[Guest]

hi , i have had IBS for at least 12 years now, and in that time span, i have become horibly terrified of going anywhere afraid that i will get a IBS attack at given moment. is anyone else suffering with this paranoia? And how to I over come the fear?

 

[yikes]

Yes, yes yes. Had IBS for almost 20 yrs and I still have this paranoia fear. In fact, I almost never have a bad attack but I just fear it due to my problem and the one time I just couldn't make it to bathroom in high school. Such an embarassing time in life that I've been paranoid forever. Gotten better over the years. I always try to say, now I'm an adult and I always make it to bathroom. And, what is the worst thing that could happen,,,,an accident then it happens...oh well. Adults understand and would probably be very supportive and put themselves in your shoes and feel for you. I'm always prepared anyway....Immodium in purse, always know where nearest toilet facility is and always know that I could stop on side of road or something. Keep TP in car at all times. Good luck to you.

 

[Kathleen M.]

You may want to see a good GI doc (if you've seen one they may not have been good with IBS patients, there is a thread about good medical doctors) there are a number of treatments for IBS and if you could find something that eased your symptoms it might make you feel better and more confident.Also if the paranoia starts to get to you (like it is interfering with your life) you might want to consider getting in touch with a counsler that helps people with chronic illnesses or the Wellness Center at your local hospital. They can teach you ways to cope with having the illness. I did Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for my IBS (it is also good for coping with fears) and it made a huge difference in my symptoms, and before that I did some biofeedback for migraines.K.

 

[Guest]

I get this too. I'm always afraid to make plans with anyone because I might get sick or have terrible gas or something. To conquer my fear I try to surround myself with ppl that understand my illness and don't mind spending the night in with me, watching a movie, if i'm feeling under the weather. It sure makes dating hard though...

 

[Benjamin]

good morning, I have suffered these feelings for years. There are many requests I just turn down because I am to uncomfortable. My family tries to understand, but they do get frustrated with me. It is the terrible urgency that makes me so nervouse. Sometimes there is just not time to get to a restroom soon enough. I always carry a change of clothes in my car. I have done this for years and used them more than once. This problem can turn you into a hermit very easily.Good Luck, Mary Jo

 

[JenS]

Add me to the list! In the past few weeks the fear is getting worst. So, I am trying Zoloft for anxiety and some counseling. I have only been doing this for 2 or 3 weeks, and I haven't seen a difference yet. But I am hoping and praying each day that my fears start to subside. My friends and I have a new term "Cart Abandonment". I get all my shopping done and start to feel sick before I can make it to the check out lane, so I have to leave my full cart and run home--only to return to the same store later and have to do all the shopping again!

 

[Guest]

Hello All,I am relativly new to this board so I hope my ideas can offer some help. I have had UC for the past 9-10 years and thanks to the help of my sister in law who deals with holistic meds I AM IN REMISSION!!!!

I have not had a "bout" in over three months and I am soooo excited to share what has helped me. Ill warn you though , it can be costly. But sooooooooo worth it!!!!! I still have sooooo many fears of having an accident that I have decided to continue wearing Depends. I know what your saying, "Im not going to wear a diaper...thats for old people. NO ITS NOT!!! TRUST ME. It is a comfort zone for me. If I have an accident or I cant make it to a RR really fast I have a back up. And NO ONE knows its there, but me. It took a while to get used to, but now I can go out and have more freedom. I can go on road trips, go to the grocery store, movies, picnics, and I can even go out on the boat. (that was a huge one for me!!) All I am asking is this- TRY IT for 7 days and see the difference it can make in your self esteem and confidence. If you want more info on the holistic stuff, just let me know and Ill be happy to pass along my sister in laws phone #'s.Good Luck All!!!!Jennifer-TX

 

[toylang]

I've had this fearful feeling of going out for years. Lotronex changed that and allowed me to live like a normal human being. I can't believe there are other people out their that abandon full carts when shopping. I have done that more times than I can count! Still hoping for a Lotronex comeback-

 

[Guest]

If you will read this thread carefully, as well as most of the threads on this board...you can see the common theme of fear and apprehension that is so much a part of IBS. This is why I believe anxiety is a major factor in the perpetuation of the syndrome. The cause may well be found in one of the new theories being developed now...but there is no doubt that anxiety, and in many cases depression of varying degrees, is almost always present in every IBS sufferer. This would indicate that it would indeed be prudent to consult not only a gastro doc..but a psycho doc as well.

 

[NC72]

I get scared too that IT will happen. When I do go out I usually make sure I have the Immodium with me. This weekend I am going away for New Years and will be staying with friends. I am so fearful that the IBS will kick in. I have been drinking the Metamucil hoping to get it all out before I fly on Friday.........

 

[runnl8]

Hi sickofbeingsick,Well I have to say that I'm in the same boat as you. I fear the urgency, I fear the episode that will last up to 2 hours, I fear the going and going and going. I am mostly house bound these days and have been for a few years now. Why would you want to go somewhere with your family and end up ruining their day by having to be in the bathroom all day long, leaving them stranded in some dept. store for hours while you wait for your episode to end??? My family thinks that I just have an anxiety problem, and sometimes I too forget that it is very legitimate to be afraid of these things happening. The thought of loosing control is very panic inducing for me. I do not have advice here for you, only moral support. I feel like everytime I step foot outside of this house, that I am playing Russian Roulette. An episode can hit me just completely out of the blue with no warning. That was one thing that I didn't agree with in the book, "Breaking the Bonds of Irritable Bowel Syndrome". It says that we really know when we're going to have an episode, but that's not the case with me at all. I can wake up feeling fine, not have eaten anything out of the ordinary the night before, no stressful events taking place that day, and BOOM out of nowhere I'm in the bathroom for hours with cramps, D, and spasms. This is really enough to drive you over the edge, or it is for me anyway. Good luck......runnL8

 

[laure1122]

it is so good to know that I am not alone. I can't imagine having this condition for 50 years! I'm only 22 and this is the 7th year for me. It is so hard to find people out there who understand. Everyone thinks I am making excuses when at the last minute I have to cancel plans. Always at the last minute, before I go out (movies, dinner, club, plane/car ride) I get sick. I think it is 50% psychological, because if I am with my boyfriend, or going somewhere that I know has a convenient (or private) restroom I don't get sick. I once read something...before going out, imagine all the events happening as you want them to. Imagine yourself going out, having fun, coming home (be as detailed as you can be) without having an "episode". Maybe it is the power of positive thinking but it does work. At least it will calm you down.