[Brontoset]

I don't know if its depression/anxiety, whatever...

But pretty much all my life I've had SERIOUS, Socially crippling bowel issues...

I went to a doctor (several, actuallyl), and even had a colonoscopy, they found NOTHING wrong, so I started meds (barely helped)...

I couldn't have sex (I'm still a virgin at 23)...because I was scared about defecating during....

I know that when I'm really anxious or stressed, I am much more likely to have diarrhea. I sometimes joke that I literally "scare the crap out of myself". I'm sure my mental health has also tied in to me being constipated too.

Although it's not a chronic issue, I wish my bowels worked as normally as most people's...it can indeed be frustrating.

sounds like irritable bowel syndrome, and it's fairly common. Stress is also one of the many triggers for it, so it is a mental health issue probably.

Maybe talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a solution. There are medicines available.

[Nammu]

You are not alone. When you find someone with whom you are really comfortable and truly love, not just for sex but love you will be able to talk to that person and the two of you will be able to face the physical stuff together. You might be very pleasantly surprised to find that with someone you really love you can relax and your bowels will become a none issue.

The bowels are very sensitive to emotional stress in some people, have you tried yoga and meditation? Working with a gastroenterologist, someone for anxieties and maybe a nutritionist to see if you need a special diet could help. Acupuncture and exercise can help too. I'm not trying to preach or give medical advice, it's just from my own experiences. When I was in my 20's I too had horribly finicky bowls, when I got my anxiety under better control it helped me. Now in my 50's I take pain medication and need to watch what I eat, and do my best to exercise no matter the pain so I don't get constipated, so these are just suggestions. I found most of my answers on my own because I was too embarrassed back in my 20's to even talk to a doctor about any of this--so you are ahead of the game already!

Good luck.

I suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I have had to change my diet and exclude those that cause problems. People with IBS are usually lactose intolerant, which means cutting out all dairy products. Deep fried and fatty foods are also a problem. So are acidic foods (tomato sauce, orange juice, all sodas). Finally, eat smaller meals because overeating will cause problems. It could also be other things like colitis or Crohn's disease. I suggest you see a gastrointerologist. In the meantime, make a list of all the things that you eat and drink so that you can see what bothers your GI system and what does not.

[KeepGoing8]

I've had on-and-off severe digestive problems for about 2 years now (I'm 27). I've had the whole endoscopy, barium scans, laparoscopy treatment, without any concrete answers, advice, or diagnoses from Dr.s. Right now, I'm chalking it up to stress, Norovirus infections, and food intolerance and/or allergies. I took out dairy, gluten (in wheat), sugar, alcohol, acidic foods, and beans...and I'm feeling pretty good: now, I just need to figure out which of the banned foods are The Real Culprits! The dietary restrictions can seem daunting and depressing at first, but not having those foods to "fall back on" makes you get more creative with ur cooking and u try lots of new things.Digestion problems are $h!++¥...I hope you find a way to feel better. Stay strong.

[Nams]

I have been going through this for a few years. Just over a year ago I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy was diagnosed with Mild Ulcerative Proctitis...had another scope 3 mths ago and it has advanced to Colitits.....have to go for scope every year for the next five years. I go from constipation(sometimes for months) to diarrhea with bleeding and lots of pain.
I have a new med that seems to be keeping things under control but they are about the size of horse pills and I hate pills lol
As for the sex thing I agree completely with melissa.recovering. Keep pushing your Dr. if you feel there is something not right with your body then there is something however hard to find or simple it maybe. My mother went for years with severe chronic pain and no-one would listen....she has recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia(sp) they are educated but still don't know everything YET.
Sending Hugz
Nams

[Brontoset]

Thank you for all your help. Sometimes, the blood is the worst problem...makes it hard to "clean up"

[Stoda]

I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Did you know the woman who played Super Women is a spokes person for IBS because her mother had it and went undiagnoised for so long.

I've had IBS my whole life, but wasn't diagnoised until I was about 21. And I know my moods affect my bowels. So you are certainly not alone. You might ask your doctor about adding Fiber to your diet. I can't see that it would hurt anything, but a doctor would know best. If your doc agrees, you could try adding citracil pills to your diet. Those pills have done a world of good for me.

Good Luck!

[lynn P.]

Since IBS have similar symptoms to Celiac Disease, its recommended to be tested for Celiac - it can cause chronic diarrhea. Ask your doctor about this. Do you have stomach cramps with this? Have you been tested for food allergies/sensitivities?

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/sy...tableBowel.htm

Does sound like it could be IBS or even celiac. Did your dr's suggest either of those after other things were ruled out? IBS is usually dx after all other gastrointestinal diseases or problems have been ruled out. Celiac, you can get blood tests.. However the blood tests are not perfect and can either suggest you have it or not, there are false negatives, an endoscopy with biobsies of the small intestine can rule it out better than blood tests.

I know it's frustrating when the dr's come up empty handed. I've been tested for everything under the sun and will be starting my second round of gluten free diet shorty.