Agoraphobia...

[Daisy Mae]

Okay, I've started to question my mental status and in so doing, have come to the conclusion that I'm bordering on agoraphobic. I have always considered myself a home body, and have spent years explaining why I won't be at that wedding, funeral, party, etc. Or why I don't go out shopping with people or a lot of other things I used to consider fun.
I have found myself more and more anxious about leaving the house in the past year than ever before. Instead of telling people it's about the IC, I always try to come up with a reason why I don't want to go. So here it is, from now on I will tell the truth. I will try not to use my IC as a crutch, but I will admit it when I just don't want to leave the house.
1. clothes hurt, pajamas don't.
2. my excessive pyridium stains people's toilets orange or leaves the water yellow-tinged which makes it look like I didn't flush well. (hint: I take the urelle when I'm going to be out, it leaves a blue color which makes it look clean)
3. public toilets make it hard to relax. if I can't relax, I can't pee.
4. where ARE the public toilets, anyway? always a gamble.:toilet:
5. I love my recliner and my pillows. I hate hard chairs.
6. my close family understands my IC and doesn't question it when I stay in the bathroom for a long time with the water running.
7. the extension cord for my heating pad doesn't extend to all the places people expect me to go.
8. I take meds to help me relax and minimize the pain. these are not conducive to great driving.
There are more, I just needed to get a few of them off my chest. Any one else out there finding yourselves more and more wanting to stay home? You are not alone.
:toilet:

[ICNDonna]

I get cabin fever if I'm at home too much. If I don't feel like driving, I don't mind at all riding with someone else. And I have learned where most of the restrooms in our fair city are located. :)

Donna

[VickiB]

Before diagnosis I used to be this way. I didn't know what was happening, why it was happening, when it would strike, and never knew what to do about it when it did strike,....I was scared to leave the house. I don't want to go back to those days for anything!

Though agoraphobia is defined as an abnormal fear of being in open places. I don't think the concerns we have are in any way abnormal. Kind of like it's not paranoia if they're really after you!

[Jocotter]

I identify with nearly all your reasons for not going. Most of the time though, I make myself go if I can. Fortunately, the wife of one couple we do things with also has IC, so they understand. I would add to your list the limited diet when I have a flare, and the looks I get from friends when I go out to eat and hardly order anything.

[suncaro23]

I understand this. Sometimes it just feels like too much to go out with people who are eating and drinking whatever they like and they don't understand why you are not. It definitely causes anxiety. I still force myself to do things, though, not as often as others do, but I know being out with friends is good for me. Not always, but usually, I end up having a good time even if I was nervous about going.