Ibs ruining my life

[Cakelower123]

I have had ibs for the last couple years and found recently it's flaring up a hell of a lot, as soon as I go to leave the house, work or partners house I constantly get the urge to go to the toilet, to the point where if I don't go then I'd end up pooing myself, I have come very very close recently and need helpful tips, it seems to be really bad on a morning

[Upsidedownhead]

Hi. I've only very recently been "diagnosed" with IBS - I'm still not 100% certain but it seems very likely. One thing that does make sense in terms of my recent diagnosis is that I've had a number of incidents over the last 15-20 years where I've been caught short and had to poo in public. I guess I'd just never thought of IBS.

One thing I found is that the more I worry about needing to go, the more I physically feel like I need to go. The power of anxiety is astounding. This could be especially bad when I know that I'm leaving a toilet behind or there isn't one nearby. I remember being stuck in traffic on the M62 once, feeling OK, then the thought of needing to poo with no toilet nearby came into my head, and within 20 minutes I was in full blown anxiety and desperately trying to hold it in.

I say all this because I wonder if for you that worry ramps up when you leave the "safety" of your/your partners house where you know you've got access to a toilet?

If that's the case then it seems that dealing with the worry/anxiety will help you. Easier said than done I know.

[Cakelower123 in reply to Upsidedownhead]

Defo the more I think about it the worse it is, but I get really bad when I'm about to leave, even if it's a 5 minute taxi journey or car journey

[ANB80]

Hi. I have had IBS for almost 20 years now, and it sadly rules my life. However, there are things you can try to do to ease it, but everyone is different. You may have some trigger foods, so start testing with removing certain foods and seeing if that helps. Try having gluten free food and low FODMAP foods. I found having loperamide (e.g. Immodium) daily can reduce your urge and frequency. Your doctor might be able to prescribe something like Alverine or Mebevrine to help too. You can self regulate your dose of loperamide to get the right balance for yourself. I take one first thing in the morning and then another at tea time. If you are feeling particularly bad on a day you need to go out then take an extra one some time before you leave. I also found that my "emergency saviour" is Peptobismol, either the liquid or tablet, although I use the tablets. This works really well for me but has become a rarity to need it recently.

For your anxiety, you could get Amitriptyline from your GP. This is also supposed to help with IBS too.

[Lasveg]

Hi, this is exactly how I was and thinking about it definitely makes the feeling worse, I take merbeverine and did help for a long time but then started with stomach pains again and lower back pains, still had urgency days as have ibs d, I'm now on amitriptyline as well which has helped with the pains and does help with the diarrhoea. If I need to go out for day on a trip etc I get up early as I usually go to loo then and if unsure of toilet facilities I wear a long sanitary pad as its a bit of reassurance if I have urgency feeling. I had my gallbladder out and had problems from then on, I do follow fodmap diet so am aware of food triggers and does definitely work. It helps that my family are aware and are understanding and hubby is great about it, so it's less stressful when people understand when I'm having issues. I've also had to go in ditches/fields and although stressful if needs must I've done this, luckily I've had Husband with me and I would certainly be fine with anyone in same situation hopefully people are more understanding as seems alot are suffering nowadays.

[Cakelower123 in reply to Lasveg]

Hi, I defo think mine is more anxiety based than food based, but I've been changing my diet recently to try help, I have a telephone consultation with the doctor on Monday, It's just horrible, I can barley leave the house atm

[Lasveg in reply to Cakelower123]

Yes anxiety definitely makes it worse, I still have to go several times if I have an appointment anywhere even when I Don't feel nervous ie going dentists or doctors I've just got use to this, I think coming to terms with it has lessened the anxiety a bit. It is horrible to go through this but talking to people and letting them no how your suffering will hopefully get more people to understand how widespread ibs is and how it affects people's life. Good luck with your telephone consultation.

[Superzob]

My IBS-D is certainly worse in the morning, often following an uncomfortable, dreamy night, suggesting that poor digestion is taking place overnight. And it often gets worse just before leaving home as the anxiety kicks in - but I think there is a distinction to be made between the “fight & flight” response (which is a normal reaction to anxiety making everyone need the toilet) and true IBS-D which is a dysfunction made worse by a natural anxiety response. One thing I have found is that, if I don’t go out as a result of fear of what might transpire, the anxiety decreases and I don’t need the toilet for the rest of the day. I have managed to convince myself on occasions that I can go out, despite the uncomfortable feeling, and generally make it to the next toilet stop. It doesn't always work, and there are times when the dysfunction is uncontrollable, but if anxiety is playing a large part, then belief that you can overcome it might be a first step to controlling the IBS and getting your life back, at least in part.

[Sparrow58]

My IBS is nearly always bad in the morning. I try to make appointments in the afternoon. I get up earlier if I have to go out to allow time for 'things' to happen. If I am bad I will take imodium I like the melt on the tongue as sometimes I only need half as a just in case. And have used Bach rescue remedy non alcohol in water to calm me down. I had to find a way of managing it and accept things can go wrong, but then things go OK and I try and focus on them. Anxiety is a big trigger for me too.