Anxiety and panic attacks when travelling

[beckywiththeshithair37]

I'm suffering quite badly with anxiety when travelling lately. Anywhere out of my local town will send me over the edge especially if it's somewhere I haven't been before. I honestly don't know why I'm like this. Perhaps the unfamiliarity of going somewhere new. I also have Ibs issues and get very very nervous if I know I'm going on a long journey with no services or toilet access for big chunks of time on the route.

This weekend dp and I went for a couple of nights away. Literally a 45 minute drive away. Within ten minutes of setting off I was having a panic attack and we had to stop at a McDonald's in my hometown before we could continue so I could use the toilet - anxiety sets my ibs off so the two things are a vicious cycle.

I'm fed up of it. I'm scared of going anywhere now which is a shame because once I get to the destination and get my bearings I'm usually fine. Dp is patient but I feel like such a freak.

Don’t worry Becky - once you overcome your anxiety the (anxiety related) IBS issue will go too. Been there and got the t-shirt. I had anxiety and panic attacks so bad I got quite ill. I thought I was beyond help but Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helped me and I’m better than ever now! There’s a great book called The Worry Cure that helped me to. Prescribed by my therapist. I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you @Milo2 - I have tried cbt before and unfortunately it didn't really help. I will have a look at the book though. I feel like this is really impacting on my life. I'm finding excuses to duck out of anything that involves travelling. The ibs and anxiety are definitely linked. It's as though the anxiety and panic creates the need to poop if that makes sense. There is a strong link between the brain and gut, it's been scientifically proven.

It's as though the anxiety and panic creates the need to poop if that makes sense

Definitely does. I'm currently at the airport and getting a plane in the morning, already have a bad tummy

@turnandfacethenamechange yep flying is a major trigger for me too. Although I'm not too bad on the plane because I know there's a toilet nearby. It's the waiting around in passport control queues and hotel transfers that get me. Basically anytime I'm in a situation where im aware that a toilet isn't readily available the panic starts.

I have this!! I get it so bad now that I can't even walk into town without it happening :( mine started around 2 years ago out of the blue! :( I'm at sucha a loss with it @beckywiththeshithair37

I’ve had something similar and acupuncture has really helped me even though I was quite sceptical at the beginning. I would also reconsider CBT, maybe try a different therapist. Also if i’m Feeling really bad (thankfully pretty rare now) I just take some immodium and that kind of breaks the cycle, I know I won’t need to go so I stop worrying about needing to go (and then I won’t need to go etc etc) good luck!

@lucy2204 so sorry to hear that you're going through this as well. It's horrible and embarrassing to talk about. I have created this irrational fear of having an accident or having to go at the side of the road or something. What started off as a niggling worry has basically started to take over my life. My ibs isn't even that bad on a daily basis but the anxiety makes it ten times worse. I wish I could figure out how to overcome this. Do you take any medication?

Thanks @Mediumred I do take a lot of immodium these days! Often just as a precaution. But I'm finding even that doesn't always stop the urge to go once my panic sets in. I know that immodium can slow down the bowel but I don't think it can treat the cause.

Honestly it's a nightmare and makes it very difficult for me to travel with anyone who isn't my dp. In fact I can't remember the last time I went somewhere far away with friends or other family members :(

@beckywiththeshithair37
I'm not on medication at the minute as I'm pregnant, I've never actually spoken to any doctor etc about it, way to embarrassed and not sure there's anything they can do other than give me meds for the anxiety. I'm not sure this would even stop the 'panic poops' I have to get up extra early to try and stop it happening when I have to go out.. doesn't always work -.- and that's my biggest fear!!I feel so silly once I get back home but also just wna be normal -.- I used to travel hours every weekend and no I can barely do 20mins :(

@lucy2204 yep I'm exactly the same. When I'm at home or at work or anywhere my brain considers to be a safe place I'm absolutely fine. But put me in a car on a country road for longer than ten minutes and I go into total panic mode.

I was exactly the same for a very long time over my teen age years. CBT definitely helped me, I also had to force myself into these dreaded situations in order to over come the anxiety and fear.

I was exactly the same. Spent years not wanting to leave my town, eating out was also a big trigger, holidays were ruined.
I started on sertraline and after around 4 weeks I was like a different person.
I can’t believe I wasted so many years with anxiety and not making the most of life.

@beckywiththeshithair37 I have safe spaces to🙈it's so crazy how the mind tricks itself,I've tried doing it so I don't eat or drink anything before going out it seems to help a little... x

For a long time I've been reluctant about going down the medication route because my anxiety only flares when I have to do something out of the ordinary - which isn't that often. Day to day life is fine. But I recognise that this is starting to control me a bit and I'm wondering if it might be worth speaking to my doctor.

I don't want to become dependent on anti depressants or anxiety medication which could have other side effects if I don't really need it in everyday life. But at the same time I can't keep having these episodes and passing up opportunities either.

The doc did give me some beta blockers for my anxiety so it was only to take when it was a situation that was stressing me out, not an ongoing medication like anti-depressants (although I know other people that they have worked really well for and if it helps I’m sure it will massively improves the quality of your life overall) I was doing CBT and acupuncture at the same time so improving anyway but it was nice knowing that I had another weapon in my armoury, I only had to take them four or five times. CBD oil can be quite good as an over-the-counter option too.

I have heard beta blockers are good for intermittent anxiety but that they mostly work by slowing heart rate - it would probably help with the panic and anxiety but maybe not so much with the tummy troubles.

@beckywiththeshithair37 maybe just troop it out and go doctors I plan once babies here as I can't be dealing with it with 3 kids in toe-.- train toilet can be tiny and I'd be truly screwed if it was just me traveling with them -.- lucky my partner is strapped to me when we travel!, I looked up some safe foods for the night before travelling maybe have a look online see if it helps x

@beckywiththeshithair37 hey hun I know it's been a while but did you sort out the 'anxiety poops' I had my baby in June and fully expected mine to go but there back now I'm taking my son to school -.-I'm planning to go to the doctors if it's still bad next week, I have been before and she brushed me off so not sure what to do, 🤔horrible timing hope your keeping safe xx