Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and constipation. Typically no abnormalities appear during standard medical testing, and so irritable bowel syndrome is identified by the symptoms. Although irritable bowel syndrome can cause serious discomfort, the intestines are not harmed.

1,516 Members
3,492 Posts
0 Online
Gastrointestinal System
/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Support Group

Stress about being in the bathroom too long

ashleyjanette
ashleyjanette
I'm a mom of two little kids and sometimes when I'm in the bathroom dealing with IBS (usually cramping and diarrhea for me) one or both is crying for me to come or I'm worried they're getting into something so I'm trying to hurry in the bathroom but the more I think "I need to get back to them NOW" the worse the cramping gets and the more diarrhea I have. So I try to make sure they're in a safe place before I go to the bathroom and tell myself they're fine and take deep breaths because I can't get the cramping and diarrhea to stop unless I calm down...
Any other tips on getting it to calm down?
annettearizona
annettearizona
How old are your children? Perhaps you could leave the bathroom door adjar and have them come play outside the bathroom while you're on "bathroom duty"?
puffy1976
puffy1976
Have you tried Bentyl? It works on cramping and diarrhea. You have to be careful though because it can quickly send you into constipation also though.
ashleyjanette
ashleyjanette
My kids are 1 and 3. I usually do have the bathroom door open (but I lock it if I have my period - I don't want to explain that to a 3 year old boy) and sometimes they're fine but anything can happen quickly - one starts bothering the other or getting into something or plays a little too rough and gets hurt, or the 1 year old just wants to be held.

I haven't really tried any meds yet other than probiotics and peppermint oil. I found those help. I'm actually still in the process of being diagnosed with IBS and waiting for a colonoscopy right now. Several of my family members have IBS and my doctor said my symptoms sound exactly like IBS but she won't officially say I have it until other things are ruled out, so I don't think she'd prescribe anything yet.
puffy1976
puffy1976
Thanks for replying. Good luck with everything!
annettearizona
annettearizona
Possibilities come in mind to have walkie talkies so you can communicate with the kids or make bathroom duty a sort of game for the kids leaving them specific something to be doing and leaving one of them in charge :)
22Lynn
22Lynn
I remember when my two boys were that young. You really do worry if you can't see them for a few minutes, so if your stuck in the bathroom it must make you nervous. It would have me nervous back then. One thing you could do is put the 1 year old in their crib while your in the bathroom. At least they aren't together, no hitting or biting. This is all I can think of. Good luck with your tests. Let us know how things turn out.