Umm, hi. I've had an IBS dx for 4-5 years and recently am being re-evaluted to be sure there is not anything else going on GI wise. I have been reading some books from library etc. One book states that IBS does not cause pain at night? I don't usually have pain at night but did during my recent "flare-up". What is your experience? Do you have pain at night from your IBS? Also, does anyone know of any research or sources that agree with this statement that I could take to my GI doc? Any information appreciated. thanks.
IBS doesn't cause pain at night/while sleeping?
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
Joined
·
624 Posts
Hi - I think that for a long time the 'respected wisdom' was that IBS pain shouldn't wake you at night, but to be honest I think that's wrong - I've heard a fair number of people say they have pain at night (including me on rare occasions).Heather Van Vorous also says in her IBS book that she had pain that would wake her up at night, so I think it's certainly possible.
G
Guest
·Yeah - I'd agree Sophie (great name by the way, my little one is a Soph). It doesn't usually with me but because of the other horrors in my life (well not horrors but see my other thread re close friend Charlie), I'm not sleeping well and waking at night and yes, I think cos I'm very anxious at the mome, this in turn sets off old Col the Colon and I'm much much "looser" (ooooh marvellous word that) in the mornings too, again I think because "Col" has kicked into action by my night waking - if that makes any sence at all (sorry, have been at Court most of the day, so it probably doesn't!!).Sue
G
Guest
·PS: No, haven't been beating up old ladies, speeding in my BMW (ha), I'm a housing advocate so thats why!
I think if one hasnt been diagnosed w/IBS and awakens w/pain/IBS issues, its condsidered a red flag type thing and should be checked out.Having said that one of the questions my gastro asked me at the first visit was if "it" awakens me at night. Its not a frequent occurance but at least in my case sometimes it does wake me up.
IBS generally does not wake a person at night. Not that it doesn't happen and it is a red flag symptoms if it happens frequently.The bowel does not completely shut down while sleeping, but is slowed down at night. because IBS is a functional disorder (how the digestion system functions) is why the majoirty of IBSers are not awaken by symptoms usally.This also has to do with individual sleep patterns in people as light or heavy sleepers.alsoThis article is worth reading in general."The Sleep-Gut ConnectionAs light is shed on the circuitry between the two brains, researchers are beginning to understand why people act and feel the way they do. The brain and gut are so much alike that during our sleeping hours, both have natural 90-minute cycles. For the brain, this slow wave sleep is interrupted by periods of rapid eye movement sleep in which dreams occur. For the gut, the 90-minute cycles also involve slow waves of muscle contractions but, as with REM intervals, these are punctuated by short bursts of rapid muscle movement. Could it be that both brains influence each other? The answer is probably yes. REM sleep is a sleep phase characterized by arousal, altered activity of the autonomic nervous system and altered colon (large intestine) function.We also know that patients with bowel problems tend to have abnormal REM sleep. Poor sleep has been reported by many perhaps a majority of, patients with irritable bowel syndrome (lBS) and non-ulcerative dyspepsia (also known as "sour stomach") who complain of awakening tired and unrefreshed in the morning. Even after patients awake from what they describe as a "sound sleep," they report a general feeling of tiredness and fatigue.Abnormal REM sleep is reduced by low-dose treatment with the anti-depressant amitryptiline, which has also been shown to be effective in treating lBS and non-ulcerative dyspepsia. Many drugs designed to affect the brain also affect the gut. For example, the gut is loaded with the neurotransmitter serotonin. In fact, more serotonin is produced there than anywhere else in the body. Serotonin is linked with initiation of peristalsis."http://immune.altmedangel.com/gutbrain.htm
Joined
·
1,359 Posts
I wake up quit often and have pains and need to go.Dr Drossman said last chat, that when you sleep you bowel sleeps. Your brain can make you wake up and it is just that you have to go then.or you have oain. It is not your IBS waking you up but you brian. WHATEVER. I wake up no matter what causes it
G
Guest
·Yes, well that would make sence Kitkat - because I'm worried about summat else at the moment, I'm not sleeping well, or rather I'm waking at around 3.00am, panicking and then the bowel seems to start spasming and I'm very "loose" (lovely word) in the morning.Hope it doesn't last too long though - not much fun.Sue
Yeah Kat, If I wake up with pain, it's usually because I have D coming on. Does'nt happen often though, Sunday while I was down south was the first time in a long time that I was awoken with pain and D. Took a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and woke up in pain and the next thing you know, bathroom time
I was just told by my doctor that IBS does not strike while you sleep. He said that's how I can tell the difference between a flare up and a stomach bug. It will, however, hit me as soon as I get up in the morning. I think it not bothering us while we sleep has to do with the body being in such a relaxed state while asleep.
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
Join the discussion
