First of all, when you say you have been diagnosed, did you have a colonoscopy to confirm it? Have all the other possibilities been ruled out?
I'm also a "D" and was diagnosed 5 years ago (but had symptoms for over 20), then went into denial for about a year after. Heather and these Boards -- and MICHAEL -- turned all that around for me.
Panic attacks, oh yeah! I won't bore you with my story, but suffice it to say that I had to give up my job, applied for Social Security Disability (and was turned down; they told me to find a job near a bathroom), tried to work out of my home, but was totally confined to it. I couldn't even leave my house long enough to walk to the mail box!
And then I "met" Michael. He's AWESOME! Check my (and others) success stories in the Hypnosis Board. If it hadn't been for Michael's awesome CD program, I don't think I would be where I am now. We built a new home down here in the woods, and I travel in and out of the woods all the time. I even go out on the lake, kayaking, for hours on end!
Go to your nearest pharmacy and ask for Equalactin. Although it says it's for "C", it also helps those of us with "D". It totally helps me, even today, even though I'm stable. Do a "search" for it -- you'll find a million posts. It's great stuff. It's OTC, but most pharmacists have to order it for you. It will calm down the tummy rumblings. See if your doctor will prescribe Donnatal for the severe times when you're doubled over; it's GREAT stuff, but dangerous because it contains phenobarbital. I use it very, VERY sparingly. If your doctor says no (and a lot of them do), but you can tolerate peppermint, check out Heather's peppermint capsules; she says they work better as an anti-spasmodic than Donnatal.
If you stick to Heather's diet religiously -- and don't cheat, not even a cup of coffee! -- I promise you'll get better and eventually become stable. THEN you'll be able to return to your profession. However, I'll be honest with you here: I found that my attacks were always stress-induced. Sure, the triggers didn't help, but it was the stress that I brought on myself. Giving up my job did NOT help that stress one bit. You CAN have a successful profession with IBS; it just takes a little -- no, a LOT -- of hard work. And that hard work starts with the steps you've already taken -- getting Heather's book and coming here for advice. We've all been there, Girlfriend, and we're all surviving.
BTW, you are NOT a "whiner," not by a long shot! This is where you come for help and advice, and yes, support. This is an AWESOME support board!
By the way, I'm 62.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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