[Guest]

I was diagnosed in December with IBS and have been trying to find ways of coping with it since. I was prescribed Mebeverine and Immodium by the consultant, who was otherwise very unhelpful. (there's nothing I can recommend!)I am looking for any books on IBS - particularly on alternative medecine as the conventional doesn't seem to work for me. I feel I need someting to calm my system, but also my mind, as I get easily stressed or upset.I have started to go to Mike for hypnotherapy, but it's early days yet.I am also having trouble with colleagues who don't understand and laugh at my condition and friends and family who are sympathetic but find it difficult to sustain sympathy when I don't look ill.Any help and support very welcome!Paula

 

[Guest]

Your in good hands with Mike. Just read and pay close attention to the people with the same problems. This sight has changed my life. These folks are great. Welcome!

 

[Guest]

Hi Paula!With regard to explaining to family /friends /colleagues about IBS, have you seen Molly's Brochure link on Eric's website? Here's the address of the original posting to the board: http://www.ibsgroup.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000344.html However, there is a "smartened-up" version which I can't find here, but I do have it on disk so I'll email it to you, OK?Hope it is of use to you!

Julie

 

[WD40]

There is a book called Gastrointestinal Health written by Dr. Steven R. Peiken that I have found helpful. Do a search on amazon.com and it will give you a summary. It talks about most GI problems, not just IBS, but I found it to be informative and got a better understanding of what this is all about.

 

[Guest]

Hello and welcome to the Board. I'm fairly new myself but this site has given me a lot of comfort and information regarding IBS. I was diagnosed in '91 and had to endure friend and co-workers not understanding (along with a lot of giggles). Heck, I didn't understand IBS myself and I thought it so unfair. I was competing at the university level and was quite fit when IBS struck. I still believe that exercise is vital for both physical and mental health. You may want to read up on yoga and perhaps use some of its relaxation techniques for your bad days. As for friends and co-workers, just try and shrug it off. Don't let it get to you. My friends now understand what I have and it's become part of our regular teasings. If you tell your co-workers it's like lactose intolerance or food allergies maybe they can comprehend better. One valuable piece of info I received from this BB was about calcium. It has changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic but it really has. I can go out now with a lot of confidence and don't suffer from the urgency that I used to feel. Read up on other posts about that topic and take care of yourself.

 

[marianne]

Please read posts by LNape on Caltrate Plus. This vitamin mineral supplement has helped diarrhea-sufferers tremendously. I also take colestid with the Caltrate Plus and my dreadful diarrhea has vanished. Good luck. Also, as you probably read, Lotronex will be available in March.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all your help and support - I particularly liked Molly's brochure - I feel like putting a copy of it in the staffroom at work - hopefully some of my more witty colleagues would be more understanding then! I also got my husband to read it - he's supportive but now the immediate danger has gone (ie it's not a disease or something requiring surgery) it's difficult for him to sustain his support on an everyday basis. Unfortunately, that's just what I need right now!I have an irrational fear of the Caltrate - because I don't like putting chemicals in my body, but also (totally irrationally) because my mother-in-law recently died of hyper-calcaemia and it'a a sensitive issue at the moment. Once I feel more able to deal with this, then maybe I'll look into it in more detail - can my GP prescribe it?Keep in touchPaula