Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: A Hello and a request to college kids

I am a sophomore at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. I was recently, yesterday in fact, diagnoised with IBS when test after test came back normal.

* Do you think your IBS is caused by stress? I don't think that it is caused by stress but is definately aggravated by stress.
* Do your symptoms get worse around the time of midterms or finals? Definately, I am on tri-semesters , so I have the stress of finals THREE TIMES. this last time I had to get incompletes and do some finals on line.
* What kinds of foods can you make/eat at school? (Super easy, cheap recipes that can be made in the dorm would be a plus!) I have an appartment and currently I am trying to figure out what I can eat and make, etc.
* Have you explained your condition to roommates and friends? A little bit, but I am on spring break now so it is kind of hard. But when I go back to school I will tell my apartment mates.
* Do you ever drink alcohol or caffeine? (two popular college substances) NO, I have cut back on caffeine, as hard as that is, with two coffee shops on campus!
* How has IBS affected your social life at school? yes, my boyfriend broke up with me, not only because of my "problems" which were not diagnosed at the time but also I was never on campus always coming home on the weekends, during the week, etc. I am trying to get back into dating but I definately think it will be hard, since I can't even invite him to get a cup of joe and talk.! I also get scared that I will get sick away from home
* How has IBS affected your school work/GPA? I had to take an incomplete in one class, but my overall performance was affected instead of getting B+'s I got B's
* Have you explained your IBS to your professors? I told them what was going on before I was diagnosed and all were extremely understanding and wished me well again.
* Have you ever considered (or have) droppped out of school due to IBS? I thought about it, but knew that I would feel worse by not doing anything, so I decided to go back and.. hey I was offered an RA position!
* Have you used any college resources to help you with your IBS?(Student Health, Counseling Center, Disability Support Services, Yoga classes at the school gym, etc.) I am going to check into the counseling center for stress mangement, etc.
* Any other anecdotes relating to college and IBS

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