Does anyone suffer from IBS? (dont read if youre eating)

I think i have this. Had it a few years but its got worse and worse and was looking for advice as ive "read" theres no cure. Could i ask what your symptoms are? Mine are mainly needing the loo for a no.2 like NOW! It usually happens at tea time or in the morning. Ill eat something and it will go straight through me and when i need the toilet i need it straight away. Ive just had an awful experience. Its thick with snow and ice round here and ive just had to take the pushchair out to get Charlotte from nursery. Stood outside waiting for her dying for a no.2, trying so hard to hold it in, breaking out in a sweat cos i need the toilet so bad, start having a panic attack, she comes out thank God! She then starts crying because i wont take her to the shop for sweets due to me needing the toilet, so im rushing as fast as i can through ice and snow with a stroller and crying 3 yr old desperately trying to hold it in. Get home, drop everything and shoot upstairs. Omg, i cant do this any long, im starting to avoid going out if i know there will be no toilet or if i dont know if there will be one. Its starting to ruin my life and i dont know what to do about it so wondered if anyone who has it, has any tips? Panic attacks have started to come back as well and i think IBS has something to do with it x

I could have written your post. I am exactly the same. And yes its taking over my life.

I actually posted the other day about whether anyone has had acupuncture for panics/IBS but haven't been brave enough to write my "story" as to be honest it really upsets me at the moment as its getting worse - lately, just hearing about traffic jams (especially at the moment) sets me into a panic thinking about what I'd do etc.

xxx

I am the same in traffic jams too!! Get all panicky because i know i cant get out if i need the loo etc. Its bloody awful isnt it xx

It's absolutley awful. Its totally taking over my life and I just don't know what to do about it. As soon as I hit traffic that's it! If I was at home or work I'd be fine for hours but as soon as I panic its now!

I was going to go anon (but not a secret anon) to talk about this when I had the guts to write it as I didn't want it showing up in my business name searches. If you ever want to chat drop me an email lisa@louloubelle.co.uk - in a strange way its nice to know someone who has the exact same thing.

I hope someone posts with some answers!

xx

Oil of Peppermint capsules are suppose to greatly aid IBS.  Plus you get great breath!

I dont think its anything to be embarrassed about but i understand why you would want to go anon. I know what you mean about it being nice to know youre not alone in feeling like it. I wont go out in the car at rush hour where i know there will be traffic jams, its like im starting to plan my whole life around going to the bloody toilet, how sad is that! I know stress can trigger it which is probably why the panic attacks make it worse, but then IBS makes panic attacks worse so its a vicious circle isnt it!! I hope someone has some answers too xx

oldmarried:

Oil of Peppermint capsules are suppose to greatly aid IBS.  Plus you get great breath!

 

Thank you! I shall have a look for some x

I've suffered with IBS for about ten years, I mostly have it under control now although I do have the odd attack.  I control it mainly with food, I managed to identify what foods set me off-onions, alcohol, spicy food, to name a few. My state of  mind is also a big factor, if I'm worked up or stressed about something it will trigger an attack so its a bit of a vicious cycle.

I found a tablet called "colpermin" which is brilliant. its peppermint oil like oldmarried suggested, but its in a thicker case so the capsule doesn;t dissolve too high up and instead reached further down into ur gut where it is actually needed.  Regular peppermint capsules will just release the oil in ur stomach or throat rather than in ur intestines. It takes a while to build up though so wont offer immediate relief during an attack. its vailable from chemists and supermarkets, just in the regular medicine section. usually next to laxotives...!!

Its such a difficult condition to live with as there is no "cure" so to speak, but if you can work out your triggers, be it food, state of mind or whatever, you really can improove ur quality of life.  I was told that unless mine was brought under control I would no be allowed my chosen career, so I had to try and figure out a way to make it behave itself. Its not easy though.

Hello

I'm a fellow IBS sufferer, although I've not had symptoms for a long while now and they were never as bad as yours. Just wanted to say that sounds horrendous - have you seen a doctor? They may be able to do some tests to see if it definitely is IBS.  I the peppermint capsules are called Colpermin (iirc) and they're available in most pharmacies without a prescription

Yep its def a vicious cycle and I too plan my life around toilets! At the moment I am at my worse and feel that I can't even do the 5 mile journey to work - just in case I get stuck. I know its ridiculous but it doesn't change things! x

Not IBS, but I've got a type of IBD called ulcerative colitis, and when it flares up it's just awful.

I'd definitely go and see your gp tho - as Bink says, to confirm it is IBS, or indeed to say it's actually something else. There are treatments available, and they really should be able to help in some way.

Hugs - make that call!

Thanks, im off to Asda tomorrow so will look out for the Colpermin. Im starting to think that maybe pasta, cheese and chocolate start it off because alot of the time i have an attack of it after eating these, but then other times i dont. Ive even tried taking immodium if i have an attack of it and they havnt even worked! Ive looked my symptoms up on the net so definitely think its that and i dont think i need to see a doctor because they cant give me anything. I know its not bowel cancer because theres no blood and ive had this for years, plus im not losing weight or anything. Lisa, im on Facebook if you want to add me, michelle jaques x

ETA sorry, dont know if your name is actually lisa I meant lisaloulou x

I have mild IBS but if I eat certain things I can def feel the effects - I can't drink orange juice for example as I am straight on the toilet. If you do a food diary it might help you to find out what your triggers are - its different for different people - one of my friends its dairy and she's much better since going dairy free. I do find that drinking peppermint tea regularly helps - but no other advice apart from hugs all round. 

Don't have IBS as such, but since I've been pregnant I've had a couple of IBS type attacks  when I've been in the car, and it really is no fun.  I totally sympatise with what you are experiencing and having it on a permanent basis must be horrendous.  It really scares me when I get that tight feeling in my tummy and I break out in sweats - ugh!  Glad that other sufferers on here are able to offer you some advice

YL, it's up to you, but I'd really see your GP about it. Even if he/she does say, actually, no, we can't do anything, it'll be in your notes if you need further support in the future. I appreciate you've googled etc, but google isn't always right.