[Ama]

I was talking with my elder sister the other day - we are both going through a lot of stress at present - she was telling me she'd had D and pain and maybe she had a virus? I mentioned IBS, expecting her to not know much about it, but she said "Oh, I think I've had that all my life". I was amazed, she's been suffering in silence for decades and I'd no idea. It made me wonder about the thousands like her who havn't found the support of this site . . . I shall probably be less "keep it all to myself" about IBS from now on - and I can tell anyone else who suffers to visit this site - but not my sister, who isn't online yet - but I'm working on her! It just made me think: a lot of IBS people keep quiet about the awful symptoms - but if we talked to more people we'd probably discover a lot of fellow-sufferers.All the best, Ama

 

[Anxious]

Ama - how very true! When I finally got up the nerve to tell a friend of mine about my IBS, she told me she knows someone else who has it and thinks she might even have a touch of it herself... I'm sure theres lots out there...

 

[Guest]

Ama - I've had a bum stomach for as long as I can remember but never really talked about it because it was always manageable. Several years ago it became a real issue when the symptoms/pain became continuous to the point where that's all you can think about because it just never goes away. I'm sure your sister would have been more vocal or at least seek support if she was a chronic sufferer. I guess I just figured that everyone must suffer with cranky stomach so why talk about it. Once it gets serious, you look for places like this BB.Take care - Christine

 

[Ama]

Hi Christine - my sister is very reserved - I really got the feeling (knowing her as I do) that she's been suffering quite a lot in silence for a long time. She avoids doctors at all costs (too much, in my opinion). I'm sure there are others like her - I'm just glad I found out about her IBS - now she has someone to talk to and to give support. If she ever gets online I'll give her the address of this site!All the best, Ama

 

[Guest]

Same thing! My (old) best friend was complaining to me once about having terrible cramps and D. So I mentioned IBS to her. Well, when she got back from her doc. she comes to me and says, " you were right my doctor says that I do have IBS." Small world!