PVC's when going to the toilet?

[Darwingirl]

Hi

Just checking if anyone else has had this happen to them. I suffer from occasional ectopic PVC's and PAC's.Anyway last night I took a couple of Coloxy and Senna for constipation. I get up this morning with some not so nice stomach pains and need to have a bowel motion. What scared me was that when I pushed to go to the toilet I kept getting what I believe were PVC's.I do not usually get them when/or if I have to push to open my bowels. Has anyone had PVC's from pushing when opening their bowels. I am wondering if it is because it is also that time of the month for me.

[StephPT]

Yes, this is very common.  When you push to have a bowel movement, you are often performing what is called a "valsalva maneuver", which tends to increase interthoracic pressure.  For some people, this is the technique used to STOP an arrhythmia in it's progress.  It affects blood pressure temporarily (increasing it) and will ultimately affect the heart rate/rhythm.

While the PVC's aren't harmful, you should try to avoid pushing so hard to have a bowel movement.  People can actually pass out after a valsalva maneuver, as there can be a strong reverse effect...after the increase in blood pressure, there can be a shart drop, called vasovagal syncope.  The body's protective mechanism is to pass out to get your horizontal, thereby restoring blood flow to the brain and improving BP.  Not only is the bathroom not a good place to pass out, as everything in there is hard, but it can be rather embarrassing to be found by family on the floor with one's pants around the ankles! :)

Good luck.  I hope you have a good GI doctor you can talk to about your constipation problems.

steph

[CollegeGirl143]

yes.. This is very very common..