Have your symptoms improved as you aged?

496 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by stargazer, Dec 27, 2000

stargazer

Discussion Starter · Dec 26, 2000

Hi all! I'm a newbie on posting (my first one!) but have been lurking for years. First I just want to tell you that without even knowing it, you all have been a great support system for me. When I first found this site I was so relieved that there were other people out there that really did understand what I was going through. Just that knowledge helped. Not to mention Caltrate, which is a Godsend. So thank you all!I do have a question though. I was wondering if your symptoms have improved, worsened, or stayed the same as you aged. I would really like to eventually teach finance at a college but with my D I know that is not an option right now (unless I want to be running out of the classroom every couple of minutes!) My dad has a much milder form of IBS but did say his improved as he aged so I'm hoping that's true for me and I will eventually be able to teach. I would really appreciate feedback from anyone on this subject. Thank you!

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· #2 · Dec 26, 2000

Hi Stargazer,I truly believe that your health all depends on you and what good you do for your body. If you treat your body well, it will act well. If you eat like you dont care, then your body wont care either. Try keeping a log of everything you do and eat. On good days, mark them with a gold star, on bad days mark them with a red star. List all of the good things and really concentrate on those things. Also, determine your stress level for that day too. Mark that with a 1-10.These are just a few things that helped me go into remission. Remember--- Good in, Good out!!!

Hope this helpsJennifer-TX

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stargazer

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 26, 2000

Thanks Jennifer. I did do that for awhile when I was going to a hypnotherapist for IBS. It's probably a good idea to start it up again. I'm glad you're doing well.

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· #4 · Dec 26, 2000

My IBS - D symptoms absolutely did NOT get better as I aged. In fact, since my 30's I have had symptoms off and on but didn't make any connections to IBS because it never lasted long. The closer I got to 50, the worse the symptoms became until I had full-blown IBS - D at 50. I found I could improve my bowel health by avoiding salt(the laxative of choice for IBS) and salt-(sodium) ridden foods. Also, eating fat and hot (temperature) food at the same time (which is the normal gut stimulator for normal people, but disaster on IBS-types) always brought on symptoms that were embarassing, especially at restaurants and on the way home!!!! IBS people learn humility the hard way!!!! Judy

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Midge

· #5 · Dec 27, 2000

I think that mine have lessoned some because my kids are grown and gone now. There was a lot of stress at home with one teen and when that ended (I moved) it let up a lot. It's still there but not quite so intense.

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EntyEnt

· #6 · Dec 27, 2000

Hi Star, I am 22 now and I think my symptoms have pretty much stayed the same. I, like you, have improved greatly since starting to read this board and actually finding out that there are other people out there going through what I do and this has had an amazing calming effect on me. I also strongly believe I can control this or at least try to stabilize it so I can continue a good life and I think my best chance is with the community here. I wish you luck in your teaching endeavors and I am sure you can go on and do whatever you want to!Kyle

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· #7 · Dec 27, 2000

My IBS-D has gotten a lot worse with age. When my small supply of lotronox is gone, I will have to stop working and retire early.

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bunged up

· #8 · Dec 27, 2000

I have been lucky. Things have gotten better as I learn how to manage the condition. PLUS my mental outlook has changed as well. I have much less anxiety and obsession about what is going on inside me. I think that acceptance of the condition, and changing my outlook towards it are the biggest positive changes that have occured. They have also had a physical effect.

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· #9 · Dec 27, 2000

Stargazer, I also am a newbie...just registered! Was so glad to be given the url to this site by a friend indeed! In answer to your query, I was very young when I first had symptoms of IBS...of course it has been called many things over the years...but it is still IBS. When I got into my teens, all symptoms stopped. I had no more trouble until after having my son at age 23, then they were minor. At the age of 32...the dam broke and my problems began again. As I have aged..I am now 52...things have progressively gotten worse until this past spring when I literaly became homebound. I lost a great deal of weight and became very weak. I found a new doctor and it was decided I was a prime candidate for lotronex, as my symptoms, diarrhea, pain, and spasms were a daily thing by now. I started it in August and took my last pill last night. Needless to say, I am desperately searching for SOMETHING out there that will make life easier for me. I have tried it all, and nothing seems to work. I have not worked for the last 10 years because of IBS and the ensuing depression. On the lotronex...I lived a totally normal life. The only side effect that I "suffered" was that I was able to stop my paxil for the depression! Don't loose hope about your dream to teach. Keep searching...and the drug companies will keep researching and maybe.....there is always hope!!~Pat~

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Benjamin

· #10 · Dec 27, 2000

Sorry to say age has not made an improvement.Lotronex was the only thing that gave me time in my life.But as with everyone on this board, problems, symptoms, and results are different for different people. Good luck with your future plans, we all need something to look forward to.For many of us we will keep hoping for lotronex to return.Mary Jo

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AMcCall

· #11 · Dec 27, 2000

I'm a little different, I haven't been diagnosed with IBS, but was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at age 10. I post here on the IBS boards because I have almost identical problems as many of the folks on here who have IBS do. I'd say that my health has gotten a little better since I was so young. I am going through a flare-up right now that has had me feeling bad for a few months, but I was fine for almost 6 years before this popped up, go figure!! When I was 10, my colon was so bad that I nearly had to have it removed. I can remember lying in bed crying all day and all night from the pain. My parents took turns sleeping with me at night it was so bad. I would wake up screaming because it hurt so much. So it was nice to have Mom or Dad closeby. So I'd say I've improved quite a bit since then. I still get occasional flare-ups like now, but I feel a LOT better now than I did when I was so little. So for me at least, yes, I think things have gotten better as I've aged

Hope that you will have the same luck!!

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stargazer

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 27, 2000

Thanks for all the responses. When I was a teenager my IBS symptoms were really bad (school was a literal pain) but it has seemed to ease up slightly as I've reached mid twenties. Quitting my high stress financial job helped too (I think that was giving me an ulcer along with everything else!) I can actually go on some car trips without stopping at every possible rest stop!

My New Year's wish is that we all feel much better in the coming year.

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