[13853]

I'm IBS-C. I haven't tried grouping by sex but it seems a large portion of IBS people on this site are D.

 

[20327]

quote:Originally posted by T.P. 923:Healthwise, you make a good point. They're out there. Statistically they have to be, right? But like you said, not many men feel comfortable admitting to something like IBS. It's hardly unusual to hear guys talking frankly about crass topics like bodily functions. When men do discuss the size, smell, or color of their solid waste, they typically do it in the same way they brag about the size of the fish they caught (“You should have SEEN this thing. It was so ...”) But it is rare is to hear men talk openly about their dysfunction in this department. Not even guys who watch Oprah or Dr. Phil are likely to openly admit to what they perceive as weaknesses or inadequacies.On the other hand, three years ago I decided to start telling anybody and everybody who would listen that I have IBS (very liberating, by the way). What astounded me was that four of my closest guy friends turned around and admitted to me that they also had IBS (usually D with a side order of anxiety). I couldn't believe it. We all had the same secret but were too embarrassed to tell each other. Sadly, social taboo is a powerful force.TP

Geez, I wish when I told someone, they'd say "I have it too". I have yet to meet any of those 1 out of 5 people! Most people stare at me blankly, and I realize I have to tell them what IBS stands for, then they don't want to talk about it much because it makes them feel uncomfortable. So I know no one in "real life" that has IBS but me, and the people on the internet. It sure would be nice to have a friend who has this, someone I could share a rice cake with over hot peppermint tea. My pet theory is that everyone with IBS includes alien hybrid blood that makes us more intelligent (in some way) from other people. However, it has the unpleasant side effect of giving us IBS. So if the invasion starts, and the government wants to identify all the human-alien hybrids on earth, say "NO!" if asked if you have IBS, or it might be "up against the wall" time. The preceding was intentionally silly, in case that wasn't obvious. Other times I want to just get really tough - get leather jackets and motorcycles and put pins through our noses and become the tough IBS Boys! Don't mess with their s**t, man! Think of the rap songs we could make up, but what rhymes with Donatel? I can see it now, up against a cop car being frisked and asked about that "white stuff" and answering "Hey, it's Heather's Acacia Tummy Food, man. It ain't mine. I don't know how it got there! And those Peppermint caps ain't mine either."My mind just flashed on the old Michael Jackson video in the subway "I'm Bad". I can see a remake "I'm IBS-D" and the entire video would be shot in a subway rest room with the professional dancers hopping from toilet to toilet, slamming those cubicle doors in time to the beat. Yeah, I better go to bed.

 

[20349]

hey i know im not a guy, but just wanted to leave a message saying.....healthwise your idea made me laugh! hope my smile continues throughout the day. hope you have a good day too. take care xXx

 

[19282]

Alien hybrid-blood. . . more intelligent beings. Yes, THAT'S IT! That's exactly what's going on here! I've often suspected something along those lines, but never could quite put my finger on it. On one hand, I feel so much better now that I know this to be true. On the other hand, I feel terrible that I have broken the code of silence and betrayed so many covert male sufferers. I just hope I haven't put anyone's life in danger. Funny stuff, Healthwise. I like it.Before I knew we weren't supposed to talk about it, I used to dream about an event that would raise awareness for people with IBS. The idea was to make everybody know exactly what it's like to live with our symptoms. My answer was a running race (maybe 1 mile, maybe as long as 3)down Market Street from Castro to the Ferry Building. Anyway, after the runners each drank 3 cups of coffee followed by a self-administered enema, somebody would fire the starting gun. The route would be lined with porta-potties, but only every quarter mile. Just to make it a little more challenging, some of them would be locked and not all of them would have toilet paper. The "winner" is whoever makes it to the finish line first. What would this race be called? "The Runs", of course. Maybe I should get back to work.

 

[lyonskitten]

Hi guys! I'm not male but I had to let you know that healthwise and T.P.923 you guys had me cracking up. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. I wish everyone had IBS so that those of us who have it wouldn't be made to feel like outsiders in life. Or we could start our own little country where you have to have IBS to live there. Imagine it guys.... Porta-potties on every corner. Every car seat has a built in toilet. No worries, no stress. That's living!!!!!!!!

 

[20327]

I am glad you enjoyed my posts here. That's why I came back to say goodbye for awhile.My boyfriend (I am gay, if that isn't blatantly obvious!) says I don't give him enough attention, and also thinks my focus on IBS website forums is warping my mind and just strengthening the problem.OK, fine! As if I am going to say no to a guy who anchors the news on one of the local channels and is so handsome (yet a beautiful person inside too) that mosquitos draw lotteries to see who can draw blood from his perfect face. So, I am signing off for awhile to see if his theories are correct. God Bless everyone, and watch the skies! When the mothership comes, we'll all be the first off this dump!OH, by the way, the only straight guy I ever knew who would talk about this subject was obsessed (from an artistic sense) with turds! I lived with him in the dorm in college. He took pictures of his own turds when he felt they were particularly beautiful and then framed them in the guy's rest room, so we'd have something to shoot for. I wonder what ever happened to old Turds THompson.

 

[lyonskitten]

well take care healthwise. I hope all goes well for you and remember that we are always here if you should need us.

 

[Arnie W]

I go against the trend of males being hesitant about getting IBS checked out. I went to a doctor, for the good it did me, almost immediately after I started getting regular digestive disturbances. Since then I've been to almost every type of therapist you can think of. And I'll keep on doing so until I get this thing beaten.However, I find it next to impossible to discuss IBS with friends and acquaintances. It took years and years before I could even broach the subject with my mother, and even then it was only because I was trying to glean some info from her about how I might have developed symptoms in the first place.

 

[19282]

Healthwise, Good luck and I hope you don't stay away too long. I always enjoy reading your lively, entertaining posts. My girlfriend (I'm straight) also gets tired of me spending so much time here at this website. Just curious - was it more difficult for you to come out of the closet about being gay or to come out of the water closet about having IBS?

 

[19762]

Hi zekkh- yes i agree-a lot of people that have ibs have anxiety disorder- myself one (a female). my dr. said it's hand in hand very often- as it's catch-22- anxiety can bring on ibs- ibs can bring on anxiety- the chicken or the egg thing... i have found some relief in 1 fibercon in AM & 1 at dinnertime. not perfect- but life isn't perfect i found. i think anyone can get ibs- if stressed enuf- but i think i've realized i have to go w/the moment-so to speak. seeing a nutritionist in sept-hoping that'll do something. take care-

 

[20327]

quote:Originally posted by T.P. 923:Healthwise, Good luck and I hope you don't stay away too long. I always enjoy reading your lively, entertaining posts. My girlfriend (I'm straight) also gets tired of me spending so much time here at this website. Just curious - was it more difficult for you to come out of the closet about being gay or to come out of the water closet about having IBS?

It is much harder to tell your loved ones and the world at large that you are gay because there is so much ancient hatred and scapegoating and myths associated with it, along with good old fashioned illogic (why, for example, does letting 2 guys in love get married "destroy straight marriage"? I never got that one). Let's put it this way: in the San Francisco Castro (a very gay neighborhood), punks from the nearby Mission District would drive around late at night with lead pipes trying to find a lone gay walker to plumet and brutalize to the point of death. I do not think there are bands of psychotic punks driving around trying to beat up IBS patients. For me, telling people I have IBS is no big deal. I just say it is a digestive problem that makes my system run too fast or too slow. That about sums it up without much detail.See ya around, kiddies.

 

[disconnected]

am an ibs D male and 20

i think i will be making more posts here lolHealthwise is there anyway i can get in touch with u...