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?

Could it be as simple as the action of being out and about getting things moving? I sympathise OP I have IBS and sometimes it’s traumatic trying to find somewhere

You’re not eating loads of mints or having chewing gum just when you’re out are you? I think it’s the Xanthan or Xorbitol (or some other X) that acts like a laxative

Yep, I get this too. Mostly, but not always, in shops. I was diagnosed with IBS years ago!

I saw an influencer talk about how this always happened to her in TK Maxx and the comment thread was full of people saying it affected them too

I have Crohn’s with a stoma bag now but in certain shops I was always triggered , Matalan B&Q and the local Lidl bizarrely - I think after it happens once it becomes a mental trigger

No I never have either.

When you walk everything moves down so that makes sense. It sounds like there could be a physical issue though so I’d def see your GP who can run simple stool tests.
My bowels are shocking - I have some major digestive issues - fibre def affects me too. I made a coleslaw w raw red cabbage the other day and I did about 8 toilet trips and awful farts for about 24 hours.
Haven’t eaten raw veg for 2 days and been going normally and no farting so I know I’m reacting to the Fodmap thing.
Def look at your diet as well as getting the tests

I can’t believe how many other people who suffer the exact same thing! I honestly thought I was on my own with this. It’s really horrible and so odd. I will definitely go to the doctors and get checked out but it sounds like from other people who’ve already been down that road that it’s likely to be something psychological. I have become a lot less peopley the last few years so maybe deep down my body is reacting to being somewhere in public. Although that doesn’t explain the fact it’s happening on remote walks now.

Have ordered a multipack of small tissue packs from Amazon to be delivered tomorrow for now though!

Food wise I don’t eat any processed food and I’m a vegetarian. At the moment my diet is very healthy but there’s been times when it’s definitely been less so, and I haven’t noticed any change to my ‘issue’.

I work in a shop and everyone comes in there for a shit its really normal. Im assuming its like an anxiety thing being in a large crowed space

Regardless of what it could be caused by, it seems sensible to get medically checked out just in case there is some serious cause.

Fingers crossed it's something psychosomatic or easily fixed.

It's a change, so it needs to be checked. It could be a huge range of benign causes, but it can also be a symptoms of more serious things like bowel or ovarian cancers. It's not likely to be, but get it checked out to be sure.

Was just going to say, I have heard of this happening to runners a lot. Sounds like you're always upright and walking when it happens, I'd be walking around the block by my house so I was within dashing distance in future, before going further afield, so you've already had your walking induced poo before you go on your real trip. Does sound odd though.

If only things were that predictable. The 3 times it’s happened in the last 4 days, I’ve already been walking for at least half an hour before the urge has taken me. I’m already dead on my feet by the end of the day as it is, I literally don’t have an extra half and hour to an hour of walking in me to try and have a dump first.

IBS . Worth a visit to the GP for a fit test . If IBS is diagnosed there will be medication to help .

Are you eating before shopping?

The walking will aid digestion and push things along.

My Mum was like this for a few years. Turned out she had diverticulitis.

I used to have a friend and whenever I saw her or spoke to her on the phone I would need to go within 30 mins. Wtf is that sbout

Have you changed your habits? Do you have a coffee before going out? For me coffee makes me need to go and that comes on suddenly. Also walking and exercise can also bring it on. I usually have about three coffees in the morning whilst moving around / doing household chores, so I can get my toileting out of the way before going out to save getting caught in the way you describe.

No, I mean sometimes I probably have but definitely not all the time, life is so busy that my the time I go shopping it’s usually because there is absolutely nothing left to eat at home so I’d say usually I haven’t eaten beforehand.

You’ve reminded me that I have one friend whose house makes me need to go within minutes of walking in the door. It’s her house, not the friend, as I can see her in the pub or wherever and I don’t have the same problem. She says it happens to a few different friends who visit her house 🤷‍♀️

I don’t drink coffee.

I have a similar problem - it's very debilitating. Pharmacist recommended Alforex probiotic tablets and they've been a game changer . I also make Kombucha - a fermented tea drink which is delicious and great for gut health

This happens to me too op. Only in supermarkets though. Ive often wondered why.

As others have said - please see a GP! But I have to say I have a similar issue when
..online shopping. Including grocery shopping! Its bizarre! I think shopping gives me a dopamine/adrenaline boost, depending on what im buying. Luckily it's online only so I have access to my toilet :) I think when im in the shops physically im more distracted/stressed so I dont have the same issue, fortunately!

I do take probiotics everyday so that angle should be covered.