Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: IBS venting, remember you are not alone

i am a 26 year old female who has had IBS for about 4 years now, also. Like you I was active, outgoing, fearless really. And now I stay in often on weekends, and skip out on things I used to enjoy. It sucks!

Just don't give up hope. Last year, July 2003, I just wanted to give up and stop eating completely, because even crackers and rice were making me sick. But I gradually worked in the SFS and gentle foods, and am now doing much better. Part of getting stabilized is just believing you will. Although, IBS, is a physical condition and I hate it when the doctors or other people tell me it is "all in my head", I have to admit that it is very much a mental and stress triggered condition. So just thinking positive really helps.

And yes having a job is hard. I never come in late, because I wake up about 3 hours before I have to be at work, just to make sure everything is stable before I leave. Plus I hate riding to meetings or training seminars with other people, and when I choose to ride alone, I don't get paid mileage, it sucks because IBS costs me extra money all the time. Plus I get tired of answering the question "why aren't you eating?" "why are you so picky?", "you're so thin, that ice cream won't hurt you", at every work function I go to.

My family has grown to understand. It has been hardest for my father to understand, because as a child I would eat anything, seriously, there is not a food I didn't like, and he can't understand why I can't eat it now.

I have a degree in Chemical Engineering and am so glad my IBS did not pop up until my last semester of college, or I don't think I would have made it through. I also want to get my MBA, and people at work keep encouraging me and asking why I haven't started on it yet. But I just don't think my stomach can hold up to going to work for 8 hours and then going to class and doing homework.

Anyway, a long post, to make a short statement. "you are not alone in the way you feel, and you will get better."

go to the doctor and rule out anything else, so it can clear your mind and concentrate on dealing with IBS.

lots of luck,
angela

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