[Sam Wilson]

Having had acute ibs-d for nearly 2 years since being struck with food pois when I atend functions/partys people say to me, why are you only drinking water? why this why that

so you tell them discreetly, they blurt out, oh IBS thats nothing, I have that, you look at them as if to say excuse me but no you havent as they are drinking red wine, eating huge sausages off the bbq and being very patronising, do you ever find that when you tell someone about your ibs, they have fallen off the moon and have it twice as bad as you, so sometimes you feel you might as well stay home as your made to feel a freak, there is always one at every party or one in every village, I hope you can relate to this as I find it very irritating, and can usually spot these people a mile off, if you have any stories to tell please lets all read them.... life isnt the party we had hoped for but whilst we are here we might as well dance!

 

[13922]

Hi Sam - thank you for saying what I have been feeling lately. It seems everyone I finally trust to tell says, "oh yeah, my doctor says I have that but I just watch what I eat" or "I used to have that but it went away, just try yoga." I want to just crawl in a hole - well basically I have. I don't even go to parties or anywhere anymore. I have never been depressed in my life until IBS started 13 months ago. I know just how you feel Sam. You are not alone, by any means!

 

[Sam Wilson]

I know, they obviously dont have ibs like we do on here, reading some ibs reports, by any accounts, I am not saying they dont feel pain or have minor discomfort the type that always put you down, but when they are partying consuming so much fat that would cripple us all on here with 2 seconds of digesting it, I am sorry there is nothing much wrong with them, then you get the story, its all in the mind, I feel like eduacting them, but then it would be a waste of time anyway,

shame we cant have an ibs circle to socialise in , why is the world so big!

 

[overitnow]

The UK might be small enough that you could actually have a convention; but where would you ever find a facility with enough toilets?Mark

 

[cookies4marilyn]

Wow, I can relate to this as well - my "ex" told me, you just eat bad and since you are at home you can keep near the bathroom - like I wanted to eat something that gave me D and pain on purpose!!! I was down to crackers and water on some days and still had severe D...They say 1 in about 4 or 5 people in the UK and the US and most of the Western world have IBS, but out of that number, only 5% or so are classified as severe IBS - but I think many of us just don't go into it - so we may never know how many really are severe. When IBS made me late to something, I used to lie about what delayed me, because I was tired of explaining it to people who just didn't understand... sigh.For UK IBSers - There is the IBS Network:http://www.ibsnetwork.org.uk/Information/LocalGroups.htmLocal GroupsThe IBS Network would like to see IBS groups in every major town and city in the UK. We are a long way from achieving that aim but with your help we can get there.Full details of local groups are sent out to all new members of the Network and updates appear in Gut Reaction. If there is not a group near you then once you have joined the Network we can help you start one up and give on-going support. Four of our local group leaders are also trustees. In this way we try to ensure that the IBS Network is run by and for people with IBS.At the moment we have groups in :BirminghamCambs HuntingdonHant - AldershotHerts - StevenageIsle of Wight - RydeLancs - BlackpoolRossendale (group leader is trustee Janet Smith)Liverpool (Co-ordinator Geoff Lyon is also an EPP Tutor. Click here for more) London - East & WandsworthMiddlesex (group leader is trustee Jean Biskeborn)SomersetSurreyWiltshireYorkshire - EastYorkshire - West (group leader is trustee Shelagh Grey)Wales - GwentScotland - Edinburgh / LivingstonIBS Network members are also welcome to attend the local groups run by Incontact see http://www.incontact.org/Don't know how they are run or anything, as I am in the US, but might be something to consider for "in person" commeraderie.Tara!-----------------------------------

 

[20327]

There are obviously very different levels of IBS severity. For many years I had a protocol that worked reasonably well for me, so I could casually tell someone at a party that I had IBS but that it didn't bother me much. Now it does!See, I worked at a very stressful job, and every morning without fail I would have "D" and have to go about 3 time before leaving for work. That seemed to satisfy the IBS Demon. The rest of the day my colon would not spasm, although I'd have gas after lunch. But in the large scheme of things, I had IBS-lite.I left that job and actually thought my IBS might go away, since I associated it with stress.Instead, it split into 2 separate tracts. I had periods of relative normalcy (that is nice) and periods of horrible sickness ("D" and pain and weakness). I do not think IBS stays the same over long periods for everyone. People at a party who consider it a minor situation just don't understand that they have a little demon inside, and hopefully it will never decide to torment them! Since IBS is not really a disease, but is a "functional disorder" I think doctors use the term for just about anything. I went to one doctor who casually said "Oh, I diagnosed IBS alreadyy 8 times this morning." 8 times!?!?!?!?!

 

[13922]

8 diagnoses before noon? So why don't more doctors take it seriously? My is quite tired of me - in fact I don't call him any longer for IBS - I see a naturopath for IBS which is not covered by insurance but it helps and he really listens and understands. If IBS is so very common, why don't we start a dating website for IBSers so we don't have to be embarrased explaining why we are in the bathroom for 80% of the first date? Have you all seen the movie ALONG CAME POLLY? Ben Stiller has IBS and it's the first movie I've seen that addresses it - it's good for a laugh - we could all use it, huh???

 

[Sam Wilson]

Yes I have seen that movie, boy did he suffer in that, good acting, we can all relate to it.Thanks for the links for the ibs groups in the UK, we should all log on. Sam.

 

[18059]

Hi, I know how most of you feel i've gotten so tired of answering the question whats wrong, i just get fed up and that's with my family, this week has been really bad and i just want to sit and cry, my daughters birthday party is tommorow and i'm dreading it, i think that might be what is setting me off. i hate to tell people what is wrong with me, i need to find a job too.and get off of state welfare but jobs that you can go to the bathroom fast are hard to find. I tell people this is like having the flu everyday. some days are great and i get alot done and some i don't even get out of bed, the fatigue gets me fast and now i have a wierd problem, my throat keeps getting clogged up like i have a cold and i feel like i'm choking alot. so now i am getting panic attacks more often. any suggestion? Laurie

 

[Fed Up]

bigmama, that alone sounds like a symptom of Panic attack. The first time I had one, my throat closed up, felt like I had cotton wool in it and couldnt breathe - Was horrible. It was only when the doctors told me that all my symptoms were the beginning of a panic attack that I realised what had been going on!As for the IBS dating website - Bring it on! LOL I agree whole heartedly with what everyone has said - It's heartbreaking when some says yeah I have IBS, but it doesnt bother me much! They say I have D once every 6 months and it's like eh? Its probably just a stomach bug. Try going 6 times in an hour!

 

[Sam Wilson]

Panic Attacks are awful, I used to have them, you become too focused on the how will i feel syndrome that it takes over your life, I am over it now but its taken years, but it could reoccur at anytime, try self mediation tapes, distraction is the main issue here, keep your mind busy, take up hobbies etc, I sometimes felt I couldnt breath when I left the house, my mum had agrophobia for about 10 years and was house bound, she got through it, where is she now, in the Phillipines on holiday, you see you can get through it, there is a book I recommend call fight the fear and do it anyway, very good, and helpful.....And as for ibs.... well its all new to me, I am not used to it nor do I want to get used to it either, got gripes now after lunch, oh well, we will get through it, its just another day! Sam

 

[17176]

i used to have a lot of panic attacks, but i feel with some medication, a lot of councelling and love & attention from my partner i can honestly say i dont really get them anymore.When i have been going to my appeals (for disability) i feel them coming on , i feel a lot of that is fear and just being a wee bit nervous

 

[20327]

I think IBS creates its own vortex of anxiety. I have never had panic or anxiety attacks until the IBS flared up, then they became periodic. I just do not think it is merely my mind worried about my symptoms, I think it is the mind-gut connection where the gut is not feeling well and that information goes to the brain where it manifests as anxiety. THis is not my pet theory but was told to me by a doctor.So not only do people have an abdomenal ailment, but that ailment can zoom up and make your brain act funny, like a bi-polar individual who has a brain chemistry problem.Well, I began taking Lorazepam a couple weeks ago. This is an anti-anxiety drug. It immediately eliminated those creepy "possessed by a anxiety/panic demon" feelings. I have been my old self ever since. My IBS has settled down, not gone into 100% remission (wouldn't that be sweet?), but I think the anxiety just builds and builds like a hurricane going from level 1 up to 5 from the sheer force of its repeating circular motion. Our bodies become so tense and our minds so upset that there is no chance for the IBS to be calm - it builds on itself. I gave up trying God, meditation, and all the lovely touchy feely stuff. One pill and this was nipped in the bud. I take 2 pills a day and the doctor says I can take them indefinitely with monitoring. I have not had a single anxiety attack since the first pill about 2 weeks ago, and I was averaging about 1 per day, sometimes causing me to sit in a chair and hyperventilate and even cry. Amazing what a little chemical change in the brain can do!!Hey, am I the only guy who uses his REAL photo? Sam Wilson sure can't be that pretty! (smile)

 

[18749]

All I can say is thank God for all you guys. I was beginning to think I was the only one out there, or that maybe I am just a drama queen!I started with IBS about 9 years ago, had it badly for about a year, and then just had it on and off and was able to deal with it. For some reason it has flared up again in the last 6 months and I feel like I'm going to go crazy. I am in an almost constant state of anxiety, wondering if I'm going to make it through a day of work, be able to go out with friends, etc. Just the thought of going back to work tomorrow and what I can do if my stomach's bad, has me all stressed out.I've become very housebound, and it's really getting to me. I do have a job that can be stressful, but I was not aware that I was really stressed when this flared up again.I've been backwards and forwards to my doctor again and again and he just keeps writing me prescriptions - none of which have worked. I think he's sick of seeing me!Finally managed to go out with some girlfriends on Friday night, and as soon as we finished dinner I was in agony and rushing to the bathroom. I ended up going back to a friend's place for hours before I dared to try and drive home. I also have one of those friends who had an upset stomach for 2 weeks and now thinks she's an expert ... not helpful at all.As for the dating service, that's not a bad idea! Can anyone tell me how they're managing to date with severe IBS? I'm 28 years old, and not bad looking from what I've been told! I need to be able to date, but am too nervous to even give it a shot with things as they are right now ... who would understand this if they don't have it?Anyway, sorry for the long message, but guess I just needed to get this off my chest. No one seems to understand how it takes over your life. I've never been a "down" kind of person, but this is really getting to me. Thanks to everyone here for sharing their experiences!

 

[cookies4marilyn]

Hi PoopedOut and Welcome!Like you, I was almost housebound as well - anytime I went out, I had to find a bathroom ASAP, and then was in there for hours..Take a peek at my story below for what finally helped me - I found out about it on this BB 5 years ago - if you have any questions, feel free to let me know or email.We are all here to provide help and support!Take care and again, welcome!!!!

 

[Fed Up]

Pooped out - I'm 29 and a single mom. I do manage to date, though when I think back I dont know how how bad I've been at times. I try to wangle as many nights in as I can, and If I needed to go out, just pop Imodium to stop the D, and I'm away! It's a lot easier nowaday, but its hard explaining to new partners about this problem!

 

[18749]

Thanks Fed Up! That's exactly the problem I've been worried about, explaining this to new people. I was in a serious relationship when I was first diagnosed, which made it easier because he was very understanding and knew me as I was before IBS. I figure it's just a lot to expect someone new to take on ... I'm not the most reliable these days, have to cancel plans, leave early, etc. which many guys could interpret as me not being interested. Good to hear that you're managing to go out... it gives me hope!

 

[18059]

Hi, I have to go do a sleep study this tuesday and am very nervous about it. I just had my daughters poolpart and sleepover this sat and sun I had my parents over and it was very stressful so i ended up drinking to much and today ,sun, iv'e been in bed most of the day. my husband wanted to go to the park today but i was to out of it , now he's pacing around like a caged tiger, he sometimes stresses me out just walking in the room, we fight alot since he lost his job and is home alot now, he thinks that we fight less but i think more, i don't have my private time anymore and now we have a dog he does not tolrate very well and we fight about that which does not help, then to relax i drink wine too much i know the worst thing i could do but am very tennnnnnnseeeeee!!!

laurie

 

[Sam Wilson]

We all have our different demons to deal with here on this board, its good that we can start a thread/link going, exercise is very good for mental stimulation with ibs, it helps you forget about it, swimming, walking etc, you also feel refreshed after too, all I can say is thank god for imodium, would never leave without it, I often concern myself if there will be any long term damamge usuing it, but Dr seems to think NOT...... Have a great Day all.Sam x

 

[18749]

Hi Bigmama, don't worry about the sleep study. I had one a couple of years ago and it's no big deal at all. You just have to try and sleep with some wires stuck to you, but don't worry, it's not invasive and doesn't hurt. Plus, there'll be a bathroom close by, so don't worry if you have any IBS problems, I'm sure they'll be very understanding!As for your stress at home, I know that I seem to react more to stress from people in my life, be they at work, or friends or family, rather than other things like the stress of my job, etc. It definitely makes the IBS worse, so just try to relax. Not easy to do, I know ... I'm still trying to figure out how to do that myself! I'd love a drink, but I'll be in the bathroom for the next few days if I dare risk it! Things can only get better ... right?!