RD Terriers- You sound exactly like me! On the way back from Cabo they had us circling in the air for over an hour and I had no choice but to get up. The entire plane was flipping out that I got up but I was like- I am going to be sick and that is that. So ever since then I HAVE take a full xanax before I get on and I try to take early flights and do nto eat ANYTHING before I get on- I just sleep. I am the same way w meetings here at my investment bank. I am ruining my own chances to be more involved and to be more of an asset bc I am afraid that if I go to the meeting they will expect me to all the time and if I leave unexpectantly on more than one occasion that they will be like " what is wrong w her"- i can not explain this situation ya know? Its a comforting feeling to know we all feel like this, however it does not really help me deal. I HAVE to go #2 before I get on the ferry/train in the am or else i BUG out and am stuck. I basically feel helpless and hopeless I am considering giving up an awesome job here just to avoid that commute. Any strategies you have would be great. I am trying to get pregnant so like to aboid meds at all costs. Thanks again everyone!!

You know I used to feel this way...and then for some reason it went away but now I have IBS and so as soon as I feel anxious I feel like my stomach starts and I feel like I need to go to the bathroom....I just hate it...but I'm trying to deal with it and the program and know it's OK and not freak myself out....cause it's US that's being scared...I hope I make sense...you really as hard as it is try not to obsess about it...I mean so you have to go to the bathroom? That's OK do your breathing and believe in yourself....You can get over it....BELIEVE...I hope that helps

This is a problem for me. It isn't just being near a bathroom...it is the embarassment of having to go several times. I can't hold it like I used to be able to do. It is terrible for work. Effexor and Paxil both helped but I can't take either right now. I know the anxiety makes it worse but I have it other days when I'm home and relaxed as well. It is so hard. Plus I'm a teacher so we can't go whenever we need to go.

I hate that you all are going through this, but it makes me feel better to know that I am not alone. This has changed my life- for the worse. I am constantly making up excuses so I don't have to go places. I have 5 children and they are all involved in so many activities. I know how many minutes it takes to get everywhere I go. Mainly so I can talk myself into being "okay" for those minutes. It is awful! I take Lexapro and Zanax. I also take Immodium everytime I have to leave the house. I avoid trips and when I do go on one- I really can't enjoy myself because I'm always worried about the bathroom problems. This is just an awsul way to live!

I totally understand also. I actually avoid routes where there are no bathrooms. It go so bad I started counting businesses where I knew if I needed to I could go to the bathroom I could. I've been working on this fear a long time and I'm better at it now. I'm not as bad as I used to be. I just keep telling myself it's all worry and fear in my head. It will pass. And for some reason when I kept telling myself this it got better for me.