[leslie204]

I have been visiting this site for 2 + years. I realise most people don't want their private lives exposed but for those of us who want to make some comparisons, I am taking a poll:1--What do you do for a living?2--Are you male or female?3--How old are you?4--When was the onset of your IBS D?5--What are your hobbies and do these hobbies help to relieve IBS symptoms?Of course, I will go first...I sell radio advertising for 2 rock stations and one talk/news station in a Colorado Ski Town.I am female.I am now 43 and the onset of my IBS symptoms was 18. However, it was very sporadic until the last 2 years.I love to read and am trying to make more time for it. I love to write and just do not have time for that. I also love to party.. dance.. have fun even with two kids, a husband and full time career. Grew up in L.A. and love modern rock etc. My hobbies really don't seem to help my IBS. My husband and I just spent 2 very relaxing weeks without kids in Maui and everything was ok but still had one really bad day.Leslie

 

[overitnow]

Well, let's see...Im 59 years old, a male, variously accounting, owner/operator of a lotto booth and snack bar in the Yukon, cafe owner, camp cook, sales coordinator, and bus driver. Just retired Friday afternoon.My diarrhea started when I was in my 40s, although I have had digestive problems from my late 20s on, attributable to diet, alcohol and cigarettes. It was constant, daily, and lasted for 10 years without relief. As I have mentioned, it has been a non-existant factor in my life since the end of 1999.I am not sure that I persued much in the way of hobbies, other than exercising the dog. I now am an avid exerciser; but I could never have gone to the gym in those days. Nothing I did during that time helped the d.I think I am going to leave the Board. I just find it too difficult to read all of these stories, especially when partial control seems the best that most will report, and I am now so good. I also find the dependance on doctors and pharmaceutical companies difficult--when one thing doesn't work, they just give you something else that doesn't work. My body got this way through my neglect and it got better through flooding it with extra nutrients. It must be too simple an approach for this group.Mark

 

[BertAPU]

Fantastic Leslie...this will make for an interesting read (this thread that is) if nothing else!

I am a marketing director at a universityI am maleI am 25 years oldI think the onset of my IBS-D was in March of 2003. I was just 23. I just had digestive problems and I figured because it was on account of some work related legal issues that I was involved in. Then I had a series of antibiotics for various things. It got its worse in May of 2003 and then it stopped for June and July and came back the first week of August as bad as it is today.My hobbies are playing with my kids (not my own, my orphans), playing piano, singing, reading, writing poetry, walks, traveling (when I can), photograhy, cooking. I only read or walk a bit when I don't feel well. They don't help.On the other hand, my blood work is not great (my white blood count is too low and my red blood count is too high), but they are not so out of range that the doctors are worried. I have no viruses or anything, but, well, that is it.

 

[lkemerson]

Leslie,I think this will be fun too.I am an Administrative Assistant at a public library.I am female.I am 45 years old, married for 27 years [married young, but when you find a winner, you go for it] and have two sons. 25 and 23 years old. I am a big time gramma wannabe.I went through a spell at 25 when my body went haywire. I had a perocaridal infection, chronic fatigue and pleursy all at the same time. It was pretty rough. After taking care of all those issues, I noted that I was having more and more ribbon stools. Then diahrea. Constant diahrea. As soon as I ate it hit. Went to several docs, finally got some tests and a diagnosis. In the intervening years I have had h.pylori, c diff, stomach ulcers, an anal fistulectomy and now [last colonoscopies] the possiblity that I may have Crohns. We are watching it. Biopsies showed something but were not as conclusive as they hoped.I currently do the questran and fiber route, and it is working famously. It gave me my life back.Hobbies for me: painting, gardening, walking, travel, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs [have 2], genealogy, shoes!, reading, and I play the autoharp. Hobbies that I have to help relieve IBS - making myself drink that Questran everynight. I don't know of anything that would help relieve the IBS. Relaxation techniques, and massage perhaps. I like both of those, plenty! Since my personality is of the UP nature, I am happy to report that even when I do get ill, I don't let it get me down for very long at all. This illness has not kept me from traveling all over the world. My husband and I just came back from a two week trip to Grand Cayman where we took my son, his wife, and our youngest son. We had so much fun - and I would encouarge everyone to not let this keep you from doing what you want. Find a way over or around it.My favorite things are: my family, finding unexpected and unplanned happinesses, those dogs of mine, and turtles candy!25 years old Rob!!! You are a 'youngun'.

 

[lkemerson]

Mark,There is some positive on the board. I do wish you could find that. My own experience has been a long road, but I am finding, after much trial and error, a fix to my issues.My piping is a mess, but it seems this Questran deal is working very well, as it has for others. There are few side effects [you actually take it for the side effect, it has a constipating side effect], it is a cholesterol lowering drug.Have you thought to try that? Finding a good doctor that listens is key.I'll keep you in my prayers. Know that there are success stories out there, that only you can give yourself the positive attitude.Again, let me drone on my mantra. Everyone has a sad story, some are sadder than others. Is my story sad. Yeppers. Is it the saddest? No way! And if today is crappy [pun intended] tomorrow may be a wonderful day, and when I round the corner to tomorrow, I may find some unexpected happiness or fun to make up for the ickiness of today.Keep on keeping on. Karen

 

[gownowoften]

Hey Mark (overitnow) dont leave me to try & convince this mob about natural therapies, please! As you know I have been spreading the good word for ages, but the thought of something natural actually reversing our condition is far too difficult to believe! "If its not a drug with terrible side effects it cannot work." As you know I use & sell Mangosteen Juice in Australia,& it has been embraced so well that the corporate meeting in Perth last February attracted over 650 people,by far the largest assembly for the product anywhere in the world including Utah U.S where it is bottled. So why are Americans so sceptical about natural medicine? Havent they learned anything from the native peoples. The Indians have used such remedies including Cohosh, Slippery Elm,& Echinacea for centuries, & today weve finally got the message, THEY WORK!! GO MANGOSTEEN!!!

 

[gownowoften]

I got so carried away on my soapbox I forgot Leslie204`s request,& I apologise. I am a sensitive old age guy of 63. After being on disability pension for chronic,& acute I.B.S D & C. I along with my lovely lady sell Mangosteen juice. It gave me back my life, & feel it is my duty to at least let others know it is there. Mangosteen Juice is so new to the West. After a childhood of constant constipation when there was no such thing as "roughage" I got used to taking laxatives. Of course as time went by I needed more,& more then stronger,& stronger to get results.If I remember correctly I ended up taking 'Alophan' pills then ironically a herb called Cascara Sacrada every night. I ended up with numerous colonoscopies,& diagnosies ranging from multiple Diverticuli to Polyps. I was told to eat plenty of bran & Muesli,lots of orange juice, so I ended up on Antibiotics for over a year.What Doctor in his right mind would prescribe antibiotics for that long?? All this & I.B.S was never mentioned!! I loved fly fishing for trout, but found the actual excitement of it all was making my condition worse.(Its supposed to be relaxing,isnt it?) Because I didnt want to go partying, & socialising any more, I ended up with a broken marriage! My part time work with the intellectually disabled ground to a halt as I was made more & more aware of my own disability not being able to give my clients the full attention they required. Fortunately for me, Heaven send me a wonderful caring lady who has stuck with me thru all my trials & tribulations. Now together we reap the awards of our mangosteen juice distributorship both healthwise & wealthwise,& thrilled by the feedback from our customers.

 

[ebbie]

this is a great idea - we post - yet we can't put a "body" to the dialogue...i'm 24, female, and was working in insurance until today actually. well - i was on a short term disability leave so not totally working. i had started there in september. i have had bunions removed from both feet - yes at this young age, so i have some battle wounds. most recently was my right foot - having both a regular bunion on the inside of your foot and the outer which is referred to as a taylor's bunion removed. i started having ibs d problems at a young age, i can remember even in grade school, but the worst started last fall. after the bunion surgery in january i was on so many pain meds so i was not having d, and i was loving it. however - pain meds are not needed now and the d has come back along with the stomach pains. i guess the pain meds were a mask during that time. my doctor is great and she is young enough to really understand ibs. too bad now that i'm not employed i can't continue my rx meds... that's my story! i also have 1 cat named ebbie - and i'm raising an orpahened woodchuck. he just litter trained himself today - it's pretty fun and interesting, but he belongs in nature so once he's ready, we're going to part...

 

[ebbie]

one more thing - i also have a wonderful boyfriend of 2 1/2 years. we met on yahoo personals yet we only lived about 2 blocks away. funny how fate works! we are both avid Iowa Hawkeye fans and both have earned our degrees from the University of Iowa - now I'd just like to use them!!!

 

[scottyswotty]

1. I work as a Corporate Solicitor in a big commercial law firm in Auckland, NZ. Although, not sure if this job is really for me in the long term...2. Male.3. 254. IBS-D came on when I was 16 after going on Accutane/Roaccutance. Bad, bad acne drug (dont ever take it!!)5. My hobbies are hip-hop music; watching DVDs especially old kung fu films; reading; alternative health and healing; non-religious spirituality.Like those above, I have seen excellent alternatives in natural health and can't believe some here are so tied down to conventional doctors and drug-based therapy when there are so few successes with this approach. (Actually I can belive it, as we are brought up to so unequivocally believe and trust in medical doctors that most of us are only just now overcoming this belief system).Scott

 

[abigailcrane]

1. Retired PSW worker. I know babysit two sweet little boys. This way I don't have to deal the hassle of a boss that does not understand. (Like my last two jobs) : (2. Female3. 43 (with the mind of a l6 year old)4. All my life, but worsened after the removal of my gallbladder l5 years ago.5. What relaxes me? Time with my daughters. They are such beautiful people. Food for the soul. I also paint, write horror stories and love to write comedy and poetic verse, reading tales of horror and fantasy. LORD OF THE RINGS is my favourite and Harry Potter, I'm a big kid at heart. Take care God Bless.

 

[leslie204]

Wow... It is so interesting to get a 'picture', a REAL picture behind our screen names. I have already noted one consistancy that they say is prevalent amongst IBS people: intelligence and high acheivers. I hope everyone keeps posting about themselves. It is very neat to know what everyone does and how they live their lives in general.Leslie

 

[leslie204]

How about adding your favorite music/bands? I work in radio but I'll have to say that it is very relaxing to sing out loud in my car on long mountain drives when no one can see me.I love Modern Rock (more mellow than Alternative Rock) and my favorite bands are:The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Third Eye Blind, Live and Jimmy Buffett (ok, he isn't modern rock but I love him)...What are yours?

 

[jodman1999]

1. I am a state park ranger for Mississippi, but I am taking a job as a deputy sherrif in about a month.2. I am male3. I am 234. I have had stomach problems which didn't occur too often for years now, but the permanent ibs-s seemed to start about 6-8 months ago.5. My hobbies are movie watching, fishing, paintball, computers, and just about anything else outdoors. When I can get totally involved in something I like, I notice my ibs all but disappears. Just started taking calcium a few days ago and it seems to be working nicely right now. I still have hope that I can control this in the near future.

 

[Polly6034]

Hi everyone!! I'm a 21 year old gal, and am a student...in my last year of studying to be a dietitian. I love my study, so interesting and get to meet the nicest people. I am currently doing a six week block of prac in one of the local hospitals which I am enjoying so much! Now, I just have to graduate (6 months to go!) and find a job.I first got IBS in April last year, after I had my appendix out and peritonitis...at first I thought it was just my body grieving for the loss of the appendix *sniff*...but it hasn't really got better. Went off the contraceptive pill last month, and *cross fingers* I'm feeling a bit better...coincidence? maybe!Hobbies...study and part-time work doesn't leave much time really, but I love going out to restaurants (well, I like it, my belly doesn't!) and to movies with friends. My boyfriend and I are building a house at the moment...which is so exciting - about 1 month to go!! I try to meditate at night, I often have problems getting to sleep (my brain is too awake!) which helps to destress...but I don't find that stress affects my IBS.I enjoy learning more about everyone else

 

[BertAPU]

Youngun? I wish...I think on account of the IBS I feel old. I have none of my youthful energy. I feel fatigued all the time. I feel old--I hate IBS. But on to favourite bands since I posted the other stuff already:1) Carpenters2) Henry Mancini3) Linda Eder4) U25) Jane Monheit

 

[Julianna]

I'm 38, female, I'm an analyst in a large hospital, I've had problems with D for years. I can remember having a particularly bad number of months of sudden-onset D (maybe 9 or 10 months) during my first marriage that I absolutely attributed to stress. Then it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Since having my cholecystectomy some 2 years ago, the D is now fairly chronic, by that I mean it occurs a minimum of 5-8 times/week. Thankfully, my job is one which allows me to get up and go whenever I need to (since I have no supervisor onsite to report to) I really haven't had any problems with IBS interferring with work. I like to garden and do artwork (ceramics, watercolors and drawing) with my 8 yr. old daughter. I also enjoy going to the beach and my husband, daughter and I have season tickets to major league baseball games.

 

[lkemerson]

Rob,We all feel old sometimes because of all the nosense that comes along with our particular ailment. Imagine though, some of us have had this 'nastiness' though, for almost as long as you have been alive!What saddens me is to see my nephew who is 13 suffer. He has had this since age 5-6, and now in Jr. High School with what he calls his -condition-. How hard that must be. Middle School years are hard enough with diahrea as an added bonus.Now on the the other 'stuff'...My taste in music is quite eclectic.PrinceCat StevensMost 80's musicOpera [especially if son numero 2 is singing it]Eva CassidyWhite StripesRicky Skaggsand James Taylor

 

[rarr]

oh this is such a great idea! I loved reading about all of you!

I am a full-time student at the University of Saskatchewan..majoring in Biochemistry and I also applied for Nutrition this year. Wish me Luck!

I am female and 20 yrs old.I have had IBS since the age of 6, although at the time I was being tested for lactose intollerence, etc...and wasn't diagnosed w/ IBS until later years. As far as I know I've been living with it all of my life. so I am well aware of what foods to stay away from and which are safe foods, altho' I am still reading about IBS friendly diets daily and am quite determined to find something that works for me and hopefully others! I enjoy reading, movie watching, fashion/sewing, learning to play guitar, listening to music, roller-blading, pilates, kick-boxing, dancing, the beach!!, and being with my family and friends.I do not enjoy IBS squashing peoples dreams...I have let IBS stop me from doing a lot of things in the past and missing out on many things that I had always dreamt of doing...but not anymore..we can't let this frustarting condition decide what we can and can't do. I find that the IBS does make me quite lethargic at times..perhaps it's just the "safe-diet" that's nutrient poor in areas..and stress is definitely the #1 trigger for my attacks. I tend to go through bouts of IBS...I'll have one good year and one horrible year and so on...oh and as for music...I love everything! I absolutely love Country Music, esp. Kenny Chesney! I tend to listen to Bush, Nirvana, Live, Aerosmith...but also really like mellow tunes, punk and the good ol' top 40 stuff.G'luck to everyone w/ this on-going battle w/ IBS and keep sharing your stories!

 

[Jennifer7]

I am bookkeeper for our design business and homeschool my 14 yo son.46 years old - femaleHad IBS for 14 years, after food poisoning in Malaysia & then childbirth.I enjoy reading & watching Trading Spaces & While Your Were Out.I like various music, but mostly Christian (Jeremy Camp, POD, Mercy Me, Nicole Nordeman....)