To think there is something wrong with my bowels?

[WildPoo]

In times when the world seems to be falling apart this may seem trivial, but it’s becoming an important issue for me! Have name changed for obvious reasons.

For the last maybe 18 months or so, every time I go to the supermarket, or any large shop eg IKEA or B&Q, within minutes of getting there I feel like I’m about to shit myself. It’s an urge that comes on suddenly and strongly, and I have to waddle off to the nearest toilet with a great degree of urgency. It’s not like I’m worried about it happening because I genuinely get taken by surprise by it each time, and it’s not like I find shopping a stressful experience. TMI warning - when I do get to the toilet, by god it’s Quite The Event, consistency is solid/normal, but when I walk out I must be about a stone lighter.

Anyway, that’s been a bit curious and annoying for a while, but easy enough to manage as there’s usually a toilet nearby. However, this seems to have extended to when I’m out walking. 3 times in the last 4 days, I’ve ended up having to have a wild poo when out with the dogs, which isn’t as handy as the supermarket thing as you can imagine. Similar feeling, comes out of nowhere and then within a few minutes it’s critical. This is more of a problem, because I’m out walking A LOT.

The shame of posting this on the World Wide Web, but I thought I’d see if anyone has any advice, do I need to see a doctor or is nearly shitting yourself on an almost daily basis just something that is part and parcel of middle age?

Looser trousers, long top, or long skirt or dress for the poonami Ikea trips then. Physician, heal thyself!

Is it caffeine related? Do you normally have a coffee before going to the shops? Caffeine gives me awful urgency.

I don’t drink caffeine other than the odd can of Coke if I’m really flagging for energy, so I don’t think it’s that.

A lot of things can cause urgency - I would keep a food diary. Antidepressants can also cause nervous bowels - have you started these?

Just thinking out loud, can this be something like runner’s trots? I assume you’re not running in IKEA but one theory that explains runner’s trots is the body redirecting blood from bowels to other muscles (legs) that work hard when running.
Not sure if something similar could happen when someone walks much more than normally.

You'll be amazed how much stuff has gluten in it that you wouldn't even dream would have. I would ask the GP to do a blood test to be tested for gluten. At least you can rule it out. Your symptoms do sound a bit like a gluten allergy though.

Poo troll?

It has to be!

Oh no it's not is it?

Thank you, I’ll ask the doctor if they can test me for that.

And no, I’m not a poo troll, I honestly wish I was but sadly this is my actual life.

Are you otherwise quite regular? Do you exercise much? When I had a low carb diet my poo was much less frequent. Exercise can lead to the need to poo. Perhaps if you’re fairly sedentary it’s the act of walking about that stimulates the need to poo?

Pelvic floor exercises might help with the urgency feeling. They’ll help the PPs hold in their farts too.

Not sure how I can prove I’m not a poo troll 😂, but I’m sure mumsnet can verify me as a long standing poster if anyone is overly concerned.

I have actually thought about posting about this before but I was like nah, people will just call me a poo troll. And here we are 🤨

I have this exact problem, it started in perimenopause and has been going on for at least 8 years now. My DH basically waits for me to go to the toilet wherever we go. Big shops with bright lighting and lots of sensory stuff / people always set me off. I will also poop loads and often need to go multiple times. Drives me mad and it makes it a complete pain to go anywhere unless I know they have loos.
Doctor also agreed it was a form af anxiety and fight or flight and offered me sertraline which I declined. I just live with it and also have resorted to wearing pads or thick period pants if I’m going out as the urge is too strong to fully control. You have my sympathy.

Oddly, before I was low carbing I was much less regular, like maybe once every 3 days, but now it’s pretty regular and at least once a day with the LC diet. Which is the opposite of what has happened in the past when I’ve gone LC, and I’ve become very bunged up for a few weeks.

I wouldn’t say I’m sedentary, I’m a dog walker so walk for usually at the very least 3 hours a day, and I have an active hobby too.

Give a detailed account to Chat GPT/Gemini and let us know what that says. If you haven't already done that.

Solidarity! Yes it’s exactly like that, and it’s a bit of an ongoing joke with DP. He sees the look come over my face and I literally have to move as fast as I can, without shitting myself, and I can’t even make conversation because my focus is elsewhere. Maybe it is perimenopause related, I guess timing wise it started along with my periods becoming very irregular.

I did this a while back and it said it’s a flight or fight response, but that was before the walking incidents. But I honestly don’t feel remotely stressed about shopping, I’m generally pretty zen about most things, so I wasn’t convinced.

Definitely a peri thing. Gut / brain axis goes awry with changes in hormones. I find half an immodium melt tablet works well if I’m going somewhere with no loos. Just calms everything down a little.

Yes, do get tested.

Just thinking back to my working days (long retired now), I had to give talks to up to 500 people at conferences. I bloody HATED it. I got the bowel urgency every single time I was sitting waiting to go to the podium. I called it "The Professional Shits" 😂

Like a pp, I learned the hard way that Immodium was vital an hour beforehand. That helped! Oh the joys.

I have this exact issue with particular shops. B&Q, Ikea, TK Maxx, supermarkets etc all bring on an urgent need to poo; definitely anxiety related. Had to poo in the corner of a carpet shop car park once too. Also happens when out walking running etc; I choose walks carefully ensuring there will be quiet spots for emergencies just in case. Have also had a few accidents over the years.
Not a bowel issue (investigated). I dont want to go on anti anxiety meds but might get one of those toilet cards you can show to shops / cafes so you can use their loo even if you aren't a customer.

My friend has IBD and has been caught out numerous times when out and has also had to resort to wild pooing as she is usually out walking her dog.

She was diagnosed about 10 years or so ago and is on permanent medication.

It happens to me too. It’s so embarrassing and I don’t talk about it. It’s usually if I’m stressed worried about getting to somewhere on time. It’s a self perpetuating cycle I poo myself and then I worry it will happen again, so it does. I’m also a dogwalker and know all the good bushes to go in. Shops don’t set me off it’s usually anxiety about being late for things or being somewhere with no loos or bushes. Pads and knowing where the toilets are all help. I don’t get it so much as I try to keep myself regular, I’ve got Ibs and make sure I have plenty of fibre in my diet. I’ve also got diverticular disease and fibre and regularity helps . You’ve got my sympathy -

Get checked for BAM. If it is that it can be treated by taking colesevelam daily.

Is a poo troll someone who makes up a fictitious post about poo to get other people to talk about their own poo ?

If so, eww.