Just out of curiosity
#300544 - 02/22/07 06:31 PM
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Just wondering what everyone did for a living/occupation
how do you deal with bad days, anxiety, etc?
How do you make yourself comfortable, calm, or routines?
Just a topic starter, I've been wondering for a while.
I personally am a cosmetologist, I do hair/waxing/makeup for a living, but am now out of work until more tests/medicines/anything helps me a bit more. I have a colonoscopy next wednesday, hopefully I can get some answers for once.
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I'm a Nanny. I really don't have much problem with anxiety since hypno. And I live just a few miles from home so I generally don't have to worry about traffic.
Good luck with the colonoscopy.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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I am an assistant manager at a clothing store...
I deal with bad days at this point by just getting through them. If I have to work, I come up with a treat for myself when I get home...a movie, a heating pad and tea can calm me down from a really rough "ibs" day...if I have the day off I like to go for a walk, do something that relaxes me like art work, or reading. As for anxiety..I am still battling it, tomorrow I have plans to go downtown to Vancouver. Which I havn't done since I first got sick about 5 months ago. I am excited thought, I feel good and havn't been sick in a while so positive thinking will win over anxiety..Positive thinking has helped me alot...mind over matter...
s.
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I am also a cosmetologist, but now I'm a stay-at-home mom. When I still worked in shops, my IBS and work was pretty easy. My attacks are always in the morning. Generally, by noon, I'm fine. When I worked in a shop, I always worked noon to 9pm.
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I'm a musician - composer and pianist. I support myself by working in records management at a Biotech company, though.
At work, I have this little mantra for bad days when I am running to the bathroom. "What happens in the bathroom, stays in the bathroom". In other words, as long as I can still be functional and productive at work, it's nobody's business how often I go and such. It helps that my desk is fairly near the bathroom. I also drink lots of peppermint tea, which really helps. Luckily, since starting the diet and SFS, bad days have become extremely rare.
At home, I have to admit, I'm pretty darn relaxed about bad days. In my own home, I have all the comfort and privacy I need and a very understanding DH. If I have to spend a lot of time in the bathroom, at least I get a lot of reading done!
So far, IBS hasn't gotten in the way of my music at all. I even gave a recital in January, and things went just fine IBS-wise (I did use Immodium as a preventative), and better than fine music-wise.
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-Carol
IBS-A
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I work for the UK immigration service. My colleagues seem to notice my healthy food (were pretty much a grab a burger office) we dont get a lunch break  but lucky we are pretty relaxed and as no one is chained to their desk, so I dont think anyone noticed when i had d attacks- i dealt with it by making sure i had immodium on hand and sometimes just shutting my eyes and deep breathing in the bathroom helped me get perspective. luckily my ibs-d has never been so bad that it interfered with my work, think it actually helps me switch off and ive noticed a lot of the time if you dont think about it it doesnt happen! 
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I am currently a stay-at-home mom but when my IBS was really bad, I was in the teaching field. I had a few really bad episodes where I had to repeatedly leave my classroom, once with a lunch aide which of course was illegal but I had absolutely no choice at that moment. Then I worked as a consultant and I thought it would be better b/c I would have the freedom to run to the bathroom without having students, however, we ALWAYS had early morning meetings with parents and I was usually leading them so that was extremely stressful. I think that no matter what job you have, it can impact your life but if you let your co-workers know that you have a "condition" and then have a pre-set excuse for your customers, most of the time no one will even notice, or at least not as much as us IBSers do when we are having an attack. Stick with the diet and this site and your attacks should be few and far between, giving you much more confidence. Good luck with your colonoscopy. 
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I am a sexual assault crisis counselor. I was a cosmetologist for 8 years and I also did makeup for film/tv.
I had a major career change after I went back to university. The exams and stress at college really exacerbated my GI issues. It wasn't until I hit 30 when my IBS went into full "explosion" (pun intended) That's when I got serious about taking care of myself, dig. enzymes and a probiotic. I would be even better if I could find the mojo to exercise...regularly. The colonoscopy is something I did in November. Peace of mind---follow the instructions about prep on this website. They help!!! Peace.....
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Amy
IBS-A
Stable and thankful!
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I teach 5th grade and bad days are hard to deal with. We only go to the restroom when the bell rings as we can't leave 28 kids in a class unsupervised.  I get through the bad spells with deep breathing, yoga and Immodium! Since I started the hypnosis tapes I've had MUCH less trouble.
I have a colonoscopy every other year as colon cancer runs in my family. I'm 42 and have had precancerous polyps removed twice. At least I know and can do something about it!
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I'm a floral designer. Most of the time work isn't that stressful, it's kinda relaxing. However we do have our busy times, like Valentines Day, then it's very stressful. I have one of those big plastic containers, my co-workers call it "Shannon's little kitchen" and I keep my teas and snacks in. I always take my lunch and during Valentines Day dinner with me. It's also good to have a very understanding boss, mine's great. If I'm having alittle trouble in the morning I just call and let her know I'm gonna be alittle late. I also try to keep busy, so that I'm not thinking about whether I'm gonna need to run off to the bathroom. I was working full time and my IBS was worse, so last summer I went to part time, and I feel much better. I enjoy my job, so I'm glad I've found a nice balance. If for some reason I've had a bad day at the shop, when I get home I lie down with my heating pad and that always seems to work.
shannonm
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IBS-A
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I'm CFO for a company that manufactures printed circuit boards. We are a small company with 39 employees, so I am the accounting dept, HR dept, reorder dept, & sometimes shipping dept. In other words, I do what needs to be done. My job is very stressful at times. I am IBS-C, pain predominent, so I don't have to be concerned with being near a bathroom. I have gotten control of the C through this diet and the advice of everyone here, but the pain still seems to be an issue when I am stressed (which has been alot lately).
I deal with the bad days & anxiety by listening to the hpnotherapy tapes, reading, working on projects inside and outside the house. Anything to keep myself focused on anything but the pain.
This site has been a life savor, and I thank everyone here!
Snookie, IBS-C
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Snookie, IBS-C
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As my civilian full-time job, I am in public relations working for the Army. I am also an Army Reserve Soldier and the single mother of a college student. Combined, this can get pretty stressful. Stress seems to be my main trigger lately, no matter what I do.
I am half-way through listening to the hypnotherapy CDs. I go to the gym three days a week, and exercise on the other days. I just bought a 'Yoga for Stress' DVD. I take long relaxing baths, walk my dog, read the newspaper and hang out with friends and family to relax.
I only found this site a few months ago, but the people on here, along with the info I have found, have been invaluable in helping me deal with IBS. Thank you!!!
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I am very new to this site and love it, love it, love it! I haven't felt this good in months! I am an office manager for a large trailer manufacturer -- stress is a given. Had a diverticulitis attack in November and ended up in the hospital for 3 days. After every round of meds another attack. Drs finally figured out it wasn't diverticulitis, but IBS. Gave me different meds and said to say low residue until I felt better. Didn't work. BUT this website did the trick! Still taking the cheat sheet wherever I go, still on "safe" foods, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Stress relievers for me involved taking a company golf cart and taking a spin around our property, enjoying the glorious Alabama weather (at least lately) and deep breathing fresh air. Started going back to aerobics class, which boosted my energy level and I turned off the television! Peppermint tea and fennel tea calm me down almost immediately and I have had this much water to drink in years!
Reading through the message boards is my new hobby! I have learned so much and feel so confident that I can beat IBS-A! I can't wait to start cooking and baking again ... my DH has been fending for himself while I figure out how to best feed myself!
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I'm an aerospace engineer and I work for a company that launches rockets carrying satellites. Our main customer is the government, and I work in an industry that always needs to do more for less, so obviously it can get stressful! Especially when I'm working my own mission and it's getting near launch day. But I love my job, so that helps! I don't have too many bad days anymore, but my boss is aware of my situation, so that helps. Checking in with this message board several times a day always makes me feel better, too!
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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)
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What a great idea to ask that question! Until 8 months ago I was a director of a very small animal shelter. The stress was unbelievable, and my episodes (pain/bloating,C) were pretty much daily with little relief. I finally decided to resign, and am now an office manager for a church. I've gone from high stress to practically none. Was finally diagnosed in November (after about 30 years of symptoms) and found Heather in December. Yesterday I celebrated my 3rd week with a quite gut!! Yee Ha. Like another post I read this morning, I think Heather is a genius. I've been following the diet, taking Acacia and Peppermint pills and tea, and feel incredible (not to mention I've lost 10 pounds!) I've been adding a tiny bit of insoluble fiber back in my diet and so far so good-but I'm afraid to add too much. I love this website and finding so many others from such varied walks of life and hearing how they deal with this problem. At least we're in this together!
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I am a nurse, that went back to school for her counseling degree in chemical dependency. Unemployed at the present, had a hysterectomy in December and have been having troubles ever since. There was never a lot I could do to "calm" myself down, so I have unfortunately reverted to using RX medication for that. I wake up with panic attacks, and it happens throughout the day Actually going shopping relaxes me some, but then I get anxious I spend money I don't have.... I read my bible, drink lots of peppermint tea, just changed from fennel, which took me forever to get used to....I forget what else you wanted to know...sorry
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IBS-D, extreme pain and cramping - GERD - lactose/dairy intolerant, OCD, Fibromyalgia
DX: w/ Multiple Sclerosis 3/10
I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me. Phil 4:13
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I'm a book buyer as a profession, and a writer and actress in spirit. Calming things for me include anything that brings me back to me: meditation, yoga, dancing, old movies, jazz music, the ocean, the redwoods, swimming, hiking or walking in nature, certain people in my life, and books, books, books. I like to light candles before bedtime to help me wind down. A cup of tea is calming. Deep breathing and staying in the moment, rather than "what-iffing," or thinking about what I need to do in the future. Trusting that my intuition will figure it out and let me know. Anything that gives me a bigger perspective on things (talking to a friend, reading an uplifting book, taking a walk outside).
I suffer from generalized anxiety and have had panic disorder. I took a benzodiazepine for many years and was addicted. It took seven very hard months to get off it. Now I use cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for dealing with my anxiety. This therapy is explained in books by David Burns. Based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings, it's a way to be aware of the thoughts that are causing your feelings, the underlying belief, and reframing them in order to change how you feel. It works. It takes time, but it works. It also helps to get involved in a group of people who are learning CBT because you can motivate each other.
It's also helpful to me to admit whatever I'm anxious about, because once I express it, it dilutes it's power. And a sense of humor helps above all.
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