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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

IBS Drama queen

78 replies

sarahsbeans · 03/08/2017 18:38

Keeping it short, but I go on holiday in a few days. I suffer with severe anxiety which causes IBS and I need to be near the loo. It got that bad last year I didn't eat for 24 hours before the flight and by the time I'd landed I'd gone 30 hours not eating.

This isn't a problem whilst I'm away but I get so worked up whilst at the airport/on the plane it causes massive anxiety. My DP thinks I'm over reacting and can't get his head around my stress and even I can't control it or say exactly why I feel the way I do but this makes me more anxious that I'm having to try and keep my cool.

AIBU to think this is normal or should I see my gp before I fly?

OP posts:
Toysaurus · 03/08/2017 20:08

IBS is shit. Literally. I take two Imodium every day. Otherwise I would never leave the house. I had my gall bladder out too so I'm doubly careful what I eat. If I have something big coming up like you do I avoid eating incase as well.

NotTheCoolMum · 03/08/2017 20:14

It's definately my anxiety that's causing it. I'm only 30 and I've tried everything even prescribed tabs from the doctor but didn't stick with them as they are an anti depressant and didn't want to rely on medication.

You don't want to rely on medication yet are happy to take immodium etc. for purposes it is not designed for?

Please go back to the GP and get help for your anxiety

BitofaPoorEffort · 03/08/2017 20:25

I wish I could offer you a solution but I can't...although I do agree that seeing your GP for advice is wise. I do really understand though, you are not being a drama queen. Maybe your other half could think back to an episode of upset tummy and try to relate...or send him a link to an IBS forum so he sees that it is not just you?!

I agree that using products like Tena lady might help and keeping spare pants in your handbag maybe...also explain to the plane staff when you board and see if they can help at all if you need to jump the queue for the loo on your flight??

I really hope you get through okay and can enjoy your holiday to the max.

Poshjock · 03/08/2017 20:26

Definitely see your GP. There is Hyosceine (Buscopan) or Mebeverine that you can take which relaxes the muscles in the bowel to prevent cramping and slow down the hyperactivity that causes diarrhoea. These can be taken prophylactically - so you can take it every day to prevent problems. Have you tried increasing dietary fiber? Sometimes a high fiber diet helps but you would need to experiment to see what works for you - each case of bowel disease or dysfunction is different.

It also sounds as though you could use some help with your stress/anxiety issues - it is very common for this to manifest itself in a physical disorder and finding coping mechanisms for your stress will help break the cycle that you are stuck in where each is worsening the other.

All the very best to you and i hope you find better health soon X

Notreallyarsed · 03/08/2017 20:28

I use colpermin instead of buscopan, it seems to remove most of my symptoms and keeps on top of stress related episodes. You can buy it in Tesco or ASDA. Sorry for the TMI but it has a very odd side effect of making bowel movements smell like peppermint Shock it's got peanut oil and peppermint oil in it so if you've got a peanut allergy it's not suitable, but after a shit ton of meds from the GP which did nothing it's the only thing that helps.

inkzooka · 03/08/2017 20:29

Anti-diarrhea will get you through the flight, but don't use it every day of the holiday.

I'm 23 and I'm exactly the same. Ask your GP about low FODMAP as well - it might help your symptoms. Keep in mind your food gets digested over the course of the day.

My IBS gets so bad that when I eat the wrong thing, I basically have an agonizingly painful sickness/diarrhea bug for like 10 hours.

Silvercatowner · 03/08/2017 20:32

Ask the doctor for a prescription of amitriptyline. I take a low dose for a week before I go away, and during holidays. It really calms things down.

Wolfiefan · 03/08/2017 20:39

You need to see your GP. You may have to accept taking medication for now. You wouldn't refuse medication for a physical issue so why would you for anxiety? Have you been offered CBT or other therapy?

tilligan · 03/08/2017 20:41

Amitriptyline works for me too, a short course just before the holiday begins. It helps with the anxiety, and I feel less stressed.
Have also been prescribed one diazepam to take before each flight, that works too but obviously GPS are not happy to prescribe more than necessary. Try to enjoy your break.

williwonti · 03/08/2017 20:41

Christ! Are you me?? You are not being dramatic, it's awful, totally debilitating. I am mid (ish) 30s and have tried everything. I use loperamide (just 1 or 2) for "those" days but the thing that has helped me the most is a daily (first thing soon as up before anything else) dose (4 not 10) of acidiphilous . It has REALLY helped and i have tried EVERYTHING. Please give them a go. I started on 10 dose but found it sent me the other way (which had never happened) but a 4 tablet a day, is great. I take 2 if it is a bad day. My stomach doctor mentioned Symprove but I decided not to try that. I don't really want to share much more on here but i know how awful it can be.

lolarosea · 03/08/2017 20:48

Ive also got IBS and when I was first diagnosed I had the same problem, still really struggle sometimes wanting to go out in public because i get really bad wind. I dont really have diarhhoea as such but even getting desperate for a wee can trigger my ibs and set off the gas Blush

ive been on the low fodmap diet and that has helped, am also now on mebeverine and have been on buscopan. I used to have IBS-C and now its not as bad as it was, but I was on prozac for depression and it made a huge difference. I wouldnt say im better or worse but it definitely altered my symptoms, so I wouldnt be put off trying it. It could really work for you, but I totally understand the reluctance.

A lot of the time it really makes me not want to do things but I try my best to ignore it because im 21 and when I was diagnosed at 19 I knew I couldnt spend the rest of my life inside, never going out or on holiday etc because id look back when im old regret it.

Letitrain · 03/08/2017 20:49

Amitrypteline, the fodmap diet, peppermint oil capsules all can help. Eat white foods to slow the bowel down. It's worth seeing your GP, there are things that can help.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 03/08/2017 20:52

Whilst I am sure that stress aggravated this
You have a condition
And my sympathies I get mega stressed when I have to fly

No harm in a GP visit

And whilst I can easily say manage stress (ha !) maybe keep a diary and see after a month the links ??

Rednailsandnaeknickers · 03/08/2017 20:53

I've tried everything even prescribed tabs from the doctor but didn't stick with them as they are an anti depressant and didn't want to rely on medication.

I do find it odd when people will take medication for a physical problem (misusing Imodium only to delay rather than solve the issue) rather than take medication appropriately and correctly prescribed to treat a mental health problem and likely the source of the physical problem in the first place anyway.

ADs are not some terrible thing - they help masses of people short term to deal and resolve many issues. If you discuss it with a (sensible, switched on and up to date) GP you will be monitored and given a plan to decrease and wean off your dose over time that will be safe. Surely that's better than spending your life as an anxious mess?

LapinR0se · 03/08/2017 20:56

Ant one point I took an Imodium every morning and the GP said that was absolutely fine.
Now for holidays I get up, have plain tea and toast, do a poo (usually diarrhoea due to travel stress) and then take 2 Imodium.
Then I just eat super plain food during the journey and no coffee.
So far I've been absolutely fine

LapinR0se · 03/08/2017 20:58

Ah yes and longer term antidepressants and therapy have reduced my everyday IBS symptoms right down so I don't need to take Imodium daily any more. Just for travel.

DoTheFandango · 03/08/2017 21:04

CBT and/or hypnotherapy for IBS has been found to be really effective in the research. I have IBS-D (triggered initially by a bad case of food poisoning), which became significantly worse after I had a bad episode on a train a few years ago, resulting in a panic attack when I subsequently tried to go on the train. I avoided train/bus travel for about a year afterwards and panicked about needing the toilet whenever I left the house, took spare clothes with me and took immodium everywhere I went.
I was investigated medically when I lost loads of weight due to the constant diarrhoea. After a colonoscopy and various tests to rule out anything sinister, I was diagnosed with IBS and the consultant said I could self-medicate with immodium (loperamide from own brand places much cheaper). I was also given Fybogel to take each day (advertised as for constipation but actually works for diarrhoea as it bulks things up and slows it down). I found taking 2 immodium tablets every morning as a maintenance dose worked well, and then if I was having a particularly bad day another tablet would usually do it.

I managed my symptoms with the medication, but it wasn't until I had hypnotherapy (privately) to help me with relaxation and some CBT (NHS) to build up my courage to get back on trains again and learn about panic attacks and anxiety that I found my IBS became much more manageable, and the attacks became much less frequent. I would really recommend tackling this and not just relying on medication forever. I cannot tell you how much my life has turned around now I can leave the house without worrying all the time.

Best of luck OP :)

Original poster
sarahsbeans · 03/08/2017 21:14

Rednailsandnaeknickers thanks for your non useful input. Yet again another user on MN with a shitty attitude to something they cannot begin to understand. I said nothing about relying on or misusing imodium. I just commented on not wanting to rely on anti depressants. I'm also not an anxious mess, just very anxious in certain situations. Otherwise a very happy person! You sound like an absolute delight.

Thankyou everyone for your comments and personal opinions. Really appreciate your feedback and you taking the time to reply and will certainly look into some of your suggestions. It has really made me feel better about the situation.

Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
sarahsbeans · 03/08/2017 21:16

Dothefandango that's very interesting! I'm researching as we speak. Thank you x

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 03/08/2017 21:18

Good luck sarahs. IBS is a truly horrible all consuming thing. It just rules everything. I hope you can enjoy your holiday.

thatsnotwaynesbasement · 03/08/2017 21:20

OP you need to see your dr about the anxiety, not the IBS. I would really avoid going down the tena lady route because (no offfense to the lady that suggested it), where will it end? A nappy? Never leaving the house? Obsessively checking where the toilets are so you end up missing out on your life? I think you need to google

Wolfiefan · 03/08/2017 21:23

You don't need to "rely" on anti depressants but medication can be a useful part of a treatment plan.
It's a sad state of affairs that people are happy to take pills for physical problems but it's not ok to take them for MH issues. Sometimes they are necessary. And effective.

thatsnotwaynesbasement · 03/08/2017 21:25

Shit posted too soon. Google toilet anxiety and read up on that. The IBS is by the by because it is probably being caused by the anxiety. Start working on your response to the anxiety when you feel it come on, maybe by chewing mint gum, which has a stomach settling effect, or try listening to the headspace meditation app on your phone. Think to yourself, 'I'm going to close my eyes and take 40 slow deep breaths and if I still feel like panicking after that I'll deal with it then.' Don't let this ruin your holiday, or worse, your life.

Original poster
sarahsbeans · 03/08/2017 21:28

Wolfiefan yes I agree. It is sad and I'll hold my hands up that I'm one of the people that need to get my head around the fact pills aren't just for physical problems. Shameful to say but I didn't want to waste my doctors time with a non physical/non emergency issue! Will definately see my GP I realise that's what I need to do to get better and resolve the deeper issue.

OP posts:
Piratefairy78 · 03/08/2017 21:30

Dothefandango I'm so going to give hypnotherapy a try following what you've said. I take loperamide daily (on consultants advice) and have had surgery to put a pacemaker in my back which stimulates the bowel. It's helped massively, and after having train episodes too, I would like to get to the point where I could comfortably travel.