I have a severe fear of doctors and hospitals. So I have never gone to the doctor. But I have almost all of the symptoms of IBS: alternating diarrhoea and constipation to the point of bleeding from anal fissures, and undigested food in stools. I recently started on a low FODMAP diet with natural probiotics and it has been helping. So though I don't have a clinical diagnosis, I am fairly certain that it is IBS.
Colorectal cancer (radiation resection and chemical completed two years ago
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (has GI implications)
esophagitis, gastritis, ulcerative jejunoileitis, IgA deficiency
Psoriatic Arthritis (can have GI effects)
Gastric parentheses, gastroenteritis, diverticulitis on left side

Watery or mushy stools, or having many bowel movements in a day
Bloating or your belly looking unusually large
Hard stools or going several days without having a bowel movement

the uncomfortable pain of feeling like I need to go but not, feeling full all the time
My IBS is controlled by Imodium. I take 6 a day but stools around a 5 on the Bristol Stool Chart and some days a 1 after too much Imodium (it‚Äôs taken daily)
My most bothersome symptom is fear of going out and having to using the loo urgently and not finding a toilet. Because of this I am late everywhere. I am so afraid to leave the restroom when going out. And also, its really annoying to keep checking and examining my stools. Its disgusting. Checking for blood gives me a lot of anxiety. Red peppers, chilli flakes, and tomato skins have really triggered major anxiety.
hard stools 5-7 times every night until morning
Trapped gas in the stomach/upper intestines that causes heartburn and acid reflux.
vomiting, nasuea, weight loss, loss of appitite all combind
After bad diarrhea my belly completely emptied, as in the belly/gut area was recessed past the ribcage and hips.
Abdominal pressure leading to frequent urination
The anxiety of potentially having an accident.
Abdominal pain but more so the urgency associated with the pain- I NEED a bathroom as soon as I feel pain
Nausea associated with constantly feeling full, even after eating only a few bites of food.
Bleeding and cramps and always feeling "stuck up"

It is usually when I am driving a long distance and I can't hold it like other people
It only happened once but I didn't even notice it. My mom pointed out that I had used the bathroom on myself and it was running down my leg. I was 24 at the time.
Woke up, thought I had to pass gas, did not just pass gas
It happened immediately after eating dinner and I really had no warning whatsoever
Well, it was one of those bad-tummy days, so I stayed indoors mostly. I was lying back after lunch when I noticed that I had a bowel movement. It is rather unnerving whenever it happens.
It's sometime happened when I go to urinate when start urinating sometime fating occurs and sometime this thing happened with farting
I was in bed and thought I was passing gas.
I was at work and the pain started. I couldn't get to the toilet fast enough and I had an accident on the way to the restroom
My tummy was feeling sore and bloated. when suddenly I needed the toilet but could not make in time.
Oh, I pooped my pants when I was around 13-14 because nobody took my abdominal pain seriously and my Crohn's got out of control. Everyone thought I was just a kid whining about heartburn.
just times when i can not make it to the bathroom in time and have what I would call explosive diarrhea.
It happens alot, I am not really sure what causes it. It normally happens right after I eat
I thought it was a fart until more starting coming out. I don't feel comfortable saying more than that, it's gross to talk about.
was a very strong thing, mainly because it came accompanied by a lot of fever and joint pain
After a bout of diarrhea, it made it harder to not leak a little stool
Happened during a weeklong episode I was having, couldn't get to restroom in time.
It happened once while I was in bed watching tv, and I was only wearing shorts, but thankfully it wasnt much.
I got a urge to poop and I was driving home and in traffic and could not hold it any longer I went in my pants.
I sharted a few months ago. I intended to fart, and I shat my underwear.
it was embarrassing, and I didn't realize it was coming
After accidentally eating a trigger food, I very quickly felt a bout of diarrhea coming on. It came on so quickly that while I made it to the bathroom, I was unable to make it to the toilet before it began.
Few times when my schedule was really off and I was eating at different times of the day than usual
Was in public. Had sudden urge/need to rush to bathroom. Had chills and felt very sick to stomach. Experienced leaking when trying to sit on toilet.
i was in my job and suddenly all went out and to run to bathroo,. thanks to God nobody saw me
I was at work and all of a sudden i just felt some liquid in my panties.
That a time i feel very pain and reduce weight i cannot normal condition i feel loss my strength.
i had runny poop and tried to pass gas and, well, that happened.
it was not good as expected it pains a lot and have no control on it,wherever i am publicly or private it starts leaking and its not good
Symptoms can be directly or indirectly related to the loss of bowel control. The direct (primary) symptom is a lack of control over bowel contents which tends to worsen without treatment.
It is embarassing ... it happened at work and I had to rush to the bathroom and literally throw away my underwear
I was in bed and my stomach was hurting really bad and it just happened.
I couldn't make it to the bathroom in time. It was like it was an involuntary response.
I was in my car driving to school and it came without warning
I had a bowel movement in my car I could not stop it from coming. it was horrible
I woke up to find that I had soiled myself in my sleep.
An "urge to go" turned into an accident while I was at work and I had to leave early. :(
I went to lift something heavy and it just happened.
I was sitting on the couch and felt it. I was wearing shorts and when I stood up it was dripping down my leg. My husband had just pulled into the driveway of course so I had to rush into the bathroom to clean up
I was at a restaurant with family and had an urgency to move my bowels and rushed to the bathroom. Unfortunately I soiled my underwear.
I got a sudden horrible pain in my stomach. I then soon after I feel an overwhelming urge to make a bowel movement. I don't have much control at first and then I lose control if I wait much longer.
inability to control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum.
Its an embarrassing situation that occurs after certain foods
Doest happen very often , but when it does happen its very embarassing. I hope it happens at or near home.
There's not much to tell. It is embarassing as hell, and you just want to go home and clean up without anyone being the wiser. Thankfully, I have never been caught, or people were polite enough not to notice.
Suddenly I get an urge to go number 2 and it just comes out
I was laying in bed and all of the sudden I felt a rush to defecate and couldn't move in time.
horrible, didn't make it to the bathroom in time
I had just walked into a restaurant when I passed feces accidentally.
I was glad I was at home when it happened I didn't think it was that close to taking place but I misjudged it.
It has only happened to me once while I was rushing to the bathroom. Only a tiny bit of soft stool came out before I made it to the bathroom.
I was at my friends graduation party..... it was embarrassing to say the least. It made me feel pretty bad about myself.
It occurred when I was at the gym so probably due to strenuous exercise.
It happened once when I was a teen, but that may have been a stomach bug issue. Within the last year it really was just an accident. It was hard to believe that had actually happened so randomly.
Usually happens after I eat and then ride in a car or bus. I all of a sudden just have to go within a minute or two. No warning.
I was no where near a bathroom and I lost the ability to hold the fecal matter in.
happens when i cant get to a bathroom quick enough.
My IBS is completely related to stress. A few years ago, a family pet was sick and lost an eye. I was so worried about him that I got sick. I went to throw up in the toilet, and I oatmealed the laundry hamper with a dose of butt mudd. It came right out of my ass, shot behind me, and splattered all over the hamper that sits in front of our toilet. (I was facing the toilet when this happened.) The only reason I did not crap my pants is because I was going to get into the shower, and I was not wearing clothes. I did not want to throw up in the shower.
The day after my wedding, I had extreme leakage, I attributed to the food and alcohol the night before. I no longer drink any alcohol due to my IBS symptoms. Thankfully, my family and coworkers are awesome and don't judge.
I feel like i need to pass gas and actually end up having an accident.
It was embarassing, I tried to pass wind, but there was fecal matter expelled
I usually have a pressure sensation when I'm trying to relax before bed. I'll try to go to the bathroom, but nothing will come out. I push hard and only blood comes out.
When under stress or in uncertain circumstances, my bowels go into aggravated motion, leading to urgent need to go.
I was driving in a car and i could not stop. I thought it was gas but it was fecal incontinence.
I couldn't make it to the bathroom in time
It was awful and embarrassing. Thank goodness I was at home. I got a bad feeling, stood up to go to the restroom, and right there in the living room,had accident, in front of my teenage daughter. I apologized, and cleaned myself up. I called off work the next day.
I was working and to go right away first thing in the morning.
I had to go and couldn't get to the bathroom in time. I hated it.
I was driving and there was nowhere to stop
It just happen, I didn't expect it. Very embarassing
Just all of a sudden I felt like I might have to go to the bathroom and as I got up to go to the bathroom, I experienced fecal incontinence.
I'm either sitting or standing when it occurs. Most times I'm in the car.
It feels like a fart, but it's watery stool
I was in the store and noticed a few tiny pieces when I returned home in my panties.
I didn't realize I had to go to the bathroom, and it just happened on the way to the toilet.
I usually think Im done having a bowel movement. However after i finished with my bowel movement, not to long after wards I have stool slip out in my panties
I had diarrhea, but didn't know I did. So a trusted a fart that wasn't a fart.
thought it would be a fart but it wasn't
I tried to pass gas but accidentally pooped.
I was walking home and passed gas but it wasn't just gas.
I had a delicious lunch at a party clearly knowing trigger foods where there. Could not last the 5 mins car ride home, had to pull over
Had moments where I would unknowingly pass gas.
I had the normal abdominal pain that I'm used to. I had just used the bathroom, so I didn't think I had to go, and it just happened that I didn't make it back to the bathroom in time.
I was very ill, possibly some kind of stomach flu
I was at walmart and I could not hold it in anymore and it kind of came out slowly.
Thought I had to pass gas but turned out to be mucus and blood.
Tried to fart but I accidentally pooped in my pants. Many years ago.
I'd be walking when a very small piece would just drop out into my panties
I feel that the need to use the bathroom comes on quite suddenly and I have to literally run to the bathroom and sometimes don't get my pants down in time. Last time this happened was in a store.
I felt some abdominal discomfort and then my bottom felt warm and i realized that i had just defecated on myself while sitting at my computer.
I just poop myself just from laughing coughing and even sometimes, walking around.
I had severe diarrhea, and once when I sneezed I leaked a little.
i was at a store and had to go and started going before i made it to the toilet. awful.
Incredible pressure and pain to relieve myself, was also very sudden so I had no chance to perform my usual 'bathroom scan' for nearby bathrooms
slight abdominal pain and uncomfortable gas.
it was bad. I had a really bad stomach ache
I use to take laxatives fo a long term, so now i have some experinces with fecal incontinence
I thought I needed to pass gas. It was before I knew I had IBS. Lets just say it was not gas.
I was eating and I it just happened like out of no where.
No, no I won't. it's highly embarrassing, and I keep an extra pair of underwear in my car because of it. Good times...
THought I was passing gas but ended up passing watery stool
Different situations. Urgency. Could not make it to.the bathroom. The last time I was sitting in a chair in my living room
It's usually when I'm in a car,either driving or passenger,get terrible stomach pains,sweats,goosebumps,anxiety,can't get to the toilet in time
At work unable to get to the toilet in time
I just couldnt hold on till I found a toilet
Was in the car and could not hold it in and spoiled myself as there where on toilets around
I ate something I shouldnt have, within about 2 hours I had a lot of abdominal pain and cramping and I couldnt find a toilet in time
I regularly lose control of my bowel if i cant make it to a bathroom in time. I have problems with anal fissures which makes ot even more difficult to hold onto bowel movements.
I was at work and I did not make it to the washroom and I had an accident while walking to the washroom. I had an urgent urge to have a bowel movement. This happened several times lately. Very embarrassing.
I have had it in the middle of the night when sleeping. And in morning, hardly any urge to go it just came out. I have quit eating fibre and it‚Äôs helped
I thought I was just going to pass gas but it was stool
Getting a pain in stomach and within 2-3 minutes having a loose movements regardless where I am. Doesn't just stop after one though if I don't find a toilet it'll still keep going.
I didn't know it was coming it happened so fast other times I just couldn't make it because I was driving
In supermarket, sudden and severe pain, cold sweats, almost passed out - dumped trolley and ran to disabled toilet - in use so has to go further for normal ladies room. Didn't quite make it - thought I was going to faint with trying to hold it in. Some soiled my underwear and had to throw it away. Took six flushes to get rid of the fluffy sludge. Happened also on a bus a few months ago. Had to get off in the middle of nowhere.
Stomach started rolling and couldn't get to the bathroom fast enough.
Constipation, on and off for the past three weeks. Very hard to pass. I‚Äôve had to cut back on the fruits and vegetables I eat the past two days, in order to have semi-normal bowel movements. Fruits and veggies are my stomachs biggest enemy unfortunately.
Sudden urgent need to go. Sometimes preceded by violent cramps but not always. This has been happening to me for 50 years. It has turned me into a recluse.
When b9wl are extremely loose and i am feeling particularly poorly it can happen without any warning
Thought I was passing gas but instead I had mushy fecal incontinence.
It has happened rarely, but usually when I feel really sick and a bathroom isn't around.
I was walking to work in the snow all bundled up to keep warm. Halfway there I got a cold sweat and a shiver and my belly started boiling. Churning and gurgling and burning. I ran as fast as I could to the nearest clump of trees to frantically rip off all my layers before I mess my work clothes. It was terrifying and humiliating and painful.
My partner was bathing. And I really really had to use the loo. By the time she could get out, some loose stools had come onto my underwear and on the floor.
Twice in my sleep, twice in public because I couldn‚Äôt find a bathroom in time
Usually it's a "I shouldn't have trusted this fart"
At the height of a flareup it's nearly impossible to function without a toilet in 15 meters. You can't keep a job, you can't socialize, you can barely function.
I had gone out to dinner with my partner's mother and eaten trigger foods, and walking back, well, I pooped myself! But surely you already figured that last bit.
Maybe 3 or 4 times in my life, I‚Äôve either been late to the toilet or mistaken a poo for a fart while I‚Äôm having IBS symptoms.
It happens completely without warning, usually in the most socially inopportune circumstance, and usually when I'm wearing a nice dress. It makes for funny stories, but it is legitimately an embarrassing problem.
I can't talk about it. It was terrible and emabarassing.
Ate a trigger food, was feeling unwell, went to pass gas but it wasn't gas
It happens more than I would like it to (ideally not at all). So far it has only happened at home
It happens. One time it happened at work, which was embarrassing. Luckily, I kept a whole second set of clothes in my car.
Once i expereinced it when in an airport after visiting a central American county. I think it was a combination of food and stress. The other time was more unexpected and happend after eating out witj a friend at a restaurant I've eaten at before and after this incident. I was feeling fine until the drive home and it hit out of nowhere. I was fine after it was over so it wasn't a virus either
Usually liquid. Very embarrassing and I was actually on vacation visiting family. I had to purchase a few new packages of underwear (2 packages of 3-pairs) cause I did not pack enough as well as had to wear pads as protection. It was very unexpected and without warning.
I thought it was a fart, and was wrong. Luckily I was wearing a pantiliner, so it went onto that, and it was just a little bit of brown liquid.
Happens mainly at night when I dont realise i have done it until i wake up
I have had a select few incidents where medication has caused unexpected passing of liquid fecal matter.
I had no idea that my body was going to do it and I was not aware of any food allergies or irritants prior to the experience. It was a small amount of stool but enough that I had to change clothes.
Usually its mucus that leaks out when doing a normal acticity. Ill immediately drop what im doing and b line to the bathroom.
Not really much to tell but I do live somewhat in fear of fouling myself. Most recently it happened deadlifting at the gym.
I thought it was a fart. I was wrong. This is usually how my episodes go. Typically these episodes have significantly more watery stool but not a lot of it.
This is relatively rare but occurred suddenly. Was in an employment situation I could not immediately leave. Felt pain and urgency which I can sometimes hold off for a short time. Was able to do so for approximately 10 minutes until commitment ended, was able to leave the room, but not make it to the restroom just a short distance down the hall. As I use medical incontinence items, most of the mess was contained and not visible, but it was time consuming and difficult to clean.
I have to immediately go to the bathroom and sometimes don‚Äôt make it in time
Typically when unwell or stomach bug, on one occasion during alcohol use but not necessarily linked to my ibs symptoms in either instance.
It‚Äôs not fun. Sometimes I won‚Äôt even get 2 bites of something and then it makes me sick
Was rushing to get to the restroom but didn‚Äôt quite make it
Urgency on the commute to work which causes me to pull over and utilize the woods as a restroom
I was asleep, woke up and had pooped myselg
Had to go while driving. Held it in as I was only 10 minutes away. But as I got out of car, it let loose somewhat, not all but enough.
I was in the car on the way home from a resturant that had just opened in town
Wirhin a few minutes of waiting I am unable to hold the fecal.matter. only takes about 20 minutes
After I had dinner, within a few minutes I was running to the bathroom. Barely made it!
Its a daily battle. Finishing my degree has been difficult and I have no idea what kind of workplace can accommodate me. I keep a change of u derwear and pants on me when I go out and I only go somewhere where a bathroom is imediatly available as any further than 1 minute away and I will probably end up soiling myself. Its destroying my life. At least once a week I have a fecal incontinance event.
Didnt have the control to make it to the bathroom in time.
I was driving and out of no where I really had to go. I got home and ran to the bathroom but didn't make it in time.
I was given notice from my job, and was driving home.
Typically, i think i have gas but experience incontinence. At least once, i was just unable to get to the bathroom on time.
I had food poisoning with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. This was not related to IBS, I don't think.
I get essentially no warning. I am often afraid to leave the house and constantly thinking of where is the next bathroom. It has caused me to be very isolated. My first episode was in 1980 as a result of a case of giardiasis, I have had apprehension and occasional episodes ever since.
Urgency - no time to react. Abdominal pain
I had bronchitis and was prescribed an antibiotic, this usually affects me. I awoke early feeling the urge to use the bathroom but upon standing I lost control of my bowels.
I was at work, and literally had to go within seconds and couldn‚Äôt make it. I wear mini pads every day just in case.
Related to intense gas pain. Flatence with incontinence
I had the urge of having to go for about 3 days (constipated) and everytime I thought "This is the time I can finally go", it was just gass. So of course, when I was not near any toilets, I thought I could just pass some gass...I guessed wrong.
i had to go to the bathroom urgently and ran but didn't make it in time
Not able to control bowel movement to get to the bathroom in time, and soiling myself. Also fecal leakage for a while after a bowel movement.
I assumed I had to pass gas and it turned out I passed liquid. This was after an episode of incredibly bad abdominal pain
Tried a new med for acid reflux. Off pantaloc
I thought I farted. Felt something on leg, Rushed to toilet. It's happened a few times in my life
Felt searing stomach pains, broke into sweat, couldn't get to bathroom in time
It most often occurs when I take a gamble on a fart and lose. I try to be more careful and in tune with my body as a result.
I was walking go my car after taking medication for my IBS-C. I was unlocking my car and it hapoened.
I thought it was a fart. I was eating in a restaurant, in a mall, on my lunch break. I had to go home and change before returning to work.
I had it happen after food poisoning three times. One after my polyp resection and the last one was after eating a pint of blueberries. The last one occured in my sleep.
Ate too much dried squid that contained an artificial sweetener (sucralose).
Leakage after soft bowel movements. Must wear pads when I leave house. Leakage almost every one.
I usually have repetitive bouts of gas that have a certain "feel" to it, so i released it thinking it would be harmless but it ended up being liquid
I have not had ‚Äúan accident‚Äù since I was a child, but I often fear I will when I‚Äôm in a new situation or traveling and don‚Äôt know where bathrooms will be.
Was in bed and thought I had gas... It was gas... And a bit more... It was liquid though so stuck to my hairy bum
One bathroom at work and tried to hold it, was not successful
Expecting to pass gas and accidentally passing stool.
I was walking outside, passed gas, noticed a smell after a bit but didn't feel wetness or anything. When I next went to the bathroom there was fecal matter spread over a lot of my skin and in my underwear. Since I didn't notice it for a bit, I had extreme rashes for sometime after.
Given linaclotide (I think that‚Äôs what it is called)
It's almost always what feels like a fart but it completely liquid which must be pinched off and required an awkward shuffle to the bathroom. I've had to dispose of underwear more than once at work
It occurs with trigger foods and physical activity
I was laying down and suddenly the watery stool just came out. I still don't know why/how thay happened.
Total loss of bowel control in public for 15 years, I just stay home now.
Usually just can't make it to the bathroom. Its very sudden onset and I know the feeling when I probably won't make it to a toilet, i.e. lots of abdominal pain. It has happened both at home and out in public. I usually carry a spare pair of underwear with me just in case. It's very embarrassing and I'm very afraid of it happening when I go out to socialize with friends. I can't relax and enjoy my evening with friends because I'm constantly worried that it will happen again.
I sometimes experience this and excessive farting while I am throwing up in the morning.
I was at work and was on my way to the bathroom and when i went to go i found stool on my underwear without knowing i did it. =(
Was walking to an appointment, felt pain, walked more quickly, when I arrived the bathroom was locked, lost control. Also two episodes in my sleep.
While I am currently in remission, when I am experiencing an active flare with the UC I can experience fecal incontinence 1-3 times a week. I have to take the bus quite far for school so (during a flare) even with proper timing, quite restricted diet and food intake I would/will have sudden and immediate urges to use the bathroom. In the mornings this urge can occur 8+ times within an hour of being awake. I have experienced fecal incontinence multiple times and it is emotional painful and embarrassing every time. I'm not sure what else you want me to say. I also typically experience strong feelings of anxiety before it happens which involves feeling trapped, panicked, sweating, and nausea
Type 6 stool - urgency on the way to the restroom and didn‚Äôt make it in time. Horribly embarrassing and honestly traumatic
I thought it was a fart but I couldn‚Äôt hold it in. It was not a fart. It was some poop.
I was riding a bus back to the hotel from Disneyland. I got off because I knew it was coming. I had a blow-out in the parking lot.
One time accident when i didn‚Äôt reach a bathroom in time
I was at home which made it easier however I was watching television and had some pain like normal. I didn‚Äôt think it was enough to need to go to the toilet however it just started coming out. I then had to rush to the loo.
Made it to toilet in shopping centre but didn't remove underwear in time. Totally embarrassed
Small amounts of stool in passing gas or after a movement
I was at work and akl the sudden i had iniestinal spasms and gad to bolt to the restroom. There was loose stool on my underwear.
I had eaten something I thought was safe. I was not able to control the
I was leaving a restaurant when it happened. I don't think anyone saw it, but I wanted to crawl in a hole and die.
Can't fart without accident! Sorry the language. This makes me fear gas and run to the toilet whenever I have gas.
please i don't want to think about it ew. does the word "shart" mean anything to you
Had to stop behind an apartment complex to poop in the bushes
Recently have had an upset stomach and trusted a fart when I shouldn't have
After a bowel movement, irritating stool leaks in tiny amounts for hours.
Urinating and mucus and diarrhea squirt out. I have no idea it was coming
Spontanious eruptions,typically a small amount. The scariest one happened while sleeping after a pint of blueberries.
I wake early am sometimes and need to go urgent and it have before I could get out of bed,
I lost control of bowels due to coughing 3 separate occasions in the same day
Locked out of house, couldn't hold it. Other times I thought I'd finished passing the stool but hadn't, noticed fair amount of stool on clothes
You think its safe to pass wind but its not. Now i only pass wind when im at home or when i know my tummy has been 'ok' or ive not had diarrhoea that day so far (not been to the toilet yet)
You think you are passing gas but your passing something else..
This has happened a couple times where I woke up and couldn't control myself while passing gas and ended up leaking.
I was experiencing abdominal pain and was expecting to simply release gas, but it turned out to be fecal incontinence.
They are usually "shouldn't have trusted that fart" accidents
I‚Äôve had both small amounts of incontinence (with farts) and large amounts, as much as a cup or more of fecal matter when I couldn‚Äôt make it to a restroom.
Took a high dose of laxatives which resulted in incontinence whilst sleeping. Took laxatives because couldn‚Äôt bear the constipation and the pain involved with the extreme constipation.
My IBS attacks are always associated with pain so I manage to largely avoid incontinence, but there have been times I have just barely made it that would probably be considered incontinence (i.e. I do find fecal matter on my clothing) and times I thought I had to pass gas while I was having an attack but instead had a bowel movement (I would just say "I sharted" but this is academic). I know my IBS well enough that I have not had an issue for a few years now.
Small amount of diarrhea or liquid, especially with flatulence
Couldn't make it to the bathroom on time. I've taken to sometimes wearing an adult diaper when I feel that I may be in a situation when it happens again.
i was in school and it was damn embarassing.good thing nobody found it around
It was fully watery stool, no residue. I was sitting down wabching tv and I dont know when it happen. I was bloated and passed gas, maybe thats when it happen. I now always go to the toilet when i need to pass gas and i often get diarrhea unexpected when i do
I took laxatives for constipation and mistook a fart for heavy diarrhea :)
Having very bad flare up, stool was basically clear fluid
Occasionally I will get small pieces of feces and fluid when I fart. If I'm unlucky, I need to go home and change underwear.
I suffer more with constant gas incontinence than fecal incontinence but fecal incontinence happens mostly when I feel I haven't evacuated properly.
Tends to happen when vomiting as well due to a migraine
Thought it was gas. It wasn‚Äôt. Was at home, so relatively easy to clean up
Good old classical shart, don't know if it count. Luckily I was at home.
I thought i was going to flatulate but really watery fecal matter came out. This happens pretty often.
It seemed to be a one off episode. I thought it was gas, but alas it was not! It was watery stool.
I thought it was gas, but a small amount of liquid stool came out instead.
I had drank a few glasses of wine (which I no longer do), and couldn‚Äôt make it to the toilet in time. It was completely liquid stool, but luckily I was near home so it wasn‚Äôt the end of the world. If I had been far from home I don‚Äôt know what I would have done.
lots of gas, abdominal pain, no close toilet, couldnt be stopped
It is usually with very strong spasming and fecal matter just kind of seeps out, it is always very liquidy
Most recently, I ate a egg salad sandwhich from Starbucks and I think the hard boiled egg and mayo really upset my stomach. A few hours later I was with a friend in a library & was constantly getting up to use the bathroom. I was also experience extremely severe abdominal pain at this time, so bad that I wanted to roll on the floor and cry in pain. One of the times when I got up to go to the bathroom, I was speed walking and suddenly I couldn't hold it any longer and soiled myself. It was only a 30 second walk to the bathroom from where I was. I cleaned up as best I could but I immediately went home & showered. During this time I also had severe nausea. Although the abdominal pain eventually subsided, I was extremely nauseous for the rest of that day. It was a very horrible experience. I will also note that the only 2 times I've had fecal incontinence were the times I was no longer taking my probiotic pill, Align, because I had ran out.
Never trust a fart. Incontinence 3 times. Once at work, once at home. Once at an engagement party.
Urge to pass gas and could not get to the toilet quickly enough.
Woke up feeling like I needed to pass gas and accidentally let out some loose stool.
Was travelling and didn't make it to a bathroom in time.
It is very infrequent but very embarrassing when it happens.
In the supermarket solid pants had to rush home
Thought I had to fart but some mucus came out. This is usually what happens
I was at work and on the phone and felt it coming on but could not get to the bathroom in time. Since then I carry several pairs of underwear and a change of pants with me
I thought I was passing gas and had liquid feces pass instead.
All kinds: leaking stool and mucus, dumping, small stool passed without awareness
It‚Äôs rafher embarrassing. I have to wear menstrual pads when I have a bout of it. I can‚Äôt pass gas out of fear of spoiling myself. I need quick access to a bathroom at all times
I have had 3 0r 4 episodes of uncontrolled diarrhea. In these instances I went in my pants, etc., and it was a huge mess. Once at home and twice out of town that I remember. In addition I have had a experience or two of bowel leakage (small amount of liquid) I was not aware of at the time.
I get sharp abdominal pains with an instant need to visit restroom. If I do not make it to the restroom immediately, I experience incontinence with any gas that involuntarily comes out.
I experience this about once or twice a week. It is a sudden and very urgent need to go to the bathroom, the result is basically water. This is always accompanied by abdominal pain and sweating.
i had diarrhea, and was not able to the bathroom on time
When I had the flu, at one point I found it difficult to control my bladder.
IT IS HORRIBLE!!! TWO TIMES I WAS A A RESTAURANT WITH MY FAMILY AND I HAD TO RUSH RO RHE BATHROOM BUT I DIDN'T MAKE IT ALL THE WAY AND IT WAS A DISASTER. ANOTHER TIME I GOT OUT OF BED IN A HURRY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ANDMYU FEET GOT TANGLED AND I FELL ON A WOODEN CHAIR AND HAD TO HAVE 6 STIOCHES. I COULD GO ON AND ON BUT THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.\
when I prmarily had diahrea (3-5/day mostly liquid) I often didnt make it to the toilet. Now with almost exclusive Type 1 stool, I still have an urgency that has caused me to not make it to the toilet in time. In many ways this was worse as thel iquid amounts never showed; with the hard stool it actually fell out on the floor twice. Egads!
I was traveling, and couldnt make it in time becayse one, i was driving and two, couldnt find a near ed nough rest area or gas station! Horrifying experience...
I had to rush to the toilet, and didn't quite make it. Overall, minor.
I was at the park walking my dog and suddenly had a blast of abdominal pain that brought me to my knees followed by me shitting where I knelt. I was able to make it over to the bathroom and clean up but was humiliated and worried about the smell.
Embarrassing. Feels like you're passing gas, but not. Afraid it will happen when I'm out in public. I carry an emergency clothing bag everywhere.
was at home thank goodness. had eaten food I knew was not acceptable. only small amount was passed. followed by diarrhea.
It has happened when I was out walking and couldn‚Äôt get home in time to use the bathroom.
Generally happens only when I run now, but it used to happen any time without a good reason.
It was a constant worry until I eliminated gluten as well as other foods that I identified were triggers. There were days that I would go every 10 minutes for hours. If I planned to go out at all during the day or travelling, I would only have water until I knew I was close to a toilet.
couldn't get to the bathroom fast enough
There are times I cannot get to the bathroom in time. Once I was unlocking my front door and knew it was about to happen. I fumbled with the key and it was too late. Another time, it hit me and I was trying to lower my electric recliner and by the time I stood up and took a few steps, it was too late.
I will occasionally not get to the bathroom in the morning in time, and a small amount of feces is passed. It has never been a whole stool's worth, but only the size of a pea. Only in the AM, about once a month.
I've been experiencing intermittent fecal incontinence for about ten years. Although I've had IBS-D for forty years, I nonetheless thought that my fecal incontinence was caused by increasing stress on the job. Yet, when I changed jobs to one that I enjoyed, the fecal incontinence remained. There have been times when it's been a daily occurrence for weeks at a time. I've always been too embarrassed to mention it to my doctor.
I felt I had to go but it came on so suddenly that I couldn't get to the bathroom fast enough and some came out.
I was sitting down at the bank and out of the blue BAM gurgle, pain, diarrhea. I must wear diapers always. no one should have to live this way.
Worst was when first started IBS journey. Would have to wear incontinent brief to bed and sometimes to work. Afraid to fart.
I was at home but couldn't get there in time because it came on so quickly and was watery.
I very frequently have to rush to the bathroom to pass diarrhea. I wear adult pull up diapers almost all of the time during the day now. The diapers 99% will catch all the diarrhea. I take extra slacks and a diaper in my purse everywhere.
Humiliating, embarrassing and makes me afraid to leave home.
I‚Äôm on medication one ins won‚Äôt cover anymore. My watery stools are constant have gone to using incontence pads for the leakage. When you think you‚Äôre done and leave restroom leakage still occurs. It controls my whole life
I passed gas...and more than gas came out. There was mucus and a small piece of stool.
I frequently have mucus expelled when I pass gas. Sometimes there is stool in it, more often it is clear, but is unpredictable. It makes me afraid to pass gas in public. I also had diarrhea in my sleep once. I sometimes don‚Äôt sleep because I fear that will occur again.
Trusting a fart that turned out to be more. Multiple occasions.
Thought I was passing gas, but it wasn't gas. It's happened way more than 10 times during my life. Symptoms became especially apparent during puberty due to menstruation.
I had extreme stomach pain and didn't quite make it to the bathroom on time. My period started within a few hours.
I was unable to hold it long enough to make it to my own bathroom.
I thought I was passing gas and watery stool came out.
I can feel fine and poof out of nowhere i poop
sometimes it can happen once a day. it usually will happen right after a meal or during a meal. I have hAD IBSD for at least 20 years. I also have infrequent colitis maybe once a year, with a hyper active colon. I aways keep a IBS kit with me, containing wet wipes, underwear,works fairly well. if I'm out I just throw out the underwear. sometimes its a small leak ,other times I'm I hope I'm luck to make a bath room before it redecorates the store,restr., or someones home. It was extremely hard to work asa bath room was not close.
Let's just say it was good that i was home sick at the time :)
It occured while passing gas both times it happened. Instead, it was a liquid discharge.
There was a lot of bloating and pain, and passing gas. I thought I was passing gas but I was wrong. Now I just go to be bathroom to be safe
Had to stop on the side of the road to go D because i had no choice
it is a nightmare.unexpectedly diarrhea shows up and if i am not outside the bathroom, i am screwed. even if it is just loose, ihave to make it in like 30 seconds orout it comes. i wear several thick pads daily.
I felt horrible abdominal pain and an extreme urge to go to the bathroom, but couldn't hold it.
I would be constipated followed by bloody diarrhea and bloatedness having to go every 15 minutes or so. It is very debilitating and makes me not able to function for the day.
It just comes on, a lot of times if I get nervous because I know the bathroom is in use
Both times I was on a train and the moment I got off the train and started walking I lost control.
The first time it hapoened I was in a department store shopping. I had almost no warning at all. I felt some abdominal pain and the urge to have a bowel movement. I immediately started walking towards the restroom within 30 seconds of walking liquid feces started coming out and i had almost no control over it at all. I have frequently been in a car and felt abdominal pain and pressure and cannot make it to a restroom i have started going in my pants before i can get to a restroom. I have had to pull onto the side of a road to have a bowel movement because it is that urgent.
I can be laying in bed and it comes out without warning. Most of the time soft.
On the subway, unable to get off, with an upset stomach. Some stool passed before I could leave and get to a restroom.
Stress induced after moving to anew state
At home and felt urge and didn‚Äôt make it to bathroom in time.
Multiple times a day, I have to check down there with a wipe to make sure I'm clean. About 60-75% of the times I wipe, I'm not clean.
Prior to my knowledge of my digestive problems, I had an episode where I thought I had to pass gas, but I was sadly misinformed. I only experience the most minor amount of fecal incontinence, I did not even soil my underwear. I just needed to wipe up.
Couldn‚Äôt make it to the restroom in time and had minor fecal incontinence due to urgency, distance of the restroom, and possible extra stress due to travel. Have also had an episode possibly due to alcohol consumption which is a trigger for me. Very embarrassing.

Having to constantly go to the bathroom and even when doing so, being too constipated to actually finish.
unable to travel long distances without a bathroom
FEELING INSECURE WHEN I AM READY TO GO WORK.
Having to constantly think about where the nearest bathroom is when I'm out, or being in a situation where I can't get to a toilet and I have to go (like being stopped in traffic).
worrying that it will end up turning into cancer
Not knowing what will set it off and where I will be at that time
Having to watch constantly what I can and cannot eat.
THE FACT THAT IT INTERFERES WITH MY QUALITY OF LIFE SO NEGATIVELY.
The quick need to run to the bathroom, and it's terrible when you're out in public and can't find a bathroom right away.
my social life disturbed very much and I feel depressed most of the time
Leaving what you are doing all of a sudden.
I have Crohn's, not IBS, but the worst part is living in the constant fear of another flare-up. Having dates, outings, and entire trips ruined by abdominal pain.
uncertanty of when and how sever a BM will be
I experience abdominal pain and it is excruciating it lasts hours that is the worst part. I have to put a heating pad on to dull the pain which does not really even work. Just knowing I have to sit through the pain until it passes is intolerable and causes anxiety
Just the insecurity of it. You always have to watch out for when itâ€™s going to start acting up.
The bloating. I do modelling work and some days I will wake up and my stomach will just be big and bloated and I don't know why but then I just feel like I don't want to eat for a week so the swelling will go down, like the only time my stomach will be normal is if I don't eat for a week but that's not sustainable.
that can occur at any time, and is very embarrassing
Having to plan my day around my bowel habits
The worst part of it is its inconvenience.
I love trying new foods and eating out, but since my main trigger food is garlic it can be incredibly difficult to do so as garlic is featured in most food.
Uncertain about when it will bother you and the shame associated with having to use the bathroom
I have not been diagnosed with IBS but I suffer some of the symptoms. I think that the pain is the worst thing coupled with the anticipation of the horrible bowel movement that will follow. I really do not like when this happens at work. It is embarrassing and I feel exhausted afterwards and just want to go home.
not have a bathroom near and get dirt my clothes
For me it would have to be the unpredictability of having loose stools. It's a valid fear and can be very limiting.
The feeling of having so little control over my body
Not having anyone to relate with and having to deal with it on your own.
The pain!!! It's like having a baby to me...only shorter.
not being able to go when you want and pain
it has many worst part because it pains a lot and get depression and headache,it does not allow the person to eat like others and travelling
The pain and not being able to eat all of the foods that I enjoy.
people don't understand the severity of it
Being afraid to leave the house when you are having an upset stomach.
Never knowing when the urge to go will hit.
the constant fear of not knowing when the pain will occur
being worried about fecal incontinence. Constantly having to know where bathroom is
The pain and not being able to focus on anything but my stomach when I should be enjoying life.
I don't like having bowel movements, ever
watery stools, pain in stomach and not being able to eat what I like to eat!
Avoiding eating certain foods and the intense pain those foods bring. I discovered that Gluten was my main trigger.
The intense abdominal pain during stressful situations.
when you constantly feel there is something stuff between your butt.
Constantly worrying about going to the bathroom
The impact that it has on my life. I can't work a regular job and I constantly miss things that I want or am supposed to do.
digestive elimination, symptoms can be humiliating
social situations where people can tell where i am going
Constantly having to worry about my gut / stomach health. worry about what foods might affect me negativly. Trying to hide how much pain im in.
I can count on one hand, the number of times I have had a normal firm bowel movement, in the past 3 years (5 times). I have had non-stop diahhrea, or mushy stool for three years now. Three. Three. Three. Every single time. Just kill me already.
I don't think I have it but I suspect the pain or incontinence would be the biggest problem
when I have a gut attack I have excrutiating pain that can last for hours. ALL I can do is moan in pain. A heating pad seems to ease the pain somewhat. SOmetimes with a really bad one I throw up and then start to feel a little better
never knowing if it's going to suddenly hit me
the horrible stomach cramps that come with it it is so painful
pain and being bloated and having to get to a bathroom fast sometimes
Not knowing if you're going to have an accident in public and be very embarrassed.
Not knowing when you will have pain especially when eating out. It is also hard to not eat the foods I would like to eat.
Not being able to enjoy food that I like.
The feeling that I'm not going to make it to the bathroom in time and the amount of time I have to spend on the toilet.
not being able to control bowel movements.
I do worry how bad it will get as I age. I don't want to end up in diapers!
Having to be careful and avoid certain restaurants and then feeling miserable for the next day or so after eating out.
The worst part of having IBS is dealing with a bloated stomach, since it makes it hard to eat right.
it hurts so much cant able to lead a normal life style
having to plan out when I eat certain foods to avoid triggering an attack
Constantly feeling like you have to go to the bathroom.
i would say not being able to eat foods like some vegtables like corn new jersey has really good corn.
The fact that any unusual or stressful expectation causes intestinal problems. It was very difficult to accommodate when in the military and when traveling.
Not knowing when you are going to have an episode.
Never knowing when an episode is going to happen
having to go and not having anywhere to go
not being able to leave the house without worrying about being close to a bathroom.
IBS pain can be sharp, stabbing, and intense.
not being able to be spontaneous about life
Not being able to eat certain things and not being able to try new foods.
cant able to do the work only pain feeling in mind
For me it's the abdominal pain. It is excruciating and hard to cope with it when I am at work. It will not go away until I have a bowel movement.
Not being able to both enjoy life and be productive
The time it wastes. i could be doing something productive with my life if it wasn't for the IBS.
it's embarrassing, and i'm afraid it's a symptom of my two prior surgeries.
Constant fear of an accident, ongoing pain
difficulty to attend long events or try new unsafe foods
The pain without any understanding of the cause. No medication takes away the pain or nausea. Nobody believes you. It doesn't exist.
the fact that the pain and discomfort during an attack make me unable to focus on anything else, and it ruins my enjoyment of anything else
pain that mimicks serious illness but no substantiated problem
the unknowing of when a bowl movement will happen and to what degree.
The pain. Sometimes I wonder if it is something more serious.
The feeling of uncertainty...never knowing if I can get to the bathroom in time, never knowing if a fart is just a fart.
Fear of the pain and the constant feeling that the pain means something really serious is wrong with my health.
incontinence, which thankfully is rare for me.
Stressing about travel and outings and not being able to let go and enjoy my time
I cant eat what I want, I cant do everything
The constant stress about wondering when my stomach will act up again.
Not knowing when it will hit that I need to use the restroom
It is so inconvenient and it doesn't seem to have a "pattern." I can never tell if it's IBS or celiac that is upsetting my stomach.
The pain is the worst part of having IBS
Going to the bathroom right after eating
taking medicine every day for it, not having to eat certain foods, the constantly going in the morning...
Having an anxiety and panic attacks along with it
having no control and living with the constant anxiety
The fact that it is an internal illness that no one can see. No one understands. I'm not sick, I just "haven't found the right doctor".
Worrying about not getting to the toilet in time,having a loose stools in a toilet when other people are waiting to use it,the smells and noises,bad stomach pains,anxiety,tiredness
Not knowing if today I‚Äôll be constipated and can ‚Äúbe normal‚Äù or will have diarrhea and be in an emergency.
I cannot enjoy a party like I used to, I cannot have the same confidence in myself and the worst part is that I cannot travel like I used to. When I was younger I would travel 2 months with the tent per year, but now I have anxiety only thinking about it.
having it be a constant thing in your life. it effects what you eat, where you go, how you move, what you wear, etc
Painful gas, pain when the excrement is moving around in the intestines.
Abdominal bloating makes any activity a lot harder than it was before.
Not knowing when I will need a restroom immediately
Not understanding what causes it, because then I don't know how to make it better.
the constant fear of having an accident in the presence of others
Having fecal incontinence and doctors blaming everything you have on IBS
You feel hopeless and want to end your life rather than suffering day in and day out
Daily abdominal discomfort and difficulty sleeping
People assuming that "its all in your head" or a pychosomatic complaint. That we are hypochondriacs.
Not being able to do what I like when I like.. and being spontaneous
Constantly using the rest room and discomfort
Unpredictability of when I will have to go
The pain and the pain before/during/after a bowel movement.
Pain, stress of work and not being able to claim disability.
I can't make plans. I just have to wait and see what the day brings. Sometimes the pain and toilet trips are so bad that I have to lie on the sofa with a hot water bottle. Sometimes I feel as if I have gone into shock after a severe bout and that is very awkward if I am out in a restaurant or a bar.
Living my life around my intestines and belly
The discomfort of telling others, especially roommates why you have to go to the bathroom so much, as well as feeling like you have to always be able to get to a bathroom. Also the amount of painful bloating.
Having to get up 3 hours before leaving the house and take at least 6 Imodium as soon as I wake up just to leave the house and avoid any accidents. Accident free so far but terrified my tolerance to Imodium will mean that an accident happens
The lack of consistency in what causes my stomach to flare up/cause pain/distend. I never know when this is going to happen.
Managing working two jobs. I've had to take so much time off and I've often been incredibly sick at work.
The constant pain, fatigue and suffering from severe C
The pain and large amount of time spent in the bathroom
The worst part is having IBS and not having the courage to go and get it tested out because of a fear of doctors and the fear of having a derious terminal condition. The worst part about IBS is not being able to do anything out of gear of shitting yourself like a baby. The worst part of IBS is being an irritant to others like asking my partner to find me a restroom IMMEDIATELY when driving on the highway ir insisting that they get out of the bathroom this indtant. The worst part is having to eat a yoghurt diet for a week before a presentation and not giving it my best because success is redefined to mean getting through the presentation without wanting to shit my pants. The worst part about IBS is loving food and not being able to eat 90% of it.
The pain, and not having any pain management
Pain before during and after bowel movements
The chronic pain and constantly having to be in the bathroom
Having to plan daily intake around when my schedule can accommodate a bad gut reaction. Mornings can be difficult; coffee can help with constipation but sometimes causes harsh cramps. Breakfast may encourage a bowel movement but my guts might decide to act up and make it a bad one. So I plan my eating around my work and travel schedule, but not like other people do. Now and then if I already am having a rough time with my guts, I just don't eat until the afternoon or evening. That is not a healthy way to live but sometimes it's necessary. When I say a reaction, I don't just mean a bowel movement--part of it is terrible cramps that leave me uncontrollably writhing in pain as my guts churn excessively. I can't drive when that's happening, or give a presenntation, or be out of range of a private bathroom because when the bowel movement happens it could take hours of on and off runs or constipation, and if the reaction is severe there's also vomiting at the same time. That is rare but it happens and sometimes there's no discernable cause.
Never being able to do ANYTHING in life without first considering going to the bathroom.
the pain and missing work because of the pain
Unpredictability -&gt; diet restrictions and cannot be spontanious
The hope of getting to be a normal young adult is gone.
It can be annoying to have to deal with diarrhoea, because my stomach feels uncomfortable, it‚Äôs annoying to have to run to the loo, and cleanup is gross.
can't eat normally (eat too little and too few things)
The fact that it interferes with so much and can be so debilitating, but still never feels like a valid or socially acceptable excuse. If it interferes with work or socialization, people don't really want to hear the truth of it. They'd much rather hear something vague like "my stomach hurts" or "something I ate isn't sitting right," when in truth it's an everyday thing and not a temporary situation brought on by some tainted food or something.
It occurs in "flar ups" and "remission" so one week it'll almost disappear then nexxt week be terrible
The pain I feel when my stomach cramps up
Being afraid I won‚Äôt be able to support myself and me be my brothers problem
abdominal pain and too much time spent in the bathroom at work
The pain is usually near my appendix and i worry that it will burst and i won't know
The pain and how limiting it is for my life. I'm only 20 but I feel much older
When a new trigger food occurs and I have to figure it out all over again. Also worrying abouy ingredients in foods and wondering if it will set me off
It's inconvenient. I can go anywhere from going once in 2 days or not at all for a week+. It's extremely painful during the week times and intrudes on living my life.
The disordered eating that it led me to have / being almost constantly uncomfortable.
Not being able to eat a meal, even a carefully prepared low-FODMAP meal, without a feeling of dread about what will happen when that meal reaches one's intestines.
Not knowing when I will have a reaction, being n a situation where my only bathroom options are a unisex bathroom and low flow toilets. The stomach pains interrupt my days and make it difficult to mentally bounce back from.
Pain. Never sleeping cause I'm up all night dealing with IBS. Then never managing to do my school work cause of IBS, leading me to feel very useless. And weak.
constant discomfort in one form or another
The constant gas, cramping/abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea.
As someone who used to be perfectly healthy and tolerate all foods, you just dont realize how much the stomach effects every single aspect of life. A north korean defector interview stated that the thing they looked forward to the most was something delicious to eat. My quality of life = 0
Spending 2-3 hours a day shitting, having to restrict diet to a very narrow range
How expensive it is to eat a diet avoiding my trigger foods, especially since I have a lot of other chronic illnesses so I often have to buy pre-prepped food, and pre-prepped food that doesn't have any triggers in it costs a lot more than food that contains triggers.
Knowing the pain is always waiting in the background and could return at any time.
How it can just hit you out of nowhere and ruin your day
Always worringif my stomach is going to act up
The physical pain, uncertainty and lack of control over your life and symptoms
The unpredictability . Sometimes I feel like I really have to go but don‚Äôt other times it hits like a lightning bolt
The pain and fear of having an accident while out in public
Never knowing when it will hit me. In my case, it is very unpredictable.
The abdominal pains and headaches that go along with it
The anxiety it creates about social situations (which almost always involve eating and drinking)
Constant pain and bloating. Also having to follow a strict diet. I don‚Äôt enjoy eating out st restaurants or trying new foods.
incontinence and how it keeps you housebound and unable to socialise
It's hard to function with an upset stomach. It is also always an issue, it feels like there is never a break. I am fortunate in that my symptoms are *usually* not severe, however I still have some sort of abdominal pain every day. I also think that my sensitive stomach makes me more susceptible to additional, and more troublesome gut-related problems such as food poisoning.
The pain and discomfort distracts me from enjoying life
Not feeling free to travel and see things for fear of being away from a toilet
Not being able to make it to the bathroom in time
Isolation, fear and discomfort from gas and bloat.
Losing control of my body, not being able to just eat without analyzing everything
Always having to think wether an action is worth the concequences and then having to decide that you can't do something.
Not being able to go out and have a good time with friends and family. Worrying that anything and everything will make me sick
having to live my life around the toilet
Worrying about having an accident in public.
That it‚Äôs a diagnosis of exclusion and I feel swept under the rug by doctors.
Everything. The pain, bloating, not being able to eat almost everything and hurting from what you supposedly can eat too... anxiety, depression, no sex drive and just general lack of energy due to all of the letter.
Not being able to plan ahead for outings etc.
Having to worry about something I feel I don‚Äôt have much control over
pain, nausea; the chaos it causes when you don't have access to proper treatment and it destroying your world
Being stuck on the toilet for 2-4 hours in the morning. This makes me late to work.
constant trips to the bathroom, and nearly constant bloating and abdominal pain
Not being able to enjoy eating out, not eating foods I miss and cooking family dinners is not possible anymore
The constioation and pain i have during a bowel movement. And the gas.
Not being able to eat foods I enjoy most.
The unpredictable and persistant symptoms. The "psyological stigma" associated with it. I can't get a FMT.
Every food I eat making me a certain degree of sick.
Bloating and unpredictability of bms and the feeling of helplessness that no matter how I Taylor my diet it makes little or no difference
Eating to prevent episodes, bowel leakage, diarrhea, not wanting to leave house. Fasting to be able to travel, letting others down.
There are so many things to label the worst part. The sharp abdominal pains. Very restricted diet. Having o read every label and guess if its safe it has "spices". Not begging able to eat out as much with family and friends.
For me, the lack of uncertainty is the worst part. I wish there were better treatments and more predictability in my illness. It‚Äôs so frustrating to unexpectedly feel awful and not really have many options for feeling better.
The restrictions on my diet and the affect that it has on my family
Being continuously and never-endingly sick.
Managing diet experimentation and work + social obligations.
The fact it can't be cured and may not even get better
Having to go to the toilet often, interferes with sports and leisure time
The pain and bloating making me look pregnant all the time
Life revolving around proximity to bathrooms.
Feeling like I could be dying but doctors will brush it off as stomach issues. What if there is something more than ibs but no one wants to test on me due to my age range being on the younger end. I have so many different colors of stool that are concerning but no doctor seems concerned
Not being able to enjoy foods I like because I know they will give me diarrhoea
The worst part is the sudden onset of sever pain and little to nor warning to find a bathroom in time.
Constant pain and gas and awarness. Not being in control of when you go instead the pain and gas builds up and sets stuck inside
Avoiding the irritating foods. Limited menu options.
Not being able to live a normal life like I used to
The lack of control over my symptoms. And the lack of understanding about the fact that I can‚Äôt control my bowels.
I really love food. I can't eat or discover new foods like I used to. I'm too scared to eat.
Gas, not being able to eat the foods I used to
the fear of going out and the possibility of having an episode while.out of the house
Being unable to lead a normal life and not being able to attend all the important events in life and not having friends, disappointing family often.
The constant worrying and anxiety and thoughts about my GI problems, especially when out in public.
Trying to identify/isolate trigger foods and the misery of an attack
How fast an attack begins, and how little time there is between that first sensation of needing to go, and the point when you can‚Äôt hold it anymore
The pain, physically and emotionally. How tiring it is. How much it makes you anxious and and cautious.
The fact that it happens at the worst times. I can‚Äôt take care of my kids if I‚Äôm on the toilet for 40 minutes. I‚Äôve had to cancel work trips due to attacks. The toll it takes in my life in general.
Vomiting and diarrhea from inane foods like sweet potatoes, onions or garlic
Not being able to enjoy life and not being understood
Diet changes and the constant roller coaster of diarrhoea and constipation
Pain and bloating and it never really goes away. I miss being able to exercise.
The constant worry about making it to the bathroom.
Amongst a handful of issues, the inability to socialise without worrying about my gut.
Stomach pains, extreme thinness, tiredness and fatigue from what I suspect is malnutrition,
The pain which then leads to having to spend a long time on the toilet.
The pain and bloating and being on the toilet all day
The urgency restricts what I do and prevents me going out. Hub and I used to enjoy going out for dinner. Now I hate it and he is disappointed
Bloating, pain and the reduced diet options
having a flare up when I'm comfortable at home is usually fine but getting an unexpected one when I have plans or when I'm outside is really annoying. having to walk back home can be very painful
Having to interrupt plans with other people to use the bathroom
The pain - I think I could deal with the frequent loose stools if the excruciating cramps didn't accompany them. They're so bad I often get goosebumps and stop breathing for a couple of seconds as they happen.
Not being able to just get up ans go somewhere without wondering if my gut is going to let loose.
no regular bowel movements, feeling unhealthy, things upsetting my IBS
a lot of useless questions about my feels in this test, every meal as a russian roulette
Lack of control over life. Never knowing how you‚Äôre going to feel that day, if you‚Äôre going to be able to do the things you need to.
The embarassing name... I can't even tell people what I have, I just use a euphemism like "digestive issues!"
Constantly in the bathroom and pain from so many episodes AM
Not knowing when when you‚Äôre gonna have to go to the bathroom. Usually happens at the worst times.
Eating the wrong thing messes me up for days, so I don't enjoy eating.
Pain. Starving but can't eat. Explosive diarrhea
Knowing it could get worse at any time and there is little that can be done medically for it except a FMT,which we can't get and iIBS is often discounted as not serious.
The fear of having a flare-up and being humiliated in a vulnerable situation. (e.g., dating, being out with friends, being in small space with others)
Having constant pain in stomach for the last 3 years? Can‚Äôt put weight back on lost 3 stone and not havring a normal bowel motion in over 2 years it‚Äôs with loose or just water
bloating, lack of progress, unreliable diet plans
Everything. Want to go for dinner? I cant. Want some naughty food? What about my tummy? WANT TO EAT? NO I HAVE EXOSIVE DIARRHOEA
Having a flare up and having to miss work because you are too sick to leave the house.
I feel like it always is on my mind and I am always worried about not being able to reach a bathroom in time. I feel like I spend so much of my day in the bathroom and it really becomes so frustrating.
The lack of freedom. To eat whatever what I'd like, to go wherever I'd like, and to live however I'd like in general.
Constant pain and inability to live my life. It is controlled by the need to be on the toilet.
I don't feel like I live the life I want to in some ways
The extreme levels of bloating where I feel like there‚Äôs poison built up in my bowels making me feel sick
The first few hours of every single morning are dictated, at the mercy of, controlled, etc., and sometimes ruined by whether/how my bowels "behave."
It's not something most people want to hear about. But without a doubt, the worst part is the extreme pain I'm in when I have one of my awful attacks (I steadily have a bad stomach but my real IBS attacks are around once a year). They're the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life and just taking this survey reminded me I haven't had a real one in a while and I'm so scared because it's so painful.
The amount of time and frequency spent in the bathroom
The anxiety and depression. I can handle the physical symptoms with medicine for the most part. The anxiety and depression is harder to control.
It has completely derailed my future and makes things I usually enjoy very difficult to enjoy in the same capacity. In essence, it has ruined my life
Not eating food that I love, having to jump through hoops to find something like it, like pizza, gluten free, vegan, soy free pizza. It sucks so much, I just want to be normal and be a normal 21 year old, but I feel like I can‚Äôt and I i inconvenience everyone in my life around me because I can‚Äôt have normal foods. It sucks, I‚Äôm sad and depressed, I‚Äôve resulted to binging foods because I can‚Äôt stand the pain. I actually hate myself because of this.
Being stuck in the house because of anxiety of having an IBS attack if you leave
Not being able to eat foods I enjoy and feeling bloated
not being able to go anywhere due to fear of soiling due to diarrhea
I always feel constipated and bloated even after bowel movements. I always worry something I eat will cause me to bloat for an extended period of time.
Abdominal pain and not being able to go places due to the fear of having pain randomly hit me.
The pain and not knowing if / when an episode will start or end
Living in constant fear that I will have to deal with this to the same extent i currently do forever. Waking up is like living a bad dream, where i can remember what it feels like to be normal but might never get that back.
its only able to be managed, not cured and theres always changes - changes in what triggers you, when a flare happens
Not being to consistently rely on regular bowel movements as well as the pain.
Not knowing when the next attack will be
Constipation... I‚Äôve had this for 15 years. I‚Äôve gone weeks without a satisfying bowel movement. That‚Äôs a fear that I deal with everyday. I‚Äôve been on Linzess for 4 months, everyday I go to the bathroom feels like a gift.
Difficulty passing very hard stools and pain
Attacks leave me tired and in pain. They make it hard to do my job well, and I have to spend too many weekends on the couch.
Constant abdominal pain and not being able to have regular bowel movements.
I have a bowel movement about once a week or ten days. The constipation doesn‚Äôt even hurt anymore. If I am consistent and eat healthily and avoid foods with lactose and gluten and other trigger foods, my stomach feels fine. Sometimes it‚Äôs fine when I eat these foods in small amounts and sparsely. But if I do so for two or more days, a lot more foods that don‚Äôt usually bother my stomach will start doing so and I have to go back to a strict bland diet for a few days until my stomach stops hurting. I‚Äôve gotten used to it and don‚Äôt feel as much anger anymore as I‚Äôve accepted it and adjusted my life accordingly, but it definitely sucks having so few bowel movements. I find that the less I stress about the lack of bowel movements, then the constipation won‚Äôt be as bad or long. The worst part would definitely be the stomach aches and the constant gas.
Health concerns and worrying about getting enough nutrition
Not being able to just "go" and do things on the fly. Everything must be organized according to my last meals and bowels movement
The fact that I can't leave the house for more than 4 hours in fear that i wouldn't find a suitable bathroom to go to.
Abdominal cramping and not being able to enjoy food like I used to
"Morning Rush" and not knowing what my stomach is going to do in the next 4 hours
Lack of recognition that living a normal life is much harder for people with IBS
The pain and bloating, along with urgency especially during stressful situations
Unpredictable spasms and uncortoloable urge with no discernable pattern or food
i feel like its never getting better and therefore i feel worthless
The constant nausea I experience. Abdominal pain is runner up. I experience nausea almost everyday.
The pain and urge to go to a bathroom immediately. This causes extreme anxiety in places where I cannot access a restroom.
Pain and frustration about trying many things to help it but finding no solutions
Besides the abdominal pain, it is not knowing when it is going to flare.
Worrying about losing control when I‚Äôm out
Choosing between a very restrictive diet or having severe abdominal discomfort and pain
The never knowing what to expect . And the constant morphing of the diseases into different symptoms
The pain, sometimes i just have to curl up in a ball on the floor until it passes
Not knowing when my gut will act up and put my life on hold until I feel better
I really never ever feel good. Or normal.
Not knowing what kind of bowel movement I will have that day. Not knowing whether I'll be bloated or cramping.
constant discomfort and the inability to find a solution (nothing seems to address it and there seems to be no identifiable cause)
Being unable to predict what will happen next
Fear of having an episode in a public place (at work or during one of the classes I teach) and being in pain every single day. My episodes are incredibly painful and scary.
needing to restrict my foods to the point of insanity, or pay severe consequences.
Constant, repetitive, loud intestinal noises (particularly at quiet places like in class)
The idea of having to live with this your entire life, missing out on the foods you used to enjoy and want to again. Especially fruits and garlic/onion are things I miss quite a bit.
Always feelings discomfort in your abdomen after eating almost any type of food. It makes it harder to enjoy normal activities like going on dinner dates or eating with friends.
the pain distracting from what I'm Trying to do. I just want to be able to go like a normal person and not have to plan around when I usually go. I also really don't think anyone, not even my mom, understands. Like if I really explained it to them they'd think I'm crazy.
NOPT BEING ABLE TO STOP MY DEFECATIONS!!! IT IS HORRIBLE!!!!
The fact it doesnt ever go away. I have migraines, BAAD ones. But, I knew they would go away so I rarely get concerned that I am stuck with an eternal headache. Not so gut issues. I think they are with me forever and that is a drag.
Constant urgency, not being able to eat anything without having an almost immediate bowel movement!
The insecurity and pain. Also the inconvenience
I'm constantly constipated. My stomach is super bloated. Happens 2-3 times a week and I can't go out or hangout with my friends when it happens.
Incontinence and lack of understanding by others.
dealing with daily diarrhea. also, constantly not being able to eat what I would call "normal diet." having to be on a very restrictive diet.
Not being near a bathroom when I need one and excessive amounts of gas.
not knowing when an episode may happen, in spite of me being very careful of what I eat.
That I can't eat the foods I used to enjoy
The limitations and restrictions are the worst part. I cannot ride in a car with anyone except my husband who understands how bad it is. I can't go out with co-workers or take trips with family. I can't even enjoy walking for exercise unless I walk in a short circle near my home so I can get to the bathroom as quickly as possible. I fear if something happened to my job of 23 years, I wouldn't be able to find another boss who would make concessions for me because he knows my health condition.
Unpredictability of when an attack will come.
not knowing when and where the gut will act up and worry about needing a bathroom when not at home. Thankfully most of my problems occur during the night. Although I loose a couple hours sleep, I'm glad that's when it usually happens.
Fear of diarrhea spilling out of me on the floor. Because of that, I wear adult pull up diapers when I am out. I sit on the end of the pew at church and stand on the end when singing in choir.
No control over it, the leakage, cost of medication and ins dropping prescriptions
Having to limit my activity. My world is really small.
The food restrictions. Not being able to eat what everybody eats. Bringing my own food to potlucks. Eating seperate meals from my family. Never being able to eat out.
Feeling that I'm going to not make it to the bathroom. If I'm constipated I have to sprint to a bathroom when I feel the urge to defecate, otherwise I won't be able to pass a stool for a day or more. If I have diarrhea, I am scared that I'm going to soil myself if I can't get to a bathroom or I'll not wipe myself clean after going.
pain and anxiety and not being able to just eat something without knowing exactly what is in it
Urgency. Having to lose so much of your life to IBS because it becomes impossible to have a normal life.
Pain not being able to go to places and events
frequent stomach discomfort and urgency of using the restroom
having full blown accidents when I'm out. doesn't happen often but when it does watch out.its always touch cleaning someones bathroom from the projectile feces.
Pain and staying in the bathroom so much.
Occasional inability to keep weight *on*; diarrhea attacks. :(
The interruptions. The pain is exhausting, so even after the attack is over I am just so tired I can‚Äôt do anything.
The constant going when you lest expect it
not being able to hold it! urgency as well.
trying to make others understand that you are really in pain
constant nausea, extreme abdominal pain, embarassment, diarrhea and exhaustion.
How bedridden I get and not being able to live life fully. The bleeding followed by inconsistent stools also suck a whole lot.
Fear of having an accident in public and the annoyance of always working, anxiety comes with it
I am 43 I was diagnosed at 16. The pain, explaining it to people.
Changes in my life. Dont going out afraid of having to go friendships has suffered and so did family relationships afraid of being intimate because I might have to go having stomach pains and bloating all the time.
Having to devote hours in the morning to staying near the bathroom and not letting anyone else use it.
Constantly planning my life around "if" I'm going to have an issue
Never knowing when it will hit. Worry about finding a bathroom . Worry about taking too long in a public restroo
The physical pain and worrying about having diarrhea in public washrooms
the constant pain distracts from other things in life
Being in constant pain with no relief in sight. There's no known cure yet, just failed symptom treatment.
The food limitations. I follow a very strict fodmap diet and I miss a lot of high fodmap foods.
Everyday things like going to work being s struggle
The urgency, anxiety, discomfort, and sweating associated with the feeling of needing to have a bowel movement.