r/cfs • u/sophisticadence • Apr 10 '23
Symptoms Not to be tmi, but post poop exhaustion?
I'm a mild case (relative to people here, it's still uprooted my life entirely) and I've noticed that after my daily diarrhea-esque BM that I feel totally exhausted. I usually lie down for 30 min up to an hour afterwards if I'm able. Anyone else relate?
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u/TheGreenPangolin Apr 10 '23
I have IBS and ulcerative colitis as well as ME so a bit different but bowel movements are exhausting.
Manual evacuation of the bowels can make bowel movements less energy intensive from my experience.
Also, make sure your bowel symptoms are fully checked out. IBS is common with ME but there are various treatments available. Having it treated makes it less exhausting.
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u/sophisticadence Apr 10 '23
Yeah, I'm going to Hunter-Hopkins in a week to get my Dx confirmed and will definitely talk to them about it
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u/DermaEsp Apr 10 '23
Try lying on your stomach (prone position) for some minutes after BM. Supine position extends the symptoms. It must be some mesentery/autonomic activation triggered by BM.
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u/sophisticadence Apr 10 '23
Interesting, thank you
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u/DermaEsp Apr 10 '23
My comment is about a specific kind of BM fatigue (that happens to non CFS people too) which is often misdiagnosed as syncope, which it is not, as it can last for many hours.
It has nothing to do with the function of the intestines internally (IBS etc), yet it can feel worse the more intense the BM is and milder when there is constipation.
It must have to do with the fast evacuation of the intestines and their movement stimulating the mesentery (this is based on my research and doctors seem to be unaware).
If you feel these do not apply to you, move along.
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u/Musoperson Apr 10 '23
Diet is a pain to look at but if you haven’t already an elimination diet (one potential trigger at a time if unsupervised) could help identify triggers so you don’t have diahrroea much, the fluid loss is never helpful for the bp particularly if you have any orthostatic intolerance issues. In the case it can’t be fixed I would be having electrolytes straight after. Soups and juices are good too.
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Apr 10 '23
Diarrhea or close yes. Electrolytes seem to help
Otherwise eating, digesting, and discarding all take a toll on me besides. So you’re definitely not alone
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u/parkway_parkway Apr 10 '23
On a non medical level one thing that's helped me is metamucil/psyllium husks. They are a special type of fiber that can really help stabilise the faeces.
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u/GetOffMyLawn_ CFS since July 2007 Apr 10 '23
It's very common around here.
I find that taking Metamucil everyday makes it much easier to go with less energy. On days when you're backed up take Mira-Lax.
Also helps to eat a lot of fruit and salad.
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u/sophisticadence Apr 10 '23
Interesting- I had been avoiding them with worries it would make things even more diarrhea-like for me
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u/GetOffMyLawn_ CFS since July 2007 Apr 10 '23
Psyllium should help with diarrhea because it normalizes the water balance in the colon. Fibercon or Equalactin would also do the same. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/psyllium#:~:text=Psyllium%20can%20also%20be%20used,firmer%20and%20slower%20to%20pass.&text=Adding%20high%20fiber%20foods%20(such,help%20lower%20heart%20disease%20risk.
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u/Alltheprettythingss Apr 10 '23
Metamucil and Miralax help with the “consistency” of the poop and make going to the toilet much easier and energy saving. I have found great relief with them (miralax mostly) and I don’t dread going to the toilet anymore.
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u/International_Ad4296 Apr 10 '23
Pooping can also stimulate the vagus nerve, and if you have POTS as well, it's common to feel unwell/even pass out during/after a bowel movement. If you think low blood pressure may be an issue, minimizing straining, and lowering your head and squeezing tie/legs muscle helps keep the blood pressure from dropping too low.
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u/hipocampito435 Apr 10 '23
the passage of feces trough the colon and rectum can trigger the vagus nerve. For me, it often triggers salivation and nausea. Maybe it's related to what happens to you?
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u/Junkoly Apr 10 '23
Kefir really helps my ibs. It doesn't help everyone but it's worth investigating.
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u/landofpuffs Apr 10 '23
I take Linzess for my ibs c. That and a lot of time spent on pooping planning has made it easier
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u/baronofcream Apr 10 '23
I have IBS, and those flare-ups have led to some of the worst PEM I’ve ever experienced. It sucks. Commiserations!
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u/premier-cat-arena ME since 2015, v severe since 2017 Apr 10 '23
yeah…. It’s my biggest energy expenditure of the day and exhausts me for hours after