Question: Well, here goes. I have IBS, and diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon. Usually with frequent diarrhea. About a year ago I started having more constipation with it followed by diarrhea. Taking Metamucil helps. I occasionally have attacks with moderate to intense pain in my intestines with the need to have a BM, but due to intestinal spasms can't. I can control it most of the time by taking about 1/8 teaspoon of Paregoric. That relaxes the large intestine and in about 30 minutes to an hour I am able to have BMs that relieves the problem. Prior to getting Paregoric again the attacks would last for up to 4 hours with me being able to have the BMS. Once I get started I have an average of 12 with the last 7 being mostly water. I can live with that. However, since last year I have had 6 attacks where I am on the toilet either and my hands start stinging. They turn bright red with white at the knuckles. My nose stops up, and I have intense throbbing in my sinuses and the roof of my mouth. My pulse goes up and at least one it caused my BP to go up. My face turns red and I get very hot. I usually have to lie down with a wet towel and the red/stinging symptoms ease after a few minutes. The pain lasts until I start having BMs. The last time this happed my upper lip swelled up and my eyes were a little swelled. Most times, during these attacks my temperature will be a little over 99. My gastroenterologist has just ordered two urine tests: the porphyrias and 5H1AA urine tests.
My question is are any of you familiar with the stinging, red hands, red face, throbbing inside of head accompanying intestinal cramps and/or bowel problems? I am under my doctor's care, but feel like I am living with a time bomb. I never know when I sit down to have a BM, if it is going to turn into the stringing red hands and throbbing head attack. These attacks, while I've only had 6, are hideously uncomfortable.