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

im a first semester junior at SUNY Albany

Do you think your IBS is caused by stress? i recently went home this weekend bc we had break and i had such a good weekend! i ate dinner late (past 7 o clock) and stayed up late and was even around ciggarete smoke(which is killer for me) and i was ok the whole weekend. i have significantly noticed when i am less stressed, regardless of if i eat what im supposed to (which i ALWAYS do), i feel better. stress makes me sick even when i eat the things that arent supposed to get me sick.

* Do your symptoms get worse around the time of midterms or finals? twice already i have ended up in the hospital around finals time because the stress got me so sick i couldnt eat or drink without being sick all day and i fainted a few times which led me to the hospital for days at a time (last time was a whole week!) this semester however i have studied more than i ever have before and i noticed i am less stressed during test time resulting in me feeling a lot better. i may not get to go out at night, but id rather stay home and study and feel ok than go out and be sick for weeks.

* 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!) well recently, i moved into an on campus apt bc of a medical excuse that i need my own kitchen. the dining hall staff said they would accomodate for me and always screwed up the meals, using oil and butter resulting in me being sick after every meal. when i lived in the dorms i NEVER ate in the dining hall, i would go home every weekend and cook, then bring back food and keep it in the mini fridge and then re heat it. it got to be too much of a hassle with the constant travel but i had to do it. i bought a hot pot and was able to cook organic pasta in my room so that was convienent, and i kept soy milk in the fridge so i could eat rice chex-when times got desperate i was eating rice chex for every meal, also there is a bagel chain where i go to school (brueggars(not sure about the spelling), they have a website with the ingredients listed) so i know i can eat there, so i would eat plain or cinn raisin bagels as meals as well when my food supply ran low. i suggest besides getting a hot pot, buying a rice cooker, you can make rice and steam vegetables(not that i can tolerate most) and chicken or shrimp in the rice cooker as well(mine can do both, im not sure if all can). also i always kept fat free saltines in my room.

* Have you explained your condition to roommates and friends? over the years i have lost some friends bc they were sick of me cancelling plans bc i got sick. the ones i have now have stuck by me and understand, my old roomates understand but again got tired of asking me to go out and having me decline. my new roomates are the best and totally understand and know why i have special food in the fridge and that i cant have the food everyone else eats, they always ask questions but i dont mind. they are also good when im tempted with cakes or cookies ppl make, they are like " u cant eat that!" and its good to hear.

* Do you ever drink alcohol or caffeine? (two popular college substances) i do admit i miss drinking. i am 20 years old and havnt had a drink in over 2 years. i drank in highschool (like normal kids did!) and i was always getting sick- its not worth it to me to be sick for days at a time just to get drink, i have given up all sorts of drinks bc of caffiene- i only drink bottled water now.

* How has IBS affected your social life at school? i went from going out 3-4 times a week, coming home at 5-6 am to never going out at all. i do miss it too, and i miss my friends, but until i feel a lot better i just have to stay home. it has definately affected my "romantic" life or lack off, its too hard to xplain to guys why i dont drink or stay out late, why i am sick all the time and why i cant eat certain things.

* How has IBS affected your school work/GPA? i missed 3 weeks of school last semester bc i was in the hospital and i pulled a 3.6! i got lucky with VERY understanding teachers, this semester my teachers are very strict with attendance policies, so when im abset and cant xplain to them that a stomach ache really is a valid xcuse, attendence does sometimes bring down my gpa.

* Have you explained your IBS to your professors? i had to last semester bc i missed so much school. if it happens again (crossing fingers that it wont-althou it usually does)
then i will have to xplain the situation and hope they understand.

* Have you ever considered (or have) droppped out of school due to IBS? i took a semester off of school my freshman year bc i was transferring and was so sick. i regret missing that half of year or my life, but now im just working hard to graduate a semester behind everyone else. when im sick i think a lot about dropping out bc its impossible to study and go to class and have a normal life when you're sick, but i have made it this far i just want to see if i can stick it out another year and a half.

* 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 go to the gym when im feeling strong enough and i did get a medical permit last year so i can park in front of my old dorm in case i got sick and had to run upstairs. other than that i havnt really done much within the university.

* Any other anecdotes relating to college and IBS
stress really does make a difference. when im less stressed i feel better and it makes the days possible to stand. when im sick, college is a nightmare- im hoping soon ill just wake up one day and feel magically better- wishful thinking.

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