24 and feeling like I'm confined to the toilet for the rest of my life

By Turtleonthetoilet

1 min read

I started having IBS 9 years ago in high school after years of eating terribly and experiencing a lot of emotional trauma and abuse. Sometimes I can remember the days pre-IBS and I cry because I miss them so much. I had no idea how lucky I was to just poop normally.

Confined to the toilet

To not have to spend 4 or more hours a day defecating was such a treat that I had no idea I was taking for granted. I've lost friends and relationships because I can barely leave my house, and people seem to think IBS is an imaginary illness that I'm making up or exaggerating. Trust me I wish I was. I wish I could go out for more than 2 hours at a time without fearing crapping my pants.

Doctors don't understand

In the 9 years I've struggled with this, 5 different doctors have belittled my problems, denied my access to treatment, and overall destroyed my faith in medical practice. Because I'm a healthy weight and appear normal, all of my problems must be in my head. I don't have anything profound to say, I just wanted to get my story out there in a group of people that understand my pain. Thanks for reading.

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Karina Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Turtleonthetoilet" user-id="4515177"/> I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling so much. IBS is definitely not an imaginary illness and the symptoms and flares are terrible and very real. I too lost many friendships because people just didn't understand. I've also never found a doctor who took me seriously, they all wrote it off as "just IBS". I suppose you must have tried many things during the past 9 years. Has anything helped at all? Sending hugs, Karina (team member)
Rebecca Member
I just discovered this relationship between IBS and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). I was excited to see it because 1) I have suffered from constipation since I was a toddler in the '50s. 2) I was eventually diagnosed with IBS. I wasn't diagnosed with anxiety disorders until the mid "80's when I was diagnosed with 'Bipolar I with Psychotic Features'. And 3) Anxiety disorder is comorbid with Bipolar disorder. It all makes so much sense! I was mulling over the idea that people with IBS should be made aware of this so that they can watch for symptoms of Anxiety order based on their IBS dianosis!
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 Yes! I think anxiety should always be looked into when dealing with IBS. I find when I feel major urgency breathing techniques and meditation calm the symptoms tremendously. There is certainly mind- gut connection here. -Elizabeth (team member)
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Rebecca" user-id="4537623"/> I can relate so much! Until recently, I hadn't realized that I probably suffered from anxiety since I was a child, and I also always had issues with my digestion. Before IBS, I would constantly throw up whenever I was stressed and it never occurred to me that this wasn't normal. Did you find that treating your anxiety has impacted your IBS at all? -Karina (team member)
Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
Thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes, just sharing can be so therapeutic. You certainly aren't alone in going through this. The anxiety of being out in a public space and not knowing if there will be bathrooms or not can be crippling. I can relate to you completely. I hope you are doing well these days and having less urgency. Big hugs, Elizabeth (team member)