1.) I try to find a bathroom that I can make my own if I am away from home. I look for bathrooms that arn't regularly used (e.g. in basements, top floors, at the ends of long corridors)
2.) Once I find a bathroom that I have used and can use reliably I try not to worry. This leads to me not worrying at all because I know that I can use it time and time again.
3.) Eventually a routine will form. I'll start to go to the bathroom around the same time at the same toliet. I make sure to give myself "me time" in order to loosen my body up
4.) If I'm having a particularly hard time, I find that kneeling over something (say at the foot of a bed with my chest on the bed) helps to motivate my bowels to move.
5.) Turning the shower on can totally help
6.) When the times get tough, I try not to remind myself that I neeeeed to go but cant. I wont look at my stomach, I wont feel it with my hand, etc.
7.) Hypnosis helps quite a bit. I use an IBS audio 100 program http://www.healthyaudio.com/content/irritable_bowel_syndrome
8.) This IBS forum is helpful http://www.ibsgroup.org/
It has plenty of people suffering from Bowel issues who have asked question upon question.
7.) Try to have a sense of humor about it (this site seems to be pretty good about it)
I'm so happy I found this site. For the past year, I have been having so much trouble. I moved to go to school in Seattle and at first did fine. I used my tricks and was able to make it though the day no problem. However, when my partner came to visit me I stayed with him at a hotel for 3 days (HELL). I couldn't go to the bathroom and was plugged up. After he left I thought things would get better, but to no avail I was barely having bm's. Totally sucked balls, I wanted to die I was in pain daily. When christmas break came around, however, I flew home and instantly...I felt my bowels loosen and it was like I had had no problems within the past month. Soon after christmas break, however, I moved back to seattle (with my parter whom I live with currently) only to have tummy troubles once again. I kept thinking what is wrong with me? Is it IBS, something else? I was perplexed as to why I could have problems in Seattle, but not in Idaho. I started trying to find a "cure" as soon as possible. I tried Fish Oil, Peppermint Tea, Metamucil, etc. only to recieve little comfort. After school ended I left for IL for an internship (I also left my partner and our little apt behind). Upon setting myself up in IL and finding a reliable bathroom, I was doing great. This added more to my "what the #### seattle...I just want to crap" conundrum. I moved back to seattle after the internship and lo and behold problems again. I've since figured out that it's because my close proximity to my partner and my lack of "personal bathroom space." However, I still kept thinking that there was something wrong with me and if only I could pinpoint it...
I stumbled onto this site today and I am incredibly glad. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted and I'm actually kind of chuckling at myself (in fact, I just went to the bathroom and it was the best dump I'd had in weeks).
I think putting into perspective that this is a "social disorder" and that I'm not the only one is really helpful because it makes me feel less disfunctional. It gives me some hope that I might some day be back to my regular pooping self.
Take Care Everyone,
Brandon (19 in Seattle)
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