I'm new here. Having read some posts I feel like a bit of a fraud. I do not have symptoms of IBS that are as severe as some of you guys. Mine tend to come and go. Sometimes I won't have issues for months. But when I do have a flare up it's IBS-D and it can come on severely and suddenly. I am finding that this is causing me a lot of anxiety which in turn is making my symptoms worse. I believe a lot of it is in my subconscious and it's starting to take over my life and stop me from doing certain things. There are no obvious food triggers.
For example I struggle a lot with travelling, visiting new places or going somewhere where I know a toilet isn't going to be quickly accessible. The fear of having an attack can occasionally bring one on. I really struggle with motorway journeys, long meetings at work, any place where I feel I can't discreetly and quickly 'escape' to a toilet. Even long dog walks in the countryside which I used to love are starting to cause anxiety because of the lack of toilets. The other day I genuinely thought I was going to have to go in the woods! Another problem is going to watch my son play rugby because a lot of the away games are essentially just on playing fields with no toilets nearby. I am missing out on a lot of things and allowing my life to be ruled by my intense fear of having an accident. It can't go on.
I carry wipes with me. I take Immoidum if I have a long journey ahead of me. I try breathing techniques to calm me down. But ultimately if I have to go I have to go. I wonder if anyone else can sympathise or offer any advice? My family don't really know the extent of my troubles and I find it hard to talk about. Sorry for the long ramble!
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AnxiousAnnie27
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Oh my goodness yes I understand and sympathise completely I could have written this post myself
Can I ask have you ever had an "accident" when you have been out ?
I have exactly the same fears as you and yes it definitely takes over your life I need to know where there is a toilet all the time and if there isn't I just spend the whole time worrying and not enjoying my outing
For me the only thing that works is relaxation and distraction easier said than done I know
I keep a diary I've never had an accident and I know sensibly it's so unlikely to happen but the what ifs keep my anxiety alive
I've had CBT which I found very good I went through Talk Plus you can self refer or your GP will do it They will do phone appointments if you would rather do it that way To be able to sit and talk about my most embarrassing fears was amazing and definitely helped
I keep a diary I see the pattern of how my mind is tricking me how the panic comes and goes and nothing ever happens and had I been relaxed the whole day would have been so much better
One little tip is I always use a disabled toilet if there is one available and don't ever feel you can't I have to because I have arthritis in my spine so need a higher toilet but I find they are so lovely and private like a little bathroom and that takes a lot of stress away it's horrible needing to go in cubicles where you know people can hear I've also got a Radar key you can get them for a couple of pounds from Amazon a lot of disabled toilets use them A lot of pubs/restaurants too and you have to ask staff for a key so it's nice to just go when you need to without anyone knowing
I found the DARE response book my Barry McDonnagh very good
Also Mindfulness is excellent there are good books and I've been on a couple of courses It helps a lot with worrying
There are some lovely relaxing videos on YouTube the Michael Sealey IBS one is lovely
You say you have a dog We look after our sons dog a lot and when we take him out I always think how lucky he is to just be able to stop and go whenever he wants 😊 If only we could 😊
I buy the supermarket/ chemist own brand imodium they are just as effective
You have my deepest sympathy and understanding and if you would like to chat I'm here just private message if you would like to
Take care don't get too down you have made a big step by coming on the forum and no you are not a fraud at all
Don't suffer in silence anymore wishing you all the very best xx
Have your doctor prescribe any of these 3 drugs...they will stop chronic diarrhea in it's ugly, creepy tracks: Welchol, Colestipol, or Questran. I take 2 tablets of Colestipol in the morning and 2 tablets in the evening...I officially have my life back now!
Hi Anxious Ann, Immodium are harmless and can be taken every day without side effects. On Holiday eating meals out every night so I take 2 every day and sometimes another 2 won’t harm you. Anxiety does make IBS worse. Take care x
I think anyone with any bowel condition can sympathise with you. And stressing can make it worse. I was told for years I had IBS-D and live on loperamide (any anti diarrhoea tablets) sometimes 6 a day. Finally this year I was diagnosed with bile acid malabsorption so now have binder medication. There are a few apps which help you find toilets called Flush and Toilet Finder. I try to eat little and often but don’t eat if travelling. But sometimes have to because I’m diabetic which doesn’t help! I tried different diets, cut out wheat and dairy and did FODMAP but nothing made a difference as it was BAM. Anyway don’t forget things like caffeine can be a trigger so coffee and cola etc. And lastly during a flare up I carry wipes and spare clothes. Put pads in my knickers. You’re definitely not alone with your condition, we all just have to find a way of coping that works for us xx
Thank you for the helpful replies. It really does help to know that I’m not alone and am able to talk about it. It’s such a tricky topic to discuss in real life.
To answer your question Cat, I have never had an accident yet but there are times when I feel I’ve been close and only just made it to a toilet in the nick of time. It’s situations like that that really frighten me because I’m positive that if I truly were in a place where there was no toilet then my fear would have come true. It’s gone past the point of being able to hold it (although I can delay it) and that really scares me.
I will make a note of all the things you have all suggested and try them out. Sometimes breathing techniques can help but not always. I’m just sick of my life being ruled by this and missing out on enjoyable things because of my anxiety.
Hi AnxiousAnnie27. You are definitely not a fraud! I have the same symptoms as you and have also "just made it" several times. I have had an accident and know how embarrassing it can be for an adult to experience that. Fortunately for me it was not in public. I also get anxious going anywhere if i'm not sure there are facilities. I'm struggling to see a pattern with food triggers as one day I'll be fine and the next I'm not.... with no change in the food I eat. Still working on ways to manage this horrible condition but I'm hopeful now that I've found this forum.
Like jbrking I also have BAM. I suffered for years with D and it made my life miserable. I could never eat before going on a dog walk. The occasional times that I had to walk him in the evenings were always a nightmare. I know all the dog walks around with ‘decent’ bushes!!! When I had my attacks I just had to go. Urgency was my biggest problem. I never ate before travelling. Since being on binder medication for Bam, August this year, I have my life back. I can eat & walk & be ‘normal’. Embarrassingly I did have a few accidents before bam, absolutely mortifying. Don’t feel alone. We are all in the same boat and are here to support each other. Good luck. X
These are all absolutely my life and I have had accidents!! Now know not to eat before going anywhere or take immodium if the situation requires. My problem is that I usually have quite a sluggish digestive system prone to constipation so I darn't take binder medication!
Have your doctor prescribe any of these 3 drugs...they will stop chronic diarrhea in it's ugly, creepy tracks: Welchol, Colestipol, or Questran. I take 2 tablets of Colestipol in the morning and 2 tablets in the evening...I officially have my life back now!
Exactly the same story with me ... I was taking medication for Anxiety and since they took me off of it I have slowly descended into the very things your shared. They will not put me back on it because they have such a Drug Problem here. ( that is everywhere ) I feel I may need to move and start over with a better Health System. I am losing respect for the DR’s , no answers really ? Six years ! Just be honest so we can understand what is going on with the Medications ? This is so drastically life changing and whatever takes that much time away from your Quality of life .... well you get my drift !! Be safe and well out there !!
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