Imagine a world where you have slain hundreds upon thousands of menacing creatures from multiple dimensions and timelines. You have traveled across multiple continents and explored new lands collecting the rarest of items to create an ultimate weapon that will help take down the biggest, baddest villain of them all. You are staring right in the eyes of the most wicked demonic figure you have ever seen. You have spent hundreds of hours to get to this point; there is no turning back. You are accompanied by some of the bravest and most skilled fighters across the realm. This is the moment you've been waiting for, for months. You're ready to prove your worth to this guild.

No, you're not ready. You have Irritable Bowl Syndrome and you have to go poop.

For a quick explanation to those who may not be familiar with this condition, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS or spastic colon) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause.

I can go ahead and tell you that this situation sucks. It's embarrassing and it is definitely not a good way to make an impression when attempting to join a new guild. I have held up many online raids, matches and events due to my IBS. It can strike at any moment and when it does, it's a full on attack in your stomach. Does it happen all the time? No, I can go weeks without an episode. Does it hurt? You bet your britches it does! Though it's not as painful as it is uncomfortable and inconvenient.

My online gaming experiences and IBS collide more often than they should. I'll be on a roll playing Rocket League with my friend in duos, winning 9 out of every 10 matches and then it strikes. I'll come back to play after a few minutes and then, I have to go again. This time, I'm literally shifting in my chair while trying to either win the game in dramatic fashion or well, lose in an even more dramatic way. More often than not, the game goes into overtime. This is the moment where I just can't handle the discomfort.

Accurate Representation

Do you guys have any conditions that may be an inconvenience to your gaming habits? I'd love to hear some of your stories and maybe even how you cope with it.