Anxiety and multiple toilet trips - how can I beat this

[Dietingalways]

As above, I’ve gradually developed a real problem and quite frankly I’m sick of it now.

Most mornings I go to the loo (poo) before work. If I have a meeting or know it’s going to be a difficult day for any reason I will have urgency and make repeated trips to the toilet, often only going a little bit each time. I’ll get loads of urgency through the morning and if I ignore it I’m at real risk of not being able to hold it in.

Perimenopause has made this worse along with a few bereavements and a job change and now before I go anywhere I’m either on the loo constantly before I go or looking for a loo whilst I’m out.

I’ve noticed I’m far better if I’m out and have a few drinks, I just relax then and I’m ok.

im due to change jobs again and will be in more meetings. Within minutes of sitting down the urgency starts and my bowels turn to water and I’m back and fore the loo till It calms.

been to GP, all tests normal, he wanted to give me Sertraline but side effects can be diarrhoea and I just can’t risk that in work.

Immodium works but Bungs me up painfully then for a day or so and I’ll spend a day dumping on the loo then once it wears off.

Any ideas what is best to take? I’m sure it anxiety which is ridiculous as my sensible brain knows there’s nothing to be anxious about.

You need a low dose of amitriptyline. It works to a certain degree with anxiety but also really helps IBS or the symptoms you have. It slows down everything and is prescribed for the reason you have. I’m surprised your GP didn’t mention amitriptyline!

I asked about it and was told it wasn’t suitable as a first choice and that it was an old fashioned drug.
I may go back and ask to try it again

Go back to the GP as you say. I have to say that I have never heart of sertraline causing diarrhoea, so I don’t think it’s common, if the drug PP suggests doesn’t work.

It sounds like you need to work on anxiety.
I’d have a look into relaxation techniques - breathing etc and some CBT to manage your anxiety, as well as medical help.

Well it wouldn’t be a suitable anti anxiety medication if given at 80+mg but just 10mg would probably stop it. It’s old fashioned for anxiety and depression but used commonly for IBS, sleep problems, migraines, nerve pain.

Have you tried Mebeverine Hydochloride (Colofac)?

it helped me when I was going through a real time of stress & the Dr said it was IBS.

it worked well. I am not in the UK now but you could by it OTC or get more on prescription.

I was given a box of meberverine tablets but only took them for a day or so, they didn’t seem to work. How long should I have taken them for to see a difference?

I take amitriptyline for this. Don't care if it's old fashioned or not, it helps.

Google small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (sibo) it is quite common and can present as relentless diarrhoea which may respond to a course of metronidazole. Or, try 'enterosgel' available in Boots and Amazon. It isn't cheap but it mops up excess toxins and bacteria giving your bowel a bit of a clean up apparently.

Anxiety can cause bowel issues but not to the extent you describe. Also, try a vegetarian diet lots of lettuce and veg may make you more regular and controlled. Good luck, sounds awful. Don't let you gp fob you off this sounds like if impacts massively on your life.

@Dietingalways probably would take two weeks to see any difference with a new medication. Enterosgel is supposed to be very good actually as pp said. Also look into the low fodmap diet - it might help.

Metronidazole is not particularly recommended for SIBO. I have SIBO and am receiving care through the NHS - the best antibiotics are red listed and can only be prescribed by consultants.

I had to check out your user name because I honestly thought I had written this and forgotten.
You have virtually described me to a t.
Perimenopause has definitely made this worse for me, I’ve had IBS for 24 years and it’s been so bad the last 5 years since mid 40’s.
I have been offered sertraline loads and am put off by the diarrhoea side effects.
I did try nortriptyline (the sister drug of Amitriptyline) for 10 days and felt that it helped but it made my throat really sore so I stopped but I’m planning on trying it again.
I do follow the low fodmap diet but it’s not really helping sadly.
Hope you find something to help, it’s a miserable thing to have and sends my anxiety through the roof.