hello

Hi all, my names julie.Ive been suffering with anxiery and panic attacks for quite a while but they are recently getting worse.My fear is to do with irritable bowel syndrome it makes me scared to go out in case i need to go to the toilet.Im getting married in aug so that isnt helping much.I tried hypnotherapy but that didnt help me, iam now having cognitive behavior therapy and listening to relaxation cds i find that my thought pattern is changing slightly for the better. anyway if anyone can relate to my prob i would love to know as i feel that i am the only person suffering like this with ibs

Hi Julie,

I can relate to this. I think the whole thing is a sort of catch 22 situation. I had my first panic attack nearly 10 years ago and thought I was going to die~shaking, sweating, shortness of breath etc. My first attack happened in a busy town centre one lunch time. I managed to calm myself and got back to work, although I don't know how I actually did~all a blur. I was then so worried that it was going to happen again that I started to panic at the very thought of an attack happening in the town centre again. I found that the worry of this would give me "butterflies" , big, big ones, which resulted in upset stomach~you feel like saying "give us a break, I don't need this on top of the attacks" But now I find that i worry more about needing the toilet and what if I need the toilet when im out, that its taken over my life. I do find it embarassing to talk about and not one that I discuss with people because I dont actually know anyone who gets panic attacks or feels the same way I do, but I do know that this is a proper phobia. This phobia has caused hugh problems with my life and its a daily battle for me. All I know is that I cant go on like this I know my life is worth more and I want to live a "normal" life again. I dont know what the answer is because I suppose if I did I wouldnt be writing on here, but I do know what you mean~I go to bed thinking about this and (if I get any sleep) wake up thinking of it~ which I think only makes the problem worse. Hope you have a great day. Raex

Hello,how are you ?ok i hope.i used to have a problem with talking to people about this as its soooo embarrasing.But since ive been trying to help myself diet and alternative medicine i have been talking to all the ladies in the health shop and nearly everyone of them has had this problem wheather it be ibs or just a nervous stomach as i call it.i mentioned it to my elderly neighbour and low and behold she feels the same as you and i do.doesnt like standing in queues or going to the supermarket and thinks that she will need the loo and get in a panic about it.Then i went to my best mates sisters house and she said that whatever she eats just goes straight though her so shes changed her diet.I realyy dont know if i do have a food sensitivty or just worry bout it to much but youll find i bet that if you tell 10 people bout your own suffering 2 people will relate to you somehow.anyway got to go julie xx