I have battled IBS for years now. It didn't have a medical name the first time I experienced it. I can probably date my first encounter with it over 20 years ago. I couldn't figure out why I had a quirky stomach along with embarrassing symptoms that I could not reveal even to those closest to me. The symptoms were infrequent at that time and I was able to still continue with an uninterrupted social life most of the time, but I feared that people who knew me would think it was psychological in origin, even though I knew it was not "all in my head."

Over the years, IBS has become more spoken of without labels or skepticism attached. I find people more sympathetic and I much more brazen, which is a good thing since the symptoms, unfortunately, have reared their ugly little heads more frequently as I have gotten older. I find the green eyed monster a bit more annoying as I age. It has lately affected my quality of life with more thoughtful mapping out of bathrooms required ahead of time before I venture outside my home, along with never having people rely on me to attend social functions with them. And when I am able to attend, they are pleasantly surprised and delighted. (Me too!).

I am thankful for friends and family support and understanding. I have a decent doctor who after running numerous tests and placing a label on this condition, is doing the best that he can given that "treatment options" help suppress some of the symptoms some of the time, but alas there is no cure for IBS. Maybe, someday. Wouldn't that be nice. I am still optimistic towards science, but since my faith keeps me from getting severely depressed, (and I do get the blues at times); I will continue to fight the good fight, and hopefully one day come out victorious.

By: toughjourney