[Guest]

I realy need to talk to someone. I would have been here at the meeting time but I could'nt bring the computer into the bathroom. I'm sure you would understand. I have spent a long time reading your letters to each other and you all seem to be very open and supportive of each other. I want so bad to talk about my sympoms with someone who might understand, but it is so embarrasing and I'm affraid that you might think I'm gross or disgusting. So here it goes...If it offends you,at least you don't realy know who I am and that may comfort me.I get "bouts" of IBS at least every week. Mostly twice a week though. When I get a bout I'm very lucky if it is just D. Most offten though it is like this...I cramp, not just any cramp. Double over cramps. Lower,(my left quarter)Ab. I bloat so badly that I can't button my pants. My lower part of colon is so full and hard that I can actually feel it with my hand(lightly pushing on the area lower left Ab almost to groin) I'm badly Constipated (hereafter C ).And I'm very nauseated and will start to vomit as the cramp get's worse. I will generaly throw-up whatever is in my stomach untill there is nothing left. This will (if I'm lucky)trigger the BM. Stools are very hard and large. Right behind it is lots of Diarrhia (D) sometimes 3 or 4 times later in the day. Then I'm wiped-out for the rest of the day, and worthless to anyone. Nobody understands. I've lost four job's because of this...I work hard at what I do, and my supervisors love my work, but when I don't show up 2 or 3 days out of the work week because I have a "belly ache", well it's time to layoff Jay. Sometimes I just don't know what I'm going to do. I just want to know that somebody cares and understands what I'm going through. If this offends and nobody reply's I will understand. Jay. jaydeetalley###aol.com

 

[Spirit]

Hi Jay.I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so blue tonight. I've had IBS C for about 2 years now (D for 3 years before that) and I haven't kept a job for longer than 3 months. I've been out of work for almost 3 years now, and it's been hell. I had a job just before the summer, and the only reason I didn't get fired was because I worked alone. Unfortunately, when you've got IBS, you CAN'T work alone every day. If I didn't show up, the store didn't open, and there was no one to cover me if I had to call in sick, BUT it was the only job I could keep BECAUSE there was no management to see me cry every morning from the pain.I hear where you're coming from. BELIEVE me... I've been there. I've never thrown up from it though... I don't know many people who have. Do you throw up from being nauseous, or is it because the cramps get so bad? Man, I hope I never get to experience that. I have a phobia of throwing up. Don't ask... It's pretty involved.Just hang in there. I find that ginger tea helps with the cramps/nausea, and for the constipation??? Well, I guess it's all on how badly you want to go, but I take something that gives me D to relieve the pain (Prepulsid does it for me). It's like killing two birds with one stone. Gets the poop out, and helps with the reflux! *L*Well, I'm too tired to write anymore (falling alseap sitting up), so feel better, Jay. We're here to listen anytime you're feeling down. Keep those spirits up!Spirit*------------------He who loses money, loses much;He who loses a friend, loses more;He who loses faith, loses all.

 

[MARKA]

jay67Welcome to the board. Please please please don't ever think that what you may say is disgusting or gross. You should read some of the posts that we have done. We are simply one big happy family and we are all here to help one another and that includes you, so post away, don't worry if it is gross, too long (I myself have posted some novels) even if you think it is of no interest to us - no problem - VENT AWAY. Many of us just sit and post of our feelings at the time and we all listen with our ears wide open.I myself suffer from IBS but it is not nearly as bad as it used to be, oh, I get my moments but I have found two meds that keep me on the right track, One is Prilosec to control my GERD and the other is an antidepressant which in turn controls my IBS better. I still get bouts of D but not nearly as bad or as often as I used to. In me, a lot of my pain and IBS is associated with my mental condition at the time, my system can not handle stress nearly as well as others, but with my antidepressant it surely helps me deal with each day with a totally different outlook on life.Remember, anytime you need to come and post or fell like replying, please feel welcome to; DON'T HESITATE!! We are here for you.And more importantly than anything, don't worry about being embarrasted, some of us have even posted about bathroom accidents we have had and I might add that we have been pretty graphic to boot, me included.Mark[This message has been edited by MARKA (edited 09-27-1999).]

 

[Debbie A.]

Jay--You're not alone. We've all suffered some of what you are going through. I don't know what your job is, but is there any way that you could work at home sometimes?Hang in there and post whenever you feel like it. We can't always help, but we can lend a sympathetic ear.Debbie

 

[Maro]

Jay: We are glad that you have joined our group. We are hear to listen,and help when we can,there isn't anything too gross that you might say, just read some of the posts and you will soon come to that conclusion. We all suffer the same thing, only in different ways. We are here for you so type away. Welcome . Maro

 

[Missycat]

Oh Jay - whenever I read a post like yours, my heart just goes out to the poster. I'm glad you posted because that's what we're here for! I don't know much about your job or your condition, but are you on any meds? There are so many good people here that can tell you what has worked for them - please ask us. I have IBS-D, so I don't know what to do for the C. I did have an incredible C episode once when I came out of the hospital and I thought I'd have to go back in - I couldn't even stand up from the pain. If your experience is anything like that, my heart really goes out to you.There are a lot of things you can take to make your IBS a more "livable" condition on a daily basis, and maybe even help you hold down a job. Please ask, and you'll get lots of suggestions.Hang in there, buddy - we sure do understand.------------------"Welcome anything that comes to you, but do not long for anything else." -Andr� GideMissycat

 

[Guest]

Good Morning Jay,Well you've come to the right place to vent;no stories too horrible here. We understand. I have D, but no nausea/vomiting. I read your profile and saw that you are in noxious weed control? Have you ever given any thought to how those toxic chemicals could affect you?Hope you find comfort and ways to help you cope here.Lerie

 

[Guest]

Jay I've been trying to reply but I can't seem to sit here long enough, wonder why? Well anyway,Jay,we are all gross. I would think most of us try to hide whats wrong with us from the general public. As for your repulsive symtoms, I get everything you describe except for the barfing. I wish I could sometimes. As for working, this is the toughest part for me. I have never been fired but I live with the fear of it every day. You see I work in gaming and pit bosses as a whole are not the most compassionate people on the planet. I get VERY depressed ( taking serzone for that). Just keep writing, someone cares. Believe it or not you have helped me too.

 

[Guest]

Jay,I am really sorry to hear about your situation. But I just wanted to offer my support and to tell you that you turned to the right place. Everyone here is really supportive and it is a great place to visit.Take care

 

[cheryl]

Hi Jay,I agree with everyone that posted before me...this is the "place" to come. Everyone here is very supportive and caring. I'm sorry that things are so bad right now. I hope you start feeling better soon. We're here when you need us for anything.

 

[Guest]

Jay,I'm so sorry to hear you're not well. Like the others said, post anything you want to and we understand and lots have been where you are.You have come to the right place for the help and advice and compassion you need now.My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope you're feeling better and do let us hear more from you.------------------LET'S ALL PRAY FOR A CURE TO THIS IBS SOON!BETTIE

 

[Guest]

Jay,Sorry to hear of your troubles. I am a bit concerned about your throwing up as it sounds like an ongoing thing. Have you been diagnosed with anything or have you done self-diagnosis?

 

[Anxious]

Jay - Hi. And welcome to the board! Glad you decided to join us!Sorry to hear about your problems. Don't think you could ever disgust us here - *L*! Have you read SOME of the posts? Talk about graphic! LOL! We can handle anything!I sort of understand what you mean - I'm always "D" but sometimes I start out normally and then become "D" as the day goes on. Never "C" but still, a bit of a similarity here.Since I'm not the "C" type and you seem to be a bit of both, I'll let the others here who have similar symptoms offer you some advice on how to deal with this.I just wanted to welcome you and tell you that I truly hope that you can find some relief soon.Good luck.

 

[Guest]

WOW! Thanks for all the support! I'm so glad that I found out about this BB. Thank you to all of you for takeing the time to write to me. I hope I can return the favor soon. I'll try to answer some of your questions. I don't have GERD,(anymore). I've had two operations to fix a hiaital hernia(that I was apparently born with). The last operation was a "stomach wrap". It tightens the opening at the top of the stomach. The last thing the doctor said to me when I left the hospital was "what ever you do try your best to avoid vomiting because it could damage the operation work." Now ,since then , every time I have severe bowel stress I get nausiated and vomit. Needless to say,it hurts REAL BAD! The chemicals that I've used over the years could be a cause, because of accidents at work I've been soaked from head to toe with Dursban insecticide twice (hoses blew off the pump).I've had every bowel test that you could have and they show no organic disease. It's just a functional problem. I look forward to listening to all that you talk about.So if you don't hear fron me it's just because I'm busy listening to you guy's instead of talking all the time like I am now...I better go! Thanks again! jay67 jaydeetalley###aol.com

 

[Guest]

Weldome to the board. Many of us can relate to your problems, and if we can't, we still listen with empathy. The extreme pain seems to be rather common among us.Hope things get better for you soon.

 

[JimGym]

Hey Jay, Man can I HEAR YA! I have had the cramps so bad that one time I literally FELL off the bowl and couldnt get up but by then I had had a BIG accident on the tile floor. I get the pain on the lower left side and at times its really BAD! The MDs never find anything so I never get any help but on this BB I have had more relief in 2 weeks than I have had in MANY years. My 2 cents worth of advice to you is DO your research, READ, chat, explore all the possibilities of finding help and always take a PROACTIVE stance on any health issue you have. The fact that YOU put yourself in control of the IBS or any life situation will make you feel empowered and, for me, anyway, THAT alone makes me FEEL better! IF you want, or anyone wants for that matter, to email me, I can easily be emailed to at jim-gymbod###nycnet.com Jim

 

[Guest]

Jay, nope you can't possibly gross us out. We've heard it all (well,....!)! Welcome, and hope to hear back from you again.I feel so sorry for you in terms of your job situation. What a trial for you. I sure hope you can find something that works out better for you.

 

[Patty]

Jay,Sorry to hear of your problems. I am mostly C until that D hits, and when I get to the level that you are (vomiting,etc), I've had to go to the emergency room. If it happened to me as often as it seems to happen to you, I'd have somebody looking into some other areas. You might check with another doctor. Was it a gastro who did your previous surgery? You might need to see if these incidents are related to that surgery. Or you might try a second opinion from another dr. When I've gone to ER, I usually miss the next day of work, but if I had to miss several days a month I can't imagine what I would do either. I'm usually always tired, but being head of household I push myself to get to work. I take B-12 sometimes and multivitamins. Acidolphilus seems to help with my bowels. Hope you find some quick relief...