YES!!! I just posted about taking pepto and immodium. I am so with you! I went shopping with a friend and was having anticipatory anxiety for 2 days. I was so afraid I'd need to pull off the side of the road and poop that I was in a full blown panic attack. I actually was reaching for my index card to try and calm myself down when I rearended the car in front of me. After that, I was more concerned about that and my IBS anxiety subsided. Does anyone out there have difficulty eating out? I eat so little when I'm out with people that they probably think I've got an eating disorder. Just so afraid of the urgent need to get to the bathroom but more so of embarrassing myself. So, happy to have support and to know I'm not alone.

Yah I have that fear too....I'm afraid I'll eat something that will set me off and I'll have to travel home afterwards in a panicked stated. I eat out with alot of caution. Then sometimes I think what if the bathrooms are all occupied, what then? Man, its endless isn't it? Can't wait to get started on this program.

Speaking about eating out...last night i went to a friend's house for dinner. Usually I eat light so as not to encourage any stomach problems, but they prepared the dinner especially for our anniversary and it was so good that i ate more than usual. I felt fine for the most part but then as I started to think about the drive home, I got anxious. I used the bathroom twice before leaving but was still very anxious. And wouldn't you know it, a few minutes after leaving we got lost! This normally is a total nightmare, but although i just got the program and haven't started session one yet, I practiced the breathing technique outlined for us and also the positive talk and I actually was able to calm myself down. Shocking! Normally I would have really freaked out. I have to say I was really happy about the outcome of that ride home and especially that it didn't ruin the night for me.

Even though I've been with the program for sometime now and on meds and actually have made some milestones, my fear is today. It's Father's day and my husband has been nagging to go out on a boat. He even got his boating license so we can rent a small boat and go out but the boat doesn't have a bathroom and he's talking about going out for at least 2 hrs. He knows I have IBS and I don't want to ruin his day by bringing up my fear so I keep praying it will rain today like they said it would but so far nothing.

Wow, I'm nervous just reading that.....I used to go out on boats for hours w/out bathrooms but now forget it. Of course I know I'll eventually be able to do that again. I have an upcoming trip and I have to make a 6 hour drive from Phoenix to LA....long stretches of nothing between the 2 cities. I'm working hard on this program so I'll be able to use the tools learned here to deal with that trip. Hope your day went ok!

I talked my husband out of the boat trip since there was still the possibility of a thunderstorm. So, I was safe this weekend. I guess I'm just going to have to get over it. I used to always go on boat trips and if I can conquer this then it will be another milestone. That's what's really important; to pat yourself on the back for even the smallest conquer you make. I started with driving longer and longer distances and now I love driving again. I also am doing much better on eating out. Of course expect some setbacks but don't get frustrated just make sure you don't let it stop you from continuing to go forward. I turned my truck in my personal serenity space; put little pictures of my family, little things that meant something that I could focus on if I started getting anxious and of course my favorite music. Good luck on your trip; you can do it!
Laura

Thanks Laura, that's great you've made so much progress. I'm starting session 2 today, which I have mixed emotions about I guess. On the one hand, I've very excited because panic attacks are the #1 thing I want to put a stop to. On the other hand I'm sort of afraid that it won't work for me, so I almost don't want to begin. lol. But I'm going to start it today and try to think positively and really dig into it, and I'm sure it will work out ok. As far as the trip goes, I've made it a number of times before so I'll be ok I'm sure. Its never as bad as you make it out to be once you're in the situation.

Bambino-
Well, if you've made this trip before then you should make it like a game and play "I spy" with yourself and each 10 or so mile markers you've passed without problems think of the next 10 you'll pass. You should be just fine.
Laura
P.S. I haven't heard the word "bambino" since I was a little bambino myself. Are you Italian?

Laura,

Yah that is a good idea, I'll give it a shot. I started the program yesterday and now I'm trying to make a plan of how I'm going to start challenging myself again and using the steps when and if the panic comes. This is tough stuff! haha.

Yes I'm Italian/Sicilian...one of my friends gave me that nickname when I was younger and it stuck.

One of the main reasons this program has helped me is listening/reading about folks just like me! I know how you all feel. I just did a plane trip across country. We were stuck on the runway for an hour due to weather delays. I listened to the relaxation CD that I downloaded onto my Ipod. It's not really made for that situation, but it was still effective. Hmmm... maybe there should be an audio clip specifically for traveling? Focusing on slowing down my breathing helped. I also eat only a very small amount of food on days that I fly (like a few crackers and only water). The IBS is still a big issue for me, but at least I have some tools to deal with it.

What bothers me is that for the past few months I have been keep a food journal and also a journal of my moods and STILL get an IBS attack at least once a week for no apparent reason. I got one on Sunday, came out of now where but at least I was home. I had taken a mid-term exam the day before and knew I did really well on it (actually got the grade back and it was a 98) My husband and I, who had the worst fight ever and even considered separating, made up Saturday night so I was at total peace but woke up Sunday morning with horrible gas pains and BAM! IBS all day! The only thing that gets me through those days is knowing that it's just one day, I'm not going to die and I'll be fine the next.

Hi all, I'm currently 18 and have had IBS for about a year. I have had the fear of not being near a bathroom as well, if I'm going on a stretch of road that I know doesn't have a bathroom. I'm finally going to the doctor about it on Monday, to hopefully find some fix for this problem. I'm trying to stay positive, and I am looking to solve this at all costs. My biggest thing is to make sure to find a cure or a solid solution to the problem. This is something I do not want to live with the rest of my life, and plan to not have to deal with this a year from now. Is this possible, has anyone overcome their problem?

Budguy-
I'm so sorry you've been stricken with IBS at such a young age. My first bad episodes started when I was 30 after a major anxiety attack, after that the anxiety and IBS have been with me since and even though I've altered my diet and exercise more it only helps a little however, my problem is genetic and also I have always had a lot of stress. Unfortunately, at this time there is no CURE for IBS only medicines and things you can do to lessen the onsets. Depending on your currents issues; depression, anxiety, stress, etc. and working on that is the a very good way to help alleviate the IBS. You didn't really say what type of IBS you had; diarrhea or constipation or both. For many, adding more fiber to your diet helps but add gradually otherwise you could make your symptoms worse. Most Americans don't consume enough fiber in our diets anyway so look for breads and foods that say 3grams of fiber per serving or more. Drink lots of water too once starting to increase your fiber. Need more info on exactly what your IBS is like to give more advice. Good luck!
Laura

You know, to be fair to myself, my IBS actually started in freshmen year of high school. For 2 years I had the constipation problem, and took miralax like there was no tomorrow. Then my junior year it turned to being a diarrhea problem, and that's what it is to this day. I don't have it super severely, but like, enough to disrupt what I want to do. The problem is this: my head screams "Oh my God! Oh my God! There's no bathroom for 10 miles, what do I do?," then this anxiety goes to my intestines, which makes them go nuts, continuously contracting because of the nervousness, causing diarrhea. I'm nervous because I have diaherra, and I have diaherra because I'm nervous. It's a vicious cycle.

budguy- your nervousness is not going to your intestines, it is going to your stomach which is the epicenter of causing things to start happening in your digestive system which leads to your bowels turning which there is usually bloating involved before a released pressure which in the end is you going to the bathroom. And yes your brain is somewhat in control of that because of the anxiety. I have the same situation but have had it since I was 10 and I am now 22. Eating foods that you know will trigger a stomach issue is a no no obviously, so try sticking to healthier foods like laura v said that are high in fiber as well as drinking plenty of water usually around 4 8 ounce glasses of wet stuff should be suffice, that will help you lessen the stress in your bowels and releive the bloating feeling so when your anxiety does decide to trigger again, the bloating might come but should subside alot easier if you keep up with your fiber and water each day, and try some probiotics at night before you go to bed to keep your bowel movements more regular. Most people with IBS have an overgrowth of bad bacteria inside their intestines which makes them more susceptible of being sick then others. Think happy thoughts too, be nice to yourself, its a big help with the anxiety part.