Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: AerobicsAngel, Heavenlee, Doubletrouble

First, *hugs* to all three of you!

AerobicsAngel--Hey! I remember you! I can also be wary of new people and making friends (partly because of some IBS limitations, partly because of an ex-friend of mine who suffered from a personality disorder and what happened to her, partly because of the expectations and responsibility of having friends). It's scary posting here, because there are a few people who I'd really like to get to know better, but I feel sort of anxious about it.

Heavenlee--You're not alone. My dad and sister used to call me a "party pooper" because I wasn't able to go out with them all the time. I finally got through to them by making them read stuff about IBS and telling them over and over what and how I was feeling, crying, inviting them to come to the bathroom with me and see what the "party pooper" is experiencing (they never accepted the offer). But they're family and I thought I had the right to be as obnoxious with them as possible to get my point across. lol.

IBS is a functional disorder, a real illness that needs to be managed by the person who has it. It helps when family, friends, and partners understand this, but it can take a while for them to "get it"--especially since it's not a life-threatening disease and most of us probably don't even look sick.

Doubletrouble--At times, I feel like hermit; I've always had these tendencies to be a loner but with the IBS (and anxiety) I find myself actively isolating myself. At this point, I don't worry about the quantity of friends of I have, but the quality. I have a few really good friends who visit me and know about my IBS and plan get-togethers accordingly, so in that way I feel pretty lucky that they don't leave me alone. Like you, it's hard for me to go to the doctor's or dentist's office--oh, and getting my hair done! It's not the act, like getting my teeth cleaned or blood drawn, but just the fact that I have to sit there, waiting, wondering about what's going on with my belly--and if I hear one gurgle, I FREAK! I'm trying to stop thinking so negatively because it feeds into my anxiety and that triggers more IBS symptoms. But it's difficult to break old habits and thought patterns!

I'm sort of rambling, I had a rough night and took some meds that are making me woooozy. I hope this reply made sense. I just wanted to reach out to you all because I know what you're feeling and I feel relieved I'm not the only one.

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