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I don't even know where to begin. First of all, you really need to concentrate more on taking care of yourself. You won't be able to help anybody if you are sick.
Do you have an answering machine? If not you should get one and let it pick up the calls. If it is one of your relatives asking for help they can leave a message and then you can choose what you want to do. If you don't feel well then you can return the call at your convenience. I use that method with my sister & her family.....lots & lots of problems there. I have just had to realize that I can't solve every problem and listen to the recording and then decide if I want to get involved or not. Always feeling responsible for trying to fix everything was stressing me out big time...you just can't do it!
I know your relatives all live so close (geez) that they probably just drop by, too. You need to inform all of them that you have been ill lately and when you don't feel good you will be in bed and probably not answering the door.
It sounds like you have a good relationship with your mom. Why don't you make it a point to spend more time with her. Or do you have a friend that you could meet for lunch or go shopping with?? You definitely need some ME time. As for safe foods, even something as simple as chicken noodle soup (I lived on that for weeks one time) can be comforting when you are feeling bad.... Just try to find things that you can tolerate and have those on hand....if you don't start eating better you will not feel better.
About your meds....you need to start taking them especially if they were helping.
Remember, you are not alone in your suffering. We are all here to help. Hope you got to go shopping and bought something for yourself.
Take care
Barbie
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Oh Gayla!
#91521 - 07/19/04 12:11 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I don't have anything to add to the wonderful advice you've been given already, but I just wanted to let you know that you're in my thoughts as well. *Please* take care of yourself, first and foremost!
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Oh, Gayla, honey, I'm so sorry to hear you're hurting so bad. I haven't had time to read all the replies to your post, but sweetie, you have GOT to learn how to say NO!! A friend of mine says that "No" is a complete sentence!! Meaning you don't have to add anything to it. Just "No." You've GOT to start taking care of yourself first. I insist!! Like Jen says, don't make me come down there and hurt you!! he he
Seriously, honey, feel better. Wish I could give you a
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{BIG HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
PS, this is the real LauraSue -- I goofed up my password!
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Gayla,
I just want you to know I'm thinking good thoughts for you and hoping you get some respite very soon!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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Oh Gayla,
I'm sorry you're having such a rough time  That's awful. Please try your best to stick to the diet, I know how frustrating it can be, but you'll be better off in the long run. Try and think that while you're tired now, you'll probably be more tired if you start having bad IBS attacks because you're not taking care of you.
It's a hard thing to do, to take care of yourself, I personally struggle big time with it, I'm always putting myself last. But it sounds like you really need to try and focus on you, and get yourself taken care of.
Treat yourself to something nice, it can just be something small, doesn't have to be expensive, if you think it'll make you feel better I say go for it! You deserve it 
Hang in there and I'll say a prayer for you,
Kelly
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Hey gigi, So glad you are going to start taking time for you.
It WILL make so much difference.It can fuel you to gain the strength to take bettter care of you and saying no.
It's hard to do all that when you feel so depleted.
Everyonce in a while I decide to take a mental day off. Tell myself no negative thoghts allowed,and do what feels good or soothes me.When life has pushed me to the edge I need to do that often.
You will get better as you begin this journey. Having all this support will be such a strength and comfort to you.
Still praying, Suzy
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Boy don't I know what you are talking about... I took care of a sick Mother for yrs and yrs and yrs, while raising 2 kids and a husband. When my husbands Grandparents started getting old I just could'nt take care of them, too. I had it out with my Mother in law and told her to quit flitting off to fla. and Atlanta that she needed to come home and take care of her own parents. It helped she stayed and cared for her parents and we helped when we could. I loved my husbands Grandparents like they were my own. They all died and my Mother died and life was a little peaceful for a while. Now my kids are grown and my husband straightened his messes up. While all this was going on I went to therapists to help my marriage. And my Mother was bipolar all of my life and I started going with her to her psyciatrist appts. Then I stared going to this psyciatrist on my own some and boy did it help. Then Mother died after a 5 yr very difficult time, medical problems one right after the other , it seemed forever. Plus I had IBS-D all this time. I was exhausted as you are now. I didn't take care of myself and her psyciatrist taught me how to say no sometimes and learn to be selfish, don't give all of yourself to everybody. take time for you. Kick your husband and any of his siblings in the butt and tell them to HELP with their own parents. TAKE TIME FOR YOUR SELF NOBODY ELSE WILL!!!!@!@!!!!!! Spend time with your friends and family members only if you enjoy them.... Go off by yourself ... Boy I LOVE MY ALONE TIME!!!! Shout it to the rooftops if you have too. Now my DAD is dealing with lung cancer. I don't work either. But I go to all of his drs appt. with him . It's very hard and I love him very much. Seeing him sick hurts me soooooooo-o bad. Now also I am having to deal with my Stepmother ( she can be very rude and coldhearted toward everyone) Sorry that this is so long ... But just because you don't work at a paying outside job doesn't mean you are responsible for everyone every time the phone rings!!!!!!!! Get help for them from a nursing service, etc. RELAX TAKE A HOT BATH WITH NO INTERRUPTION.. GET A MASSAGE OR GET YOUR HAIR DONE OR GO ON VACATION BY YOURSELF AND ENJOY!!!
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-----Marilyn-----
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I'm so sorry you are having such a tough time. I wish I had some really good advice to give you. I'm not sure if this helps, but it sounds like you're so busy, and consequently tired, that you don't have the time to make/eat safe foods. I am also very busy and stressed (not on the same level as you, however) and I find that the following things work for me:
*During the week when I am really busy with work and then stuff at home I try to eat lots of small meals/snacks during the day and evening. Some examples are: minute rice (which I make a few servings at a time so I have some for a couple of days), bagels, Luna bars (great for taking with you to work, on errands, etc.), Arrowroot cookies, fat free saltines with peanut butter, Baked Lays, pretzels, safe cereal...that's all I can think of right now, but I'll send you more suggestions/ideas when I think of them. One thing that I really like to take to work with me are these Thai Kitchen Instant Rice Noodle Soups (I love Thai Ginger) Thai Kitchen. I just bring a rubbermaid container with me, add some hot water, microwave for a couple of minutes, then let it sit for a few minutes, and then I have a delicious snack/mini-meal! Just make sure you read the labels in case you have particular food sensitivities (peanuts, etc.) - but I've never had any bad reactions to the flavors I've tried (but the Lemongrass & Chili flavor is quite spicy).
*I love to bake so I try to make the Breads in Heather's Eating for IBS cookbook on a regular basis. I make enough to freeze a couple of loaves so I know I can pull one out of the freezer when I need to. I usually do my baking on the week-end when I have more time.
Like other people have said, it's important to learn how to say "no" to people. It's really hard to learn this - I know, I'm just starting to learn it myself - but you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else (easier said than done, I know!). Also, sometimes I just have to say to myself that this or that isn't going to get done today, tomorrow, whatever. I'm a perfectionist, so this is really hard, but sometimes I just need to let it go.
I don't know if any of this helps. I will continue to think about suggestions I can give you. I would really like to help you because back in May you gave me such a wonderful suggestion with regard to Clarks shoes Clarks shoes post . I'm having an awful time with my back and I recently bought a couple pairs of Clarks sandals, which I love. Thank you so much 
You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Good luck dealing with everything. 
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