Holy Moly.. I'm not alone?!?!
#240991 - 01/24/06 06:45 AM
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Angie B.
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 2
Loc: Spring Hill, FL
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I've known about my condition of IBS for about 3 years now. I'm currently a Senior at my local high school, and i couldn't begin to explain the discomfort I've been through. Having to go to the bathroom ((or at least "thinking I do")) and spending up to 1/2 on the toilet didn't exactly fit into my daily class schedule. I'd be in class and the thought of running to the door or crying because I crave normal crossed my mind so many times. The past two year's have effected my future so greatly that I sit here and question if I really will ever be normal. ((Normal as in not living in my bathroom)) I even feel uncomfortable going to see a movie in theaters sometimes b/c of my stomach hurting or making noises that I just can't ignore and refuse to chew gum b/c for some reason that upsets my stomach too? After numerous doctors appointments, therapist visits and speeches about how "this is all in your head," the class room inventually got so intence for me that I took it upon myself to stop going and made skipping part of my schedule. The thought of putting myself into that position of discomfort and humiliation of stomach noises and growling, gave me sweaty palms and panic attacks. I was informed during this past Christmas break that b/c of my poor attendence I was being withdrawn from school. My mother is very supporting and faught for me 110%. With old doctors notes and trying to explain in a few words ((without embarressing myself)) that this IBS is nothing fun, they gave me a second chance. Christmas Vacation is now over and I'm back to school. I've gone to school every day for the past three weeks and i've bit my tounge, held my stomach, and stuck it out in every quiet classroom I've been put in. ((Isn't that amazing that I'm excited about being able to sit in a class room?)) That is.. up until last Thrusday. When I didn't have enough time to fully finish my daily routine of bathroom time in the morning, I was stuck in the dreadful Algebra II class that I thought was literally never going to end. After, not being able to bare another second during a quiz review, I quickly asked to go to the bathroom and came straight to my Guidence department. My new counsoler Mrs. Issaccson has always asked me to be open with her and that she'll never know what i'm going through unless I told her. I walked into her office and my shaking hands and watery eyes couldn't help but break down. I poured my heart out about everything. About my stresses, about my family, about my wish of being normal.
I tried. I tried my hardest to be strong and I've come to realize that sometimes it's okay not to be. Turns out, my fabulous new friend Mrs. Issaccson has a similar problem.
It's no loner Thursday and is now Tuesday. I woke up this morning with the same problem and started crying. I came straight to her b4 class and are now in the school guidence department typing my first ((and far from last post.)) I plan on looking at Heather's diet and reading her book in hope of some miracle. I figured I'd share my story and be a frequent visitor on this site. I find comfort in knowing I'm not alone and wish everyone luck with their own problems. Bell just rung, and I have to go to my next period class. I'll be okay. 
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hi angie. welcome. i'm so glad you found this site - heather's diet has helped a lot of people, and these boards have, too. i so understand what you're going through - i'm glad your mother and guidance counselor are there to support and defend you. this diet can take a little time to work, but, hopefully, you'll start to feel better soon.
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jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
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Thanks for the comment back Jaime. It really means a lot that u took the time to read all that. I really would like to start Heather's diet thing, but I kind of don't know where to start. Any quick tips? Hopefully ttys:)
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starting heather's diet really isn' that hard. read through the diet info on the website (more than once, probably, to really take in all of the info). if you can buy the book or get it from a library, that's good, too, because it's a little clearer, i think, and more in depth. but even if you just go by the website, it's doable. (that's what i did.)
as for where to start, start with the diet. the most important thing, i guess, is to eliminate triggers - dairy, alcohol, caffeine, fatty/fried foods, etc. (the website has the whole list.) if you're having bad symptoms now, you should also do the breaking-the-cycle diet for a few days (no more than three). once you're done with that, start carefully integrating protein, fruits, and veggies - the website explains what and how.
and of course, the boards are a great place for support. keep in mind that people on the boards often have their own personalized ways of using the diet - the website is the basics, the boards are often the fringes/margins. but it's still a great resource.
hope that helps - let me know if you have any questions or anything.
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jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
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In addition to the diet, you also might want to check out the Hypnosis board. It may sound crazy, and most people try it as a last resort, but it only involves listening to an audio recording for 1/2 hour per day and has substantially reduced symptoms for most people who have tried it. Just like most people, I didn't even consider it at first because it seemed too "out there," but now I'm in the middle of it and think it's working. Just a thought
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Hi Angie,
Do you remember how you were before you discovered you had IBS?
I have a similar problem too, and I noticed that bubble gum containing "Xylitol" really really upsets my stomach. I stopped eating bubble gum completely and I feel a little better.
I recently found that drinking "Dole pineapple juice canned" about 1/2 hour to 1 hour before class helps.
How do you eat. Make sure you eat sufficient meals at regular times. I found that eating sufficient meals really helps. I also found that eating a better breakfast helps. I started eating cereals and an omlette every day.
Try to stay relaxed. I found stress increases my problem.
My other suggestions are to take a bath every day and to wear washed clothes every day. Try your best to stay focussed in classes. Try not to take this in a negative way. My sister has a similar problem as you and me and if I tell her this she bursts out on me accusing me of saying that she has all this in her mind. But do remember I have the same problem and it does help me. I do not know if I pay attention because I dont' have the problem on a particular day , or if I don't have the problem on a particular day because I pay attention. Remember that I am saying all this in an attempt to be helpful.
Tell me how my suggestions work,so that I can show a particular someone that I am not being "" with useless suggestions. Hopefully I know that these suggestions will reduce your problem by a large amount in a matter of a short time.
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Hi Angie,
It does not look like you have been checking the replies to your question lately, but if you are checking it you may want to look at the following site:
http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic22610.html
Hey, from your post you seem smart. Hope, you get your problem solved soon, and start feeling normal again ( in the classroom too) and go on to college.
Best of Luck
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