[meerkat]

When I must inform someone about my IBS, people often react to the term "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" as if it was just a little annoyance - I get the "..take some pepto bismal and you'll be all fixed up"-attitude! Has anyone else run into this, and if you have, have you come up with any other terminology or phrases to use to convey the seriousness of the disorder? I have used the term "explosive D", but that just makes people recoil in horror! Gastro Intestinal Disorder is kinda nebulous. Please advise me - I would appreciate the help!!!

 

[Fay]

How about: a chronic digestive disorder? I'm on a low carb diet to control some of the D-attacks, and when people need to know why (because they think it's just another fad diet) I tell them that I have a chronic digestive disorder and that this diet helps a bit. If they then still want to know more I just tell them that I have chronic D (hey, they asked for it).Fay

 

[Ty]

I've explained it as this: a digestive disorder with symptoms like food poisoning. They hear the latter part and suddenly understand. At least for a while!

 

[nmwinter]

like Fay, I use chronic digestive condition. I use the chronic to make sure people understand that no, taking pepto or anything else won't make it go away for the long term. and it's something I've lived with and will continue to live with and I know best how to handle it.

 

[Jadair]

chronic digestive condition

I like that one, putting it on the back of my hand for future use.

thanxJadair

 

[HereIam]

My line:"I have got really, really screwed up guts."My friends say:"She has the hair color and skin of a 30 year old with the guts of a 90 year old." (Althought I've known many 90 year olds with better guts than mine.)

 

[vwgirl]

I like the phrase "I have food sensitivities." It is vague, yet sounds serious. So leave me alone, it implies!

 

[WD40]

I have called it colitis even though that's not what it is. People seemed to be more understanding when I said it, though. If they asked, "what's that?" I would say, "a chronic inflammation in my intestines." That usually settled it. Besides, IBS was originally called Spastic Colon or Spastic Colitis, so it isn't a totally complete lie, right?

Also, like others I might also tell people I have a chronic digestive problem which makes me feel like I'm having food poisoning all the time. People DO understand food poisoning so that works well, too.

 

[Nikki]

It used to bne called Functional Colitis- I like that one.