My IBS Story
#23652 - 10/16/03 08:30 PM
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Ever since I was 14 in highschool, having it rough with stress, and health problems-I got IBS. It just added to my depression and many days of not eating anything only worsened my feelings. Also, doctors made me think I was all crazy and like I wasn't really sick. They acted like I was spoiled and just wanted to get out of school, but I don't know who would say, hey I think I'll go to the bathroom all day... Also, there were so many many times that I wished I could rip out my gut myself, it hurt so bad-I had a chronic case.
Is it normal for an IBS sufferer to be up at night losing hours of sleep? Also, it used to interfere with all my daily activities, such as not being able to travel at age 14. I think the reason I didn't eat or not eat too much, is because I thought it would hurt my gut, though, I had no reason why. This was a major inconvenience. You see I have a heart conditon, www.4hcm.org, and it was putting strain on it and I was weakened. It was really tough, it was a hassle just to go to the doctor, because my gut would clench up on me and then I would have to go so bad. One point, the pain was so bad, I could just cry.
Edited by tiredofibs (10/17/03 06:50 AM)
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You really need to get yourself checked out by a GI specialist. You can't self-diagnose IBS and if your doctor is unwilling to refer you then I would find another doctor that is a little more sympathetic. I think that many doctors are unsympathetic as they basically haven't got a clue about the cause and they have no magic pill to give you to make it all go away (I nearly swung for my doctor the other day when he said that it was only a bit of diarrhea and I needed to get a handle on it...arrrrggghhh!!!  )
The disruption of everyday activities seems to be a pretty constant thing with IBS sufferers, until they manage to get a handle on things. But if you are losing a lot of sleep then that in itself puts a strain on you which will only serve to make things worse.
I have been suffering since May this year and have only now started to stabilise a little. I suffer from occasional stress-related insomnia and I know that it always a double-whammy that if I miss out on sleep my colon goes spastic 
It's definitely a good idea to get hold of Heathers 'First Year IBS' book, as this should help in coming to terms with the condition and providing some real-good practical tips to help you stabilise and regain control.
If, as you indicate, yours is stress related then you are not alone and I can recommend another good book that I am reading at the moment called 'The Irritable Bowel Stress Book, by Rosemary Nichol' (ISBN: 0-85969-637-5). This has some great strategies on learning to get a handle on stress; to prevent IBS flare-ups.
Anyway, hope all that helps. If not I am sure you will get a lot of other suggestions; This is a really great forum with lots of friendly people that are more than willing to share their stories and what works for them.
Good Luck, and I hope you start to feel better soon!!
Best regards
Tim
--------------------
Tim
-A poor man's Jamie Oliver...without the attitude!
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A 'GI' Specialist, you say. Hm, I'll have to find one. Oh, and about you can't self-diagnose IBS, well, I had too for the circumstances. Can I self treat IBS? Well, no, not too good.
Do you know if IBS is genetic or anything? My brother and mother both have it. Though, my mother's IBS has seemed to disappear and I'm glad for her. My brother still has it. I though, was the one with the severe case. My Aunt too had this and Uncle. My grandmother has diverticulitis, I think its the same as Crohns disease.
Yeah, lack of sleep does make things worse. I've suffered with this for 7 years. I will have to check out 'The Irritable Bowel Stress Book, by Rosemary Nichol' (ISBN: 0-85969-637-5). As mine is stress related it seems.
Today, I have it less, but it is still present and I'm afraid of the chronicness coming again. Also, it used to interfere with all my daily activities, such as not being able to travel. I hope to get a regime to feel better on and I know that as soon as I read your book Heather, I will get there.
It's comforting to have this forum to go to with people who understand and can sympathize. I don't know, my IBS seems to have gotten better, as I have eaten Corn and used to couldn't as well as popcorn.
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