Yeah, it's so embarrassing. Weirdly enough, I've come to make a joke out of it and it's been easier to handle. My roommate seem to deal with it better when it's a joke, as well. In public, I just call it "stomach problems." Most people don't know, though, just those close to me like my roommates and my boyfriend. I found that opening up about it helped. For instance, once I was able to talk to my boyfriend about it, I found out that he actually has a sensitive stomach and has D issues also, probably a milder IBS than I have. So that's helped a lot. You'd be surprised at how many people live with stomach problems and hide it! I would tell those you are closest to. For me, the worst is when I am out with people I don't know well. I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends from high school last summer, and since I've only had IBS since I got to college, none of them knew about my IBS. When I ordered a small appetizer since it was about all I thought I could handle, everyone cracked jokes and was like, "That's seriously all you're getting? Aren't you hungry?" Somehow stomach cramps and D didn't feel like it would fit in right there, so I just laughed it off and was like, "You know how picky I am..." It hurt inside, though, to be made fun of because of what I chose to eat and not being able to explain myself because I was too embarrassed. I understand where you're coming from. I would work on those you're closest with. They'll know eventually because at some point you'll be in a situation where you'll have to explain yourself. Good luck!