Working and IBS
#56925 - 04/01/04 02:44 PM
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Dolphin
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 94
Loc: NY, USA
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I have to know who works while having IBS and how do you get by when you have episodes. I only work part time, but I'm having a hard time with it...it's very frustrating and embarassing 
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I worked for 10 years with it. Lots of missed work from the pains and even the stress of it all. I just muddled my way through and hoped for the best and luckily was never let go, although I was a very dedicated hard worker, which I'm sure helped. Luckily I am retired now so it's much easier to deal with. I wish I'd had a site like this one with all the good food suggestions to help me during that time period as I wouldn't have missed so much work from being sick. I did find myself passing up many opportunities for advancement as I knew it involved more pressure & stress and didn't want to take the chance of getting worse.
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I work with my IBS, and I must admit, it is a source of a lot of stress for me. I just recently started working full-time (before I was a student) and it's a hard adjustment, because when you're in school you can miss classes without too much problem, although obviously you can't just miss work all the time.
Basically, I just try and stay calm and try and deal the best I can. As hard as it was for me, I advised my employer of my situation and they were very understanding, so now at least they know what's going on if I have to miss work or am spending a lot of time in the bathroom. I think being open and honest with your employer is important, and I think you may be surprised how understanding they are.
Also, there are some medications you can get that can be very helpful when you have to work. I have lomotil for when the D is really bad, that way if I have to go to work I can take that and it *usually* stops the D for me.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Kelly
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Yes, working with IBS can be hard. I have IBS-C, BUT I still have to run to the bathroom when I take my daily dicyclomine pill. It makes me have to go really fast and RIGHT away. So it's very good that I have a bathroom not too far from me.
Sometimes I get absolute severe bloating and incredible, excrutiating pain that makes me want to lay down and curl up in a ball----but, alas, I can't exactly do that at work. That REALLY sucks at work when you have major pain, and I can't help but have a look on my face of complete misery. Everyone must think I'm weird or sad when I'm in pain.
It's really hard having IBS and working. I've definitely had to take days off work because I would wake up with the WORST pain ever in my life in my stomache! There is no way I could stand up straight, much less go to work and FUNCTION!!!
Well that was my two cents. Sorry for rambling. 
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yah it is really hard to work with IBS...you just need to let your employer know about your IBS...as embarrassing as that might be...it'll make you relaxed knowing that you don't have to explain yourself if you're running back and forth to the washroom!!
Hang in there!!!
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Interesting that you asked the very same question I also asked when I first came onto the boards. There's a whole string of responses -- in The Living Room; I believe that's where I posted my question.
I won't repeat others' answers, but just my own. I was NOT able to work. I suspected I had something wrong with me in 1985 but continued to work until 2001. First, I switched jobs to something less stressful in 1989. When that didn't help, I switched to something even LESS stressful (each time, of course, with a lot less pay!), then when that didn't help, I cut my days down to only 2 a week. When I could no longer go to the office, not even 2 days a week, in 2001 I quit altogether.
It amazes me that so many people here CAN work -- and do so full-time -- AND go to school -- AND raise a family! One gal is even studying in Spain! This group is awesome! I couldn't do it. Not only do I not have the energy, but my stress level would go through the roof.
I applied to Social Security for disability benefits (I've worked for over 40 years), but they turned me down, telling me I should be able to find a job with an office near a bathroom.
Now, having said all that, let me just say something a little more encouraging for you, Dolphin: when I came on board here, I was a mess. My IBS was out of control. It was no wonder that I couldn't work. I couldn't even leave the confines of my home! Now, after following the program and getting all the phenomenal help from everyone here, and dong the hypnotherapy program, I can honestly say that I believe I could return to the work force now. I couldn't then, but I think I could now. Maybe not full-time, and I might have some stress problems initially, but yes, I think I could do it, now that I'm finally stable -- and intending to stay that way. My goal is to get to the point where the lady at the Macy's fragrance counter is. She said to me the other day that her IBS is in remission and has been for the past 10 years; she no longer thinks about it at all!
I'm gonna get there -- and so can you.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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it is very very tricky - and now that i've returned to work from my maternity leave i see that it's going to be harder than i thought!
i'm still trying to figure it out... 
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I work full time and I admit it is really difficult at times, especially the travelling to and from NY City, you never know when you'll get stuck.
I'm IBS-D and I really try to stick to my diet whenever I'm not at home because I can't deal with the fear of having to find a restroom quickly. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't depending on stress level as well.
My bosses are really pretty good about it. I have a demanding job working for 5 attorneys and don't miss too much work. I find I can't give in and let it get the better of me so I push myself to come to work even on those bad days--it gives you something else to focus on.
Barbara
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what's that pill you take for your c? does it essentially help you poop every day? i would be so happy if i could just poop every day!
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Barbara, hello neighbor! I live in Manhattan, Upper East Side. And yeah, commuting by public transportation with IBS is an especially interesting challenge, isn't it!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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