Ever since I can remember, I've had stomach, skin, repertory, and anxiety troubles. I have been given so many medications, I lost track. I was sent to therapy (both physical and emotional), a dietitian, I exercised to the point of emaciation because the only time I felt I could cope was when I didn't eat and ran for long periods of time. After I had my first child, my problems were set on the back burner. Quickly, I realized he too had similar problems. He was diagnosed with a dairy allergy due to excessive GI trouble. My second child was diagnosed with a "lag-jaw" which made her gassy and vomit. She also had terrible constipation. My third child was diagnosed with a corn allergy and spent her days with terrible stomach ailments as well. We suffered from multiple, often painful symptoms daily. I cooked everything from scratch. It became a mantra to "teasingly" say we would be reduced to eating apples for the rest of our lives. When my children developed more severe symptoms and I had more "surprise" attacks, I decided it was time to see a GI. At first I was looking for a Celiac or Crohn's Disease diagnosis but was told I had elevated levels of bacteria in my small colon and would require an antibiotic regiment; possibly extensive. NO mention of IBS but celiac was ruled out. Now, after my youngest went through testing and a colonoscopy, she was diagnosed with IBS. Our GI explained that IBS was hereditary. I'm not sure if my children are relieved or depressed, but I do hope that we will find the road to a more bearable life quickly. I have hope.

By: sharn07