Originally Posted by
AJS
omg - i am the same - i have had a dodgy system for the past 3-4 years which gradually got worse.
I have never liked having to use public toilets from a young age.
last year i got a load of blood tests as the running to the loo was becoming more and more frequent and I was losing weight. They first found helicobactor and treated it with anti biotics. my tummy/bowels were still in bits - so next came the colonoscopy and endoscopy (which terrified me). They found nothing and the consultant just said i must have IBS.
Then next came the first panic attack out of the blue - again terrified me - which led to panic disorder - couldnt eat, sleep, go to work, was scared to go anywhere.
Eventually things got a better after seeing a counselor and being put on 20mg citalopram and propananol.
I use immodium frequently - if I have to go somewhere I take it as a precaution - i actually think it's more physcological as I think well i've taken immodium that will stop me needing the loo. But when panic is really bad i need to run to the loo anyway.
I can't believe there are other people who have the same issues as me - I thought i was a weirdo that worried about toilets.
I have had 2 accidents in the car - which left me devastated - i cried mky hear t out for ages afterwards - i felt degraded and out of control of my own body - luckily these were in the car and not in public - which is my biggest fear. I have to get on a train in the morning and evening going to work -and i am always worrying - what if there is no loo on the train, or what if its out of order and we get stuck on the track and i start to panic my bowels go then i have an accident. I built up the courage to speak to my counselor about it and she didn't bat an eyelid - she said "oh yeah we've treated people for the same thing before" which made me feel better - but she did say whats the worst that can happen - which of course is having an accident in public - her attitude is so what - but i would be mortified - it was bad enough when it happened in the car. I try and plan things out and take precautions - like always having tissues, i have bought a cardboard loo for the car in case of emergencies - i take immodium all the time - I have even considered buying tena pants and i am only 27!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it's such a difficult thing to talk about - i am so glad that i have found other people who suffer the same and we can all try and help each other. Just like the panic attacks and anxiety - talking to others on here has been a saving grace for me.
I hate havin to use the toilets in work - i am always worried that someone will come in - or that i leave a smell!
I have come to realise that - yes i have probably got ibs and get bloated and certain foods make my stomach upset - but a huge part of this is caused by the stress, anxiety and panic attacks - i just can't believe there has not been more lingking between these things by doctors.
anyways - i have now rambled on for ages - anyone got any remedies or tips?:)
AJ x