[Guest]

Folks,(Hope everyone is well)HmmmmI need some suggestions on how you keep a somewhat continuous positive mental outlook on life when you feel mentally and physically weak and all looks bleak.Just like all of you I have my good days and my bad days but I notice with IBS that theres always something there to remind me of this condition .A daily cramp, a lawmower rumble,a dizzy spell,naseau,an axiety attack etc etc I also have noticed a certain routine in my daily way of life . It revolves around my condition.I need a diversion hopefully a very economical one:}.Im attaining new skills with my lifestyle and am looking for other ways to cope and have a normal quality of life.HOW DO YOU DEAL? Any suggestions? Reading? Self talk? Hobbies? Pets? What motivates you ? What has gotten you out of the pit? Feedback Appreciated, as always :}

 

[Guest]

pardon the spelling ."Mentally" Durrr!

 

[Guest]

I, too, have spells where nothing helps but I have learned the best way to get out of a rut is not to be alone. I rent a video or plan an evening with friends. I can be groaning and moaning and be ready to die but when some one comesover I forget my misery and become alive.Since I am not far from the bathroom, I feel safe. I also have two dogs which many times make me laugh and keep me busy. Sometimes I practice smiling or laughing in the mirror. At first it feels silly but before i know it , I am really laughing. I look so stupid but it works. Live One Day at a Time. This tooshall end. Read the BB and get ideas how to help yourself with IBS

 

[NewForMe]

One word: Hypnosis. That is what has changed my mental attitude around. My hypnotherapist also recorded all of my sessions (I had about 10) so every night when I go to bed I fall asleep listening to them. At first I thought it was just a joke, but after reading the board and seeing how hypnosis helped them I gave it a try. It worked beautifully. Gave me my mental life back. I was so bad off that I was housebound for about 6 weeks. Thank god my job allowed me to work from home during that time. I work for a great company writing software manuals so I could do that from anywhere. I actually got more done since I didn't have all the interruptions I have at work with socializing. But you really should think about it. I am sure you already know that there are IBS Hypnosis tapes for sale right here on the board. Look for the IBS Audio 100 Program link at the top left of the page. It is a 100 day program and it has helped many many people.

 

[badfoot]

Hi nycI don't know about normal, I'm kind of far removed from that category. But I seem to be constantly working at diverting my attention-part time work at local school, guitar playing, occasional outings with friends, yoga, exercise. I have a four year old neighbor who I play with at regular intervals-that is one of my more life affirming exercises. I went sailing recently, but I have to watch my weight (loss is the problem) and can't be too physically active. Support group for anxiety is often very good, although my IBS anxiety is a little different than the average anxiety/phobic profile. When I lived in Manhattan I used to rollerblade at night. That was fun. You have try things, take small steps (cliche, but essential advice) keeping pushing against your comfort zone. And give yourself credit for your efforts. It's tough. best of luck.[This message has been edited by badfoot (edited 09-05-2000).]

 

[JeanG]

Hi nyc:Hypnotherapy for me too! I have done the IBS Audio 100 Tapes and they really, really helped. They are gut specific and geared towards IBS. Other people have had luck with in person hypnotherapists that deal with IBS.

It has helped with the pain, not only of IBS but of muscle spasms when I get them in my back. I don't know how it happens, but it does.Also, for me, since I am more C than D, eating a high fiber, balanced diet helps too.And I can't leave out reading and doing research on IBS, and some on other related conditions. Education and understanding IBS makes it a whole lot easier to cope. Part of the reason is that I'm not imagining a bunch of other stuff that is not going on.I'm sure everyone here has their own tips and ways to cope. JeanG

 

[Guest]

nycspunk,Hypnosis is great but I paid for it. I might should get the tapes too. They really are beneficial. Glad I read this thread!But until you get into that and do it please as it helps and I MUST get back to it or yoga one. Somekind of meditation is a must. I watch the diet, avoid milk and ice cream , I do eat cheese as I have an ulcer so this is food that makes the tummy feel good for me.For the vertigo I keep Meclizie on hand. That is generic Antivert. Surely does help.For the anxiety, my doctor gave be Busar and another med prn. I am cutting back on the Buspar this week and feel aok.Just take it one day at a time. Have your friends and family know that you must plan what you will do AHEAD of time. Then stick to that. Do not eat what someone wants you to eat just to be NICe. I have 2 restaurants in mind so I will not panic if we switch in midsteam. That gets me every time.I eat slowly and am the last finished. If I eat out I try to go directly home and rest for 30 minutes, That is the worst part but works some. If you know you are on the way to the security of the home, you are less likely to have the anxiety. That is the way it is for me. If they said now off to a movie on the other side of town, ANXIETY flags everywhere and IBS D in about 3 minutes and running to get to the BR at that. So slow down the pace. It is killing us. Stress classes are also good but usually the tapes do cover that.I am also taking the calcium 1 in the am and 1/2 with the other meals. This week it seems to have formed soft stools for once. Hope that continues. Drink lots of water as it takes water from the system so do not get dehydrated and C at the same time. Hang in. We are all still trying and will beat this yet. Also, I am going to try the Ezekiel bread tomorrow. Will give a report in a few weeks. It has a lot of seedy stuff so not sure I can eat it . Will see.Best of luck and write again.Excuse the spelling as it is after one but I wanted to answer this for you as I am busy tomorrow am.------------------trishb

 

[Guest]

psI noticed you mentioned pets. If you can get nice cat or some pet. They are so soothing. I am allergic to most animals. Therefore as we live in a condo, and have only a 7 story balcony, no outdoor pet for me and cannot have a cat inside or it is bad new allergy wise. I know someone that had a fetter and loved it. but they are not cheap and cats are. Easier than dogs too , USUALLY. My sister has a cockatoo and a puppy. Each to his own but are good company and keep the mind off of self too.

 

[Guest]

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and ideas .It does get hard ,very hard.If I only spent the energy I spend on thinking of this toward something else Id be "so" better off.The first posting mentioned friends over .I can honestly say I have 1 friend ### this point .Everyone else is married and "has a life".Its so hard to make friends and all that sometimes I just get so bored and down with myself.I cry out of the blue and my mood is so bad lately.I think to myself "Is this it? Im sitting listening to my stomach gurgle waiting for my next bowel movement?"IBS is such a mind game.This board has been my relief sometimes .If I might mentionmy self esteem and ego have taken such a hit I couldnt begin to tell you. Acceptance is the hardest thing for me but I guess in time Ill learn .IT JUST GETS SO HARD.;[...Keep the suggestions coming .Thank you all!###------->>-------

 

[Midge]

I also have been wondering the same thing. I have a cat which helps(cats are usually interesting to be around) I read. That's about as good as it gets. Life does revolve around this in every choice or activity. Crafts or projects at home.

 

[Mannie]

nycspunk,On one hand, I don't feel qualified to answer your question because my IBS is not as bad as yours. Other than having to become a freelancer so I didn't have to be at a job in the morning, never being able to make plans before noon, and having to give up many of my favorite foods, IBS has not impacted my life to the extent it has affected yours. But I sympathize with you, for many reasons, and just wanted you know there is someone else who understands.I had to move a few years back to an area where I knew no one and had to take care of a family member with Alzheimer's, and I struggled seriously with depression. After a year I made one friend, but she had a big family and rarely had time for anything except one or two phone calls a week. But last year I managed to make another friend who has stomach troubles almost as bad as mine. It has helped my sanity a lot.The other thing that helps when I feel down is to look at people around me. My MIL is now in the nursing home with Alzheimer's, my uncle just died from a long, long battle with Parkinson's, and my cousin has to have numeruous surgeries to help him survive a genetic condition he was born with. IBS sucks, but a lot of people have conditions that suck. And on the brighter side, have you tried keeping a food journal, taking Caltrate Plus, or any of the other many suggestions on this BB? Rather than have you cope with having IBS, I'd rather see you start to feel better!! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help...

 

[Guest]

nycspunki often felt like you do too! Still do on occassion - but the thing that helped me the most with my attitude was reading that post by Tom in Atlanta - called 'i beat it and here's what worked for me' by taking on board his attitude and following his suggestions i have felt much more positive! Do a search for it and have a read!also the hypnotherapy helps - if i am feeling really down - usually attributing it to something helps! Like i say oh well - it's just cos i was stressed out about that or over excited about this - or cos i had that ben and jerry's ice cream at the cinema - silly billy!!!then i feel better - but if i can't attribute it to anything then i feel very irritated and down - and then i read through Tom's post again and listen to Mikes tapes and usually by the next day things have improved tenfold!good luck!

we all know how ya feel!