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I was having stomach problems from a young age - I remember having problems in kindergarten! But it really became apparent when I was in 6th grade and got an ulcer on top of having ibs.
You should know that you're by no means the only kid in your school who has this problem! (Which is how I used to feel.) Adults barely talk about digestion problems, and teens definitely don't spend a second talkng about their bathroom habits. At least my friends didn't. I'm 30 now, so I've been struggling with this a long time, but I only began to find things that helped me in the past few years. I spent many years going to doctors who just didn't know a lot about IBS and weren't sensitive to how much it affected me.
You're coming to this quite early in your life, and thats going to make a HUGE difference. No one can say whether you've got a long road ahead of you or not, in terms of dealing with IBS, but I think chances are good that you're going to find a way to at least manage this and be quite happy, and hopefully totally overcome it. Hang in there - Dan
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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Welcome Vikki!
#57018 - 04/01/04 08:27 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey Vikki!
Congrats on figuring out how to post! I'm sure you'll find tons of helpful advice here!
I too was really young when I started having stomach problems, I've had trouble for as long as I can remember, and my parents said I had trouble even when I was a baby. It may be a long road ahead of you, but you've just taken a great big step finding this website, I'm sure you'll be on your way to feeling better in no time!
I can totally understand what you're saying about school, I missed a lot of school and found it really difficult. I found one of the most important things was making sure I kept my teachers up-to-date on what was going on, so that they would know why I wasn't there, and when I was having bad days and staying at home, I tried really hard to keep on top of my work (even though there were a million other things I would have preferred to have been doing  ). Anyways, take care of yourself and ask any questions you need!
Kelly
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Hi! I am fairly new here too, but I wanted to say welcome! I was in 11th grade when I was first diagnosed with IBS. The doctor told me it was due to stress. I was always an overachiever...I had all college level classes and was working almost 30 hours a week. I was stressed to say the least. I started eating differently...kinda following this diet, then got better after about a year. Then just within the past year it has all started again. I don't know what the deal is...but I know in my instance stress plays the whole role! So...take it easy on yourself! High school is fun...just try to relax and take in all you can from this site. Everyone is SO helpful! I am only 20 now...so I understand what you mean about the long road ahead! Hang in there...we will all get through this together!!
Amanda
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Hiya! Welcome to the boards! I hope you feel a lot better now that you have found some good information to help you.
I was onna those kids who got it when I was really young, but nobody knew what it was. I remember my mom having to come and get me from school and take me home or to the doctor's as early as 3rd grade. In the 4th grade, I also got rushed to the hospital with what they thought was appendicitus and I had that happen several times throughout my childhood. In the 4th grade, I remember being told I had missed 44 days of school - oy! Mine seemed to get better while I was in highschool, got worse at the end of 2002 and has been the worste it's ever been this last year. I am 21 now.
Hope you find some good help, welcome again!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Was just reading your reply to Vicki and then went in and checked you bio. Haven been up to Canada many times. Do you have to wait long to see doctors for appts? I wish we had a system like yours where all of us are covered under some type of medical insurance. I don't have any so don't see the doctor as much as I would like to. Just learned how to post something myself. I'm losing my eyesight also but the IBS really has been doing a job on me lately. Does anyone know if the sulphur antibiotic they gave me could have set this off. Since I had my bladder infection this problem has gottem worse and won't go away. i just sent for the IBS Cookbook so am following what is on this site to help me in the meantime. So much good information here. It's nice to know there are other people you can turn to that know what you're going through. Thanks everybody!
Pat
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Hi Vikki,
Welcome!  As many others have said i think it's great that you found this site and can post now. i also got ibs when i was really young - i've had tummy troubles since i can remember back to when i was in grade school. i wasn't officially diagnosed until a few years ago and they didn't do all the tests usually done but i had been struggling for years by then with ibs. i am now 35 and have just found this site and heather's resources. i agree with everyone who said that it's great that you have found out what the problem is and and that you found us! to help out.
Ana
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Bethany-you asked if I take birthcontrol pills? YES!! I did a search on these boards and found lots of past discussions relating to bc. It just so happens that I started bc when I was 18, and I got IBS not too long after. And all my life I NEVER had problems with constipation or bloating or ANYTHING...so.....doesn't it seem a little odd that right when I start taking bc pills, all of these problems started???
But the real sucky thing is that bc pills totally helped regulate my periods and actually I hardly even have a period. It's almost like I'm a kid again....I have virtually almost no blood or cramps or anything....and another benefit of bc pills is that they are so easy to take and convenient...
So....Bethany..I assume you are also taking bc pills? Did you start noticing symptoms after taking these?
My fiance and I are planning on trying for a baby in the not too distant future, and I'm PRAAAAAAYING that when I get off them, a miracle will happen and I will feel better
Also, I have heard that some people feel lots better when they are pregnant (but that's mainly with people that have D, not C)...so maybe people with C get more constipated? I think I would kill myself..
Anyway, sorry for the long message, anyone that's reading this...
Bethany, any comments? 
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Melissa - I am sooo glad you responded. I reeaally think we are on to something with this whole BC issue. I started on my BC when I was around 18 also, my periods stopped coming and it was to regulate my cycles. I have been on the pills ever since. I wanted to go off them a year ago, but my hubby and I just got married and I decided to stay on them since we are not ready for kids just yet.
I, too, NEVER had problems till around the time I started on the pill. I use to have the flattest belly and no gas! I swear I even ate ice-cream every night as a dessert after dinner. Yummm!
On the actual week of my period I do not have to take a pill (that is the sugar pill week), and I actually feel better those weeks. I am switching to the patch this Sunday. I wanted to see if maybe the patch will be different since you do not have to digest it. I will let you know if my symptoms are better with the patch. I figure it is worth a try. We'll see! – here's to hoping!!
So what do you think!!? What BC do you take right now? We'll have to see if your symptoms are better once you go off the pill for the pregnancy - how exciting for you!!
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"Love isn't love, until you give it away!"
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Bethany- Yes, dairy did not seem to ever affect me before either! I used to drink TONS of milk and I was a major cereal fanatic for a long time.
Since I've been 18, I've only taken Necon (which is a generic brand, but obviously has worked great).
I tried Orthotricyclen in the beginning, but it made me feel SO emotional and cry a bunch.
Yes, I was also thinking of the patch...but you're still getting hormones..so I don't know. Maybe it's different because you're not actually ingesting the hormones in your stomache????? Hmmmmmm, interesting! 
Yeah, please let me know how it goes if you try the patch. That would be very interesting to see how that goes. I would be a convert in no time flat if it works!!
Talk to you soon!
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Glad you found us. I have been posting here for a little over a year and before that I posted on the I village IBS boards when Heather was just getting her first book together. That's where I first heard of her and the IBS book(s).
For me.....as far back as I can remember I have always had IBS symptoms....but officially diagnosed about 6 years ago. When I was a child I always had frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom when in school and my pediatrician called it a "nervous stomach". Just lived with it and was raised on down-home country cooking....greasy, fried, fattening foods (yet delicious) that at the time I didn't know were triggers for my condition. Once I moved away from home, I was able to customize my diet to my needs instead of having to eat how everyone else in the family ate. Don't get me wrong...my mom was and is a great cook....just nobody understood my condition back then. I'm 36 now. About the only things I do for my IBS-D is watch my diet as close as possible, get plenty of rest, try not to get too stressed (easier said than done), visit with my friends here, exercise (walking whenever possible), and keep Imodium close at hand where ever I go. It's the IBS'ers American Express...."don't leave home without it". 
Once again....Welcome.
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