Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What could be causing my nocturnal diarrhea attacks?

2-3 times a month (for about 7 months) I've been waking up at midnight about an hour after I fall asleep to what feels like a combination of food poisoning and a panic attack.

During these episodes, I experience the following symptoms:

- Severe abdominal pain
- Drop in body temperature (hovers around 95 degrees)
- Shaking chills paired with convulsions
- Foul-smelling diarrhea
- Racing pulse and general feeling of panic
- Nausea and dizziness
- A feeling like my blood is poison (sometimes overall and sometimes just in my gut)

The episodes last anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours. The most terrifying one lasted 3 hours and included chest pain as well.

The symptoms above are ones that only occur in the middle of the night.

Occasional daytime symptoms that could be related:

- Prolapsing rectal material when I poop (multiple nurses and doctors have said that it's just internal hemorrhoids, but I'm not entirely convinced)
- Small pieces of stool sometimes get stuck in rectum and require manual assistance
- Blood pressure in middle-high zone (typically around 130/86)

I've been to multiple doctors, including my GP, two GIs, and my OBGYN.

I'm currently on an antispasmodic (hyoscyamine) and taking a fiber supplement twice daily in addition to eating a diet that's higher in fiber, but that doesn't appear to be doing anything. I've also tried cutting out different foods (gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, etc.) and avoiding stressful situations and that doesn't do anything either.

I've had multiple ultrasounds (abdominal and internal), colonoscopy with biopsies, tons of blood tests and a couple of stool tests.

Doctors have ruled out gall stones, anything in large intestine, celiac, diabetes, C diff, endometriosis and PCOS.

It's exhausting trying to figure out what's wrong with me at this point. GI thinks it's IBS, but it seems way too severe and I feel they're dismissing me at this point. I have another appointment with my GI next week and his next plan is to do a small bowel study, but I'm wondering if it's a hormonal problem or a rectal problem or maybe even panic attacks, rather than a GI issue at all. Note: I've had panic attacks in the past (for about a month after I was raped in college), but they were nothing like this.
0 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem