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Original poster

How do people with IBS cope with life

209 replies

fedupfrazzled · 06/08/2022 19:52

I have fairly mild IBS in that it doesn't happen often but when I get a flare up I get urgent diarrhoea that can last a few hours. Although the symptoms aren't pleasant I can cope with them, what gets to me is the unpredictability of it. I would say I'm a bit of a control freak and like to be prepared but when I get a flare up it comes on so quickly and I have no control over my own body. I hate it.

For this reason I have become very selective about where I will go and what I'll do. I've found myself making excuses not to go to places where I can't get to a toilet like recently when a bunch of my old college friends invited me on a hike. I felt gutted to miss out but I couldn't risk an episode happening in a remote place like that. If we go on motorway journeys I have to know the route and where the next stop is. It's getting quite obsessive.

I think the anxiety is actually making my symptoms worse too. I'm constantly thinking about it and then I have to go. I wish I could just get on with life without it being something that's always on my mind. My symptoms aren't even that bad/regular but because I've had one or two near misses it's become a huge fear for me now.

If you suffer from IBS how do you navigate life? Do you just have a 'fuck it' and get on with life attitude? I so wish I could. I even tried CBT for a while but it didn't help.

OP posts:
PeterRabbitt · 06/08/2022 20:39

My IBS is more pain and bloating but toilet issues as an added bonus 😒
Since I was prescribed amitriptyline 3 years ago life has become so much more manageable. I still have bad days and food and drink that I'll never touch again to avoid the after effects but it can get better.
Have you spoken to your GP about it?

ProperVexed · 06/08/2022 20:37

I get up very early and eat a small breakfast (yoghurt and muesli). Then hopefully go to the loo. If nothing happens I take an Imodium. This usually enables me to go out for a walk, shopping etc without needing the loo. However, I still plan any journey around loo stops. And I don't eat while I'm out in case it triggers my bowel.

Hankunamatata · 06/08/2022 20:35

I need to be near toilet. Coming out of lockdown was hell as every toilet was closed. Only way I can cope with no toilet is not to eat or drink as I know then an episode wont happen. It's awful

Thursa · 06/08/2022 20:33

Menopause has changed mine from IBS-D to IBS-C. But before, if we had a day out planned, I wouldn’t eat the day before, or while we were out. Going anywhere without plenty of toilets was a no-no. I also sucked extra strength Pepto Bismal right out of the bottle at the first twinge of an upset stomach.

caulicheesey · 06/08/2022 20:20

saltwaterandsuncream · 06/08/2022 19:59

I have severe IBD and before I got the right medication life was very difficult. Medicine has honestly changed my life.

Can you tell us what you have cut out of your diet, if anything?

I have gone dairy free and now gluten but still feel so so bloated after eating practically anything. Do I have IBS or is it allergies? Can a doctor diagnose or is it trial and error?

Sorry for all the questions but like OP I am sick to death of basing all my lifestyle decisions on how close a toilet is and don't get me started on staying over at a new mans. :(

Original poster
fedupfrazzled · 06/08/2022 20:02

I have tried to identify any triggers but there is no rhyme or reason to it that I can see. I suspect it might be hormonal rather than dietary. Some things do make it worse (alcohol and fatty food) but I think that's pretty standard for most people.

I just want to be like my friends who can jump in the car and head off to wherever not giving a second thought to when, how or if they'll need a loo. It's draining and starting to control my life.

OP posts:
saltwaterandsuncream · 06/08/2022 19:59

I have severe IBD and before I got the right medication life was very difficult. Medicine has honestly changed my life.

Leftbutcameback · 06/08/2022 19:58

I have mild IBS and I know what my triggers are - being cold and stress. I suppose mine is easier to manage as it's usually cramps and gas, but twice last summer I had awful diarrhea. I found I could control it until I got to somewhere with a loo. And then I was stuck there for some time, sweating and bent over. You say yours is unpredictable but have you tried keeping a diary to see what it might be? The summer attacks I had were, in both cases, a tuna baguette / panini which seems strange so now I'm more cautious. That might make you feel less anxious. Good luck.

Antarcticant · 06/08/2022 19:57

It's much easier for me since I have been working from home. It was an absolute nightmare of embarrassment in the office.

I'm afraid I do plan days out around the availability of toilets. There's no other way. I have medication but, as you say, it can be totally unpredictable.

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