Hello Old Friends!
#329886 - 05/16/08 07:05 PM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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Hello everyone!
I know it has been a loooong time, but I thought I would pop in and say "Hi" and give a little update and see how all my old "joined together by tummy troubles" friends.
Every once in a while, I do stick my head in and try to read up on how everyone is doing but I admit it's not as often as I would like!  
Since I was a regular poster on here, a lot of things have changed for me but I am doing really well at the moment. I have made some changes in my life that I think have gone a long way towards making me a lot happier and less stressed about my tummy so that has been really great. The most valuable change I made was with my job. I was working at a bank head office that was about an hour from my house; The commute from my house in traffic every day was a big cause of stress for me and I was missing quite a bit of time. About 5 months ago, I found a job that is WAY closer to home, much more interesting and better pay. It took a while to find, but it was so worth it. It takes me 5 minutes to get to work each way, so my days at work are so much shorter. I don't worry about not making it to work on time because I have to stop for bathroom breaks and without that stress, I end up not even needing all the bathroom breaks I used to! I am home early, have time to actually have a life outside work and am getting more bold all the time about my social life, which was getting pretty restricted due to anxiety.
The other thing I thought I should mention here was that I started regularly seeing a naturopath doctor. At first, it was a great experience. The Dr I saw had stomach problems when he was younger so he really understood what I was going through; He was attentive and very thorough. He gave me supplements and a diet to follow that really helped (and let me stick to Heather's guidelines, for the most part).
Here's the downside, it's expensive. Really expensive. He wanted to do test after test and even though my insurance covers a $ amount per year, it ran out really fast. I noticed that he started focusing a lot more on my weight (and I am overweight, don't get me wrong) and started wanting to prescribe me all sorts of other things and do more tests to get my weight down. It got to the point where he wouldn't even touch my stomach issues and I felt like he was being very pushy about doing some hormone stuff for my weight. By then, I was out of money and felt like I had a way better handle on my stomach stuff and said I wouldn't be going back for a while. I just wanted to share my experience for anyone else considering going to a naturopath, I definitely think it can be worthwhile but watch where your money goes.
Overall, I feel more content than I have in years. I feel a lot more at peace and I don't think I even realised how constantly I was feeling anxious until I finally started to calm down. Now that I have gotten this far, I am going to focus on my weight a bit more but on my own terms. I signed up for an all-womens 8 week "wellness" program that does fitness, nutrition, yoga, meditation, etc.
Hm, other stuff: I am still with Adrian and we are very happy now. It is true that being happy within yourself makes it so much easier to be happy with your partner. We have been spending quite a bit of time browsing the diamond ring section of jewellery stores, so I might have some other big news pretty soon.  We bought a condo that I ADORE in December and it has worked out really well, feels very grown up.
I miss everyone, and will try to stop in more to give feedback to newbies and check in on my friends.
Michele - You are such a trooper, and I saw your post about your friend's wedding and wanted to tell you that you looked totally gorgeous. I know you have gone through a lot of crap, but it sure didn't show in those photos. I keep you in my thoughts.
Shell - I saw the picture of you in those jeans and DAMN girl, you are looking good! I am so proud of you, and I miss you! Would be great if we could try and get together this summer, let me know what you think!
Yikes, I gotta run. Didn't think I'd ramble on that long, sorry if I missed people but I guess that gives me more reason to come back! 
Love, 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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I have been reading all the wonderful posts for a year now and decided to "chime in"! I'm a 58-year-old female and was first diagnosed with a "spastic colon" (back then) at the age of 12 - think some trauma set it off, plus a very negative home environment - always stresful. Back then all they knew was psychotropic meds - which just knocked you out, but still had "D" 15 x a day...Continued for yrs even while working in mental health - varous meds. Then a 12-year span of health, no IBS or panic attacks. More trauma, multiple family deaths, etc. brought it all back plus panic attacks daily. Right now, PA's have subsided w/ help of Xanax. Enought of my history.:-) Have a question... I have the usual "D" under extreme emotional stress then "C" the next week... Trying hard to follow Heather's excellent advice about soluble fiber, etc. My job is very stressful in guidance dept of alternative school and I know I don't relax enough. But, does anyone have immediate swelling of their stomach (not abdomen - above belly button) and pressure in chest when stressed and/or eat something wrong??? I've always been "some" overweight, but this swelling/pressure make my "gut" feel like it's going to explode. I use a heating pad and by the next morning some better. My doctor says my colon spasms and it causes the pressure in my chest... Scary! Really confused about carbs vs. protein. Diagnosed also with food allergies & candidiasis... i.e. wheat, dairy - but think it's really leaky gut... so hard to know what to eat. I don't think I'm ever really realaxed. Does anyone agree with the "Eat Right for Your Blood Type" - stick to non-gassy carbs if you a A type like me? Really can identify with the bra problem too! :-) Thanks!
"To The World You May be One Person, To One Person You May Be The World"
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"I Will Survive! :-)... I shall live and not die and declare the works of The Lord..."
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Hey Steph, nice to "see" you again!! Thanks for the update! Sounds like things are going pretty well overall! Its so great that you found such a wonderful job so close to home, thats got to be such a huge relief. Good luck with the womans class, weight is so hard to lose but Shell is a great example for us all. Will be looking for future updates and hopefully pictures of a new ring soon!! 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hey Stephie
#329985 - 05/19/08 04:17 PM
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Janey
Reged: 10/25/03
Posts: 1716
Loc: Maryland
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I am so happy for you. You sound wonderful and so positive about life. I am glad that things have finally settled down and you are feeling good.
I think there are a lot of us old timers that aren't on the boards anymore. I miss everyone. I am like you though and am not on much anymore.
Good to see you again,
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Janey
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Steph:
I miss you too sweetie pie!! I'm so happy that things are going so well for you too.... (tell that boy to get down on one knee already!!) hehehe
I'd love to hook up this summer.... Shane & I are closing on a new townhouse on the 29th.... so I'll let you know then the house warming party is!! 
{{hugs}}
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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Thanks Michele!
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www.facebook.com/shell.marr
www.myspace.com/shellmarr
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