Bathroom and anxiety

[lulufuj13]

I am a college student who suffers from frequent trips to the loo. I feel the urge to pee many times during the day; I've noticed that I feel more urges when I'm outside my dorm than when I'm in it (maybe because it's the 'homey' feeling the place has and the fact that I'm just down the hall from a toilet). (It's also not an infection as I've had numerous tests done and nothing is wrong with my kidneys either.) None of my friends ever have to pee when we're hanging out around town, but I always do. I feel like such a burden to them, especially since we always have to drive to find bathrooms. My doctor suggested retraining my bladder and although this does give me a better sense of security, I still find that I revert back to getting anxious when I'm out with my friends and not around a loo. And now, I also get frequent upset stomachs (stomach pain, gas, bloating, loose stools). I've been tested for celiacs disease and numerous others, but nothing is out of the ordinary. It's not a food allergy either as I've kept track of what I've been eating and have only found random triggers. I think this too is related to me being anxious if I'm not near a bathroom or not able to get to one (such as being in a class where the teacher won't let me go or the fear of other students thinking I'm weird for having to always come and go from the class.) I don't want to eat or drink anything before I go out so I can reduce my chances of having to go to the bathroom. I'm already extremely skinny and because I don't want to eat or drink much I lose weight. These problems are making my life a living hell. I don't know any other college student who suffers from these problems; I seem to be the only person in the world who has to deal with this. I don't even want to go out with my friends anymore, let alone make any new ones (it's also hard for me to make friends since I'm so shy so I'm alone most of the time) for fear of them finding me weird or a burden. I've spent months crying over this, I just can't seem to shake this problems since they always come back when things are finally going good. I feel like everyone else would just be better off without me. I've become extremely sad and I feel like a lost cause.

How can I cope with this? What can I do if I'm stuck in the car for a long period of time such as being stuck in traffic? I live near a beach that doesn't have a bathroom and my friends always want to go there but I avoid it and I hate having to do that. What can I do?

[Middleagedmommy]

My family always said our stress goes to our stomachs, well (Bowels) College can be a stressful time by itself. Then add the stress of not knowing what is happening to your body. it is like a self fulfilling prophesy. I assume you are female. We tend to have smaller bladders.  Drinking less water will just mess you up more. I have always had to pee a lot. Before all the new drugs, we just would deal with it and laugh about it. Now when my stomach was messed up. It was usually either because of major stress or not eating for hours then eating. It would cause horrible stomach cramps and loose bowels. It still does in me and I am 52 now. I call it blasting. Eating small portions more frequently can keep this from happening. The last thing you should do is not eat. Just that alone can mess up your stomach because your body will start to canabalize itself for what it needs. and can mess up your internal organs. Also, you may have to pee a lot just from your pee being to concentrated. Drink water all day long. I know it is scary but not big glasses at a time. Keep a water bottle on you and take sips. Staying hydrated is so important for everything to function well. Everyone pees. But not all at the same frequency. Dont feel embarassed if you have to go. Thats life. That being said. drinking less doesn't help. Dehydration can cause concentrated pee which causes discomfort and an urge to go more often as a result. My son went through that as a child because he was afraid of going at school. He drank less and felt like he had to go all the time. We thought it was a bladder infection. but the doctor said it was just that he wasn't drinking enough water. Take smaller portions for food but more often so you get the nutrition you need and take small sips of water all day long and keep hydrated. See if this helps. It may take a few days to feel a difference But it works for me. good luck

[SnowWhite123]

After a surgery I had my bladder was cut. Another one was done to fix it. For the longest time I had to use the restroom all the time also, or had the urge to go all the time. I went to a urologist that put me on a medication that worked , I can not remember the name of it but the commercial I am sure you can remember. The one with the people walking around and they are pipes and one is always having the urge to go. And I also took classes to retrain my bladder. These two helped and I no longer have to do any and I am much better.It did take almost two years before I felt like I did before.

[skai49]

it too can be anxiety . try not to be looking fr loo when your out with your friends or even when your out by yourself caz it makes you more anxious when u realize theres not any in sight . derease your level of fluid intake (caffeine also alcohol)when your out and especially if u notice no loo around you . get another medical review if this continues can  b some under underlyin problem .