Holy panic attack!!!!!

I have noticed that before I have a bowel movement I some times have a bad panic attack.. Has happened 3 times since May.. It is annoying and I have no way to know when it is going to happen. It happened today and it was the worst one. I was driving with my 21 month old son in the car and had to pull over around the corner from my house. I have Xanax for panic attacks.. Have only had to take a couple of them since May. I also have PTSD and suffer from anxiety attacks... I am embarrassed to tell my doctor because it is silly. I get nauseous right off the bat, then my heart starts to race, and my hands start to shake... Typical panic attack symptoms.. I have always had bowel issues... IBS-C and it got so much worse after I had a c-section in Oct 2009. I have no idea if the two are related. I am currently taking Zofran for the severe nausea when I have to. It is so bad, I can't function. I am guessing it is time to get a good GI doctor. Any recommendations in the SW Nassau area... Thanks.

Re: Holy panic attack!!!!!

awww check the post below about gi docs ..i listed the one i use!

i have had panic attacks for almost 20 years now and it blowsssssss!!

never bf bowel movement though...although thinking you might loose control of your stomach might be triggering one kwim? i have ibs-d and it makes me nervous too!!!

have you ever thought about a daily med and using xanax as needed? i use lexapro and it does help!

feel better!

Re: Holy panic attack!!!!!

Dr. Lester Goldblum

Massapequa Gastroenterology
850 Hicksville Rd #100
Seaford< NY
(516) 796-9000

I love him. He makes you feel very comfortable. He's seen and heard it all!

The BM could be triggering a panic attack for sure. I have IBS-C and IBS-D alternating. And I know if I'm anywhere but home and I feel something in my stomach, I start to panic. I keep xanax on me at all times. I haven't had to use it. First I try to calm myself down with deep breathing. Slowly breathe in, hold my breath and slowly breathe out. Do that a few times and I'm on my way to feeling better. Try that next time it starts.

Re: Holy panic attack!!!!!

I def think the bowel moment can be triggered from a panick attack. I read that drinking very cold water can help calm a panic attack and as ridiculous as it sounds last time I tried it, and it worked.

Re: Holy panic attack!!!!!

Thanks everyone... It is horrible... I have Xanax but unfortunately it was in my bag at my moms.. Staying there for a couple of nights. I ran home to grab some stuff and that is when it started.. I had no urge to go to the bathroom until after the panic attack started to subside. I am definitely going to keep some Xanax on me at all times. And I will try the ice cold water... I have had IBS for over 20 years and never had this issue before.. I am so bad with the IBS that before every BM, I get nauseous and a little sweaty. I am use to that. But this panic attack thing has got to stop...

Re: Holy panic attack!!!!!

Panic attacks can definitely trigger the sudden urge to go #2 along w/ diarrhea. Maybe its not the B.M. that is giving you the panic attack but the out of the blue panic attack that is causing the instant urge to go. that always follows a panic attack for me.
good luck panic attacks are the worst

Re: Holy panic attack!!!!!

I had another panic attack today out of the blue. Thankfully I was home when this one happened.. I took a half a xanax and was ok after about a half hour. No urge to go to the bathroom following this one..I have never had 2 panic attacks two days in a row.. Gotta try and figure out what is going on... Thanks for all the information..