Why does this happen every time I go out!!

[Doitdoitdoitgoon]

I seem to have developed anxiety about eating out. Basically I get explosive diarrhoea and a bad stomach.
This has been going on for a number of years but is particularly bad when I eat with certain friends.

I can go out with hubby or daughter and be fine (although I may need the loo once, maybe twice) but certain friends, especially if there’s only two of us and my stomach starts as soon as I sit down.

I often have to leave my meal during eating where (sorry tmi) I’ll have loose stool / diarrhoea. This will happen multiple times, it’s all so embarrassing and frustrating as I know I’m leaving my friend on her own whilst I spend most of the dinner date in the loo.

Im ok if it’s just drinks, it’s always around eating and as soon as I start to eat my stomach churns and running to the loo. It’s like a self perpetuating thing, I’m nervous of it happening the it happens and I’m more on edge. I spend the whole times on pins as I’m just expecting a mad dash to the loo rather than relaxing and enjoying the conversation.
Does this happen to anyone else and how on earth can I stop it? Ruining my life.

Anxiety can affect us in all sorts of different ways. Talk to your dr they may be able to give you something to calm your nerves

Try taking an immodium or two before you go. Have just a starter and work your way up? It'll settle itself, don't worry!

Imodium is your friend here. An hour and a half before you're due to go out, take 2. If 2 doesn't work try 3. I need 4 but I've been on them years.

That's the capsules. Instants are far more effective but take longer to wear off IME.

IBS caused by anxiety is probably more common than you realise , the body reacts weirdly to stressful situations, I don't know if you would consider anxiety medications or not? I'd certainly take an immodium or something similar before you go out , it sounds bloody miserable.

I also have anxiety triggered Ibs. Mine is triggered by inconvenient moments such as car journeys (no toilet) or needing to be somewhere at a set time (just before I need to walk out the door). It’s so frustrating and completely self fulfilling. I carry Imodium everywhere but try to only use it in real emergencies.

I have a bowel issue anyway but it's much worse if I'm a bit stressed It usually happens before going on holiday or a day out I do take immodium as a precaution now.

Thanks, I do use immodium where I can, took it last night before I went out and it made absolutely no difference. 3 times in 2 hours. I think a lot of it is that it’s just the two of us and you feel like you’re almost under the spotlight.
Im not so bad if there’s a group of people and having a glass or two of wine before food also helps.

Last night I drove and there was just the two of us. Also, I’m not that friendly with the lady that I can explain what the problem is. I had to feign a heavy period. It’s a bloody nightmare.

You might benefit from betablockers or something speak to your GP.

This used to happen to me - not the diarrhoea but I would get really anxious about eating out, and would lose my appetite. That made it worse as then worried about the embarrassment of leaving a nearly full plate of food.
Large glass of wine to start the meal helped.
It gradually faded away over a few months related to my general anxiety levels coming down.

Anxiety about needing the loo causes me a nervous stomach so then I need the loo so then I'm anxious about people knowing I'm in the loo so then I get more nervous which means more loo. See where I'm going here? It's a cycle and a pretty shitty one at that. For me I absolutely HAVE to take imodium before eating out/travelling/appointments etc plus take an anxiety pill. I've been taking imodium for so long that 2 tablets don't work for me so I have to plan in advance. On the day before travelling/night out I eat really light and nothing greasy. Same on the day of but take 2 imodium around 6 hours before I'm due out and then another 2 4 hours later. I carry them with me aswell as anxiety spray.

It's utterly miserable at times and I've missed out on lots of events because of my dodgy stomach but I can usually go out with DH just fine because he understands and will drive me straight home if needs be. Maybe this is why you're ok with your husband?

Are you eating certain type of food when out with that person ?

This is it exactly. Can I ask what the anxiety spray is please?

Can be anything. It started a few years ago when we went out a few times and I was going through a particularly anxious time. I had a bad stomach every time we met up as I was discussing the trauma with her.
Years late every time we meet up my stomachs starts within minutes. It’s completely mental.

What do you drink when out with friends? Sounds mad but the type of coke they have on tap always gives me a bad stomach and needing the loo asap!

The spray is rescue remedy, OP. I carry it at all times and my own prescribed anxiety tablets but take the spray if I'm driving or if I'm going to be drinking alcohol.

I think your issues are probably rooted in anxiety about the past episodes (mine are too!) so you need to get the anxiety under control in order to calm your stomach. It's awful I know, but it's part of my every day life now and I always have a massive supply of imodium (loperamide is cheaper) at home/in the car/in every handbag etc as it's always needed!

It happens regardless of soft drink although fizzy drinks are the worst

Avoid coke & pepsi at all costs. I tend to stick to ginger ale or appletiser. Green salads are also an awful choice for me

Have you ruled out other causes such as lactose intolerance which can come on during middle age? That can add/exacerbate other symptoms. You can test it by drinking a glass of milk and seeing if anything happens within the next hour (usually 20-30 minutes). If it is a cause or contributory cause, you can take lactose tablets before you eat out.

I am quite lactose intolerant but this happens even before I’ve eaten! It’s just being out an in company. Weird and embarrassing

I ought to add it’s not unusual for me to have an upset tummy. It’s something that’s become a real issue since I turned 46 (peri)

I used to have the same but the took this for about 6-7 months and now I haven’t had any episodes for about 14 months since I stopped taking it. It’s not super cheap but one tub lasts for about a month. It’s got a vanilla flavour and a little sickly but with ice cold water it’s fine.

eu.happymammoth.com/products/the-complete-gut-repair