Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: urgency to have bowel movements

Hey Coda,

I get the same way sometimes. Over the past year, it has gotten better though. I used to panic being stuck in slow traffic or going anywhere that was unfamiliar to me (new shopping malls, amusement parks and new restaurants).

You will find plenty of info on diet and supplements here on this site. I tried several prescriptions but they were always too harsh. What I do now is the day before, I try not to eat anything too heavy and have plenty of water. Usually, the day of, I would gently sip on Pepto Bismol or have two Pepto chewables an hour before going out. I also had to start psyching myself up and with time it became easier. Alot of times now, I can go out and run errands without taking anything. Sometimes in psyching myself up, I yell at myself like a military drill instructor (usually alone in my car on the way there) just saying that I can do this and if everyone else can do, so can I. After a good chew out, I usually feel a calm come over me. Sometimes you have to hear yourself clearly to get the message through. It can't hurt to try it.

The worst thing you can do is continuing to think you need to use the restroom all the time. Once you fall and stay in that mode, it becomes more difficult to overcome it.

Good luck.

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