So miserable
I suffer with IBS C and chronic gastritis, added to this recently is a bladder issue whereby I'm up 3 or 4 times in the night. If the ibs and gastritis kick in at the same time it's absolutely awful. Just when I think my Ibs is under control, my bowel flares up even though I'm not constipated. I understood the condition to some extent before as it linked with being constipated but now it's random for no apparent reason. I avoid trigger foods and stay hydrated. The bowel seems to be affecting my bladder as when the bowel was full it seemed to cut the flow of urine. I've had ct scans and no diverticulitis so it seems it's the ibs. This is really affecting my life. I don't want to go on holiday anymore because I dread feeling this way and im starting to avoid any social get togethers. The nausea is awful. Buscopan helps with pain and I've tried ginger and peppermint. I am my wits end with this. Docs don't really know the answers either. I exercise 3 times a week and tried meditation. Any advice appreciated.
I am on my own chronic illness journey but I know well the feeling when symptoms hit all at once. It just adds insult to injury and you never know when it is going to happen. The unpredictability also creates so much stress and anxiety and that, in turn, makes the flare ups more likely, and round and round we go. Throw in nausea and it just makes everything that much more unbearable and it's not wonder you want to be at home and as comfortable as possible at all times. You are not alone in any of this, we get it and it stinks. So many of our community members have trouble finding ways to cope, here is the one of their stories: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/coping-strategies If there's anything else we can do to help, please let us know. Keep on keepin' on, DPM 
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with all this, I completely understand why you're avoiding social get-togethers. It's impossible to be social when feeling that way.
I don't know if you've seen it already, but we have this article: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/clinical/bladder-problems about the connection between IBS and bladder problems. You're not alone with this.
Do you have a good support system to help you cope?
Big hugs, Karina (team member)Thank you for your replies. I didn't know about bladder issues alongside IBS. The last 2 days I've had excruciating pain, no exaggeration . This is both bowels. This seems to ease off after I empty my bowels albeit im still sore both sides. Could this be pressure from the bladder? This is a new symptom. I can't cope with this each time I need to go to the loo. Should I contact the doctor or wait for my scan ? I nearly went to A and E the pain was so bad but I know I'll sit for hours as they're so busy.
I'm so sorry that you've been in so much pain. Since it's a new symptom, I would definitely contact your doctor, just to make sure that there isn't anything else going on. Please keep us updated!
-Karina (team member
Sandy, sorry you're dealing with this. I come to this forum quite often to give me some kind of comfort knowing others are going through it too. It helps me during those times to understand this unknown, uncurable disease we got.
Its been 5 yrs for me (worse past 2 yrs) and I'm now more nervous about going places than even before. I have IBS-D and after the D my body shuts down.
I don't know how often you get flare ups but one thing that helped me is telling myself that during the flare up, the worst part is almost over then its good days ahead
