[Guest]

Hey Everyone I'm new to this discussion board. Im 23 and have suffered from IBS for about as long as I can remember. I am mostly a C. My symptoms are the pouch for a stomach and pain in the left side of my stomach. Anyways If I control my stress level my symptoms are okay but once the stress gets out of control my stomach gets hard as a rock. Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping calm on my wedding day. I really don't want to look pregnant going up the isle. I don't say just relax or I'll .................!### Just kidding. I hate it when people say just relax and your stomach won't hurt well if it were that easy don't you think I would have tried that already. Thanks for all the great info on the board. It's nice to see others going through what I go through.

 

[Lefty]

Hi - ummmm, I won't even try to pronounce your name!Look over at the meeting place BB and find the thread by missycat. There has been quite a bit of discussion on this topic -we've had an epidemic of weddings here lately!Do a search if you want using the word wedding. That should come up with stuff, too.

Good luck, and congratulations!

 

[Guest]

Thanks Lefty, I went through and read all the wedding stuff. I didn't know you could do a search like that. It was very helpful!

 

[lilymaid]

Hi syl!I just posted a message like this a few days ago. (Getting married too-- next June.)Good news: Many positive responses! Some even said that they worried their IBS would act up.. and then the day of, they were fine! So I have hope, and you should too.Also, as much as I want to wear a sheath dress, I know that's not a good idea. What a way to look preggers if my stomach is bloated! Yikes!

heheI'm going to splurge on reflexology messages-- one two days before, one the morning of. I'm also going to keep a thermos of peppermint tea ready so I can swig it in the car on the way to the church (there are no dressing rooms there, so I have to arrive ready). I also scheduled my wedding for the afternoon, because I usually go to bathroom by noon and feel somewhat better (thanks to 1 tbsp Citrucil a day). I'm also going to eat a rather bland diet all week-- chicken, rice and oatmeal.What are your plans so far? Let's trade tips, okay? Maybe we can help each other through this, with the help of our buddies here on the bb!BTW, I'm 24 and have mostly IBS-C myself. So I know what's going on with you! It bites, huh?

We'll be aiming towards a GREAT DAY!Regards, Lilymaid

 

[Rose]

Hi,I am IBS-C and my sypmtoms are identical to yours. If my stress level is on an even keel, the "c" is much more controlable. But the least little bit of stress makes my stomach as hard as a rock also. It's almost as if my colon twists itself into a knot and nothing will come out. In addition to Lilymaid's suggestions, make sure you allow yourself plenty of "bathroom" time before the wedding...as rushing around only adds to the stress and the "C". Also, try "positive thinking". Keep telling yourself that you will feel great on your wedding day..and hopefully you will. Good Luck.------------------"Today is the first day of the rest of your life"Rose

 

[eric]

I think that last post was right on,congrulations and remember we are all going to be with you on your wedding day!

 

[michelle8]

I just got married on saturday and did everything the people on the board said to do. I also am a D type when nervous or upset and get terrible gas and bloating. I took my metamucil the night before along with a couple phazyme pills. That morning I had a total nervous stomach, but no bloating. I went and had a tan and a massage. Felt great, but my stomach was still burning. Took two Immodiums about 3 hours before the wedding and another couple phazyme pills. Still almost to the point of nausea 2 hours prior to the wedding I decided the hell with it and had a glass of wine. I made it through the wedding and my stomach was instantly fine after we said "I do"! Prepare yourself to be mentally and physically exhausted after the ordeal is done. My wedding was wonderful and beautiful and everything I expected, but the IBS didn't go away until it was over. I would highly recommend Immodium and a good glass of wine. You will make it through. You may want to puke, but you will survive. Good luck to you!

 

[lilymaid]

I gotta agree... positive mental imagery will pr'y help a lot. I know that I get on the "what if" cycle... instead, I'm trying to visualize EVERY DAY, at least once a day, what fun my wedding day will be, how good I will look, how good I will feel, and how much I will look forward to going to Hawaii afterward!I'm also focusing on exercise to not only get more fit but to help my stomach. My IBS has been acting up for nearly a week now, but those around me have been very supportive. But it's still tough!Remember.. PMA, PMA, PMA, as my fiance says (Positive Mental Attitude). He's used it to get him through some VERY difficult things. Let's employ it now-- a female version-- shall we?A WEDDING PRESCRIPTION FOR PMA"I will look BEAUTIFUL (just think of that great dress, hair and makeup done, gorgeous flowers);I will feel GREAT (my stomach's pretty flat, I went to the bathroom at 9 this morning, and I'm really happy and excited!! I'm getting married to MY MAN!);It's going to be SO MUCH FUN (all the details will be taken care of by someone else.... and we get to dance and nibble on cake);And then I get to GET AWAY FROM IT ALL (a nice long break that I've earned called The Honeymoon).I'm ready to go and have some fun!"Repeat as needed, up to 24x/day. Unlimited refills. Take this PMA with a smile and plenty of water. Do not operate heavy machinery or do calculus while under the influence of this PMA, as you might kill the buzz. It is against federal PMA regulations to *not* share this PMA with others.----------------------------Regards (and with half-serious silliness and best intentions),Lilymaid

 

[lilymaid]

Michelle8id you go on your honeymoon RIGHt after your reception? How was your IBS then? Did it act up afterward, from being all tired? We can't decide whether or not to leave right after, or to spend a couple of days in town recovering first, as my fiance is worried about my stomach acting up or my nerves acting up which would prevent me from getting on the plane.Thanks!Regards, lilymaid

 

[eric]

You can use this to tell yourself it will be okay.Or type in Lilymaids PMI message into it. http://www.bell-labs.com/project/tts/voices.html

 

[Pekeluvr]

Im 24 and getting married in January...in a CATHOLIC ceremony...agh. It's supposed to be just 30 minutes long...we shall see.Too bad you can't just ask for the short version..so I'm a little nervous about making it through the whole thing (I'm a D) but I'm gonna try a real bland diet and meditate and hopefully things will be ok. I already talked to my Doc and she ok'd a perscription for Lomotil for that day, so I feel a bit better. Just hang in there and do what you have to do to make you feel better-whatever it takes.Maybe your Doc can give you a perscription for a mild sedative? That way you wouldnt have to relax, it would do the relaxing for you

 

[Pekeluvr]

That's damn creepy Eric-but I like it

 

[michelle8]

lilymaid,We decided to wait a couple days because of my tummy and the total exhaustion. I would've probably been fine just taking off, but I am glad that I didn't have to feel any more stress. Leaving Friday for the actual "honeymoon". Really rested and really excited.

 

[Guest]

Hi guys ... Yes, I am also getting married ... 3 weeks from Friday (Friday the 13th!) Having a Catholic ceremony WITHOUT a mass due to IBS-D. Have been seeing my GI dr. ... I am on Levsinex 2x a day and take Immodium when needed. My dr. gave me a script for Xanax to take on wed. day. (Will take 1/2 pill before ceremony.) The reason for the Xanax is to keep the anticipation or anxiety of an IBS attack at a minimum. Already taken 1/2 pill to check for any adverse reactions. No problems to report. I know I will be fine once ceremony is over! Leave for Hawaii 2 days later. Good luck to you!

 

[Pekeluvr]

Kam...I am in the exact same boat as you. I'm a 24 year old D type. I chose just the Catholic ceremony without the mass too. No way I wanna sweat through an hour plus ceremony! Let me know how it goes! Are you on any special diet? You might want to try a prescription for Lomotil...thats supposed to really help..my Doc ok'd it for that day.Good luck and don't worry! You'll be fine

[This message has been edited by Pekeluvr (edited 07-20-1999).]

 

[Guest]

Hey! I'm a 23 year old with IBS D and I somehow managed to make it all the way through a Catholic ceremony...not to mention, my best friend was married 3 weeks after I was, and I was her Matron of Honor, so I had to make it through ANOTHER catholic ceremony, sitting up at the altar, and wondering what was going to happen! Needless to say, I managed to make it thorugh both. We left for our honeymoon the very next day after our ceremony, and I made it fine through the trip, too. I posted once before about my wedding, how I was so nervous and my IBS was never so bad as it was the entire week before my wedding,, my dr. even put me on some new meds, but I MADE IT!!! And the rest of you will, too! It will be a beautiful day! Best of Luck to everyone getting married, it was by far the happiest day of my life!

 

[Guest]

CONGRATS! not much to add -- but just keep telling yourself that getting married is a good thing and that the wedding itself is something to look forward to. my IBS (which at the time of my wedding was just beginning to flare up -- not too bad yet) seemed to kick in during the brief honeymoon, I guess because I was quite fatiqued -- but it wasn't too bad to deal with, actually.

 

[Guest]

When I got married four years ago, I was a veritable wreck for months before the big day.Everybody told me it would go away immediately after the wedding, and everything would be fine. That didn't make it any easier beforehand.My wedding was wonderful, but not without a hitch--when my Mom stood up for her walk down the aisle to be seated, she broke her foot and had to be wheeled down!And just like everyone said, once it was over everything settled down.Best wishes to all you getting married. It's the best.

 

[Missycat]

I've been married a whole month now, and my IBS didn't act up on my wedding day at all. I did, however, have one gruesome attack while on our honeymoon, but I think it can be attributed to all of the rich food I was eating, particularly the eggs Benedict and Mimosa I had for breakfast that day!

I figured - what the hell? I'm on my honeymoon! So I took a bunch of Levsin, popped a Xanax, and I was fine the rest of the honeymoon. good luck!------------------"When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy." (anonymous) Missycat

 

[jessi]

I AM ALSO GETTING MARRIED AND SCARED TO DEATH ABOUT MY STOMACH. MY MAJOR IBS PROBLEM IS GAS, BUT MY STOMACH BLOATS UP TO. I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO STINK MY GUESTS OUT. I AM ALSO IN MY FRIEND WEDDING IN A FEW MONTHS(MADE OF HONOR). I SCARED OF BEING IN THE LIMO STINKING PEOPLE OUT. IT'S NICE TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.