Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Parent's first year

Hi there,
First I wanted to say Welcome to the boards and to let you know how lucky I think your son is to have parents who are really trying to help him. You are already helping him more than you probably know as a lot of us complain about the lack of understanding/sympathy we get from family and friends - so he's very lucky!
I think it is especially hard for kids to deal with IBS and all the diet restrictions because they just want to do what their friends are doing and it just seems really unfair that they can't. He'll probably have to come around by himself to the fact that he really CAN'T eat what his friends are or what's easily accessible or he gets sick.
In the meantime, I think having lots of food around that is safe is really important. If you can take a look through the Recipe board and find some that he might like, meals will seem more 'normal' and not like he is being restricted. There is also a great list of IBS-safe snack foods and easy food 'on the go'. If you can really stock up on that stuff, he may be more likely to grab one of those than something else that will surely upset his stomach.

As for the reducing the amount of time that he is sick, is he on any medication? If he gets a bad attack, but has good meds on hand he may be able to 'bounce back' faster. If he is taking steady medications (rather than just 'as needed') they also may work as a preventative for any attacks in the first place. You can ask his doctor about anti-spasmodics or other meds he think may benefit your son's condition. Peppermint capsules are good for cramps/diarhea (what type IBS is he?) and are not prescription so they might be worth a try as well.

Hope some of that was helpful, I tend to ramble! Good luck and I hope your son starts to feel better really soon!
--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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