the drinking a lot of alcohol, I was at a party and it's safe to say I did about 3 shots, and had 2 long island ices teas.
I am not reguarly constipated or diarrhea prone, I'm just intolerant to ice cream and cream cheese. This in turn cramps my stomach to the point of bending over, and runs out of me. The night when I hd the ice-cream and cheese crackers and 1 large cup of wine, I didn't drink any water...1 day before that however, I took this new diet pill called Alli... I don't take that anymore either. As for the Flu, it was an upper res. flu with Bronchitis. I was going through stress then, and I've had chronnic Lyme for 11 years. So, yes, my body is killing me. However, I'm not an avid drinker, I'm aware of what happens to me when I'm dehydrated, and I try to stay away from drying foods.
Posted 8/4/2007 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, it sounds like your body is under quite a bit of stress.  And definitely dehydrated when those episodes have occurred.  Weird things can happen to people when they are dehydrated, and becoming faint/nauseous/dizzy are classic symptoms of dehydration. 

3 shots and 2 LI iced teas are enough to make anyone feel quite ill the next day - that's a good seven ounces of alcohol, which, for a female, is pretty toxic if consumed in one evening.  Next time you party it up make sure you carry a water bottle around with you, and drink at least a quarter of a liter between any alcoholic drinks!

Also, If I were you, I'd stay as far away as possible from any diet pill whatsoever.  I will never condone diet pills for any reason when I become a physician.  They are too dangerous, especially for someone with chronic health problems.  They really give me the heebie-jeebies already and I'm only a lowly medical student.  Taking laxatives for weight-loss is obviously a huge no-no (as it appears you've figured out).  Are you truly overweight?  Have you talked to your doctor about these episodes?

As for the lactose intolerance...have you ever tried swallowing a couple of Lactaid pills with your first bite of lactose-containing foods? 

Posted 8/4/2007 9:21 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, I am Kitt. Welcome to Healing Well.

My opinion for what it is worth

1.  The alcohol could have easily accounted for the black outs along with the diarrhea. Alcohol is a diuretic and along with diarrhea will quickly make you dehydrated. You were drinking some potent alcohol.....Long Island Tea..........shots.

2. When you are having a BM and you bear down you have what is known as a vasovagal stimulation which will slow your heart rate down to 40- 50 Beats per minute in some and there will not be enough Oxygen circulating to the head........boom ....dizzy and light headed.

3. You become anxious when you have these attacks and hyperventilate, blowing off you CO2 which will also cause dizziness and lightheadedness.

4. Taking laxatives for weight loss will also dehydrate you.   How many senna did you take? Senna is a vegatable laxative.

I ask a lot of  questions..............omg, I am a bit nosey yeah

Well that is my 1 cent worth of ideas but remember I am not a professional.  You need to seek professional help if this continues.

Gentle Hugs

Posted 8/4/2007 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I like you guys, you seem very amusing lol.
Anyway, I took maybe...1 Senna? I think, don't quote me lol. I know no more than 2, I'm not that slow lol.
Thanks for all of that info. BTW, I didn't know your heart rate slows down while having a BM, you learn something new everyday.

Sarita, you are not a lowly med. student, I guarentee you know more than your 55 years old counter parts lol.
Anyway, I'm not into diet pills anymore, but I was, which I think started my whole IBS sitution. And, I'm not terribly overweight anymore. I was 100 pounds overweight, but I just ate right and excersised. And, I do not take lactose pills, although that sounds like a plan. thanks you two.
Posted 8/4/2007 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Jen

The slow heart rate is only if you bear down, which sounds like what you were doing.

You said :

"I know no more than 2, I'm not that slow lol."

Darn, I was hoping you were slow as I always have to be the village idiot at the Renisance Fair.  Well I guess it is me again this year........lol.

Nice to meet you :)

Posted 8/4/2007 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ok Ok, I am that slow lol sometimes, but it's not my fault. Lyme causes you to be stupid lol. But then again, hummm, college? yeah, that will do it too... See, you won't be the village Idiot per say, maybeeee, the Jester? Remember, I said you guys were amusing :).
Nice to meeet you as well, and thanks for the info.
Posted 8/6/2007 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Other people on here have complained of a similar reaction, actually. No one's doctor has been able to give a definite reason as to why people suddenly get fevers or chills, dizziness to the point of blacking out (and some people do black out), heart racing, heavy breathing, etc., but the theories include your own--sudden dehydration--and some sort of vagus nerve stimulation. There doesn't seem much to do about it except ride it out, then drink plenty of fluids afterwards. This can happen to people with IBS, although I used to have something quite similar in the form of a gall bladder attack. Unless you have reason to suspect your gall bladder, then that particular episode was probably caused by your guts unhappy reaction to alcohol and/or ice cream. Anyone with a bad gut has to be careful about what they eat, lest they be sent to the toilet. Eat too much that makes your guts unhappy and you risk that nice gastric dump that you know so well.

Speaking of which, your symptoms are also the symptoms of a gastric dump as caused by eating too much food after having gastric bypass done. So, whatever causes it, it's not unheard of.
Posted 8/6/2007 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Humm, cool, thanks Keriamon. I've never had a gastric bypass however.
Posted 8/6/2007 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
That doesn't matter; there are people on here who have the same thing happen to them and they have all of their pieces and parts in the right places. It's just that the symptoms are pretty much the same. If you look up gastric dumping online, you'll only see it reference people who have had GBS, but it's a phenomenon that can happen in normal people too.
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