Anxiety and bowel disease....how to deal with it

Well I think that you could explain your problem to them. I would understand your difficulty as I am sure they will.

I do sympathise. DH who has UC goes to the loo several times in the night and has become increasingly unwilling to stay with family or friends for exactly this reason. Happier in a hotel with an en suite.
You must explain this to them as best you can or risk spoiling a happy family occasion.

Make sure you take your tablets with you. OH has IBS / D and we have to stock up on Buscopan in the UK or Spain. It is called "colon irritable", but seems not to be terribly well recognised. Our doctor is a bit sniffy (as it were) about it. You can get immodium in the pharmacy.
Good luck, I am sure it will be fine.

My DS has Crohn's and so I understand exactly where you are coming from holdthetonic. Why don't you book into an hotel instead and explain to the bride's family because of your illness you would feel much more comfortable staying there. I'm sure they would understand.

If it's the night after the wedding, they'll be too drunk to notice! French weddings are brilliant, but go on forever!

Seriously, best just to explain rather than to let them think the wedding food has disagreed with you.

I have similar problems I take an Imodium when I know I m going somewhere and that usually does the business I was terrified this week as I was staying in a mobile home with my daughter and 2 grand kids I was just so worried as I need it when I need it no waiting and with one little loo for four people.... I was also worried about noises thankfully the Imodium seems to have done the trick...... But I completely understand sometimes it's just easier to stay at home than go through the worry and I know I do restrict my life because of both it and an irritable bladder I d be fine with no inner bits the rest of me is pretty young and acceptable

I empathise , I take metformin and it is notorious for the side effect of bowl problems.
In a situation like yours I take an Imodium each morning for a day or two before and continue for a couple of days after This usually stops the worst of the problem. I have read on another forum that some doctors advise taking Imodium daily regardless of symptoms.

I understand how you feel, I always used to get a dodgy gut when I went to France. I used to put it down to the heat and lots of fluids, sometimes I would spend the entire night in the bathroom. I now have a colostomy and avoid the mad dash at night.
I would say it depends on how many bathrooms the house has, if you more or less have one to yourself I wouldn't worry about disturbing other people.

I find rescue remedy helps with stress, you can get it from boots or holland and barrett.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I can't take Immodium any longer as it gives me chronic constipation / blockage. I would certainly have booked into a hotel if that had been an option but the wedding is in the middle of nowhere.... ANYWAY good news.... there's been a slight change of plans I've been allocated a room in the house where my sister and DIL are staying. Hurrah. So stress has alleviated.However I will definitely get some more Rescue Remedy. Thank you all - lovely people!

Where does it go, when you take Immodium for several days in a row?

Imodium - if you are very sensitive to it and get blocked up on it, you can always open the capsule and empty half out so that you take a smaller dose. I know how a=hard it is for those who have never suffered with IBS to imagine how you can go from watery quits 10 times a day to being blocked up one one Imodium - but that is how the illness works. You have to titrate a dose that strikes a happy medium - and stress can send it all off kilter again. There has been recent research regarding the separate "gut brain" that is at fault in IBS. It is a dreadful illness and very socially isolating.

...or even squits.

luckygirl

Glad it's sorted. It is possible to be be almost housebound with IBS, I had it for a few years and lost two stone, suffered from depression, and was afraid to go into town or travel more that 10 minutes away from a loo. Any sort of stress resulted in a very noisy explosive evacuation, which led to some embarrassing moments!
I am lucky in that in my case it was found that I am allergic to wheat and dairy (and fumes from anything made with oil such as plastics etc eg car interiors) and by avoiding them I am mostly OK, unless really stressed out.

I can't offer any more help than to suggest, as others have done, that some explanation is made to your hosts.

IBD seems to be more connected to disease than IBS and I imagine it can be very difficult. My father had ulcerative colitis which seems can be part of IBD and the rush for a loo caused him to stop going out to a great degree. I have IBS but am on a low FODMAP diet which makes a HUGE difference. Sadly these digestive problems can actually carry anxiety as a symptom so do go down the explanation route. Perhaps whoever has arranged for you to stay there of the couple - the bride? - may be the person to approach as someone who knows you may be easier to talk to.

I agree with Mumsy that rescue remedy is useful. Mimilus is good to take beforehand, I.e. Now, as its for apprehension of a known event.
They'll probably be more stressed than you, they'll probably be preoccupied by the clothes, the food, the timings and all the details.
Good luck. I hope you enjoy it.

There is no active ingredient in Rescue Remedy, except a minute amount of alcohol. It can do nothing.

Fluoxetine would probably help you to get the problem in perspective. Bit late for that though.

Just take a deep breath and go. You will be fine.

Hi yes have had the same problems after a colectomy.
Loperamide from the doctor and I double up dose. This works for a few days. I also take a few paper knickers from Boots maternity section and use these so that I do not have to carry soiled pants back in my suitcase. I also take wet wipes to ensure I do not stain sheets.
These precautions have given me a sense of being in control.
Don't worry about the noise too much as with a lot of people there will be lots of others needing to go at night.
Hope you enjoy.

The French are a lot more relaxed about discussing their habits than we uptight English - I have sat pop eyed while the most intimate of bodily functions has been a lively topic over a restaurant table. I agree that if you quietly explain to your host(ess) that you may need to visit the bathroom frequently I bet they will even wonder why you bothered to be so courteous - and that in itself might make you less stressed. Enjoy the event!

I went to Dr and he gave me mebeverine and I can honestly say its changed my life! over the counter stuff is ok for mild symptoms, but I am same as you stress = constant toilet visits, I take mebeverine and it eases it.

I used to have the problem of being very constipated if I took even one Immodium. I've solved the problem by taking children's Immodium which is liquid so you can take a small amount. You do need a prescription for it though.

I wish you would explain the acronyms. I just do not always understand their meaning