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!!

It sounds like anxiety OP, as it starts before the food has really gone through your system much, so isn't a response to it.

A lot of people have got more anxious about one situation or another that we kind of got out of practice of going into during the lockdowns.

Do you have diet drinks?

I suffered for years thinking it was just that the food was too rich or oils that the chips were cooked in, then it finally clicked... it was the fizzy drinks.

I cannot have Pepsi, by the time I've finished my meal I'm running to The loo! but I can have Diet Coke.
Wish I had realised years ago!

@user1000000000009

Could be the oils they use or the quantity of the oil used in comparison to how much or what type of oil you would use at home.

Exactly this. The oils used are terrible. Also, you are probably eating food with many preservatives that you would not normally have.

We make our own bread. On the rare occassion that I eat shop bread my tummy goes and I get horrible loose stool. I put it down to the preservatives and oils.

I agree with the advice of ordering a takeaway containing exactly the same thing you would order at a restaurant (including drinks).

If you react, it's something about the food/drink. You can then start to work out what.

If you don't react, it's more likely to be mental - you do this every time, so possibly you've formed a habit. Or if you're anxious about eating out in today's corona world, maybe that mental worry is manifesting physically.

Either way, order the takeaway and see what happens!

I don't think Imodium is the answer - it'll mask the problem, not fix it. You need to understand the trigger.

It happens with different foods though so it’s happened with pasta, chicken, steak, breakfast croissants etc

Likewise with drink sometimes not drinking other times having red wine or spirits.

I don’t think I’m anxious but it’s only happened since the first lock down was over. I literally get a cold sweat as I don’t think I’m going to make it too the loo. I don’t want to take Imodium all the time but when I spoke to the doctor he said I should use it as and when I need it so if I have a big day out use Imodium.

If you’re having attacks while in the restaurant rather than hours later, it sounds more like it’s subconscious learned behaviour, which you have my sympathies for. I have had IBS nearly all my life and it can become a vicious circle where you can say ‘but I don’t feel anxious except for the anxiety of the IBS acting up’ but I think that’s really all it needs. Try going to the restaurant for just still mineral water at the bar and see if it still happens?

Ice in your drink / tap water?

Just to test the anxiety theory - have you ever spent a night out only sipping your own water/juice? Explain the restaurant that’s it’s a medical thing if you feel uneasy not ordering anything.

Has anything happened wrt your hormones recently?

I had awful IBS and nausea symptoms (but early in the morning, after eating in the evening, sometimes in the middle of the night) which stopped after full hysterectomy and ovaries removed.

My personal experience has been that GPs aren't very switched on about women's health and how the reproductive can impact upon the digestive system.

Did you get diarrhoea once and now it’s psychosomatic?? If you’re fine every where else?? I think there’s more to this such as anxiety instead of just plain old diarrhoea.

Coke/diet coke. Both give me the shits

@ namechangedjustthisonce
Sorry to ask but I need to have a colonoscopy and I'm really scared I hate hospitals.
I also don't like the thought of sedation can you have it without. ?

Hope you're okay x

Hi

I actually had to have a general and to be graphic and I apologise it’s because I was anally raped by my exhusband. My doctor very kindly pushed it through so I could sleep through it.

My son had one and he was sedated didn’t remember anything of it (he was 16 so more than old enough to be aware etc)

What about fast food restaurants, do they affect you?

@DressedUpAtAnIvy no not fast food weirdly.

@namechangedjustthisonce
I'm so sorry that happened to you.
Sending 🤗 hugs.
Thank you for your quick reply. X

Do you think it might be to do with the anticipation of food? Your body producing more bile or digestive enzymes or something. If you eat at home there’s less anticipation I suppose.
In a restaurant you are thinking about food, choose your dish then sit and wait .
Just a thought !