I've read a lot of stories in this section and mine is very similar but I think the more everyone reads about sharing symptoms, the less we feel alone.

My IBS started when I was twelve years old, after a complicated and difficult childhood. I managed to ignore my symptoms as they were mild, as most children do and just continued with my everyday life. However at the time unbeknown st to me I was suffering from depression and anxiety, all I knew was that I didn't feel the same as everyone else who seemed perfectly fine all the time. I was eventually admitted to hospital after continuous visits to A&E because of the discomfort as it worsened and they diagnosed me with severe depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I stayed in a psychiatric unit for 6 months which did nothing to improve my symptoms however when I was transferred to another hospital in which I felt more comfortable and better helped, my symptoms disappeared completely for the year I was there and 6 months after I left. However returning to my everyday life hit me hard and my symptoms came back just as strongly if not worse. Whereas at first I only had IBS-C, I developed IBS-C & D because of the increasing stress of school and home life. That was six years ago and the illness has only gotten worse. I take colpermin occasionally but it doesn't really help and I cant define one particular type of food which makes it better or worse although I stay away from food high in fat. My panic attacks are much worse and my fear of vomiting means I avoid taking any medication for fear of getting side affects, no matter how remote the chance. I feel like this is completely taking over my life and I don't know where to turn.

By: Kitty_Cat