Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: New here and need advice, please

Hi, Gretchen!

Since following Heather's "breaking the cycle" diet - and rarely straying - I've been virtually free of IBS attacks for 6 weeks. (Just started the diet about two months ago - IBS-D). I was able to complete a four-week training program for a very stressful job and attendance was a huge factor in deciding whom they will actually hire (temp to perm). I missed exactly 1/2 day due to IBS - still not sure what the trigger was, but could have been from my colonoscopy - who knows! This is a dramatic turn of events for me - my previous job allowed me to have a very flexible schedule - could go home for a couple of hours if I had an attack, or come in late, etc. I've had IBS forever, it seems - just didn't know what it was. Mine is IBS-D and the attacks could be sudden and violent. I learned to take Imodium any day I would need to keep a commitment, or any day I was going to be really stressed out - my primary care doc said it was okay to take daily as a pre-emptive strike. I also carry Imodium with me as well as water, so I can chug one or two down if I feel the "gurgles" coming on! It has been a real help.

Regarding the anxiety about leaving the house: the important thing is to break the cycle - then start venturing out. And when you DO go out, take along a little lunch pack with your "safe foods" and tummy aids - and don't be tempted to order unsafe foods! Now that the weather is nice and school is about out for the summer, if you can't "leave home", spend time with your kids outside, sitting on the porch, playing in the yard, etc. My mother is physically handicapped from childhood polio and therefore wasn't able to do a lot of the things other moms did - but she did what she could and always was interested in whatever we were doing. If we went ice skating, she had "from scratch" hot chocolate waiting for us when we came home. It was the LOVE that was important! Don't feel guilty - this is something you didn't do to yourself. Try not to make a big deal about being sick in front of your kids - reassure them that you'll be better, but it's going to take some time and you're learning how to help yourself. Read thru the posts (use the search function for "nausea" and "constipation" posts, etc), and experiment with the tips until you find what works for you - and what to avoid, too! Remember to take your Citrucel or some sort of soluble fiber supplement. Watch out for high-fructose corn syrup, too. So, take heart - there's hope and you don't have to be chained to your house. You can be a "soccer Mom" again! Consider this a "recuperative" period while you break the cycle just as you would have to be a little home-bound from surgery or a bad flu. It will end! Your anxiety should ease as your physical symptoms ease. If you find yourself experiencing anxiety or "panic" attacks not related to your IBS concerns, you might want to talk to a counselor. (Learning deep breathing techniques helped me a lot).

Praying you're soon feeling much better!

Blessings,
Kaybee C

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