In March of 2009, halfway through my first year at university, I was diagnosed with Hayfever. Moving back home for the summer I ran out of medication and by mid-June I was rushed into hospital.

Little did I realize that a wheat allergy causes Hay fever-like symptoms. That was when IBS was mentioned. The doctors told me that cutting out wheat would stop all my symptoms. However, there were still further problems. I still had chronic constipation and unimaginable stomach cramps/pain.

After keeping a food and bowel movement diary, a wheat allergy, gluten, lactose and egg intolerance were found to be the cause of my pain. From July-January I found it relatively OK coping with IBS, there would be the odd days where it would be exceptionally bad, but these were very rare. I was even beginning to get confidence in the kitchen and by November I could eat egg and was starting the process of introducing meat back into my diet (I had previously been a vegetarian).

However, unfortunately in the past week, just after my 20th Birthday and probably due to an unhealthy amount of alcohol, my IBS seems to have dramatically worsened. Which is why I stumbled across this website. I hope to find other university students who are living with IBS as a source of support.

Thanks for taking time to read my story.

By: Sophie2009