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Women's health

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Digestive issues

3 replies

wishihadagoodone · 23/07/2023 18:05

Just fucked off and need a vent if I'm honest. Not really expecting help but thanks for taking the time to read if you do.

For years, I've experienced diarrhoea as part of anxiety attacks. It's a vicious cycle. I'm anxious about attending big events in case I'm I'll or need the toilet, which in turn, gives me diarrhoea.
A therapist once told me if was my cavewoman brains response. A rush of adrenaline makes my brain think we're under aft back from a t-Rex so it makes my body physically lighter by evacuating the bowel so we can get away faster. Not much use to me these days!

I've been to the doctors and tried various anti anxiety medication over the years, CBT, breath work etc. I went to the doctor once and told him I'm trying to manage it by taking anti diarrhoea medication before big events as a precaution but surely I can't do this forever. He literally just shrugged his shoulders and said he couldn't see why not. Super helpful.

Once a month, in the run up to my period and during the week itself, anything I eat will go straight through me. Whether it's plain, spicy, greasy, healthy etc I've had it. I really have. I can't enjoy anything, I need to be near a toilet near constantly because if it's not my period, it's my anxiety.
I've been tested for crohns, not that. Not a coeliac either.
Feel constantly fobbed off.
Constantly tired and bloated.

Just fuck being a woman sometimes!!!!!!

OP posts:
HappyJoyousFree · 23/07/2023 18:12

Omg I had this! It got so bad in the end the thought of going out caused so much anxiety. I missed weddings and all sorts as I used to panic about being stuck in a place where I couldn't go to the bathroom if I needed to. This increased anxiety and the cycle continued! I changed my diet 3 days before I knew I needed to attend anything and just ate plain foods and took immodium daily. It was awful.

I tried all the things offered too and in the end I paid privately for hypnotherapy and it was a life saver. I was really embarrassed at first when she asked the main issue but I was desperate! Fast forward 6yrs and life is still good. I don't even think about the toilet issues now. I still prefer sitting at the end in cinemas and theatres etc but it's a preference not necessity.

I thought it was just me!

wishihadagoodone · 23/07/2023 18:15

HappyJoyousFree · 23/07/2023 18:12

Omg I had this! It got so bad in the end the thought of going out caused so much anxiety. I missed weddings and all sorts as I used to panic about being stuck in a place where I couldn't go to the bathroom if I needed to. This increased anxiety and the cycle continued! I changed my diet 3 days before I knew I needed to attend anything and just ate plain foods and took immodium daily. It was awful.

I tried all the things offered too and in the end I paid privately for hypnotherapy and it was a life saver. I was really embarrassed at first when she asked the main issue but I was desperate! Fast forward 6yrs and life is still good. I don't even think about the toilet issues now. I still prefer sitting at the end in cinemas and theatres etc but it's a preference not necessity.

I thought it was just me!

Jesus the sitting at the end of a cinema row. I'd forgotten I do that too. Just last week in case I needed to make a quick exit!
Hadn't even thought about hypnotherapy but honestly, I'd be willing to try anything.
I'm afraid it's affecting the life I'm creating for my kids too and that's my worst nightmare.
Thanks for taking the time to reply! Off to google hypnotherapy now!

OP posts:
Linzie79 · 24/07/2023 08:58

I know exactly how you feel. When I feel anxious and get butterflies in my stomach, I get diarrhea minutes later. It comes out of nowhere. I'll too sit at the end of a row in the cinema ... on long trips I always want to take the scenic route through towns/villages to avoid the fear of needing to go on the motorway. Any plans revolve around toilet access. I'm travelling to Spain on Sunday and I'm already anxious about the diarrhea I'll get that day. As soon as I arrive home to any place I feel totally fine! It's crazy how the brain/gut relationship works. Any suggestions of things to take? I take an imodium instant about an hour before travelling but I'm so worried they might have a lesser effect if I overuse them.

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