Literally shitting myself every time I go to a restaurant

[namechangedjustthisonce]

I have had a colonoscopy- nothing there.

Every single time I go to a restaurant whether I have something simple or rich, I have diarrhoea every single time without fail.

If I eat at home, I’m fine, if I eat at someone’s house also fine.

But the minute I step into a restaurant I have explosive diarrhoea. Last night I took 4 Imodium, they had no effect. Help!!

If the food you choose has nothing in common, and this never happens at home, is it the environment that’s an issue? Eating in public? Fears about food hygiene? Feeling overwhelmed by eating in a big group?

Eating more or later than normal?

I knew someone who had dreadful diarrhoea after eating at Chinese restaurants and put it down to the likelihood of MSG being added to the food, as this never happened with home-cooked Chinese food.

Happens to me, and in other people’s homes, which is lovely. I have it because I’m an anxious, introvert so stressed all the time when I’m out!

It’s going to be fun trying to go when those 4 Imodium kick in, you may not need the loo for a few days now 😂

Eating later maybe, but last weekend I went outfit breakfast and I had diarrhoea six times!

The doctor can’t find anything wrong and told me to manage it with Imodium. But this can’t be normal? I don’t feel anxious. Nothing is different except environment.

Have you ever had an gallbladder issues.
Sometimes the higher fat and oil content of restaurant food can "run through you". Especially if you cook low fat at home.

I don’t have a gallbladder! Haven’t had one for 19 years but this is recent.

I used to be like this and very occasionally still am.

If I have a steak and red wine it's a given..

I was going to ask about gallbladder too. I think even the most simple restaurant food probably used more fat then you'd use at home. I also have a tendency to not eat as much during the day if I'm going out for lunch or dinner which my gallbladder-less digestive system really does not appreciate. It very very rarely (if ever) has happened at home/in someone's home.

Should I pre-empt an evening by stocking up on Imodium?? How much is ok to take? I was literally stuffing it in my gob as I had the first twinges!

I have IBS and would advise taking Imodium a few hours before you go out so your stomach is more prepared. Then you can top up if you need.

Could it be stress from going out? We have all been inside for so long that it can be stressful going out again. Otherwise buy basic Loperamide capsules, I buy mine from Amazon, £5 for 48, take 2 before you go out & 1 every time you go to the toilet.

Quantity of food maybe?

Restaurant portions can be huge - I have this fairly often, I can almost tell to the bite whether I’ve eaten just enough to be ok or taken too far (almost, I quite frequently get it wrong with ummm explosive effects).

Like you I can eat the same thing at home at not have an issue - I’ve put it down to being quite happy at home to box up the left overs and eat the rest later (I fairly often have two dinners )

How long has it been happening for? I've had this since the first lockdown ended and I just assumed it was caused by a lack of exposure to different bacteria (or literally everyone who works in a restaurant is not as into handwashing as I am!). It's been getting better over the last month or so.

I would say since the first lock down. The erm urgency has definitely been since then.

What colour/consistency is your diahorrea? I had my gallbladder out about 10 years ago and have Bile Acid Malabsorption. Any kind of food/drink sets it off and there is no warning, it just feels like a flip in my stomach and I will have maybe a minute to get to the toilet (sometimes I manage to hold on for a couple of minutes but I get the cold sweats!). I'm not on a bile binder powder and it's helped a lot.

Google Bile Acid Malabsorption poo and compare with your own.

This is me.

If I eat in a restaurant, get home and whoosh.

Why?

I’ve actually been tested for bile malabsorption but nope don’t have that.

Please dont buy medication from amazon. You've no idea what's in it because so much comes from random suppliers and there is a lot of fake stuff.
If you're buying medication, go to the pharmacy or a supermarket.

It’s basically poo coloured so brown not bright yellow etc and like water or liquid. I have no control at all.

Interesting @StrangeAddiction I also have no gallbladder. Is the bile binding powder on prescription or over the counter? Does it help with diarrhoea in general or just the urgency?

@StrangeAddiction can you please link to what you buy?

Is it wine maybe? Or "proper" coffee?

Are there any ingredients you only eat n restaurants eg vinaigrette or garlic? Garlic and onions can trigger IBS in some people. Ditto veg from the cabbage family.

Or could it be sugar or artificial sugar in something (the latter has a bad effect on me)? Ice cream? I've noticed I am more susceptible to the latter nowadays. Do you only eat desert or maybe cheese when you are out and not at home?

@101namesforme Yes the powder is on prescription, I'm using colestrymine. It helps with both so it's such a relief as if I was going out for the day I'd make sure I went to the toilet before I went out then wouldn't dare eat or drink anything in case I had to run to the loo. I was on the constant look out for a toilet and it was so stressful.

So far I've been on the powder for about 1 month and after years of suffering I feel like my life has been transformed. Also it started working as soon as I took it. I really recommend it if you are suffering.

Op it's called Colestyrmine and it's on prescription.