[clareuk]

Hi Overitnow,I know through this forum that you suffered diarrhea daily for many years and eventually found something that helped. I stopped the contraceptive pill 2 years ago and I have been much better since then. I just wondered how you dealt with the psychologial scars from it all. I have had a stomach bug in the last couple of days, which I know everyone gets but i still revert back to my old way of thinking. I always assume that the ibs it is back even though i know it isn't. I am going out and living my life more that I have in years which is great, but it's still there. I wondered how long it took you to heal from it all or whether perhaps you haven't either? I would like to be able to have a stomach bug without stressing out that it is something worse and that it's all back again and going through the same old thought patterns. I'm not complaining, far from it, but I struggle a bit with the memories of it all and as I know you have been through something similar I would really appreciate your advice.Claire

 

[overitnow]

Hi Claire,I think it was only about 3 or 4 years ago that I really realized that things were going to be ok. It takes a long time to get over those kinds of habits. Even 11 years later, I still check it out; but now it is with expectation that things will be ok. And I do give "ok" a wide range. I no longer live in fear/expectation of it returning, but I still feel the need to monitor frequency and firmness. It is kind of like a breakup or loss of a loved one. They are always on your mind and one day you find you didn't think of them for awhile. Eventually you will start looking ahead, but it does take time. I promise.Mark

 

[clareuk]

Thanks, I really appreciate your thoughts and time.

 

[Borrellifan]

Thanks to the both of you for making me jealous

 

[overitnow]

Someday, Bfan. You are too driven to not find something to help you. This I know. The saddest part of my being here for so many years are the people that I either cannot help, either because they have other causes or because they have simply given up.My best to you.mark

 

[TanaG]

Sorry for cutting in I have the same issue.... I am still freaked out about everything I eat... If I go to a restaurant I keep obsessing about the food not being fresh or something ....and so on. I keep throwing food out of the fridge, and I am sure some of it is good...but I just get paranoid and think it might just not be...and so on! Things did get better and better for me since I stopped contraceptives too .... I now get some loose stools only if I exagerate with alcohol...which I guess is normal enough. I do freak out when that happens too though. I guess it takes a long time until you just start feeling normal psychologically again....

 

[clareuk]

Me too, you could say I'm also a little obsessed with checking food etc...and always really paranoid about catching stomach bugs - which I have. Last Thursday and all hell has broken loose again. Always the same, if I ever have a stomach bugs it takes a couple of weeks to calm down again - not quite sure why. So not doing too well this week and trying to not start stressing again as I have all the same probs that I have had before. Worrying in the car, scared to go out anywhere, not eating this, not eating that - but I am really making an effort to try and not panic too much. Which I know I do. I just really worried that it's all come back again, but on another level my head is saying "don't be stupid it's been 2 years, it HAS not come back". It's like that image of the angel talking to you on one side and the devil talking to you on the other. LOL Also TanaG glad things are still going well for you.

 

[clareuk]

Thanks to the both of you for making me jealous

Sorry, I know it used to annoy me too when I was going through it. If it makes you feel better I have been back to the old diarrhea since last Thursday after catching a stomach bug and it has really aggravated everything. I expect you feel better now.

 

[Borrellifan]

Someday, Bfan. You are too driven to not find something to help you. This I know. The saddest part of my being here for so many years are the people that I either cannot help, either because they have other causes or because they have simply given up.My best to you.mark

Thanks Mark, my accupuncturist said the same thing to me last week. I'm going back to her for another round of treatment even though the first didn't help. She was puzzled why i would come back, simply because i have no other options and atleast its doing something in a positive direction.On another note im thinking of giving the provex another shot even though i didn't notice any benefits. Any idea on where to get it other then ebay?Thanks a bunch, you are a great asset to this forum.

 

[overitnow]

Other than taking out a membership (and it does come with that 60 day guarantee) you would need to find a member not in Canada--Health Canada won't let me buy it for anyone other than those in my family--who would "open" their account for you to use. Thanks for the props. Mark