Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Another attack, telling friends, and a few other things...

Hi everyone,

I was reluctant to post this because everyone was so nice, supportive and hopeful about my last post, about how I have been stable for the last month. Unfortunately, a second month was not to be, and I'm currently going through one of the worst attacks I've had in my 6 or so months of progressively worse IBS. (It seems that I can get myself to go longer without an attack, but the falls from grace are more painful).

I had to leave work yesterday abruptly because I could hardly stand up straight the pain and cramping was so bad. I came home and slept off most of it, and was feeling a bit better (and yes, the D had returned at various intervals during the day). Just beforeI went to bed though the intense pain and cramps returned and I found myself crying in my boyfriends arms, lying in the fetal position and clutching my stomach - honestly, I've never felt pain like that before. With the help of a hot pack and some TLC from my wonderful boyfriend, the pain started to subside after about 30 mins and I was able to sleep. Needless to say, I'm home from work today.

The D started a few days ago actually, so I've been on all-solubles since then. It seemed the horrible cramping started when I started to reintroduce insolubles: all I had was a chicken breast the night before, some soy milk in the morning, a banana muffin, some cooked/mashed carrots... I think that's it.

Now I know why my one-month streak was ended: running out of Acacia (stupid!) and having to switch to Metamucil, which just doesn't work well for me but is the only other sFS I can find in Canada, until more Acacia arrived at my doorstep, combined with the onset of a particularly bad period (always does it to me). Anyway, I'm scared now to start insolubles again - I don't think I can stand another painful 'attack' like that. But I've already been on only solubles for almost 5 days now, and that's just too long.

Wow, this is turning out to be a long post... but the other thing I wanted to say was that I finally told my friends about my IBS , and I'm so happy and thrilled with their response. Basically it had to be because everyone was asking why I wasn't drinking at parties (I'm in university), why I spent that one party at my house a while ago in bed upstairs, why I put powder in my tea etc. etc. etc. So I explained it to them, and they were so wonderful, understanding and supportive. One friend told me that her aunt has IBS and bought me a hot pack for my birthday, another's boss has IBS. And a friend just called me from the doctors' office where he just found out he has a mild, stress-induced case! In general, everyone is helpful, supportive and understanding about special diet concerns, etc. I used to be so embarrassed about it, would just cite vague stomach problems and only if I had to. I can't say what a RELIEF it is to be an "outed" IBS sufferer! LOL

Anyway, I should end this tirade. THANK YOU (again) to everyone who responded so nicely to my post about my 1-month stretch, and I'm so sorry to have to tell you that it's over, for now. (trust me! argh!)

Laurel.

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