Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Harassment at work due to IBS!

Wow. I got tears in my eyes reading your post. Unfortunately, IBS takes away a lot of our self esteem because we are constantly doubting our ability to have control over our lives. I had a similar situation happen to me at work as well. One of the ladies I teach with asked another coworker what in the world was wrong with me and why did I miss so much work. Of course, I don't have the lack of self esteem problem so I went up to that lady and politely told her that I have IBS, explained what it was (very vividly) and told her why I miss work. I then had a run in with the principal at my school. She gave me the usual "isn't there something you can TAKE for that?" I told her I was doing all I could but please don't harrass me because it's illegal. I have a diagnosed medical condition and from what I understand, as long as I'm doing my job - she just has to take it. Basically, I think a lot of people are fooled into thinking that as long as our illness isn't killing us it can't be that bad. For those people, I talk to them and tell them how bad it really is. Now a days, people at my job ask me how I feel and what they can do for me. It helps a lot with the anxiety. Hope this helps. My advice, talk to them like adults (even though they don't act like it) describe how you suffer and the steps you're taking to help yourself. Ask them to walk a day in your shoes and imagine how it would feel for them to be sick for the rest of their lives. It gets people thinking. Take care.

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