ibs and anxiety

Do i have ibs or am i just soooo anxious about it.I started suffering the effects of ibs about 5 years ago.I had a couple of embarrasing accidents now i get anxious and panic that i need to go poo.The mornings are terrible i panic even if my stomach feels fine.This cant be good for my digestive system.im getting married in aug im trying not to think about it too much but i no that im gonna panic about goin to the toilet.It all gets too much sometimes im currently having cognitive behaviour therapy which seems to be helping. Does anyone else share my toilet phobia dillemma

Very common symptom of anxiety! Many of my clients fear needing the toilet at inappropriate times. It is simply another example of the obsessive thoughts of an anxious mind. Remove the underlying anxiety and the obsession will lift.

Charles

I suffer from this too. Its a total nightmare. Its virtually taken over my life for the past 3 years. Going on a journey any longer than 10 minutes is terrifies me as I think I'm going to have an accident. Each morning I work myself into a complete state about it.

I start a new uni course in sept, it's an hours drive away, I don't know how I'm going to cope.

Firstly good for you enrolling on a uni course i dont feel confident enough to do that at the moment.i know exactly how you feel and i dont feel so alone, now i know that there are other people who feel like i do,which most days is pretty shit. Anyway im on an elimination diet no and takin my coloflac so ive got my fingers crossed that it works.Do you just suffer in the morning or all day,do you get in a panic when your in a queue or somewhere where its not easy to get to a toilet?The thing is that i said to my counsellor is that when i have a panic bout going toilet i try to talk myself out of it and think, like most people do when they panic "dont worry nothings going to happen to you"if it was true that would be fine ive no need to panic BUT something actually could happen to me i coulld shit myself right here right now.I no in my heart that it prob wont happen but ive had somany (bout 6) times when i really have had to rush to the toilet a couple of times i never made it .Since that incident i have had this panic bout doing it again as its sooooo humiliating.Anyway good luck to you in your new course and pat yourself on the back 4 doing it.wouldnt it be easier not to! speak soon julie xx:)

I've never been in a forum before (always a reader, too scared to post!) but I am so relieved to know that I am not alone with this toilet phobia.

My problem isn't due to ibs it started 5 years ago when I had to resit my final nursing exam and if I failed I would have been unable to qualify and during the exam I was so nervous I went to the toilet at least 10 times (which was really embarrassing as the invigilator had to go with me). I did pass the exam but the humiliating experience of having no control over my bowels, through purely psychological means, has taken over my life.

I can't go for long car journeys, days out or even a trip to the supermarket without thinking "what happens if I need the toilet when I'm out?" or "what if theres no toilet" or "what happens if I need the toilet and I'm in this traffic jam" Thinking this gets me in a panic and I get stomach cramps and ultimately then need a toilet.

When these thoughts are occuring, my head is saying "you'll be alright, stop panicking, breathe, you don't really need the toilet". It's ruining my life, some days are better than others though. The hardest thing for me is that I have a 2yr old and a 10week old and I feel so guilty and pathetic for not being able to take them anywhere on my own.

Luckily I have a very understanding hubbie, and Julietb you posted that you are worried about your wedding, I was worried about my "big centre of attention, long white dress and going to the toilet day"! but I was absolutely fine because I was occupied and a bit tipsy!

Hi sarah isnt it good to know that you arent alone with your problem.Luckily i have been feeling a lot better about getting married i am excited.I totally know where you are coming from as i feel the same as you everyday i havent been to bad lately as ive changed my diet.Something that i find helps a lot is relaxation tapes,i just take myself off normally when the kids are in bed and listen to my cd i find that it really helps to relax im also having cognitive behaviour therapy that helps too it changes your way of thinking a bit.I sympathise with you suffering like this esp with two small kids.Ive always wanted 3 kids i have 2 now but ive changed my mind now i dont think i could handle another baby.Its so much easier when your on your own if you need to go loo.LETS NOT LET OUR STOMACHS RULE OUR LIVES.GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN ALL YOU DO SARAH AND PLZ GET SOME RELAXATION TAPES THEY DO HELP BYE JU XX

Thanks for replying!

My hubby wants us to have another baby but even though I've just given birth I'm panicking at the thought of 3 kids, on my own in Asda, with a trolly full of stuff and needing the loo.

I've actually had a good few days, managed the hairdressers on Saturday (I panic because I can't move while I'm being snipped) and I think posting on here has been quite cathartic like I'm not embarrassed to have a problem anymore.

Good luck to you with your wedding and everything else, you'll be so busy mingling and being beautiful you won't think of our porcelain friend!

Instead of worrying about this folks, why don't you use an anxiety elimination method to overcome this permanently? You don't have to live with this or manage it like an uncureable condition, I didn't!

Charles

hi, im new to this forum and was just reading your comments. this is the first forum that the problems relate in some way to my own. i am the same, i fear loss of control and fear about not getting to the toilet but mine is not bowel related mine is urine. has anyone heard of people with problems like mine cause i feel it would be of a great help to talk about them. write back. cawth xx

I also have just found this site and cant beleive that there are people who have these same panic attacks problems as me. I didnt think anyone in the world did and didnt think anyone would understand. Mine has been going on for a couple of years and i fear car journeys, standing in ques etc as i fear i will need the toilet, then i work myself up and end up needed the toilet more and more.

I think i might speak to a Doctor about it, but its quite embarrassing as i know my thoughts are irrational but now i know its not just me who has this problem i might go. It does change your life. Iworry about it constantly. For example my Christmas party at work, we are staying over in the hotel which is fine, i am sharing a room with someone and she has asked for a lift. I am already worrying that i might need the toilet - it wont be so bad going as it will be evening and i dont seem to worry about it as much then but i am already thinking of excuses to leave earlier in the morning and ask someone else to give her a lift home. I am thinking of leaving at like 8am just so i dont have to give her a lift, as if i do need the toilet if i am on my own i can stop, but i would feel more panicky with someone with me

I know i havent had this problem forever and always think back to things i did, such as going to London in a car with someone about 4 years ago we set off at 7am and i managed that - so why cant i just go back to being normal and stop worrying about something that is so small as going to the toilet :mad:

My one friend Michelle Vella used to have this problem during college. everytime she would get nervous during social situations she said she would get "leaky" for lack of a better term. I'm not sure how she's doing these days.

Hi, I'm blogging in an optimistic way. Come and join the discussion. It'll makes you feel better, I know it. www.nopanicattack.blogspot.com (http://www.nopanicattack.blogspot.com)

In case any of you were wondering, Michelle Vella did not contact me yet and I CANNOT get a hold of her!! ARGH!!!:o
Has anyone else heard of anyone having a similar problem? She gets panic attacks and combined with her IBS causes some embarrassing problems. The poor girl used to wear diapers to class on some days.
Anyone?

Don't know why but I thought my condition is unique - looks like it isn't! I know the location of all the toilets in the city. When I have to attend a serious social event or go somewhere far, I take 3 or 4 imodium capsules + 8 charcoal tablets to stop my body from controlling me. Otherwise it's a nightmare. I end up eating lots of charcoal!:rolleyes:

Hi Julieb, yes I believe IBS goes hand in hand with any kind of stress.I suffer contispation which I think is related to my anxiety,though might be my age :)
My gp thinks its IBS related.
best wishes
jan

Must be very difficult. What have you done to try to fix the problem? I agree that that is very brave to enrol in a uni course. Congradulations on your upcomming wedding :) .

You know I had a friend with the same problem a few years ago I just recently met up with him and all is fine. I asked him what the hell he did to stop it. He said that he had gone to a hypnotherapy session twice and it went away. The funny thing is he didn't even remember what the guy did.

Might be worth a try!?! Here is a website I found that you might find some thing to help, just found on then net then. They seem to have hypnosis for everything.

www.hypnosisdownloads.com (http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/?865)

Good luck and congrats!!!

P.S. Let us know if you do try it.

April is IBS awareness month. Check out www.panicdisorder.about.com.

Hi all, I can't believe there are people out there that suffer from the same thing as me! I have been having the same "toilet" problem for about 4 years now, it got really bad after having my daughter. I actually tried to blame post natal depression (as it seemed less embarrassing to explain to the doctor...and I thought I was the only person on earth this could possibly happen to)!!!
It all started one day wen I needed to "go" on the train, on my daily journey to work (the same journey I had done - without problems for ten years). I only just made it by running to the public loos as the train pulled into the station.
Ever since then, I started to worry if I needed to go again, where would I go? I started obsessing about the toilet being unlocked on the train (as it normally was locked) and what would I do if the toilet was locked and I needed to go on a packed rush hour train. I would get myself into a state and would need to go more!! I ended up getting off the train every day half way thro my journey, using the toilet and getting on the next train. I knew I was being stupid, but there was a voice in my head making me panic and it wasn't like I just felt like I needed to go....I actually had to go. I
would have messed myself if i didn't find a toilet.
When I got pregnant it was an excellent excuse to keep needing the toliet as pregnant women always need the loo - or so I used to tell any of my friends if I saw them on the train and I had to get off. (I could hardly say, I am going to poo myself if I don't get off now)!
The problem seemed to be ok when I was at home, so I blamed it on pressures of work, blah blah blah...but after I had my child, I suddenly got it when I went anywhere. I had to go to the toliet before I left the house, so sometimes we didn't get out till 3pm! ridiculous I know! But it's something in my head saying you will prob get half way to the shops and need to go. I didn't tell anyone about what was happening to me, until one day I told my husband (In fact I still haven't told anyone but him...and now you lot of course)! and he was soo understanding, but told me I needed to go to the doctors. Anyway, I plucked up the corrage to go, he gave me anti depressants and told me it would get better, well...I've been on them for about 6 months now and to be honest I am a lot better but NO WAY near what I used to be like. I was sooo independant and I am slowly getting that back. But I have to plan most jouneys, if it's a bad day and long journeys still make me a bit panicy...Now I've found this website and I know there are other people suffering from the same thing as me I think I will speak more to my doctor....I just need to get over the embarressment. Sorry for going on....I haven't really spoken this much in detail about it before. Has anyone found anything that has helped them in anyway?

First I want to say, wow, you all talk about things that I was to embaraced to talk about. It helps though to know that you all have similar issues though. I was reading the responses on here and was wondering about anxiety elimination, what is it and how do I do it? I find my anxiety over several different things growing and the last thing that I want to do is to find myself parallelized from living a half way normal life. I am tired of feeling helpless with this and really want to move forward.

Hi all

I am lucky in that this is one aspect of anxiety that I don't have a problem with.

I just want to remind you that one of the natural effects of anxiety is that it causes your bladder and bowels to feel the need to empty.

The general theory is that this function evolved to ensure that we shed any unneccesay weight to enable us to flee from any danger.

I'm not sure that I buy this because whenever a primitive man was attacked by a bear he didn't have the opportunity to say "wait a minute Mr Bear, I'm just going to have a crap before you chase me!!!"

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that you shouldn't assume that there is something wrong with you for having this reaction, it is completely natural.

Best of luck to you all

Chris

Your not the only one that worries about having to go to poo when out.
I worry about this all the time and some times do not eat as I think if I do not
eat I wont need the toliet I do not have IBS but it is a worry for me

Well I cant believe there are others out there going through the same anxiety i do every day... I catch the train to and from work every day and I spend the whole trip trying not to feel like I have to go to the loo - as someone I read mentioned you dont really feel like going but the more you worry about it you actually have to go. I agree the mornings are the worst but lately I really have to work hard not to let the afternoon train trip bother me. My problem has gradually got worse over the past 2 years. It used to only be when I was nervous you know before exams etc but now where and when ever.
I now take imodiun melts most days just to stop feeling so useless and a bit in control. I know where every toilet is at the train stations on my train line, and the CBD and take imodium when I dont know where the toilets are or I am in a strange place or long car trips.
Everything that has been mentioned in this forum I can totally relate to - how is everyone going now?

i am reading all these posts totally suprised that other people feel exactly the same as me. I havent been able to get on a train for about 5 yrs, and reading what other people feel has actually started making me think about my anxiety a litlle differently. Has anyone ever conquered such axiety???? im feeling more positive about it all now, because im not alone
keep posting with more suggestions
Thank you x

Yes, I conquered my anxiety, thank goodness. Without meds & therapy from someone else. With a good diet, long relaxing walks, the Linden Method, exercise, breathing, meditation & visualization CDs. But it takes incessant effort for maybe a long time (it took me 2 months from when I put my plan together until when I was anxiety-free).

Thanks, can you give me some tips for a 'plan' my head is full of everything and have no idea where or how to start, but would love to get rid of this anxiety.
i cant even think straight at the moment so lots of help would be appreciated!!!
thanks so much
Jan x

Hypnotherapy CDs work pretty well with IBS and anxiety. I should know, I'm doing it now :)
I literally felt they made a difference after a couple of weeks. It's all about calming down the mind and the body, as you well know, the two are linked together: your tummy feels bad so you worry about it, then because you worry your tummy gets worse...and so on.

Hi everyone
I'd agree with a lot of people on this site, it really is reassuring knowing other people can understand how horrible this is. I've had this problem for almost 2 years now and it's really affecting my life most days. It feels like it's getting better now i'm seeing a doctor about it but still it feels like i'm never going to be the person i was before. My problem is I constantly worry about needing the toilet when i go out, more so if i'm with people i don't know very well or in unfamiliar places This caused me to stop going out for a while, but I see now that was the wrong thing to do because now it's an even bigger deal when i try to go out. I can't relax, even when i do manage to go out. I'm currently in my last year of college and going to uni in september, and i really don't know how i'll cope when i get there if i don't solve this thing now because the only people i can talk to about this are my family and doctor, and both will be about 3 hours away. I find it hard to talk about this with anyone, even with my doctor and parents i don't feel like i'm able to tell them everything. I used to be such an active person but now i feel trapped. i dont like walking in the country with others in case i need the toilet equally i cant play in netball matches, go climbing or even go rollerblading on the seafront. its not like i can't find a toilet sometimes, it's that i don't want people to see me going or to have to disrupt my friends day by finding a toilet. I really don't know what i can do, and it would just be nice to know how others are coping with this kind of thing.

XXX

Hiya i have just found this website as i was feeling so hopeless about my condition an was so relieved to know that other people know how i feel. I feel like my whole life is being taken over by this ibs i have developed over the past month. I suffer from it almost every day now and the pain is just so bad. unlike most on this forum i have the opposite problem of not being able to go for a poo, does anyone esle have this?it takes my digestive system about five or six hours worth of agony until i can finally go. This is accompanied by trapped wind, bloating and i cant thimk of anything else when it happens. im twenty three years old and should be out enjoying my life but instead i choose to stay in because when i do go out i end up having to go home. I am avoiding eating also. i have a hen do in france next week and so nervous about it in case i get ill. i know this is getting me down and perhaps even giving me depression as i am crying most days, can anyone give me any advice please?xxx

because it's such a personal problem. Maybe that is the problem. Anyway, can't believe there are so many others out there, nice to have the company, if you know what I mean. Mine started with trains, tube mostly, they have no toilets and sometimes stop between stations, gulp. The fear level when this happened once was incredible. Thought I needed to get off. I wound myself up so much, when I did, I had to get to a toilet there and then, vicious circle, the more I worry, the more the urge is there. My wife says it's in the mind. It may start there, but it's definately physical if you know what I mean. Drove to York once to avoid a train. Anyway, then I got caught in a traffic jam. Please no I thought, the car is my only freedom. That kicked off a whole new era. I then started avoiding going in cars with others, giving them lifts etc. it's now moved into a new phase where going to meetings, getting in lifts or even talking to collegues is causing panic. If I can't get away without causing a scene, so in comes the urge to go. I've found ways of getting away, but now I'm like it everytime I see those people, they must think I'm being funny with them, cutting them off so often. The other day I was in a queue at lego land, kid excited about the ride, and having waited patiently for 30 mins I thought "can't let them down". Here we go I thought, I can't get out, and off it went, I got into such a panic, I can't explain it, couldn't rationalise it at all (and was rude to the friendly gent next to me with a "don't talk to me I'd rather die than be here" look on my face everytime he tried to strike up a chat). It is comforting that I'm not alone, I don't have an answer, but it's nice to know you are there. I would meet up with you all, but you're probably more than 5 mins away and I don't really want to spend 30 mins on the loo just thinking about it :)

I cant believe Im not on my own with this. I thought I was crazy! Mine is pretty similar to everyone elses, but not be as severe as some. I too worry about long journeys, obssessing over the possibility of needing the loo, what happens if there isnt one, completely fearing an accident.My partner and I recently went to visit some old friends and everytime we went out for a drink or meal the obssession began again, I ended up using the bathroom so many times that they must have thought I was mad. I also get worked up when I realise I cant find a bathroom, the more I worry the worse the feeling gets inside. Its horrible having this everyday, on some occassions I have worked myself up so much I hve made myself petrified of losing control of everything, and thinking I might be sick too.I also am a little nervous of social situations, so needing the bathroom coupled with being to scared to walk round the bar looking for the bathroom is a great combination!I have tried to explain it to my partner and although he can be understanding to an extent, he can loose his patience with me probably because he doesnt understand it. Its strange because when Im in a ´comfortable´ place, like a regular pub/bar/restaurant, or the home of a close friend, I feel completely relaxed, so relaxed infact that I often dont even go once! I have been too scared to mention this to my docter and only ever mentioned my anxiety in social situaions, he recommended Kalms,and they seem to help a little with both issues. not the perfect answer I guess but a temporary fix. What does everyone else take to calm themselves or to stop themselves needing the loo? Thanks everyone for posting in this forum, I am so glad I am not alone on this.

This is incredible I have been suffering this for years, (anxiety leading to needing the toilet) since I was at school and I have always got round it, (denial is a powerful thing) I always thought I was some sort of freak not now i can see it affects a lot of people.

I work away on the rigs a lot so as you can guess this is a major inconvenience for me especially when in foreign countries. But I always managed to blag my way through (mostly starvin myself and living on bottled water for weeks on end then when i am in a comfort place i would food binge. Its is also really bad when I am speaking to women I tend to get anxious about what I am saying, doing and am I doing everything ok does she like me this makes it almost impossible to actually meet someone and have a proper life. but I am now between a rock and a hard place I hardly ever go out this has pretty much taken over my life and the thing is as the days pass the worse it gets because it just makes you worse like going down a plug hole in a spiral

But it really got worse when I stopped eating and collapsed while working offshore the medic could not understand what was going on with me. At least I now know what I have to do to start to stop going ndown this long path of unhappiness where can I get those calming cds? and is there any other ideas i can try.:)

I can't believe it :)
I have tears running down my cheeks right now as I thought I was the only one in the world that suffered from this extremely embarassing and debilitating toileting disorder.
I have had this disorder for ten years now, ever since i was only 17. I don't want to scare anyone who has had it for a short time and now thinks it will never end - I have had periods lasting a couple of years when it has been better, and years when it has been extremely bad. I have also had about 1-2 years when almost all symptoms disappeared and I thought it was over. However, in the last few years it has returned and right now it is the worst it has been since I was 17-19 years old. I have hope that it will dissapate again, and am holding on for that to happen. I think the worst thing about this disorder is not the stigma of having a phobia (as many people do have them) but the fact that it involves something as embarassing and personal as toilet habits, therefore attempting to open up and discuss it with anyone is excruiciating and takes a lot of courage as most 'normal' people would not understand. I told my family, and close friends about it when it started when I was 17 but they now think it is long gone and no one in the world knows the secret pain i still suffer from every single day. I haven't even told my partner of two years about it and hopefully he doesn't suspect anything. He knows I suffer from anxiety but not that it is about this type of thing - I would be mortified if anyone found out, that is why I haven't even gone for any type of therapy for it since I first got it at 17. I have done all the terrible stuff before, taking immodium, going to the toilet ten times before going anywhere, wearing diapers (very humiliating), turning down social occasions many times etc. It really affects my life hugely. I also think my personality has changed to a more introverted person - i'm sure if i didn't have this i would be much different and more outgoing and would have experienced heaps more in my life than I have so far. This disorder is all i have ever known for my adult life :(
Anyway, i could go on about it for ages but I don't want to take up too much room! I am just so relieved and glad that I am not the only one, and I do have hope that this thing will be beaten by me some day! I hope that for everyone else who has it too.
xxx

The paradox of this anxiety disorder that i have is that I have NEVER had an 'accident' in the ten years of having it!
You would think my brain would go "well, the thing you fear most has never happened, so why worry about it" but no, my stupid brain insists on working itself up again and again with all the what ifs and worse case scenarios.
I actually believe that this disorder is a part of social phobia, the fear of embarassing yourself in public and an overwhelming concern about what people think of you. I wish i was more easy going and could just say "who cares what anyone else thinks, and whats the worst that can happen!" but i don't seem to have the ability to do that with my personality as yet.
Anyway, I am going to try some new methods to beat this as it is becoming intolerable. I am going to see a hypnotherapist next week and will also explore therapy. I have to do something! Will let you know how i get on :)

Grrrr I hate having IBS I was supposed to have my first CBT session this morning at 11am, I left the house to go to work feeling fine just as I got in the door to work I got that all to familar feeling in my stomach I went to the toilet and tried to calm myself down, went back to my desk and it just got worse and worse so I thought I'll just have to go home until after my appointment and I'll come in later. When I got home that was me doubled over couldn't get out the bathroom actually had to cancel the appointment. Now I'm having those typical feelings of guilt and failure, it's just a never ending circle the IBS fuels the panic and the worry fuels the IBS. HELP! Feel like my only friend is my hot water bottle!

Hi,
I'm new to this so here goes,
I have suffered with IBS for many years now but I am not sure if it really is my IBS or I am going mad with anxiety.
When I am with my boyfriend or on my own I am fine and relaxed but as soon as I try to go to work I need to go to the toilet 5/6 before going out, its as though I am scared of going to work, when I am there in the morning I have to keep going to the toilet (which I don't like because there are only 2 - think this may be my problem) but once I have had my lunch and I know home time is coming soon I am fine. I do not have it when I am at home only if I am going someone, e.g., weddings, christenings, meetings anything where I feel I can't get out of.
Does anyone else have the same?
Thank you

So I went to the doctor and got back on Paroxetine anti depressants (called Loxamine in NZ) and also got some anti anxiety pills that I can take when I have a stressfull situation coming up (ie: not close to a toilet) and they work pretty quickly and help sooooo much. I am feeling much more positive, and heaps happier and things are looking up! It kind of sucks to think that I need drugs to live a 'normal' life but i guess this is an illness, and people with bi-polar and schisphenia (spelling???) need to stay on drugs for the rest of their lives to be 'normal' so maybe that is what i need too. My confidence has come back too, and the social phobia has definitely eased. I think this problem will probably always be there in some shape or form and in differing degrees but I have come up from the depths of despair and feel very hopeful and quite calm now.
But this is just my experience - would like to hear what others have done to ease/conqour this problem as well :)
Take care out there :)

hiya just read your text and i am exactly the same as you its doing my head in. Itry to talk myself round but it doesn,t work. It seems worse when i am going some where and i dont know where the toilets are or if im going on a car journey with no toilets around. As you say im fine when im at home. Im getting to the point where i dont like going anywhere socially. I tried an hypnotherapist and was ok for a while but the old feelings soon crept back anybody got any other ideas?

Hi there....... I'm in the same boat as you... so to speak! It's a difficult condition to live with isn't it. I've suffered sice I was on a round the world trip 6 years ago, and my anxiety related IBS has been with me since then. I've tried many things to help, been to the doc's numerous times.. but have no definate answer still..! :o(
I do find Bachs Rescue-Remedy a real help at times.... but when faced with long car journeys, or early morning trips,or engagements etc. resort to Imodium(lopermide)capsules to help, and slow the gut down,,,
stay in touch, let me know what you've taken or done that helps you.. It's good to help eachother, and hopefully get our lives back to 100% ! :o)
WillPuss:)

I think I've discussed this somewhere else on the forum but just wanted to add I too am amazed at how common this phobia is and I've been like this since I was 12 and had an "accident" on holiday in Greece when I got holiday diarrohea. I also started my period that same holiday so I have never liked Greece especially since the 2nd and last time I had to go with my family I had to rush to the loo for a pee twice as I kept needing to wee - from nerves I suppose. I feel much safer being near a toilet and being in familiar places too and have the same worries you guys all have about having an accident and making a fool of yourselves. I'm better than I used to be as when I was a teenager I wouldn't eat outside of the house except for the odd chocolate bar. I managed the Sydney Bridge Climb a couple of years ago which was 3 1/4 hours without a loo - the time went so quick and I still didn't need the loo afterwards either. But somehow these times when I do really well don't help build confidence and I still get the same old fears time and again. I'm not as bad as some of you but I do understand how you all feel.

BTW, does anyone else need the loo reading this? Lol.

Lisa
x

It has been such a relief reading everyone's comments on here. Although I do not have IBS I do suffer from a similar problem and have done since I had an accident whilst out with friends when I was young. It was bad when I was in my late teens/early twenties and it has been manageable up until about 3 months ago. I'm not sure why it has got worse but it is now so bad that I'm off work. If affects me everyday and is not a problem at all when I'm at home. However, it's especially bad at work when I can have meetings or training courses etc. I have been to the doctor who did a test which turned out negative and I'm seeing her again tomorrow. I'm also seeing a hypnotherapist tonight as I think she can help with the anxiety. I'm not sure I can go on the rest of my life with a problem like this, I certainly can't carry on working like this. Thanks to all who have been posting on here, it's made me cry a lot but it's good to know I'm not alone.

hi everyone, im new here and have joined mainly coz of this thread! i am so relieved to find out how many people go through this its amazing, and im glad we can all be there for each other and listen to one another :)

It first happen to me 2 and a half years ago on my way to uni, i had been ill with food poisoning the day b4 but being a good girl i still went to uni the next day (baddd mistake!!) thats when i felt ill and panicked that i needed the toilet. From that food poisoning i got post effective IBS which means my intestines were injured due to it and now ive had ibs since, probably coz the stress ddnt stop.

So usual routine, as many of you mentioned, i know the toilets on my journeys and i panic even walking if there are no toilets around-and again usually at home im fine- i do find it that even if i am feeling ok, because the nerves in my stomach react, i still need the toilet and very often i am right about how i feel, yet all i need is to control that stress
I tried therapy, which ddnt do much coz its not really underlying problems, and i tried hypno, the woman was great but it ddnt actually work well- now i am looking to try CBT as ev1 says thats really good in order to control mind and body. i am using immoduim almost every time i leave the house, and as a student its not that much but maybe 3-4 times a week- i also use it socially but i still dnt eat the whole day until im home just in case- but when i do take it it feels so amazing and i feel sure i wnt need the toilet and i actually enjoy the tube for a second! i was told i could take immoduim for years so i am hoping i wnt stop working, but i am worried about starting work and needing it everyday- and as some of you said, the morning is the worst, my stomach is all over the place, so when i have to leave early i have to wake up 2 hours before, empty my stomach and take immoduim n wait for it to work so i can leave the house. What bothers me the most is that i have this feeling of dread non-stop in my life, as if i have exams all the time, i cnt even relax properly when i actually finish essays or exams at uni or anything, i always dread and thats becoming very depressing and hard to deal with!
I wish i could wave a magic wond and heal myself as well as you all!! I wanted to ask anon12 which anti-anxiety tablets are you taking that help??i tried amytriptalyne too and ddnt make much difference, but i was only on the 50mg doze and then just stopped as i ddnt want to become addicted.
Good luck to everyone, we can get through this :)

hello just thought id let you know ive bitten the bullet and have started taking citalopram(anti depressant) which the doctor prescribed ive been on them a couple of weeks and not really feeling any different. Im back at the doctors next week and i think she will up my dose so i will have to stick to the tena,s and immodium for now, ill keep you updated.

Hi Simkelh

I'm on citalopram and to be honest it took a couple of months before I felt any benefits, and for the first two weeks I felt worse than ever. I started on 20mg and after a few months this was increased to 30mg.

Hopefully in a few weeks they'll start working for you. I know how frustrating it is at the beginning though.

Squatbetty x

i a:) m now on 20mg citalopram feeling better although the anxiety hasnt totally left me but ive manged a few trips out with no accidents. The doctor told me she was gonna wean me off them in a couple of months. I also have an appointment to see a bowel specialist to make sure there is nothing wrong there. If not i could be going to see a councillor. So positive things happening you never know i might get there. To everyone else keep ypur chin up !!!! ill keep you updated :)