[22407]

Hi everyoneI've spent all evening reading on this site as I feel I've come to the end of my tether with my IBS so I'm taking the plunge and posting, as there seem to be so many people here who know what they're talking about!Firstly, as lots of new people seem to say, it's so good to know that I'm not alone.I have suffered with my symptoms for 20 years now. I'm lucky as I don't get a lot of pain (well certainly not as bad as many people seem to get) but my main symptom is urgency...I'll suddenly just have to go- I have to find a bathroom right away and regularly have to leave someone in mid-conversation or excuse myself from meetings etc. Today I just thought I really can't stand it all any more. I literally have about 30 seconds warning- I hear of people "holding it in" but I cannnot do this. This symptom mostly happens at work and luckily for me there are toilets around within easy reach. I'm more likely to have D than C, but mostly the bowel movements themselves are actually "normal"- it's just the awful urgency that is so abnormal. My life is controlled by it becuase i never know when it's going to happen, although it's pretty much guaranteed to be once a day during the working week. And if I'm somewhere where I know it's difficult to find a toilet or if I'm doing something stressful. However at weekends my bowel seems to shut down and I don't go for 2 days...same thing happens when I'm on holiday. I'm pretty much 100% sure it's not to do with what I eat, and I've had all the usual tests. The doctor's final words to me 8 years ago after the tests were (in a sarcastic tone)"I'm sorry but I cannot control when people do or do not go to the toilet"- I was too mortified to go back.I've read lots about different drugs that are available now but they all seem to be geared towards D, C and/or pain, but these are not my main problem, it's the loss of control/urgency that I need help with.Reading back on this, it seems like it's related to me being at work, but my job doesn't feel all that stressful really, and it does happen at other times too. If anyone can please suggest anything that might help this particular symptom I'd be eternally grateful.....thanks

 

[17176]

hi and welcome jane, stick around and you will recieve help & support.

 

[peardrops]

Hi Jane and welcome! You've more or less described how my IBS affects me. The urgency part is, I think the worst part. I too have had IBS for around 20 years. Because the urgency to go can just strike out of the blue it's no wonder we get scared to go anywhere. The way I would describe it is, I can get these really bad spasms, low down on the left side, it's as though the colon isn't happy until I'm rid of whatever it is that has set it off. One thing I've noticed is, now I've given up drinking Coke completely, I'm not as bad. I'm also taking an antispasmodic, Bentyl, which seems to help too. It really is all trial and error. I've seen really unsympathetic doctors in my time and probably have got more support from this board than anywhere else. Lets face it, bowels and toilets aren't mentioned a lot in conversation! Maybe try keeping a food diary, you might just find it's something you are eating that is acting as a trigger.

 

[Screamer]

It might not be the stress of work that's doing it but it could be the stress of unconsciously worrying that you might need to go at any time. I find for me, being out of the house (for anything) can trigger me to need to go and need to go now!!!! It's just the thought of needing that extra time to get to the loo that I don't have when I'm not at home.Antispasmodics like Buscopan or Donnatel which you can buy over the counter at the chemist are helpful or you could talk to your doctor about an anti anxiety drug to take, just for when you have to work and it might help.Good luck and welcome to the boards!

 

[kitkat17 Lady of the Loo]

HI and welcome. I too freak out when I have to go. No holding it here either. SOmetimes I don't even get a warning and it is running out of me. I have had several accidents at home, in the car and once in a store. Thank God not at a wedding or funeral. KNock on wood. Yes you came to the right place. You are not alone here and so many people who know what you are going through and here to help.Good luck oh I thought allot of my problems was from a very stressful aweful job too. Well I quit a year ago and my IBS is still the same. I really have yet in 10 years figured ot what the heck sets it off.Take careKat

 

[17176]

good advice from peeps who do care, its nice to see a bit of positivity on here.

 

[badfoot]

Hi JaneI believe you when you say your stress isn't causing your symptoms. That said, it may be worsening things. If you read long enough on this board/site you'll see that stress is something that definitely worsens most people's IBS symptoms. Not surprising, but important because it is often difficult to find ways of improving IBS. Eliminating or lowering stressors is one of the main things (along with diet) that you CAN control. Yoga, meditation, exercise, therapy, hypnosis and any restful activities are all useful tools. I know that's not the one-stop cure you're looking for, but until the science of gastroenterology improves this is something that will help. Also, most people on this board have had at least one experience with uncaring physicians. IBS is hard to treat and doctors aren't well trained emotionally. They'd rather blame you than admit to ignorance. And there are (a few) caring MD's out there. I don't have the urgency problem, but plenty of people here do. Keep checking the board, use the search function. You are not alone and you are not crazy. best of luck, blessings.

 

[22407]

Thanks so much for all your kind replies, it's so nice to have a bit of understanding for a change....