Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Yes, this is a tough situation! If you tell your date you have IBS, you may never hear from him again! And, if you don't tell him, he may think your wierd if you, for example, refuse to drink alcohol, or if you start eating a special diet that appears odd to "IBS outsiders."

I think the best thing is to initially try and avoid situations where you would have to eat or drink anything. Make dates to go to movies, etc. ... avoid restaurants and cafes. If you must go to a restaurant after a movie, just say you have already had enough to eat and drink and don't need anything further. Or order something plain like bottled water. Or order a pot of hot water and slip you own peppermint teabag in.

Or you could say you have food allergies. This would be much easier for your date to digest than admitting you have a bowel condition! (I successfully used the food allergy excuse for years!)

Then, if and when you were to know the person better, you could explain what you really have.

But be gentle with your explanation! I've known my boyfriend for 25 years and even now he doesn't like to hear too many details about my IBS! Nor do any of my friends or family for that matter! And, really, I'm not sure I would want to know many details if I didn't have IBS!

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