9 Things All People with IBS and IBD Can Relate To (Because Our Guts Have a Mind of Their Own)
Living with IBS or IBD is like being in a toxic relationship with your own digestive system. Some days, things are peaceful. Other days, your gut throws a full-blown tantrum for absolutely no reason. And the worst part? No one who doesn’t have IBS or IBD truly gets it.
If you’ve ever had to scan a restaurant menu like a crime scene investigator, mapped out every bathroom in a five-mile radius, or struggled to explain to people that yes, you actually do have a medical condition, this list is for you.
Here are 9 things all people with IBS and IBD can relate to—because sometimes, all we can do is laugh through the struggle and keep going.
1. The "Will This Food Betray Me?" Game
One of the greatest mysteries of living with IBS and IBD is that a food can be fine one day and absolutely destroy you the next. It’s a cruel game of Russian roulette with your stomach, and there are no winners.
🔹 That salad you ate last week? Safe.
🔹 That same salad today? Your gut is calling the fire department.
🔹 Plain rice? Suddenly, an enemy.
🔹 A slice of pizza? You know better, but sometimes, you take the risk anyway.
Finding the right gut-friendly diet takes years of trial and error. And just when you think you’ve figured it out? Your gut decides to change the rules again.
2. Scouting Out Bathrooms Like a CIA Agent
Every person with IBS or IBD develops a special sixth sense for bathroom locations. You walk into a building, and before you even say hello to anyone, you clock the nearest restroom. It’s instinct at this point.
🚽 Grocery store? Check.
🚽 Friend’s house? You’ve mapped out the fastest route.
🚽 Long road trip? You’ve memorized every rest stop.
Because when a flare-up hits, you don’t have time for delays. And heaven help anyone who gets between you and that bathroom when it happens.
3. The Struggle of Trying to “Explain” IBS or IBD to People Who Don’t Get It
Trying to explain IBS or IBD to someone who’s never experienced gut issues is like explaining the internet to a 15th-century knight—they just don’t get it.
💬 "So, it's just a sensitive stomach?"
💬 "Have you tried just eating more fiber?"
💬 "Maybe it's all in your head?" (Ah yes, let me just stop having this chronic illness.)
It’s exhausting. And sometimes, you just nod and change the subject because it’s easier than explaining why your gut has the temperament of an unpredictable thunderstorm.
4. The Fear of Getting Stuck Somewhere Without a Bathroom
Nothing spikes your IBS or IBD-related anxiety faster than the thought of being stuck somewhere with no bathroom in sight.
🚗 Long car rides? Risky.
✈️ Airplane travel? Pure terror.
🎭 Outdoor concerts and festivals? A logistical nightmare.
The stress of “what if I need a bathroom and there isn’t one?” is enough to trigger an IBS or IBD flare-up all on its own. Which means most of us have a bathroom escape plan for every single scenario.
5. The Joy of Finally Finding an IBS or IBD-Friendly Meal
After weeks of bloating, flare-ups, and suffering, there’s nothing quite as magical as finding a meal that doesn’t wreck you.
✨ A dish that doesn’t cause immediate regret? A true blessing.
✨ A meal that leaves you feeling full but not destroyed? Practically a miracle.
✨ A safe, go-to restaurant? You’re never letting it go.
People without gut issues will never understand the pure joy of eating something delicious without needing to cancel your plans afterward.
6. The Emotional Rollercoaster of Having a “Good Gut Day”
Every once in a while, you wake up and your stomach feels… fine? You eat, and nothing bad happens?
You start questioning everything:
🧐 Did I accidentally cure myself overnight?
🧐 Should I try eating cheese again? (Don’t do it.)
🧐 Is this a trap? It feels like a trap.
You cherish the moment, but deep down, you know that your gut is just recharging for its next attack.
7. The Constant Experimenting with Supplements, Probiotics, and "Gut Healing" Trends
At some point, every IBS and IBD warrior has a cabinet full of supplements, probiotics, and gut-health potions. Some help, some don’t, but we keep trying because we just want relief.
💊 L-Glutamine? Tried it.
🦠 Probiotics for IBS? Currently on our third brand.
🌿 Peppermint oil? A hit or miss.
💨 Activated charcoal? Only in case of emergency.
We have so many supplements that it sometimes feels like we’re running our own experimental lab.
8. The Battle Between Hunger and Fear
You’re starving. You want to eat. But you also don’t want to spend the next six hours regretting every bite.
🥪 Hunger: “Come on, eat something.”
🚨 Brain: “But what if it triggers a flare-up?”
🤷 Gut: "Honestly, even I don’t know what I want today."
Every meal is a high-stakes gamble between nourishment and potential digestive warfare.
9. Learning to Find Humor in the Struggle
At the end of the day, laughing is all we can do. We’ve been through too much bathroom-related trauma not to find the humor in it.
🤣 IBS memes? Yes, we relate to every single one.
🤣 Jokes about food regrets? Been there, done that.
🤣 Comparing gut horror stories with other IBS/IBD warriors? Pure therapy.
Because when your gut has betrayed you in every possible way, sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh and keep going.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone
Living with IBS or IBD is exhausting, unpredictable, and sometimes downright ridiculous. But you’re not alone in this. Whether it’s the never-ending search for safe foods, the constant anxiety about bathrooms, or the frustrating trial-and-error of managing symptoms, we all share this wild, gut-ridden journey.
And while it’s tough, exhausting, and frustrating, we keep going. Because what other choice do we have?
So here’s to all the IBS and IBD warriors out there—may your good gut days be frequent, your flare-ups be few, and your meals be miraculously safe.
