[Renee1]

Well, I made it through a horrible evening in tact. The night started out simple enough, dinner and a movie with a friend (that understands completely about my IBS).I ate a salad, went to the restroom before the movie, and then realised we were sitting dead center in the theatre. Translation, every time I needed to "go," 5 people had to stand up to let me by. I panicked so bad I was sweating! LUCKILY, I was able to get a hold of myself, but I am SO MAD AT THIS DISEASE!Sorry, but I need to vent. Have any of you just wanted to cry and scream because we can't live NORMAL LIVES? All I want is to be like everyone else and a freaking dinner and a movie with a friend sends me over the edge! I have HAD IT with IBS-D! It's ruining my life!Thanks for letting me vent. I am just so sick of being a weirdo.

 

[mamamia]

Dear Apple:Sitting mid aisle at a theatre or mid pew at church is a BIG no-no for me. In fact, we hardly ever go to the movies. As far as church, I always go late purposely and stand in the back by the rest room.One time I got stuck in the middle of a pew and I almost lost consciousness from anxiety. I kid you not!!!! I've had too many horrendous accidents in public and private to think I'm overreacting.I am so with you. My dad's surprise 80th birthday party, which I am giving is Feb 2. All I can think about is my bowels...... How messed up is that???????????much love and light to you, m-

 

[Kim Insko]

Appliechild: You're not a weirdo, I like to call us "special". What happens to you happens to me all the time. I went to the Eagles concert a few months back and the exact same feeling overcame me. The next concert I went to, I took a xanax (small dose) before the show, so I was nice and calm. Deep breathing helps me alot too. Trust me, it does get better. Luckily, I am on a med now that help substantially, Questran.Good luck to you!!

kimba

 

[SIMBA]

Hi Applechild:you are not a weirdo- I have the same anxiety- I think about where the bathroom is every place I go- that is if I dare go out. I have just recently been taking Nortriptoline 20mg a day. And this is the first month in a year I have gone to the bathroom like a normal person. If you are seeing a dr or are going to go to one mention this drug to him or her. I am just now starting to eat normal again- I was strictly following the IBS diets I found in 2 books I bought from this web site's ads on them. But I still have that anxiety in the back of mind it is just not as intense b/c I am starting to have confidence in my bowels again. You are a trooper for even attempting the movies & dinner & the salad. I have not been to the movies in over a year nor out to dinner. The thing that bothers me the most is that this syndrome controls our life. I am trying to gain control of my life again & you will too- it just takes so much time & we get frusterated- Hang in there

 

[LittleBonJoviGirl]

AppleChild,I know exactly how you feel - the frustration, the anger, the desperation of it all - UGH! I'm often faced with the embarrassment/anxiety/panic/fear/humiliation that you faced at that movie theater on a daily basis in class. Though I always try to garner a seat on the aisle, closest to the door, my bowels always flare up at the worst times. Like yesterday - I thought I was going to be OK, but right before class started, I had to run to the restroom and had an explosive attack. It makes me look like I'm late for class, as it almost always happens just minutes before the professor walks in (or has already walked in), and it's just awful. I even took 2 Immodiums before class yesterday and they did absolutely nothing.

So fear not - you're not alone. I, too, wish I could lead a normal life (or at least get through just those few hours of sitting in class). It's enough to make you cry, want to die, or both. *hugs*

 

[Renee1]

Thanks for the notes, it helps me so much to know that there are other people out there like me. If only we had a secret T-shirt or bumper sticker! I feel so alone because everyone online is annonymous. How I long for a group to meet face to face near me (I am in southeastern Massachusetts).I am trying to lead a normal life. Trying to go out with pain and cramps and anxiety. I DO NOT want to be stranded at home forever!

 

[LifeBites]

I know how you feel- it's tough. But at least you know what it is, right? I was so terrified that I had some kind of cancer or something that would kill me. It's hard not to live a normal life, and it's hard when people don't understand, but at least it's not going to hurt you physically. I'm trying to look on the bright side (and I haven't had a single "normal" trip to the bathroom since Thanksgiving, so I feel your pain!)

 

[HereIam]

Apple, I'm right there with ya. I don't sit anywhere, anytime but the aisle. It freaks me out to be trapped in the middle of anything. Last month some friends invited us to dinner and theatre, and of course the seats were in the middle of the row. I made it without going once, even after a big meal out. Of course, I had taken 2 lomotil and 2 immodium before hand and ate very light food. I was freaking out the entire time. You know what's really getting to me now? Being in the dental chair. I'm having quite a bit of work done now, and no matter how my guts feel before hand, the second I'm in that chair with no way to get out, I'm convinced I have to poo. This disease has induced in me a strange form of claustrophobia, and it sounds like others here can easily identify. Not sure what to do about it. As for the dental work, the dentist has given me a prescription for Valium for my next appointment.

 

[mamamia]

The dental chair may as well be the electric chair for me too! I try to go to the dentist every six months to avoid any problems that would keep me in the chair longer than for a cleaning or xray.What else can we do? I'd love to take more classes in massage therapy but I can only do home study courses. Pathetic!love and light to all, m-

 

[Maxdenq]

Have any of you tried EMTEC 30? this is a prescribe drug that really works. It has codine which has a binding effect. Bonus... you feel high...

 

[Renee1]

I have been seeing a doctor (family practice) for my IBS and he refuses to prescribe any tranquilisers for my anxiety. I don't need it all the time, but some days I could sure use it! Any ideas what to do? Should I see a psychologist or a gastro?

 

[jazzynala]

AppleChild,Honey, if your dr. won't give you anti-anxiety meds, get a new doctor. My GI dr. gave me Zoloft last Thursday, and it is only Monday and I can already feel a difference. I was on Paxil before that, and I didn't really like it, but the anti-anxiety drugs are trial and error, kinda to each his own. But, you have to be off one for at least 14 days before using another. Very important. Every doctor I have been to about this condition has suggested anti-anxiety meds, antispasmodics, and therapy. Seriously, that doesn't sound like a very sympathetic, or informed, doctor to me. My first doctor thought I was nuts when I suggested anti-depressants, and I fired him immediately. I had been going to him for 2 years at that point. Get some drugs girl!!Love,Jessica

 

[Lori B.]

I also know exactly how you feel. For me personally, the nausea and panic attacks are so much worse than the actual diarrhea and cramping. If my only problem was diarrhea and some cramping, I could live with that I think. Since I had my gallbladder removed, diarrhea is common for me even if my IBS is not a factor. Anyway....I am the type of person who does NOT want to take any "dope" but I finally told my doctor in Dec. that I had to have something, but not something that I have to take every day. He prescribed a very low dose of Ativan, which I think is similar to Xanax. I only take it if I am going to an event or something. That way I don't build up a tolerance to it or get addicted. For example, my parents had a new years eve party this year and everyone was going to be drinking, dancing and doing kareoke. Well, I wanted to enjoy my evening so I did not eat anything but crackers all day and evening and sipped on water, and I took an Ativan when I got up that day, and one before the party later on. I felt great all night and had a wonderful time. Around 1 a.m. when the party was winding down, I did feel a bit lightheaded but I ate some crackers and it went away immediately. So what I am saying here....you NEED some anti-anxiety meds, at least some that you have on-hand to take only when needed. I do not feel any kind of sleepiness, sluggishness, or anything from the Ativan. I just feel normal, not dopey. I tell ya, it also takes the stress off just knowing that you have them and can take them if you need them. Like someone invites you out to dinner or the movies and you can be like "Okay cool I can take a pill before we go and I can barely eat and everything will be fine." That is how I am managing right now. Hope something improves for you soon!!Lori B.

 

[PK6]

Lori B Your plan is very similar to mine, I did get hooked on Ativan about 20 years ago and got weaned off. Since then I've kept it handy "just in case" along with the immodium. I have to fly this weekend, the first time in years and I can't get out of it,, so I got a prescription renewal and some Librex, started taking them today and so far what a difference. I've eaten twice now, no problems, and my fretting about the flight has all but disappeared, I hope I can keep it up till Saturday when the seat belt light goes off. whew.

 

[Kim Insko]

At work I'm known as the walking drugstore. Everythng you could ever want: Xanax, Buscopan, loperamide, graval, doperamide (sp), pamprin, advil, tylenol, motrin, oval, hydrasense, flonase, exedrin, questran. I do not use all of it, but it IS there if I need it. I'm sure I'm missing some of it, but you get the picture. People find it funny and somewhat overkill, but I figure the time will come when I need it and I will have it.kimba

 

[Angela43]

I also feel the same way. Whenever I go somewhere I always have to know where the bathroom is, just to put my mind at ease.