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[~Vicky~]

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I was diagnosed with IBS around a year ago - and before that I was in incredible pain with my stomach and all that sort of stuff. The worst the pain, the worst the depression and the worst the pain.If you know what I mean? As soon as I feel a little it worst then my pains and toilet going is really not good.I haven't been able to tell any of my boyfriends that i've had that i've got IBS...Doubt it is attractive to them.Sometimes I wish I had a boyfriend with IBS, so he would know how I feel and what I'm going through.Thoguh I've looked through so much on here, I still kinda feel alone.I mean I dont know anyone who wants to talk to me with IBS..And sometimes I just wanna scream loudly and lash out.Most the time I burst into tears asking why me because I feel I'm not normal.My confidence has been beaten to the ground anyway and IBS does not help. I just want someone to talk to..I can't talk with my doctors, my teachers, friends about it...and i hate talking about it with my mom because she says she understands..but she doesnt know what its like to feel like you wanna die..I go through depression alot..and anxiety so much that all this is affecting my school work, and soon i have my GCSEs...Someone talk to me? please?My e-mail addy is Groovyvickster###hotmail.com.Thank you.

[Nikki]

I did similar things with my exams. I was so worried about my damn stomach! I still worry about this type of thing while doing my postgrad. But, it DOES get easier! It really does! I know how to cope with it now- don't ask me to explain how- but i just do.Bugboo- you really should get someone to take you to see a doctor. How old are you?Nikki

[Josh Davis]

Honestly I know exactlly how you feel. But listen you should realize that if your boyfriend would like you for who you are not what you can't help you should have thought about that and told him. And about school I feel the same way I have missed a whole week this Friday because of my stomach and my teachers don't know what the hell IBS is. And yes my parents think I make up my stomach aching all the time they think its in my head, but parents don't realize anything. They just want whats best for you and they push to hard for sucess. And about college I think you should slowly open up to your dorm roomate, they should understand if you sit down and talk to them about it and just be straight foward and if they don't accept the fact that you use the bathroom ever 5 seconds then just stink up the place and **** them off.=

[ganzad]

i've had ibs since i was like 6 im 15 now and its hard yea but it's gotten alot better since i went to a doctor i used to have that problem everyday but its reduced alot now maybe twice a month at school. its usually when im stresed out and every morning i have to wake up with this stupid problem and being nervous all day. but yea i pray that it'll get better soon....

[carterd1985]

I know how you feel i sometimes just sit on the floor and cry because i have nobody to talk thats going through the same thing that i am. and also i resently have my first child he is five months old and i am really scared that he might get uc from me. i dont know what i would do if my son were to have uc how would i explain that not everybody has this but you do thats how i feel like im broken. or an outcast. then you cant tell your friends about it becauce they start looking at you different like that can catch it just by being around you.

[FSUgrl0715]

I know exaclty how you all feel. I've been diagnosed with IBS since the 10th grade. It has progressively gotten worse as the years went on, and has put me in a constant state of depression. It seems as though i can't ever go a day feeling normal, or healthy. I'm really self-concious to the fact that i'm constantly running to the bathroom, or have to sit through a class with severe gas. Personally, the gas is the worst part, it not only smells and makes you uncomfortable but it really hurts and is constantly making my tummy grumble. I've never been able to go out without feeling sick, and can never go on road trips. I'm constantly locating the bathroom wherever i may be just so i know where to go when i need it. The doctors tell me to do stress relief exercises but its not that easy. I've tried everything from yoga, to meditation, to anorexia. I have tried changing my diet too from the normal sandwiches and pasta, to carrots and celery, to cutting out all wheat and dairy all together. Nothing seems to work. Along with all my stress with college, and a roomate, now i also have to deal with the stress about being sick all the time. Stress is not an easy thing to get rid of, and i just wish there was medicine or somthing i could take everyday to make it go away. I've tried all kinds of medicine, but i take it so much that i eventually become immune to it. I'm always complaining about it to my parents and my doctors in hope that they can help me in any way possible. I think about what it would be like to be a normal teenager every day of my life. I had a boyfriend for 3 years before i came to college, and he didnt seem to care about it. People are more supportive than you think, but it still takes alot of courage to open up about it. To me it just seems disgusting and i never want to talk about it. I always feel gross when im "sick" as i like to call it. I really wish more than anything in the world to be normal...and the stress is only going to continually get worse. Wish me luck!

[CandyElfKY]

I hope you don't mind that I'm not a teenage - I'm 24 and had IBS since about 7 years old. Anyhow, just wanted to let you all know that I too refused to tell anyone about my stomach issues. When I took on a new (and stressful) job, I forced myself to tell my co-workers, family & friends b/c I wanted them to understand that sometimes, I just have to leave. Believe it or not, they took the news really well, and are all incredibly supportive. While I'm not saying you should put up a bulletin board at your school, just know that there's light at the end of the tunnel, and others will understand! It's more popular than any of us think - when I mentioned my IBS at work, about half my co-workers admitted to either having it or having a close family member or friend with it. Oh and one more thing...Don't be afraid about the future. I was scared to death when I had to take on a full time job. The thoughts of the IBS kept me up many nights - but it all will work out.

[Loz88]

I totally understand how you feel. All my friends and family and my boyfriend does know that i have IBS and im pleased they know. It actually helps me, because if i'm in the toilet for a long time or im in there frequently, they understand why and don't say anything about it. They care and just want me to be better, although my IBS does rule my life, where i feel like i have to be near a toilet at all times...i dont stop it seeing my friends/boyfriend because they understand and they dont mind me sitting in their bathroom for a long time. I'm lucky i have a lot of support. I also get embarrassed about using public toilets, because some people will laugh or criticise u and i just wanna tell these ignorant ppl what's wrong with me and make them wake up to the world.

[dodgeball]

R to the S, i'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time.I wish i could tell you there was one sole proven cure but i'm afraid there isn't, as much as we'd all like there to be, however with the support of doctors and those around you it becomes manageable. Even though i'm new to the board myself, i'm more than sure there are plenty of us around on here that will be here for you, but please put all thoughts of suicide out of your head, things WILL get better.

[H. Lacey]

i absolutely feel the same way! i've had IBS since i was 10 and now it's started to get worse, so worse that i finally had to tell my school about it so they let me go to the toilet during lessons if i need to, and it was incredibly embarassing knowing that my Head Of Year (person who sorts out stuff for my year and the year below) knows what happens when i eat sometimes and she admitted herself that it's embarassing and asked if i wanted her to tell the other teachers and i said straight out said "no!"i'm dreading getting any older, because i'm 15 now and my friends don't expect much from me, you know like, they don't really care whether they see me at weekends or whatever, but my brother (who never used to go out) is now going places with his friends since he went to college. i'm going college in September and i'm scared out of my mind that something is going to go wrong or something, like i'm gonna be out at the cinema, or out bowling or something similar and i'll need to go to the toilet urgently. and of course it's hard to explain to people, people think i'm joking or 'it's not that bad' because i have to live with the pain and so if it's ok to live with it can't hurt that much, yeah right! my parents don't understand about it, nor my friends who basically change the subject everytime i mention something about it, or they just smile as if to say "shut up, i don't want to hear about it"if you read my post about dreading growing up you'll know you're not alone with this at all, i actually wish i had a friend who was at my school with it or something similar just so i had someone who understood, but there are times i feel like no one understands about it.

[crazyartist]

Well, just like artistic girl, my problem has to fo with gas build up. It all started when we moved to another country and it just got worse. There were one or two classes each semester that gave me the most trouble but i had my friends with me in most of my classes so that helped cause i was more relaxed. i also told my counselor about it and she wrote an email to ym teachers when i had exams..usually finals stressed me out a lot. im taking a semester off before going to college but im so so scared of even sharing a room with someone ! im even scared of sleeping with my family how am I gonna deal with someone else? i actually told my dad i needed a private room and he said he would pay for it but i dont really know if there will be any rooms avaliable..the only thing that helped me go through highschool was my art classes and for that im so so thankful. well..for anyone interested in talking my email is: cool_andy14###hotmail.com

[Artistic Girl]

Hey Everyone I'm a 17 year Old Girl with IBS-D and OMG has it gotten in the way of my Life. It all started my sophmore year (Im a senior) I would get random attacks and Gas especially when I'de get nervous. I began to realize that Tests made me nervous becuase of the quietness. Being in quiet situations made me extremly nervous and would give me horrible diarria(I can't spell my own problem...hehe) and loud gas/stomach noises along with cramps and a back ache. So I began leaving school early to avoid quiet situations. My Grades used to be all A's and B's and began to drop because I was absent or Id miss classes that made me nervous. I began feeling depressed and feel extremly hopeless. Everynight I'd go to bed with a knot in my stomach becuase I became to nervous about having to go to the Bathroom and my stomach making noises that I hated going to school. By Junior year I became extremly depressed I would even cut class to avoid taking a test or I de go to the Bathroom and stay in there the whole period in order to avoid people asking me why I took so Long One time I was with my Boyfriend and I was nervous becuase we were sittin in the car and it was quiet and my stomach made a noise bc I held in my gas and he asked what it was (he knew about my IBS) and I felt so embarrassed I left the car and told him 'd run in into the restuarant where we were parked to use the Bathoom I had horrible D and Gas and began to cry and refused to go back to the Car. Luckily my sisters and cousins explained to him that I was extremly embarrased that tha I was crying and I avoided him that night and he went home sad. This problem began effectin my relationship with my boyfriend bc every time I'd see him Ide get D beforehand and I wouldnt even want to see him. I decided I needed therapy. Yes I had IBS and it was a physical problem but it was also emotional and mental. I was extremly depressed and Paranoid about it so I knew I needed Help. I began therapy that January and ended just a few months ago. At first I would tell her it was becuase I was nervous and situations that I would get attacks and after her gettin my to open up I realized I was a very sensitive person who worried alot and who had some other issues that triggered the IBS attacks, although I did get attacks when Ifelt perfectly fine and happy becuase like I said it's also a physical problem. So we talked alot and I opened up and she also taught me self-calming techniques. that Included A: Deep Breathing and B: Deep Muscle RelaxationIm going to explain them to everyone..Im here for support and to help A: Deep Breathing consists of Breathing in your nose and holding the air inside for 3 seconds(count to three mentally) and than releasing the Air out of your mouth for 3 scnds. Do the deep breathing for about 20 counts...In thru your nose and out thru your mouth and repeat 20 times. This is one my favorites becuase if you're ever in a bad situation you can breath in and out and no body will notice..B: Deep Muscle Relaxation means that yo will tighten different parts of your body for 20 seconds. Starting at your Feet..press them down ino the grown as hard as you can for 20 seconds. Than release and breath in and feel the muscle relaxing. Than repeat for you legs, SQUEEZE them together for 20 seconds than release. Do this and move up to your buttocks to your stomache to your shoulders and finally finishing on your Hands. SQueeze them together as tight as you can for 20 seconds and release. The purpose of this is to hold it as hard as you can and to concentrate on that one body part bc it will take your mind off other things. But do not do it so hard as to hurt your self.Note: these excersizes work best when done twice a day at night before bed and as soon as you wake up...Also in bad situations but try to do them Everyday at least twice and Practice even when you dont feel Nervous becuase the more you practice the more Relaxed you will feel. Well to finish off my therapy ...Going helped me get threw my silent! SATS and my junior school year, I have become a more social person I go out more and I stress much less than before but people try to do these techniques they HELP! They have gotten me threw tough situations. But dont think that they will take away ur IBS and Anxiety...they just help you relax which in turn can help greatly reduce IBS attacks related to Anxiety.Well I began my senior year and I feel like a much more Normal person I am not as depressed and I don't wrry as much about how people will think of me or how horrible my IBS is. I go to sleep everynight peacefully bcuase I know that everyday is a new day and it might be a hard day..but People we ALL HAVE HAD HORRIBLE DAYS...but in the End thats what they are just a HORRIBLE DAY...it didn't Kill You. But I knwo it's hard bc we tend to have alot of bad Days but we also have Good Days! Wow I feel much better about my situation. COnsidering the fact that I did cry about it today in school...but sometimes we need to cry and let it out bc no one understands our struggle but ourselves.Before I finish off I'de like to say that even tho I hve gone to therapy I still have had a couple days in school that I get extremly depressed after an Attack and when I do is go to my Guidance counselour and talk to her and than I feel much better. Something I recommend for students(I'm a Highschool Student:Senior) is..1. Talk to your guidance Counselours about your problem if you are too embarrassed write a note or have a parent call in and trust me they hear much worse stuff. But explain the whole situation so they can better help you2. Talk to your school Nurse and explain your sitaution please dont be embarrassed they are there to help sick students.3. Go to the DR. and get a note stating that you do have IBS and to allow your teachers to let you go when you need to. I personally did this with All of my teachers and All of them Understand and let me go when I need to. Im telling you teachers are Understanding.But if they are difficult just go back to your guidance counselour and inform her/him..You wont get the teacher in trouble. What my counselour did was she wrote a confedential E-mail to my teachers and explained my situation and told them not to make a deal or comments and to keep the situation confedential. People we have a situation that interferse greatly with our lives the best thing to do is to inform these people in your school becuase school is like our second home and we have to feel atleast comfortable. Also any adults who have a hard work situation just explain the situation if you want to be more professional get a Dr.S Note and simply give it your boss. We have a medical condition that affects us physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally so sometimes we must step up to the plate and explain to people what our situation is. p.s. if any one would like to talk with me please send your email to me and ill respond..Lol Hey I dont want everyone knowing I have IBS...Lol MUCH LOVE EVERYONE AND LIFE FULL OF SH!T..LOL...BUT THERE'S A GOLDEN TOILET AT THE END...lol I dunno I just made that up I hope everyone had a laugh...

[GracefullyGassy]

The positive feedback is definately appreciated, Candy.And Christie S, GG is fine by me. The more I hear other people's stories and the more I think about things in general...I know I need to let people know what's going on, at least the important people. I'm sure it would make things a lot easier. But, as I'm sure everyone on here knows, that is a lot easier said than done. But I'm working on getting my courage up there!!Update on the college thing...Well, I told my advisor and she seemed cool with it but....I don't know, I don't think she totally understood the severity of it. Like, she told me, "Well, for the trips you're required take for your honors classes, don't worry, I always like to know where all the bathrooms are too." Which was nice of her to open up even that much but I don't think she understood that this isn't a "just-in-case, sometimes" situation, it's an "everyday, this is my life" situation. Ah but there is still time to work this out I suppose and at least she understood somewhat, right?

[TyeDye75]

I know exactly how you feelI was in the odd postion of wishing that I could just go to all my classes.In the run up to my A level exams, I was unable to attend a single History class for 2 months and I was regularly missing classes in other subjects. There was nothing more annoying than sitting in the common room and listening to people whineing about how boring classes are or how they have too many.Even during the exams themseleves I was more worried about my stomach than my test. I managed to pass but I feel like I was denied the chance to prove my full potential.And I havent even mentioned social life.

[CristinaBootyy]

Heyyy, I've had IBS.D. since the end of 8th grade. It got a whole lot worse during highschool, to the point where I had to be homeschooled. I'm 18 now, I live at home and I'm going to community college because I was so afraid of going away to school and being sick.Its scary to see how alike all our stories are and how difficult it is to preform everyday tasks. One of the hardest things about IBS for me is never being able to make plans ahead of time for fear of getting sick. My friends don't fully understand and they think I'm bailing on them all the time. Just last week I went on a snowbaording trip with a few friends and I ended up not even making it on the mountain. I literally stayed in the bathroom for 3 hours crying because I felt so awful. I feel like it was a blessing in disguise though, because now I understand that i need to change my diet and I need to do whatever it takes to get my stomach under control. Sometimes you just have to hit rock bottom before you can help yourself. ANNNNYYYWAY, that's all I really have to say right now. I'm really glad I found this site.

[sazzy]

You've taken the words right out of my mouth. I envy people who don't have ibs and have only told my best ever friend, she's got her own share of problems and we help each other through our probs and it really helps just having some one to talk to. The rest of my friends i wouldn't dream of telling, they treat things like my prob as a joke and i hate it but don't say anything. I have only just joined this site and i seem to feel loads better knowing that i'm not the only person in the world who has got it, it's nice to be able to just relieve my probs on here and not have to worry about embarrasment coz we've all got similar probs.

[Jbozer626]

I feel like that every day of my life. I even wonder if life wouldn't be perfect without IBS. But you can't roll over and die you just got to keep going. Next year at college explain to your roomate right off the bat. Make it sound really bad so he/she feels sympathy for you and won't harras or question your IBS. Good luck at college.

[R to the S]

IBS is a terrible thing. I have just realised that I have it or aleast i think i have it I have all the symptoms. This was all due to my stupidness and starting a diet when I wasn't even fat! My symptoms are varified but at school they are even worse! I feel the need to visit the loo a lot and some times skip classes to do what I have to do. This effects my eduaction which I love to enjoy but can't. In class my stomach sometimes churnes and makes highly embarrassing noises.Sometimes I even loose my appatite and starve through out the day, I even gag and throw up if I try to eat. I feel like a FREAK case I am one. Most of my mates are aware of my problem but only one of them understands the trouble it is giving me. They probably find it hillerious that I have a problem with my stomach but we know that it is no joke. Every day I go through the same thing the same questions run through my head. When will it be over will it happen today?I told my parents about it but they just think Im being stupid and need to get over it. They wont let me see the doc so I have to suffer in silence. I cant go out go to sleepovers or have fun with my mates and I am going on Holiday soon for two weeks which I am really worried about! It's driven me so mad that I even think about suicide! There has to be a better way out of this though! Does anyone know if there are any cures? PLEASE tell me if you know something that works! thanks

[callie1]

Thinking youre depressed is probably the main cause of your problem. You need to start looking at your life with a confident mind and stop telling yourself your depressed and down etc. IBS is not the end of the world and you can treat it yourself if you really try. Please dont say you want to die Vicky because there are people out there who are actually dying and cant do anything about it. Ive been there and ive felt it, but you need to stop.There are plenty of people out there in your shoes, like myself, you need to hold your head up high and live life while you can. Only you can help yourself Ill be here to talk any time.

[Haunted]

Damn I wish I could be normal. I get so jealous when I see all my other friends being happy and comfortable around each other. I am a pretty good student, but lately IBS has really be interfering with my school work and my social life. The only people that know I have it are my mother and my naturopath. I've hinted to my Dad several times that I have something wrong with me, and he keeps nagging me to tell him what it is but if I told him he would just say "it's all in your head" or something ignorant like that. And why does the main name for the disorder have to be Irritable Bowel Syndrome? I mean you wouldn't be able to explain that you have it to someone who doesn't have it because as soon as you say the name they'd probably burst out laughing. One of my really bad symtoms which just started this year is my stomach growling. I'll just be sitting in class and for no reason my stomach will start making these really loud and embarrassing growling noises. It actually sounds like I'm farting. I'm getting really worried about my future because nothing seems to really be helping me right now And I also have a problem with gas build-up which makes every school day painful to go through.