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Guest
·Hello, It has been a while since I wrote on here. I was diagnosed about two years ago and I have changed my life completly since then. I went through all of the basic testing to rule out anything serious. I say "serious" because I would rather have IBS(which may improve) than Colon cancer(which kills). The tests were horrible but after each one I felt relief. Once they said 'You have IBS' I went through some form of deppression.Then I became tired of listening to the horror stories and crapy(He,He!)Dr's. telling me there was nothing I could do, so.... I switched Dr's (three times) until I found one who actually said IBS was a real thing (not just 'In my head'). I was sent to an allergy specialist. THIS WAS THE TURNING POINT! I found out that I was allergic to many foods and that my gut had problems digesting some proteins found in certain meats. I eliminated all of these TRIGGER foods cold turkey. (All I did was try for a week,then two weeks, then three, etc.) Once a month past and I felt better I swore off the food forever. This was hard and still is, but it is better than being as sick as I was. I stoped drinking milk and eating food with alot of additives (chips,sauces,etc). I made my own jams, sauces, bread, etc. At least this forced me to learn how to cook!!! The change in diet stopped the constant hurt in my side and gut. It decreased the amout of 'episodes' I had, which was a life saver. I switched jobs to a less stressed one. I was in one that my work was timed and bathroom breaks were scheduled. This was finacially hard and very scary but it was neccecary. I also went to a shrink to help my emotional state of mind, a total waste of time and money! It is crazy the amount of change that I have done in the last few years. I could not imagine what it would be like if I didn't. I was sick every day, with constant pain in gut and D every hour. I also had no control of when an episode would occur so I soiled myself a few times (stuck in traffic). I was gaining and losing pounds all the time because I started clear liquids when I was really sick and then went back and forth between them and food. I still have panic attacks worry alot about public places (I do not ride in other peoples cars~fear of D accidents). I still get sick without warning and the pain is horrible while I am sick, but I can live through it. I do not eat out much or go out much but I am happy with home cooking and having people in. I want to pass on some tips:1. Find a GREAT Doctor(a specialist if possible)2. Get tested for food allergies(can try elimination diets to find TRIGGER foods also) 3. Cut out everything that triggers episodes (Change eating habits, sleep patters, execise routines, sex positions, EVERYTHING!!!)4. Realize that this is you and you have a condition, just like Diabetes or Asthma. (don't ignore it~ it is not in your head)5. Find a support team. (partners and friends are supposed to love you no matter what~ remember that)6. Do not tell others eveything(they don't need to know about your privite info, just say you can't or your not feeling well~ I always say "Don't worry, It's just my Colon")7.Get educated. (read medical info~not just websites)8.Try medicine~it may work, may not, but give it a shot! (don't just take Imodium, that will just block you up)9.Make your life your own again (If going out means you drive your own car and wear Depends underwear, then do it) 10. Realize you are not alone. (you always have a willing ear at this site, we will always understand) I just wanted to give some new IBS sufferers some hope. Sometimes it does get better!
