Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | IBS, aging, and other conditions

Hi, y'all...

I'm a 40 year old female. I had my first attack of IBS when I was about 16 years old. Of course, at that time, I had no idea what it was, and didn't have another attack until my early 20's. Since that time, I've slowly gone from 1-2 attacks per year, to 1-2 attacks per month, to 1-2 attacks per week, to now, almost daily. I will admit that I eat ALL the wrong things, and always have, however I guess that as I get older, it makes me worse. Anyone else?

I have recently begun the BRAT diet for a week, because I just can't take it any longer...I'm sick as a dog.

I also have suffered with panic attacks since I was 17. Oddly, those have gotten better as I age, but the generalized anxiety has become worse.

I suffer from a hypothyroid and take medication for it daily. As a result, I can't eat any soy products, as they interfere with thyroid function. I'm also significantly overweight, in part, due to the thyroid issue.

I have, as well, a condition called endometrial hyperplasia which causes me to have horrific, irregular, almost constant periods. Both this and the thyroid cause my hormones to go wonky, and I find that when my periods are at their worst, my IBS is at its worst.

I ache all over, especially my joints. I feel like I'm 80 years old in the morning when I get out of bed. My head is foggy and I can't remember anything anymore! Sheeeesh!

I work a part-time job, usually 2 days a week, sometimes 3. I'm not able to commit to any more than that with how lousy I feel most of the time. Because of that, I pay for my own health insurance, which covers NONE of this, as they are all "pre-existing conditions." UGH!

Holy cow, I sound like a one woman hospital ward LOL!

I'm sorry this is so long...I'm just wondering if anyone else has or sees any connection between any of these other conditions and the IBS. I can't help wonder if they are all somehow connected...and where to start to BREAK the darn connections and start feeling better. I'm getting very very discouraged and depression is setting in.

Thanks for reading my rambling.

Gentle hugs to those that need them,
Leslie

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