IBS the reason i got agoraphobia

by Eddie
(California)

So here is my story a 19 year old normal teenager just living his life. I was in college thinking about taking a semester free to work and save some money to later return to school. Then came the Summer and my problem started.

The first time it happen was on the summer vacations, i was eating a lot of Chicken with Hot Sauce that week, i remember the day like yesterday, i just had finish eating and a friend came to my house to invite me to play soccer on the park i felt kinda full and heavy, and felt little bit like the need to go to the bathroom but since in that time i only use it ones or twice a week i didnt. i just felt bad my friend drive all the way to my house so i just change and left.

2 hours later after finish playing we got to my friends car and i felt the need to really used the bathroom.
we were like 15-20mins from my house and it felt like 2 hours, i felt like wanting to just get out and run like crazy i was shaking. I finally got home and i was perfect like nothing happen.

During the next months this repeat so many times i could no longer go to school. So i drop and got a job where i always got a bathroom available. my social life turn to nothing. broke with my girlfriend because every time we went out i needed to go and was very uncomfortable the same with friends and family.

Every time i eat i felt sick and had diarrhea for weeks and weeks. i finally went to a Doctor and told me i got IBS. i could no longer drink
milk,eat pork,peanuts,nuts,beans,cheese,any type of spicy food or hot sauce,yogurt,cream,chocolate etc.

I later move to California with my dad and with out a job i fell safe i been home for months. Going out anywhere was just a nightmare after months of needing to run to use the bathroom, i no longer wanted or could go out like a normal person even after i change my diet the damage was already done.

The pain in the abdomen stop and also all the other things, but every time i go out i felt the need to go and use a bathroom even if i really didnt.
Today im much better , i find a way of controlling myself and also change my diet even more strict, no fat at all. Meat , Chicken breast, rice , salad and fish is all i eat.

I always try to go before i go out an most of the days i take a pill of pepto bismol in case of a sudden diarrhea witch helps me take that out of my mind.
But still i cant go to a lot of random places or use public transport. I always drive my car and never ever go with someone on his car, me driving gives me the feeling of control and if i have to go just go and don't ask anyone for favors or stops. Im in charge in my car.

I go to places i only know they have restrooms.
Im currently ready to get back to normal and im searching for a job and hoping i can get back in school next semester. this is me 21 years old living with agoraphobia thanks to IBS.